Is the Death Star Relic from Star Wars E9 the First or Second Death Star?

The recent trailers for The Rise of Skywalker, the final installment of the Star Wars saga, have brought to light a potential sighting of a Death Star wreckage, leading to questions about whether it belongs to the first or the second Death Star. Let's delve into the details and analyze the clues provided in the latest trailer.

Clues from the Trailer

Based on the final trailer, the relic in question seems to be the ruin of the second Death Star. One of the compelling indicators is the presence of the Emperor's old throne and viewing window in the background. These locations are significantly tied to the events of The Return of the Jedi, where the final battle against the Empire took place.

The wreckage of the room that hosted the climactic battle aligns more closely with the second Death Star rather than the first. Additionally, the significance of the Chosen One bringing balance to the Force and returning to the light is more fitting with the second Death Star's context, as this alignment of events is missing from the first iteration.

Another telling detail is the reference to the Emperor's throne room. The recognizable remnants of this room, used as a reference point for the second Death Star, provide a stronger connection to the plot of The Rise of Skywalker.

Minor Continuity Issues?

It is also possible that this discrepancy could be a minor continuity issue or a result of different lighting conditions in the limited shots shown in the trailer. However, the newer trailer clearly shows the wreckage of the Emperor's throne room, which is a more solid indication that this is indeed the second Death Star.

Disney and J.J. Abrams' Approach

Given that this is a Disney production with J.J. Abrams at the helm, one can expect that the reality might be bent to suit the narrative of the story. The first Death Star and the second Death Star both explode into tiny fragments at the end, indicating that either could have the potential appearance of a relic. However, considering the history and context of The Rise of Skywalker, it is more probable that the ruin in the trailer belongs to the second Death Star.

Visual Analysis

Further evidence comes from a visual comparison of the superlaser dish of the first and second Death Stars, as well as the recent trailer. The first Death Star is known for its distinct circumferential seam, which is notably absent in the latest trailer. In contrast, the second Death Star exhibits noticeable shifts in tone as you move around its superlaser dish, a detail that is specifically highlighted in the The Rise of Skywalker trailer.

First Death Star:

Distinct circumferential seam No visible shifts in tone around the superlaser dish

Second Death Star:

Noticeable shifts in tone as you move around the superlaser dish No circumferential seam as distinct as the first Death Star

Skwalker Rises:

No circumferential seam visible Noticeable shifts in tone around the superlaser dish

Based on these visual and thematic attributes, it appears that the proverbial "relic" shown in the latest trailer more closely aligns with the second Death Star, adding a layer of continuity and narrative cohesiveness to the final chapter of the Star Wars saga.

Note: While this analysis is based on visual and thematic consistency, the true identity of the relic remains open to interpretation and speculation.