Movies News Talk
Thrilling adventures, great battles, and strong characters abound in the Star Wars galaxy. Benevolent history of persecution and loss lurks behind the brilliant lightsabers and cosmic conflicts, though. The execution of Order 66, a sinister decree issued by Emperor Palpatine that nearly brought the Jedi Order almost extinct, is among the most horrific events in Star Wars history. While many Jedi died, a small number escaped the Empire and survived the cruel Jedi Purge.
For those who survived, Order 66 left a period of extreme anxiety and ambiguity. Under the iron fist of Darth Vader and the Emperor, the Empire mercilessly sought down any last Jedi, transforming them into a symbol of terror and revolt. By depicting the Jedi as terrorists using propaganda, the Empire essentially turned public view against them. Once revered for their knowledge and peace, the Jedi started to be hunted fugitives compelled to live in the shadows.
Leading the search for surviving Jedi was Emperor's enforcer, Darth Vader. Former Jedi seduced by the dark side, he gathered a group of elite Jedi hunters known as the Inquisitorius. Twisted by their fallen values, these people were assigned to locate and destroy any Jedi who had managed to flee Order 66's initial assault. Using their knowledge of Jedi techniques and skills, they were merciless and unrelenting in their hunt of their former brothers.
Some people dared to buck the tide among the general fear and treachery. Three Jedi Padawans who survived Order 66 were covertly sheltered by Senator Sanver, a Barabel agent in the Galactic Senate, so defying the Empire. Sanver couldn't stand by and let the Jedi be hunted down; his Barabel society held great respect for them. Even under extreme persecution, his actions showed the bravery and compassion still existing in the galaxy.
Sanver paid a terrible price for his bravery, though. The Inquisitorius found his act of rebellion; he and the three Padawans he defended were quickly put dead. Denied the opportunity to fulfill their destiny, the Padawans had been covertly continuing their Jedi training under Sanver's wary eye. Their lives were taken too soon, and their aspirations to be Jedi Knights were extinguished.
Though Sanver and the Padawans met terrible ends, their narrative reminds us of the relentless spirit of resistance that persisted even in the worst of circumstances. They show that people can decide to stand up for their values and fight for a better future even when apparently insurmount challenges exist. Reminding us that hope and bravery can still triumph even in a galaxy governed by fear and oppression, the tale of Sanver and the Padawans gives the story of the Jedi Purge complexity and depth.