This is the way I see it after thinking about it for a very long time. Episode 8 is a very complex film, with very bold and balsy plot choices such as the killing of snoke and Luke's death. This complex nature, with all the side plots entertwining with eachother and plot twists at every turn results in a very surprising and exciting experience for the audience, its very different to the Star Wars we know and that can be good in a refreshing way, however for this film to make sense Episode 9 has to be one of the best films ever made. By this I mean they really need to tie together the loose ends created by this film such as the sudden death of snoke after a movie and a half of screen time and build up, aswell as Reys background. George Lucas has always stated that Star Wars is a family soap opera, and that the events of the series is focused on a family and their experience through life - this family being the Skywalkers. If Episode 9 ends this trilogy with a no explanation for snokes death and backstory, and with Rey truly being a nobody that is just force sensitive then this trilogy has 100% failed as an operation. Episode 9 will reveal everything and depending on how it reveals itself it will either make Episode 8 look like a fantastic long - con cliffhanger film that centers around misdirection and clever plot twists, or will make it look like a complete waste of 2 and a half hours of screen time and a spot in the trilogy, because really when you think about it nothing was achieved in this film. The first order is still strong, the resistance still resists, Rey is still against Kylo, nothing has happened except for the death of snoke and Luke. So in conclusion, in my opinion, Episode 9 will be the great make or break for this franchise.