The Untold Reason Behind Yoda's Last Jedi Revelation - It's Not Just Order 66 Survivors!
Yoda believed Luke was the last Jedi due to his fear of a generation of Bokken Jedi tainted by the dark side He had no way of knowing whether these Bokken Jedi had passed their trials
Summary
Yoda considers Luke to be the last Jedi because he adheres strictly to the Jedi Code and does not accept unconventional training methods like those used by the "Bokken Jedi."
Yoda suspects that the "Bokken Jedi" have strayed from the path illuminated by the light and are progressively moving towards the dark side as a result of their aggressive behavior.
Uncertain of whether the "Bokken Jedi" have overcome their challenges and transformed into authentic Jedi Knights, Yoda refrains from classifying them as complete Jedi like Luke.
The explanation behind Yoda's claim that Luke Skywalker is the last Jedi, despite the existence of Order 66 survivors in the galaxy, has puzzled viewers for a long time. Even though Yoda was in seclusion on Dagobah, he would have known about the surviving Jedi and other Force-sensitive individuals seeking training from them. For years, fans have questioned why Yoda would make this statement about Luke when there were still other Jedi out there. Now, Star Wars has finally provided an explanation.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Baylan's "Bokken Jedi" Insult Fits With Yoda's Views
Baylan Skoll gives Ezra Bridger the derogatory nickname of "Bokken Jedi," a reference to the wooden training sword used by the Jedi. By applying this term to Ezra, who was not a part of the Jedi Order's prime era and was trained by Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus, Baylan undermines his status as a true Jedi. Just as the bokken is a mere imitation of a lightsaber, Ezra is seen as an imitation Jedi, lacking the same level of power and purpose.
This perspective aligns with Yoda's views, as he, too, would have strictly adhered to the Jedi Code when determining who could be considered a true Jedi. Yoda would have disapproved of the unorthodox training methods employed by these "Bokken Jedi," even if they had spent a significant portion of their lives at the Jedi Temple. The Stupendous Wave delves deeper into this topic, exploring why Yoda did not consider individuals like Ezra, Ahsoka, and Kanan to be "true" Jedi.
Yoda Feared A Generation Of Bokken Jedi Tainted By The Dark Side
After Order 66, Jedi survivors had to abandon the strict rules of the Jedi Code in order to survive while traversing the galaxy. Consequently, they became more aggressive compared to their predecessors, surpassing even their own levels during the Clone Wars. This newfound aggression was imparted during training to the "Bokken Jedi," as they feared their Padawans would suffer a similar fate during Order 66.
Yoda, however, viewed this as a dangerous path towards the dark side, regardless of its significance for survival. Any Jedi who embraced such aggression would no longer be considered a true Jedi but rather deviate from the path of the light, gradually edging closer to the dark side. This perilous journey is exemplified in Ezra's own experience, where he delved into a Sith holocron in Star Wars Rebels, yet ultimately returned to the light with the assistance of Kanan. Nevertheless, Yoda would never approve of adopting the aggressive nature synonymous with the dark side, leading him to believe that these survivors and the succeeding generation could never truly be Jedi.
Yoda Had No Way Of Knowing Whether These Bokken Jedi Passed Their Trials
Jedi can only attain the rank of Knight after successfully completing their trials, as directed by Yoda when he instructs Luke to confront Darth Vader. By passing this test, Luke completes his transformation into a Jedi Knight. Yoda's approving presence after the Battle of Endor suggests that Luke has indeed passed his test. These trials serve as the sole method of determining who is worthy of progressing from Padawan to Knight, and without them, the Jedi Order would be incapable of determining whether a Jedi is truly prepared for such a significant title.
Since the training process for the "Bokken Jedi" already deviates from the traditional Jedi Order, Yoda lacks the means to ascertain whether they have undergone their trials before being knighted. Without this verification, Yoda cannot consider them genuine Jedi Knights, particularly as he abides by the traditional Jedi Code. During his conversation with Luke, Yoda implies that becoming a Jedi Knight is essential to being a complete Jedi, and this is why he maintains that Luke is the only remaining Jedi once he attains Knight status.
Unbeknownst to Yoda, many of these "Bokken Jedi" have already encountered their own trials, which they successfully overcame. In Ezra's case, he confronted Grand Admiral Thrawn and resisted Emperor Palpatine's temptations. Ahsoka, on the other hand, directly confronted Anakin Skywalker in the World Between Worlds to learn one final lesson from her former master. While the Star Wars audience acknowledges and accepts that Luke is not the sole Jedi in the galaxy anymore, Yoda, unfortunately, was never afforded the opportunity to grasp this reality. Consequently, he still believes Luke to be the sole remaining Jedi when Luke faces his own trial and achieves the rank of Jedi Knight.
