Understanding the Connection (Or Lack Thereof) Between Kylo Ren and Rey

Often, fans of Star Wars get curious about the complex family trees of its beloved characters. One common question is whether Kylo Ren and Rey are cousins. Despite the fan theories and occasional misinterpretations, the truth is simpler than it may seem.

No Cousins in the Star Wars Universe

lan Solo and Rey are not related, let alone cousins. While it is true that Palpatine used his dark-side connections to potentially influence aspects of Shmi Skywalker's pregnancy, this does not mean he fathered the child. In the official canon, Anakin Skywalker's father is never identified, and it has been confirmed that it was not Palpatine. Consequently, Rey is not part of the Skywalker or Palpatine bloodlines, although she adopts the surname 'Skywalker' to distance herself from the dark legacy of the Palpatine family.

A Closer Look at Their Ancestry

Kylo Ren is the grandson of Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker), while Rey is the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. The paths of their ancestors did not intersect, marking their complete lack of relation. Even if we delve deeper, we find that the concept of 'cousins' becomes convoluted and requires a more elaborate explanation:

First Cousins Once Removed?

By a pedantic and convoluted reasoning, Kylo Ren and Rey could be considered first cousins once removed, due to Palpatine being their common great-grandfather. However, this analogy is as flawed as comparing Luke and C-3PO as brothers or Obi-Wan to R2-D2 as an uncle. The Star Wars universe is not structured in such a manner.

The Simplified Explanation

Thankfully, JJ Abrams and the official Star Wars canon make it easy for us. Palpatine fathered his own clone, Doofy McGoo, who lived a life separate from his creator. Doofy and his wife, Annie Oakley, had a daughter named Rey before being killed by Ochi of Bestoon. This means Rey and Kylo Ren, with their separate lineages, are not related in any meaningful way. Palpatine's clone and the original Skywalker line never intersected.

The Complicated Truth

While the convoluted details might make for a fun game of genealogy, the official story is straightforward. There is no connection between Kylo Ren and Rey in terms of family heritage. So, no, they are not kissing cousins. The complexity of Star Wars' family trees can sometimes be overwhelming, just like the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex! But thanks to the official story, we can cut through the confusion.