The Untold Story of the Jedi Council's Last Mission: A Shattering Revelation

Summary

The new Star Wars novel explores the Jedi Council's last mission before the prequel trilogy, revealing their growing isolation and restrictive actions.

In the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the downfall of the Jedi Council is portrayed as a result of their failure to anticipate future events, as demonstrated in their mission to the planet Kwenn. Qui-Gon Jinn and the Council find themselves embroiled in a perilous situation, where various pirate factions join forces to plot their assassination.

A new Star Wars novel will delve into the final mission of the Jedi Council before the prequel trilogy, revealing their most significant error. As the events of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy drew near, the Jedi Order experienced a noticeable decline from their once revered and influential state during the High Republic Era. The Jedi Council, solely responsible for the Order's decisions, grew increasingly restrictive in their rules and regulations, isolating themselves on Coruscant instead of engaging with the galaxy's inhabitants.

Lucasfilm has announced a forthcoming novel, disclosed via Gizmodo, which occurs just prior to the events of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Renowned author John Jackson Miller, known for his works such as Kenobi (2013) and A New Dawn (2014), has penned The Living Force, which revolves around the Jedi Council. The book captures a perilous mission undertaken by the entire group on the planet Kwenn. Featuring esteemed characters like Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and others, this novel explores an uncharted period within the Star Wars canon. Here is the synopsis:

Before the events of The Phantom Menace, Yoda, Mace Windu, and the Jedi Council are faced with a rapidly changing galaxy.

For ages, the Jedi have journeyed through space, safeguarding peace and upholding justice across the galaxy. However, the very fabric of the galaxy is undergoing a transformation, which brings about profound shifts within the Jedi Order. Increasingly, their attention is directed towards the Republic's future, leading them to seclude themselves on Coruscant. Here, the twelve esteemed members of the Jedi Council deliberate on crises of immense magnitude that impact the entire galaxy.

On the planet Kwenn, a Jedi Outpost from the Republic's prosperous era is about to be retired. Qui-Gon Jinn voices his concerns to the Council regarding the growing isolation of the Jedi Order. In response, Mace Windu proposes a bold plan: all twelve Jedi Masters will embark on a goodwill mission to assist the planet. Their aim is to remind the galaxy's inhabitants that the Jedi remain steadfast and influential throughout history.

However, not everyone welcomes the arrival of the Jedi leaders with joy. Pirate factions, taking advantage of the Jedi's absence, have infiltrated the region and are engaged in warfare. Determined to maintain their power, the pirates join forces and plan to assassinate the Council. They are even willing to sacrifice numerous innocent lives to secure their dominance.

Severed from Coruscant, the Jedi Masters are confronted with an unwelcome revelation: despite the Jedi Council's incessant contemplation of the future, it is the inhabitants of the present who are most in need of their assistance.

The Jedi Council Stopped Looking To The Future - & Missed The Clone Wars

During the waning years of the Republic, the Jedi Council faced a challenging situation. They had become even more isolated within the core and were uncertain about the future of both themselves and the Republic. The Galactic Senate was plagued by tension and bureaucracy, causing growing concerns about stagnation. Qui-Gon Jinn, a renowned maverick Jedi, compelled the Council to reevaluate their actions by urging them to assist a world they had recently abandoned. Having previously declined an offer to join the Jedi Council and frequently having clashed with its ways, Qui-Gon's role in this story is bound to be significant.

The synopsis suggests that the Jedi Council will learn the importance of being attuned to the Living Force and embracing the present moment. However, ironically, this very mindset would become their greatest mistake, as it prevented them from foreseeing the impending galactic conflict. Just a decade later, the galaxy would be engulfed in the Clone Wars, further pushing the Jedi away from their original values and principles. John Jackson Miller explores this narrative in The Living Force. The Jedi are preoccupied and fail to focus on the future, leading them to become targets of an assassination plot. This incident may prompt them to retreat even further from the frontlines and ultimately cultivate a sense of complacency that contributes to their downfall in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Star Wars: The Living Force releases April 9th, 2024.

Source: Gizmodo.