How Revenge Of The Sith Set Up A New Jedi Order Sequel Trilogy Failed To Deliver

In the novelization of “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,” a pivotal statement underscored the Jedi Order’s transformation into the New Jedi Order in the Star Wars Legends continuity, which made the sequel trilogy all the more disheartening. The Jedi Order from the prequel trilogy had its flaws, yet it wasn’t inherently evil. However, they grew too comfortable and inflexible, failing to adapt as they should have. Regrettably, this rigidity played a role in their demise at the hands of Palpatine.

As a dedicated Star Wars enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for Matthew Stover’s novelization of “Revenge of the Sith.” This masterpiece belongs to the expanded Star Wars Legends continuity and enriches the saga with extra dialogues, scenes, and layers of context. Among these additions, a profound internal monologue by Jedi Grandmaster Yoda resonates deeply.

In the aftermath of his unsuccessful confrontation with Emperor Palpatine, Yoda embarks on a soul-searching journey, questioning his own shortcomings and those of the once-great Jedi Order. This introspection provides a fascinating backdrop to Luke Skywalker’s character in the original trilogy as well as his earlier incarnation within the New Jedi Order of Legends.

Revenge Of The Sith Confirmed The Jedi Order Needed To Change

No Longer Could They Err In Their Ways

As a seasoned movie critic, I find myself pondering on the evolution of the enigmatic Sith Order in the grand tapestry of the Star Wars saga. The cataclysmic Ruusan campaign, supposedly heralding their demise, proved to be but a temporary setback for these formidable forces of darkness.

Enter Darth Bane, who masterfully redefined the essence of Sith Lordship and birthed a millennia-long dynasty of Dark Lords. These progeny, each more potent than the last, infiltrated the galaxy with stealth and subtlety, their presence largely unnoticed by the Jedi until it was too late. This insidious rise to power is a testament to the indomitable spirit and cunning of the Sith – a tale that serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat they pose.

In a shocking turn of events, the final and most formidable of the Dark Lords, Palpatine, executed the long-anticipated wrath of the Sith during his coup, which simultaneously obliterated both the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic. Conversely, it was the Jedi who ultimately failed to adapt and change. In Yoda’s contemplative thoughts:

The Jedi, however, remained unyielding.

The Sith underwent a transformation. They grew, evolved, and dedicated a millennium to meticulous research on both the Force and the very essence of Jedi teachings, all leading up to this moment. Essentially, they reinvented themselves.

They had become new.

While the Jedi—

The Jedi had spent that same millennium training to refight the last war.

In my experience, the emerging Sith couldn’t be vanquished by a lightsaber; they weren’t consumable by any blaze of the Force. The more radiant I shone, the denser their darkness grew. How was one to triumph over the blackness when conflict itself had turned into the tool of the dark?

Why Didn’t The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Follow Up On Revenge Of The Sith’s Promise?

Luke’s Canon Jedi Order Simply Can’t Compare

In the storyline known as Legends continuity, the character development of Luke Skywalker during his original trilogy, particularly in “Return of the Jedi,” beautifully coincides with Yoda’s speech. Compared to the Jedi of earlier times, Luke’s version of the Jedi was more balanced and deeply connected to the Force. The Jedi under Luke’s leadership, including himself, embraced healthy forms of attachment, held the belief that those who succumbed to the dark side could still find redemption, and were significantly less strict in their way of life.

Instead of becoming what it should have evolved into following the Ruusan campaign, as the Jedi Order from the prequel era might have done, the contemporary Star Wars lore took a regrettable path regarding Luke Skywalker and his contemporaries’ Jedi Order. This path stripped away the intricacy of the earlier Jedi Order and essentially recreated the prequel-era Jedi Order in a repetitive fashion.

It’s possible that this was done to mimic the original trilogy’s feel and catch viewers off guard, possibly due to misunderstanding the representation of the Jedi in the prequel trilogy. Regrettably, it seems that the portrayal of the Jedi Order might continue in the upcoming Rey spinoff film, potentially adopting a form similar to their depiction in the prequels rather than living up to the promise shown in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

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2025-04-27 18:35

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