'Revenge of the Sith' Promised a Better Jedi Order...What Happened?

Twenty years ago, *Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith* hinted at a revitalized Jedi Order, a promise that many feel the sequel trilogy never truly fulfilled. The prequels showcased an Order that, while not evil, was undeniably flawed and ultimately contributed to its own downfall. But what went wrong?

The novelization of *Revenge of the Sith* offers a crucial insight into this unfulfilled potential, particularly through Yoda's reflections after his defeat by Emperor Palpatine. This book, part of the Star Wars Legends continuity, expands on the movie's narrative with additional scenes and dialogue, providing deeper context to the saga.

The Jedi's Stagnation Yoda's internal monologue reveals a stark contrast between the Sith and the Jedi. The Sith, having supposedly been destroyed during the Ruusan campaign, had secretly evolved and adapted over a thousand years. Darth Bane restructured the Sith Order, creating a lineage of increasingly powerful Dark Lords who subtly manipulated the galaxy. In contrast, the Jedi remained stagnant, clinging to outdated practices and failing to recognize the changing nature of the Force and the threats around them. Yoda laments that the Jedi spent a millennium "training to refight the last war," while the Sith "had remade themselves" into something new and dangerous.

As Yoda reflects, "The new Sith could not be destroyed with a lightsaber; they could not be burned away by any torch of the Force. The brighter his light, the darker their shadow. How could one win a war against the dark, when war itself had become the dark's own weapon?" This realization underscores the need for a fundamental shift in the Jedi Order's approach.

The Sequel Trilogy's Missed Opportunity The Legends continuity perfectly aligned Luke Skywalker’s journey in the original trilogy and his subsequent founding of the New Jedi Order with Yoda’s insights. Luke’s Jedi embraced balance, demonstrating a deeper understanding of the Force compared to previous generations.

Luke’s Order was characterized by healthy attachments, a belief in redemption, and a less rigid lifestyle. This balanced approach stood in stark contrast to the prequel-era Jedi Order. However, the modern Star Wars canon took a different path, diminishing Luke's complexity and reverting his Jedi Order to a form reminiscent of the prequels. This decision, possibly driven by a desire to recreate the original trilogy's dynamics or a misinterpretation of the prequels, ultimately failed to capitalize on the potential for growth and evolution hinted at in *Revenge of the Sith*. The upcoming Rey spinoff movie risks perpetuating this trend, potentially portraying a Jedi Order that echoes the prequel era rather than fulfilling its earlier promise.