Fans waited long enough to see Yoda.
It felt even longer, since the rumours and reports of his return had been circulating for over a year.
Luke, however, had spent years without a visit from his former teacher and he only has himself to blame.
Yoda’s scene-stealing timing in making his reappearance just as Luke goes to burn down the Jedi Tree is no coincidence. There is one major reason why the Jedi master simply couldn’t not reach Luke before that moment.
Yoda’s scene as a Force Ghost served one crucial plot point which would only become clear by the closing moments of the movie.
The ghostly Jedi showed how his power seems to have actually increased since he passed over and became one with the Force. Now that fans know that Luke also dies in The Last Jedi, this was a useful way to set up how Luke can participate in Episode 9 and even take a major role in the final battle.
But this is not the reason why Yoda appeared to Luke precisely at that moment.
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During Rey’s first (and pretty much only) proper lesson in the Force from Luke she suddenly realised one shocking thing. Luke had completely shut himself off from the Force.
Rey couldn’t sense him at all – and it follows, then, that neither could Yoda.
Luke’s decision to sever his connection to the Force during his time on Ahch-To meant that he could not sense Force phenomena like ghosts.
It is likely that Yoda was also unable “find” Luke even if he had tried to reach him.
Considering that Yoda’s spectacular return included a dazzling display of power, this bodes well for Luke (and fans) in the final movie.
Not only could Yoda communicate with the living and appear before them, he was actually able to use phenomenal Force powers to affect our plane of existence.
He called lightning from the sky and incinerated the ancient seat of Jedi learning and power.
Imagine what Luke will be able to do in Episode 9…