Hello

Our Star Wars Visions episode "In the Stars" is now out on Disney+!

Our Star Wars Visions episode "In the Stars" is now out on Disney+!

Because I believe that they love the Jedi. I do! You can often tell in some of the things they write about them, in meta or in fic, that they do genuinely LIKE the Jedi. And this interpretation very much does feel like it spawned as a way to fight back against the interpretation that "the Jedi were corrupt and that's the point of the Prequels" that was so popular right after the films were released and remains relatively popular today. It stands in a middle ground between "the Jedi are the heroes of the story who did nothing wrong" and "the Jedi are the true villains of the story who deserved to die" that allows for the Jedi to have been GOOD, just misguided.

This interpretation allows for these fans to find ways to SAVE the Jedi by having them reform themselves to, often, philosophies and practices that the canon Jedi actually already have. They often end up deciding that they CAN have relationships actually, so long as the don't let their relationships be prioritized over their duty or cause them to harm others. They often end up recognizing that balance means letting go of anger and fear rather than pretending it doesn't exist. They often end up realizing that mental health and therapy are good and important things.

These fans are SO CLOSE to getting it! All they need a little nudge to realize that the Jedi ALREADY HAVE ALL OF THAT. It's not a BETTER interpretation to see the Jedi as having caused their own destruction, intentionally or not. It doesn't necessarily make the story better to see it as true. It's not even necessarily more nuanced to view it that way.

For example, the repetition of a mantra. We've seen this before, but usually with something that invokes the Force. An appeal to strength and courage seems positive enough (and in another franchise might very well be), but it definitely seemed odd, not Star Wars-y...until it took a dark turn when the protagonist describes herself as "strong" in reference to her taking a life, and the appearance of a Sith. It made complete sense then.

Another example, the test in a dark side cave. We've seen this before, as a way for Jedi to face themselves and confront their fears. And the narrative seems to travel this route, until it's revealed that the test was not to face herself, but another being - and kill them. Luke fails a Jedi's test by bringing his weapon and fear and anger with him, and sees his own face when he kills the illusionary Vader. This short turns that on its head, with our protagonist passing a Sith's test by taking up a weapon already inside. She sees nothing (that's shown to us) when she kills the real, living Sith. She doesn't face her dark reflection, but it is her reflection since she goes with the Sith in the end.