LogFAQs > #897672784

A few improvements I would have made:

Cut the entire subplot on the casino planet. It was goofy, pace killing, and disrupted the tone too much. If you still need the subplot, then have them infiltrate an imperial base or ship. Also, make Benicio Del Toro the codebreaker they were going after and not the other asshole who was mentioned for no reason.

Make the rebels' escape from the FO have more urgency. Them lazily floating through space was lame.

Obviously no way to foresee Carrie Fischer dying, but her sacrificing herself by ramming the ship would have been much better, and make it a situation in which there was no other way for the rebels to escape Downside would be her not "reuniting" with Luke via projection.

Killing Smoke and the throne room scene were both brilliant. But they completely squandered the opportunity to do something narratively powerful to set up for episode 9. They should have had Rey agree to join Kylo after his compelling case for going to the dark side, and episode 9 would be her going so far into the dark side that Kylo becomes wary of the monster he created and must then defeat her or save her. This would be redemption for them both and a lot better than Rey ultimately winning Kylo to the light side. It was even perfectly set up from when Luke tells her she went immediately to the Dark Side on the island. And RJ fucked it up. I would have forgiven all else if this plot point was allowed to materialize the way it should have, then episode 9 would be compelling as shit. Kylo staying Kylo and Rey staying Rey completely negated the incredible throne room scene as nothing changed for either characters' situation other than Kylo taking over the First Order. That scene should have been cataclysmic for the narrative but the conflict is literally the same as it was before. God damn it I am frustrated just talking about it.