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Star Words: Episode II, Part 8
Nov. 16th, 2017 02:43 pmObi-Wan's investigation into the assassination attempts on Padmé is one of the most enjoyable elements of Episode II. We hadn't really had the chance before this film to watch someone solve a mystery in a Star Wars movie. Oh, there were plenty of mysteries and secrets and surprises in the original trilogy, but nothing that formed the basis of a kind of detective plot. And it's more than just entertaining. The way that Obi-Wan tracks down clues, and the mysteries he uncovers, are highly illustrative of the nature of the Jedi Order -- as well as its imminent downfall.
First, he attempts to learn the source of the bounty hunter's poisonous dart by using the Temple's analysis droids. When that proves to be a dead end, he employs a more unusual resource -- a friend from a very different part of Coruscant. We've already seen the seedy underbelly during the Zam Wessel chase, but Dex's diner is a little different -- not a wretched hive, just not genteel and fancy. And I'm pretty sure a lot of Jedi wouldn't even consider entering such a place, let alone making friends with the owner. It's fun to speculate when and how Obi-Wan made his acquaintance with Dex -- while he was still Qui-Gon's apprentice? Later on? Does Anakin know him? -- but it's clear that their friendship is a very useful resource. Dex recognizes the dart immediately, and points out the analysis droids' short-sightedness in searching only for symbols. This, he claims with a chuckle, is a symptom of a greater problem.
"I should think that you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and...wisdom."
Knowledge, like the encyclopedic wealth of information contained in the Jedi archives, is important and valuable. But it can only get you so far. And if you think you know everything, that knowledge is little more than a stumbling block. Too often the Jedi can't look beyond their hard-set assumptions. They can't believe a former Jedi could murder. They can't believe anything exists if it's not in their archives. And they can't imagine that a Sith Lord is right under their noses. Obi-Wan is at least somewhat willing to look beyond typical Jedi assumptions. He and Yoda might be a teensy bit wiser than the rest. That may be why they are the only ones to survive the purge. But maybe they were just lucky.
Wisdom can't be obtained in a set of carefully curated data entries, however expansive. It can only be gained from experience, and perhaps more importantly, the willingness to learn from that experience. Well, a lot of learning opportunities are coming for the Jedi. By the time Obi-Wan and Yoda are left as the last surviving members of the Order, they will have considerably more wisdom, gained at a terrible cost.
Next, Anakin tries to find a little loophole in the Jedi Code...
First, he attempts to learn the source of the bounty hunter's poisonous dart by using the Temple's analysis droids. When that proves to be a dead end, he employs a more unusual resource -- a friend from a very different part of Coruscant. We've already seen the seedy underbelly during the Zam Wessel chase, but Dex's diner is a little different -- not a wretched hive, just not genteel and fancy. And I'm pretty sure a lot of Jedi wouldn't even consider entering such a place, let alone making friends with the owner. It's fun to speculate when and how Obi-Wan made his acquaintance with Dex -- while he was still Qui-Gon's apprentice? Later on? Does Anakin know him? -- but it's clear that their friendship is a very useful resource. Dex recognizes the dart immediately, and points out the analysis droids' short-sightedness in searching only for symbols. This, he claims with a chuckle, is a symptom of a greater problem.
"I should think that you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and...wisdom."
Knowledge, like the encyclopedic wealth of information contained in the Jedi archives, is important and valuable. But it can only get you so far. And if you think you know everything, that knowledge is little more than a stumbling block. Too often the Jedi can't look beyond their hard-set assumptions. They can't believe a former Jedi could murder. They can't believe anything exists if it's not in their archives. And they can't imagine that a Sith Lord is right under their noses. Obi-Wan is at least somewhat willing to look beyond typical Jedi assumptions. He and Yoda might be a teensy bit wiser than the rest. That may be why they are the only ones to survive the purge. But maybe they were just lucky.
Wisdom can't be obtained in a set of carefully curated data entries, however expansive. It can only be gained from experience, and perhaps more importantly, the willingness to learn from that experience. Well, a lot of learning opportunities are coming for the Jedi. By the time Obi-Wan and Yoda are left as the last surviving members of the Order, they will have considerably more wisdom, gained at a terrible cost.
Next, Anakin tries to find a little loophole in the Jedi Code...
