We finally know why so many Jedi survived Order 66

We finally know why so many Jedi survived Order 66

As a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the galaxy far, far away, I must say that the revelation about Order 66’s effectiveness and the survival of Jedi is both intriguing and somewhat predictable. The fact that the clone troopers, despite being designed as a perfect Jedi trap, showed individuality and resistance to the inhibitor chips is a testament to both George Lucas’s brilliant storytelling and the unpredictability of real-life situations.


Regardless of your views on the prequel trilogy, there’s no denying that one pivotal moment sparked great anticipation among fans: Order 66. This plot point has been intriguing since Obi-Wan Kenobi first mentioned it in relation to Darth Vader’s slaughter of the Jedi Knights. While Anakin Skywalker’s descent into darkness was significant, the near-annihilation of the Jedi was equally vital to the Empire’s ascension. Now, a new book reveals the reason behind this catastrophic event.

“The perfect Jedi trap.”

We finally know why so many Jedi survived Order 66

In Matthew Stover’s novelization of Revenge of the Sith, the phrase “The Clone Wars were the perfect Jedi trap” is used, suggesting that by engaging in war, the Jedi lost their individual autonomy and isolation was their ultimate fate. Order 66 served as proof of this strategy’s effectiveness. According to Thomas Bacon from ScreenRant, despite the brutal and efficient execution of Order 66, there have been a significant number of survivors since then. This raises the question of whether this narrative device is a storytelling loophole for creating engaging tie-in novels and TV shows or if it represents something more substantial within the Star Wars universe. While I’m glad that characters like Kanan Jarrus and Grogu exist, the survival of Order 66 participants does indeed warrant examination.

We finally get an in-universe answer to why so many Jedi survived. A quote from Captain Rex is cited in Marc Sumerak’s The Secrets of the Clone Troopers and gives a good answer:

Even though Order 66 was designed to be a directive that we couldn’t resist, not every clone ended up pulling the trigger. Some, like my friends in Clone Force 99, were less susceptible to the inhibitor chip’s influence, due to their genetic augmentations. Others were simply strong enough to resist, least until their Jedi general could escape.

Captain Rex

According to Bacon’s interpretation, Order 66 might have been more disorderly than initially assumed, possibly leading to a higher number of Jedi survivors. A significant implication arises from this oversight in the plan. It appears that Palpatine may have had second thoughts about his clone army due to their resistance, as he preferred an army whose loyalty was unwavering. However, the fact that some clones defied him could have raised concerns.

In the Star Wars universe, Darth Vader was tasked with carrying out whatever necessary actions, including the infamous Order 66 which led to the mass extermination of the Jedi. Interestingly, the clone troopers, despite being under his command, showed a degree of individuality, and these exceptions could provide fertile ground for future narratives.

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2024-10-11 17:51

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