Showcase – The Highs & Lows of Jedi Tutoring

The ending of Star Wars Original Trilogy(OT) left millions of Star Wars fans wondering who the person behind the Darth Vader mask was. Of course they saw the face of Sebastian Shaw when Darth Vader was finally unmasked in Return of the Jedi but who was he? What was the story of Anakin Skywalker? And how did this Jedi fall to the Dark Side of the Force? For many years fans were left with unanswered questions until George Lucas felt it was time to tell that story through The Prequels.

The Prequels introduced the master of Obi Wan Kenobi – Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. It also showed Obi Wan to be the dream apprentice any Jedi Master could have tutored. Knowing this did made me glad as Qui-Gon Jinn had a bad episode taking up his first Padawan, Xanatos, who fell to the Dark Side. So from the pits of despair and guilt, his new Padawan has renewed his confidence as a master. It is true therefore that sometimes we may loose someone but the next one that comes along will be several times much better.

 

Before his death at the hands of Darth Maul, Qui-Gon instructed Obi Wan to take the young Anakin as his Padawan. Obi Wan convinced the Jedi Council of his decision and the green light for Anakin’s training was given. A great responsibility has been put on the shoulders of this Jedi Knight.

I must say Obi Wan went on to be one of the greatest Jedi Masters in the Order. It must have made Qui-Gon most proud. Unfortunately, Obi Wan himself seemed to walk through the paths of Qui-Gon when his first apprentice, Anakin, became a Sith. He must have felt what Qui-Gon did years earlier. It must had been equally painful to cut down Anakin on Mustaphar whom Obi Wan had on many occasions placed his life in his Padawan’s hands. They shared a bond like brothers. That bond broke at the end of Episode III.

 

Then the OT picked up where the Prequels left off with the revelation to Luke Skywalker that Vader was once a ‘pupil’ of Obi Wan Kenobi. Vader was also the the father of Luke Skywalker who was also an apprentice of Obi Wan… and Yoda. So it seems in a way that Luke and his old man share equal standing in terms of master-apprentice relationships. 😛

Well, Luke was the Jedi Anakin could not be. He came through for Obi Wan much like Obi Wan came through for Qui-Gon. Only it took much longer… decades to be exact. After watching the Prequels, it now seemed admirable of Luke that he understood what he wanted as a Jedi in a much shorter time than Anakin. The later fought in the Clone Wars, got assigned numerous missions, was more well-trained and yet stumbled at the final hurdle. That same hurdle was presented to Luke much quicker in his Jedi career and he took it in his stride without compromising the Jedi Order.

 

 

Maybe it is true then that during difficult times, heroes are born. Men and women of character will appear to meet the challenges of the time.

 

 

Well, thanks to Sideshow’s foray into the Star Wars line and their fresh injection of quality in a fading line, I was able to link up the Jedi line from Qui-Gon Jinn! (Ok, I have a Hasbro Count Dooku but he is wearing his Sith garb so he is excluded.) Looking at this line of master-apprentice, I can’t help but see it mirrors the experiences of our tutors or parents. They can only hold on to the student or children for so long. The time will come when they have to let go.

It is then that what was imparted will guide them to success or failure. Yet it is not the end for him who stumble initially, salvation always presents itself as long one is willing to forgive oneself. Vader did just that and found strength to hurl Sidious into the Death Star’s abyss.

And he did not stay a Sith.