Star Wars Keeps Proving Yoda and Obi-Wan Were Wrong About Order 66

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As new Star Wars stories emerge, focusing on the dark period under the Empire, we often meet Jedi who somehow survived the Emperor’s attempt to wipe them out. Many of these survivors actively resist the Empire. This raises a question: did Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda make the right choice by pinning their hopes on the children of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala?

After the events of Revenge of the Sith, very few Jedi remained – only around two dozen. This number includes those who lived on briefly, only to die in later stories set during the Empire’s reign. Considering there were originally 10,000 Jedi, a survival rate of just one percent suggests roughly 100 Force-sensitive individuals were still alive and active. However, Obi-Wan and Yoda’s decision to go into hiding, driven by fear of the Sith, might have been a mistake – perhaps they should have fought instead.

Star Wars Canon Prevents It, but the Jedi Should Have Regrouped After Order 66

During the period when the Jedi were targeted, they spent three years training for combat, making a number around a thousand seem plausible. The Jedi who lived through the initial attack would have been the most skilled warriors within the Order. It’s puzzling why Obi-Wan and Yoda believed they needed to wait for two young children to mature, especially considering they might not even have the required Force abilities. Ultimately, the explanation lies within the established story of Star Wars.

Despite any flaws, the decisions made by Obi-Wan and Yoda actually strengthen their characters. Strong emotions can cloud a Jedi’s connection to the Force and affect their decisions. After a difficult war, Obi-Wan ended the conflict by defeating General Grievous, but his own troops – who felt like family – betrayed him. Similarly, Yoda led the initial battle of the Clone Wars and then attempted to win the final fight alongside the Wookiees, only to be overwhelmed by the deaths of countless friends and colleagues he’d known for years.

Okay, so looking back at the Star Wars prequels, it’s clear they teach us a pretty tough lesson. But something really interesting happens when you revisit the original trilogy after seeing them. Suddenly, Obi-Wan and Yoda look…different. It hits you that both of them are actively withholding huge truths from Luke – not because they’re master strategists, but because they’re afraid. The prequels reveal that they weren’t being clever; they simply didn’t trust Luke to handle the emotional weight that destroyed Anakin and haunted them for years. It’s a fascinating reframing of two characters we thought we knew so well.

The story highlights how Obi-Wan and Yoda saw Darth Vader as completely separate from Anakin Skywalker, a view that clouded their understanding of the Force. Despite Obi-Wan’s reluctance to kill Anakin, both Jedi masters insisted Luke destroy Vader. They failed to consider that Vader could choose to return to the light side through a single act of selflessness – saving his son. Had Obi-Wan and Yoda recognized Anakin’s potential for redemption, the entire Star Wars saga might have been significantly shorter.

The Skywalker Saga Hangs on Whether Destiny Exists in the Star Wars Universe

The events in Star Wars unfold the way they do because the story isn’t presented chronologically. The Force adds another layer, seemingly possessing its own intentions. However, it’s debatable whether this represents a fixed destiny or if the actions of individuals are responsible for the galaxy’s major misfortunes. For instance, was the information about the future simply reported, or was it a disregarded warning that led to Anakin’s rescue of Luke? The series Obi-Wan Kenobi highlighted the devastating consequences of their choices when Obi-Wan discovered the remains of over two dozen Jedi who had been killed.

The recent series introduced Nari, another survivor of Order 66, to highlight how merciless the Inquisitors were. The series also revealed a hidden tomb containing Jedi who lived through the initial Empire attack but ultimately fell to the Inquisitors. Obi-Wan and Yoda believed spreading out was the best way for Jedi to survive and continue helping, but this proved incorrect. It makes you wonder if more Jedi could have been saved if those two powerful Masters had discovered this hidden group. Maybe, if they had focused on redeeming Darth Vader instead of trying to eliminate him, they could have challenged the Empire’s rise much earlier.

If the Jedi hadn’t scattered, the story could have unfolded very differently. Both the recent TV series and the Jedi Survivor video game show that a network of people helping Jedi and others hide existed, but it was much smaller and less established in the early days, before A New Hope. By going into hiding and remaining inactive, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda unintentionally allowed this network to grow and become more powerful. This fits well with the overall story of Star Wars, which takes place before A New Hope. The Jedi Order, including beloved characters like Obi-Wan and Yoda, had lost their way.

Could a Hundred or a Thousand Jedi Defeat the Sith Before the Empire Established Control?

Recent Star Wars shows have offered new perspectives on the fall of the Jedi Order and the rise of the Empire. Like Obi-Wan and Yoda, the Mandalorian went into hiding, showcasing one version of that pivotal moment. The Bad Batch began with the execution of Order 66 and illustrates the Empire’s swift crackdown on its citizens, while Andor and Obi-Wan Kenobi depict the Empire during its turbulent early years. These stories reveal the Empire’s power wasn’t as secure as it seemed, as seen in the internal conflicts of Rogue One. Furthermore, The Bad Batch explores the fate of the clone troopers after the war.

Imagine if the surviving Jedi Masters – like Generals Kenobi and Yoda – had led the Republic’s army against the rising Empire. They might have stopped the first Death Star from even being built! But Obi-Wan and Yoda suffered devastating losses, losing everyone they loved in a short time. They chose to go into hiding while deeply heartbroken and struggling with their emotions. Was this guided by the Force, or were they overwhelmed by fear, anger, and pain? It’s important to remember that the Empire didn’t become fully oppressive until the events of A New Hope.

After the Death Star was fully functioning, the Senate was dissolved, effectively ending democracy. During the events of The Bad Batch, people still remembered the Jedi, and even a small group of surviving Jedi – perhaps around a hundred – could have helped others while waiting for a new generation of Force-users to emerge. With a Jedi or two in each rebel group, the Inquisitors wouldn’t have stood a chance against a hopeful, organized resistance. Some Inquisitors, like Reva in Obi-Wan Kenobi or the Grand Inquisitor in Rebels, might even have been redeemed. Only Darth Vader and the Emperor would have presented a significant threat.

What if there had been around a thousand Jedi instead of so few? The Empire might have been defeated before Luke and Leia even finished high school. The comics often show Darth Vader nearly being overcome, sometimes even by his own Imperial colleagues. Usually, he survives because Emperor Palpatine, like many dictators, is surrounded by incompetent people. Those who did learn from their mistakes could have overthrown the Sith and let the Rebel Senators handle politics. It’s easy to picture Jedi who inspired strong loyalty – the kind that would make clone troopers switch sides – posing a real threat to the Empire. While Obi-Wan and Yoda were presented as wise masters, the broader story hints they made a critical error in judgment.

You can now see The Mandalorian and Grogu in movie theaters. Plus, all the Star Wars stories are available to buy or stream on Disney+.

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2026-05-24 05:10