Yoda's backstory changes the meaning of his The Last Jedi ending

Star Wars revealed Yoda's backstory, and every fan who criticized The Last Jedi's controversial ending was taken aback.

Warning: SPOILERS for Yoda #2

^ The Star Wars franchise reveals a pivotal moment in Yoda's backstory - fans will never see The Last Jedi in the same way again. The diminutive green Jedi is known for being one of the most enigmatic characters in the series. Little is known about his past, his home planet or even his race. But Yoda #2 re-contextualizes The Last Jedi by showing Yoda years before the prequel era, and what he originally thought the Jedi should have to offer the galaxy.

Released in 2017, The Last Jedi was a commercial and critical success, but also controversial among loyal Star Wars fans. Naysayers didn't like the film because, among other elements, it presented the character of Luke Skywalker as an old, bitter man who's reclusive after a tragic mistake nearly destroyed the entire Jedi Order. It also introduces the Jedi Codex: the ancient tome held by Luke that supposedly contains all the secrets of the Guardians of the Force. Rey saves the books at the end of the movie - but most of their contents remain a mystery.

In Yoda #2, written by Cavan Scott, illustrated by Nico Leon, Yoda makes a shocking decision: After helping a backwater world fend off a group of raiders: he chooses to stay on the planet rather than return to the Jedi Council. The council wasn't happy with Yoda's decisions, but even in the days of the Republic his wisdom was respected but not always fully understood. Yoda uses the Force to defend the natives, but also stresses the importance of building their own fortifications; "You don't need me," he says, implying that they can't depend on his help forever.

Presumably, the Jedi Codex contains many examples of Jedi helping those in need, and - crucially - living among ordinary people, rather than in the proverbial ivory tower above them. No wonder the Sith Lord, Emperor Palpatine, was able to turn popular antipathy against the Jedi so quickly: the Jedi made themselves policemen, judges, juries, and even executioners through their actions. Their lack of military experience during the Clone Wars sealed their fate. In the eyes of many, the Jedi Knights are incompetent and unfit to exercise the powers they possess.

Yoda Always Wanted The Jedi To Live Among Ordinary People

Jedi in the distant past, long before the Supremacy Republic era, functioning as ronin-style Samaritans rather than governing bodies. This is what Yoda wants Rey to understand: the Jedi must always use their powers, but it must be a non-political organization that cannot swear allegiance to one government or another (or a person, in Palpatine's case). Star Wars fans have always known that the Jedi were as much responsible for their deaths as Palpatine, and now Yoda's reveal proves it.

Next post: If Yoda fought Anakin in Revenge of the Sith, would he lose?