Star Words: Episode II, Part 16
Jan. 11th, 2018 12:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilThroughout Obi-Wan's tour of the cloning facilities and his encounter with Jango Fett, the unsettling sense that something isn't right grows stronger and stronger. When he makes his report to Yoda and Mace, that sense comes to the forefront. The foreboding mood is aided by the driving rain and wind, by shouting voices barely audible over the storm just as the meaning of this mystery continues to be obscured and confusing. Obi-Wan's concerns and suspicions are addressed openly and acknowledged. The Jedi didn't make any sort of order for an army. Master Sifo-Dyas couldn't have been involved, as he was already dead. Trying to puzzle out who's behind all of this, Mace wonders if the Kaminoans might have anything to do with Padmé's attempted assassination. Obi-Wan doubts that they would have a motive, but Yoda chastises him.
"Do not assume anything, Obi-Wan."
Hmm...wise words, Yoda. Maybe you should follow them yourself.
Consider some of his past words from this very same film. "Our judgment she must respect" he says of Padmé's possible resistance to the Jedi's plans for her to go into hiding. And "The Council is confident in its decision," when Obi-Wan wonders if Anakin is ready for a solo assignment. So self-assured. Firm in his assumption that the Council knows what they're doing. Hmm...
After Obi-Wan receives his orders to bring Jango Fett back to Coruscant and ends the transmission, Yoda is at least humble enough to acknowledge the Council's blindness in their inability to sense the creation of the clone army. And then Mace mentions the startling fact that the Jedi's ability to use the Force has diminished. He feels they ought to inform the Senate. Yoda disagrees, and believes that if anyone beyond the mysterious Sith Lord learns of their weakness, "Multiply, our adversaries will."
Perhaps, perhaps. But do not assume anything, Yoda. Perhaps it's because the Jedi remain close-mouthed about the Sith Lord that Palpatine is able to turn the favor of the Senate so quickly and easily against them. They assume it would be dangerous to admit their weakness or seek for allies. And so when they are attacked, they stand alone, with almost no one left who trusts them.
Who knows? It could be that once Sidious had gained this much power, the Jedi's fate was already sealed. It could be that Yoda is making the best choice he can with limited knowledge. But it's also true that all of this started with one terrible false assumption -- believing that the Sith were long extinct. And all of it ends with the breaking of another false assumption -- believing that someone who succumbs to the Dark Side can never return. Don't assume anything, indeed.
Next, some simple but fateful words from Padmé...
"Do not assume anything, Obi-Wan."
Hmm...wise words, Yoda. Maybe you should follow them yourself.
Consider some of his past words from this very same film. "Our judgment she must respect" he says of Padmé's possible resistance to the Jedi's plans for her to go into hiding. And "The Council is confident in its decision," when Obi-Wan wonders if Anakin is ready for a solo assignment. So self-assured. Firm in his assumption that the Council knows what they're doing. Hmm...
After Obi-Wan receives his orders to bring Jango Fett back to Coruscant and ends the transmission, Yoda is at least humble enough to acknowledge the Council's blindness in their inability to sense the creation of the clone army. And then Mace mentions the startling fact that the Jedi's ability to use the Force has diminished. He feels they ought to inform the Senate. Yoda disagrees, and believes that if anyone beyond the mysterious Sith Lord learns of their weakness, "Multiply, our adversaries will."
Perhaps, perhaps. But do not assume anything, Yoda. Perhaps it's because the Jedi remain close-mouthed about the Sith Lord that Palpatine is able to turn the favor of the Senate so quickly and easily against them. They assume it would be dangerous to admit their weakness or seek for allies. And so when they are attacked, they stand alone, with almost no one left who trusts them.
Who knows? It could be that once Sidious had gained this much power, the Jedi's fate was already sealed. It could be that Yoda is making the best choice he can with limited knowledge. But it's also true that all of this started with one terrible false assumption -- believing that the Sith were long extinct. And all of it ends with the breaking of another false assumption -- believing that someone who succumbs to the Dark Side can never return. Don't assume anything, indeed.
Next, some simple but fateful words from Padmé...
