Rey is a Skywalker but not by blood.

First, I want to say Rest in Peace to Kenny Baker, the actor who portrayed R2-D2 in Episodes I-VI.

Some people are so invested in Rey being Luke's daughter they're saying they'd feel like the narrative lied to them if she isn't.  I feel like there are a number themes being overlooked by them.

Rey is told by Maz Kanata that her parents are her past not her future.

Kylo Ren says "that Lightsaber belongs to me" with a sense of entitlement.  That to me makes it choosing Rey over him far more meaningful if she's NOT a Skywalker by Blood.

Star Wars draws on ancient mythological motifs, many of which have a strong emphasis on bloodlines like much of The Bible.  But The Bible also has Galatians 3 which I talked about on another bog recently.  So adoption is also a theme in mythology.

Galatians 326-29

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Perhaps the Sequel Trilogy is the New Testament of the Star Wars Legend.

In the talk of parallel roles between George Lucas' two trilogies.  It hit me recently that a parallel exists between Padme Amidala and Han Solo.  Both are the only person in the main three who aren't Force Sensitive.  And also both are members of the Skywalker family by marriage, not by biologically descending from Shimi Skywalker.

Han Solo becomes a father figure to Rey in The Force Awakens, he effectively adopts her, and that is why she inherits The Millennium Falcon.  That makes her part of the Skywalker family regardless of her bloodline.

Something else about family themes in Star Wars that I noticed recently.

In both Lucas trilogies you can say that the Skywalker battles their Father in the final film.  Anakin defines Obi-Wan as his father figure in Attack of The Clones.  Now Obi-Wan viewed their relationship different, he called Anakin his brother in Revenge of The Sith.  Maybe their viewing their relationship differently is part of why it was doomed to failure.

It does seem clear there is something going on with Rey's origins.  I like the clone of Palpatine theory still.  I'd also like it if she too was convinced by the Midichlorians.

From the latest Rogue One Trailer, what if there is a connection to the Donnie Yen character?  With the Staff based fighting style?