Avery K. Tingle, The Gamer Author

One of the central story arcs in Disney’s “The Last Jedi” is the shattered relationship between Luke Skywalker and his wayward nephew, Ben Solo (aka Kylo Ren). Reminiscent of the fallout between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker more than fifty years prior, Luke is haunted by a fateful decision that resulted in Ben Solo’s fall to the dark side. Though the two would come to disagree on just about everything, the two would unwittingly come to agree on one very crucial tenet of the Star Wars universe.

The Jedi were supposed to represent the light side of the force, but we never get to see them as such. When we’re first introduced to the Jedi in a New Hope, they are decimated. Less than a thousand are left and the few that remain, live in hiding. They are so persecuted that within moments of Obi-Wan igniting his lightsaber on Tatooine, the Empire is on him.

When we finally meet the full force of the Jedi in the Phantom Menace, they only believe they represent the light side. In truth, they are political tools of a republic that has been irredeemably corrupted from within. They are so blind to the dark side, that not even Yoda realizes that the most powerful sith lord to emerge in centuries is literally right in front of him.

Throughout the entirety of the Star Wars franchise, we have never seen the Jedi as true representatives of the light side of the force. We’ve seen them as tools, fools, and fugitives. They also had this habit of taking children.

For all Luke Skywalker and Kylo Ren disagreed on, they both knew that the time of the Jedi was over. It was time for the order to end. Though Luke would change his mind by the end of the film, thanks to Rey’s influence, there was a lot of truth to be considered in their world views.

As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I wouldn’t mind seeing future onscreen endeavors delve into the origin of the Jedi. I’d like to see a time when they were, in fact, wholly the good guys.

Thanks for reading. May The Force Be With You.