My thought in a nutshell:
I thought TFA was great minus the Star Killer Base aspect. It gave me the same chills and emotions of the OT and I really enjoyed that. I personally think it felt more like a Star Wars movie than anything we have gotten since the OT.
I thought TLJ did a disservice to our previous hero in the characterization of Luke. It did have scenes that were visually stunning. I do not like the fast paced untrained progression of Rey, or the use of time she had with Luke Ach-to to develop her skills. I did like the re-uniting of Luke and Leia, (at least RJ didn't screw that up). The final scene of Luke I can deal with kind of or at least accept, but who the hell saw what he did to spread the story of his heroic last stand? Some FO troops? Maybe a few crystal foxes? I think he should have been tired, drained, maybe near death, but re-kindled, to right his error. If not by himself by more time developing the new hero. I know he can do that as a force ghost, I just really did not like it. We all know they will die, but let him fade away into those twin suns knowing he righted a wrong he mishandled previously and his journey is complete. I also left the theater emotionally numb and perplexed and still feel that way since opening night.
I have no clue where 9 will or can pickup, or what to even speculate that we may see. I don't think anyone saw the events of episode 8 coming. For the first time in my life, I am not really excited thinking about whats to come, I still feel indifferent to if they made another one or not. And that sucks to feel that way!!!
I don't think I have shared my thought on the episode 8 thread, but i do feel a bit better about getting some of that out in a place filled with other fans. I think some of you will get where I am coming from, and some will disagree, and thats ok too. I just don't know where the story goes that really makes this last part of the Skywalker trilogy worthy of being attached to the main Saga.
Rant over, sorry I was so long winded....