system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: The Jedi council deserved to fail in Episode III

EDIT: Thanks all for contributing. Definitely some interesting points! Sorry - there’s too many replies so can’t get to you all!

EDIT: Deserved is a strong word so apologies. I more mean that they are largely experiencing the consequences of their own actions. For sure they didn’t deserve to be murdered, but the institution probably should have been dissolved regardless.

For context, I rewatched all the Star Wars (first 2 trilogy) films over the last week. I had seen them all before but 15 years ago or so. When I was watching, a lot of subtle things I noticed made me think that the Jedi Council didn’t fulfil their responsibilities and, ultimately, deserved to fail.

A few bits I noticed:
- If the Jedi were not self-interested, they would have been more receptive to Anakin. They treated him badly, mainly because of his potential… if they had actually mentored him collectively, he would have had someone to turn to when he was in doubt.
- The Jedi should have seen the dark side of the force slowly creeping over Anakin. The fact that they didn’t just highlighted that they were not fit for purpose.
- The Jedi council were more upset with the politics of the situation rather than actually treat Anakin fairly. They essentially said no to Anakin multiple times just because they didn’t like that they were asked. He could have been a master; he could have accompanied Obi-Wan when he went after Grievous… especially as he hasn’t been granted master.
- The Jedi we’re hypocritical. One example, Windu trying to kill Darth Sidious despite it not being the Jedi way. Moreover, they were trying to seize control from the senate (good intentions or not).
- The Jedi council actively exploited Obi-Wans relationship with Anakin. Exactly the same as Darth Sidious… except he just did it better. They even condoned treason (maybe rightfully) but still not in keeping with the hard and fast Jedi code.

The above makes me think that maybe the Jedi were the “next best option” but definitely didn’t deserve to lead / shape society.

As a child watching these, I always felt a sense of loss around the Jedi… maybe I’m just more pragmatic now. I would love to hear some counter points to recapture that “righteous” feeling I had towards the Jedi!
gpt
I don't think deserved is the right word. It was inevitable. Fate. Anakin was destined to bring balance to the force. It does not matter what the Jedi council did, Anakin was going to bring balance to the force, he couldn't not.