Star Wars finally reveals how Rey fixed Luke's X-Wing in Rise of Skywalker

So much happened in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker that it's just as hard to keep track of what made sense as what didn't. The novelisation, written by Rae Carson, has helped to expand on some of the things that felt glossed over in the theatrical release.

The book addressed some of the more glaring plot holes – like how Palpatine returned and got all those star destroyers or what Kylo Ren was doing at the beginning of the film. But it also filled in some plot holes that only keen-eyed fans may have caught – like how Rey got that submerged, broken-down X-Wing working again.

The Rise of Skywalker isn't the first Star Wars movie to warrant companion books or comics to expand on a movie. One thing fans love about the Star Wars universe is how broad it is, encompassing animated shows, TV series, video games and more.

In the case of The Rise of Skywalker's novel, a Star Wars: The Last Jedi plot hole has been both highlighted and filled. If you remember, the whole reason Rey set off on her own at the end of The Force Awakens was to find Luke, who had become a hermit on Ahch-To.

We all know what it's like, you say you'll do something but when it comes time to do it you just don't. So to prevent himself from accidentally rejoining society, Luke destroyed his X-Wing and sunk it into the waters that surround the island.

In the movie, all we saw was the X-Wing at the bottom of the sea, but that Luke had actually taken the steps to destroy it was confirmed in The Last Jedi art book. By the time The Rise of Skywalker arrived, this was old news.

But it became fresh news when Luke came to Rey's aid in The Rise of Skywalker, his Force ghost pulling the X-Wing out of the waters (much like in Empire Strikes Back) so Rey could take it to Exegol.

But how did she get it working when he not only sank it into the water but also destroyed it? Well, the novel explains: "It was old tech, and it had taken some fast thinking and even faster fingers to get it flightworthy – the wing patched with the door to Luke’s hut, shield panels scavenged from the TIE wreckage and a hefty amount of rewiring."

Just because Rey got it in flying shape, however, doesn't mean it would be fighting fit. Carson adds: "It might never fight again – not without help from Rose and her parts-requisition channels."

Century Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker

Century Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker

£17 at Amazon

The novel also expands Rose's role beyond the criminally short screen-time she was actually given.

Of course, this detail opened up a further can of worms. If the ship could have been repaired, why didn't Luke just fly it to Crait rather than Force project himself – a move he knew would expend his life force?

The novel also adds that Rey had to stay on Ahch-To overnight, presumably to give her enough time to find what she needed to repair the ship. Luke didn't have the luxury of that time. Though Rey didn't really have a tonne of time either...

One of the things that makes Star Wars so beautiful is the little corners of the story that get to be fleshed out in comic books and art books and novels. But it can sometimes also be the franchise's downfall.

This wealth of content means there's always room for accidental contradictions, plot holes created by mistake, and enough proof on either side of any given argument for fans to latch on to. In the case of Luke's Force ghost pulling his ship from the water, those who made the specific decision to resurrect the X-Wing may not have even realised the plot hole they were stepping into.

And whether we want it or not, there will continue to be content that will give us more information, and create plot holes in its wake. Best not to look too closely.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is available to pre-order on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K now.

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Gabriella Geisinger

Gabriella Geisinger is a freelance film critic and journalist, with a focus on J-drama & film, and the Japanese production industry. She was previously Locations Editor at Screen International and Deputy Movies Editor at Digital Spy. Her writing can also befound in Curzon, 1883, and more. A born and raised New Yorker, she loves coffee and the colour black, obviously.