When I was out there, alone, all I had was your training and the lessons you thought me. And because of you, I did survive. And not only that, I was able to lead others to survive as well.
They both have beards. NO! But do you like my awesome photo collage skills?
I was just reading an old Nerdist interview with Dave Filoni about “Jedi Night” (as one does), and here’s what he said about why he killed Kanan:
“A lot of my modeling comes from a lot of my exposure to reading Tolkien. Gandalf is not a complete mentor. He’s way more down the path than anyone else, but he’s not complete. That’s why he’s very symbolically gray. He has to figure it out along the way and then attain a new level. Kanan has to also attain a new level before his apprentice can attain anything.”
I read this article two years ago, when it was published, and I remember this. But I think that, at the time, I was too stunned to really process what Dave was saying in any real way. But now that it’s been a while, and I’m not reeling from watching THAT episode, I have some thoughts:
First of all, shame on you for bringing the word “gray” into a conversation about a Jedi, Dave. You know better than that! Second, what exactly is the “new level” Kanan attained? He already knew how to sacrifice himself to save others- he did it at the end of season one, remember? Third, and I know this can’t be accurate, but sir, did you only watch the Lord of the Rings movies? Had you read the books as you claim, you would be aware of the fact that Gandalf dies fighting the Balrog- he attains a new level only afterhe’s resurrected. He’s sent back to Middle Earth because his mission isn’t complete. To reiterate, Gandalf dies. He’s dead. Then he’s resurrected. Then he becomes Gandalf the White. Now…if you’re going to “model” the death of a character after the death of a much much more well-known character, you’re going to invite some comparisons. That’s on you, buddy. You brought Gandalf into this.
According to The Silmarillion, Gandalf was one of the Istari, not a man. The Istari were sent to Middle Earth by the Valar to assist in the fight against Sauron:
“At this point in the fabulous history the purpose was precisely to limit and hinder their exhibition of ‘power’ on the physical plane, and so that they should do what they were primarily sent for: train, advise, instruct, arouse the hearts and minds of those threatened by Sauron to a resistance with their own strengths…” [The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, #156]
Not unlike what the purpose of the Jedi was supposed to be, right? More below the cut, because this is starting to get long.
Kanan essentially engineeredEzra saving Ahsoka in the world between worlds because he felt that what happened on Malachor was as result of him not trusting himself and his own instincts about Maul .
Because, in essence, that hints at Kanan knowing things beyond this mortal plane. Things that only The Force could have known/foreseen. And that, added to this part here:
How many Jedi Masters does it take to pick up a Force-sensitive child from an Outer Rim world (if indeed that is what the painting depicts)? Whatever is going on in that cave painting, that person or child must be of some importance.
I had been highlighting this, like forever!
Baby Caleb Dume was so frikking important the Jedi Order had to sent three of their most senior Masters to pick him up.
Take the two parts together, and add this part from your essay:
Gandalf was one of the Istari, not a man. The Istari were sent to Middle Earth by the Valar to assist in the fight against Sauron:
Kanan was not 100% a human. He was another personification of The Force, but unlike other personifications who embraced their deity status (The Bendu, The Father, The Son, The Daughter), Caleb Dume embraced his human status instead. So he can experience fully what being a human was. And the Force let Caleb “lost his way” for awhile, yet never leaving him, to explore – and experience – what hopelessness, fear, anger, all felt like. And to be within the people of the Galaxy as “one of them”, instead of “an exalted one”.
(This started a branching thought about “The Chosen One” for me, but I’ll revisit that some other time.)
This hypothesis of mine is edified by The Bendu’s own words. I forgot exactly but it goes like: Your inner turmoil is like a powerful storm upon this planet, I got awakened.
Heck, there was Ezra, an admittedly powerful Force User, also having his own inner turmoil. The Galaxy was in turmoil. The “Chosen One” was running rampant together with Darth Sidious. How come the inner turmoil of one Jedi Knight – that didn’t even finish his official training – became “a powerful storm” that can awaken a god from his slumber?
Because that turmoil was not simply a turmoil of a man; it was the turmoil of the Force itself.
Finally, I keep recalling one of Freddie Prinze Jr.’s interviews, in which he said that “Kanan’s Force ability is growing so fast he’s second to none.” This was IIRC between Season 2 & Season 3. As a Star Wars afficionado – and a very good friend to Dave Filoni – FPJr likely had some inkling as to the full extent of the Caleb Dume/Kanan Jarrus character.
Which means that the reason FPJr gently exhorted Filoni to kill Kanan was not because FPJr hated Kanan or wanted Kanan to be taken out permanently. It’s the opposite. He wanted send Kanan on the next step, just like Gandalf, on being improved. To realize Kanan’s full potential. To make Kanan/Caleb join the pantheon of Force Beings, taking his rightful place.
Gandalf the Grey became Gandalf the White.
Kanan the Grey (Jedi) will become Kanan the White (of The Force).
Again, thank you for sharing your profound thoughts, @specseven!
The Sith took everything from me. Ripped me from my mother’s arms, murdered my brother, used me as a weapon, and then cast me aside. Abandoned me. Once, I had power, now I have nothing. Nothing.
