I can definitely see how Ep. 8 was a drastic departure from what preceded it. What I can’t see is where it was supposed to go. Its scorched-franchise approach suggested something better was ahead, when in reality, it squandered vital SW creative resources for shock value. That’s just my take, though.
Still, I thank you for your input and honesty. Also, I agree that, from what I know about Ep. 9, it was a begrudgingly petty film in response to the disruption that was Ep. 8. Two filmmakers in a squabble over the future of a franchise where one had nowhere to go, and the other had nothing left to deliver.