10 Star Wars Mysteries Explained Outside Of The Films
1. How Did Palpatine Cut The Jedi Off From The Force?
The Mystery:
In the prequels, Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) makes mention of Palpatine finding a way to cut the Jedi off from the Force, noting that their ability to wield the Force has been significantly diminished. How exactly was he able to do this?
The Answer:
The recent novel "The High Republic: Light of the Jedi," set roughly 200 years before the events of The Phantom Menace, finally delves into this.
In one scene, where Nihil marauder Marchion Ro has Jedi Master Loden Greatstorm taken hostage, he reveals that Jedi's abilities are weakened by spreading hate and fear throughout the galaxy. He says, while periodically torturing an array of other prisoners surrounding Greatstorm:
"[The prisoners'] job is to fill this entire deck with pain and anger and fear. Makes it hard for you to think, doesn't it? Hard for you to call on the Force... You don't imprison Jedi behind bars. You do it with pain."
Given the immense instability caused by the Clone Wars, it goes without saying that pain, anger, and fear would be in bountiful supply to help Palpatine heavily restrict the Jedi and their powers.
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