Did Yoda and Obi-Wan Plan to Train Leia as a Jedi If Luke Was Killed?

Did Yoda and Obi-Wan Plan to Train Leia as a Jedi if Luke Was Killed?

Analysis and Context

Star Wars is a universe filled with complex morally gray areas and intricate dialogues between its characters. One of the most intriguing questions surrounding the relationship between Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Princess Leia is whether Yoda and Obi-Wan had plans to train Leia as a Jedi, should Luke have died. This question places us in a universe where the fate of two heroes and their training methods intersect under dire circumstances.

Obi-Wan’s Involvement and the Risk of Discovery

When we consider Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi's training plans, the risks associated with revealing their son Luke as a Jedi become paramount. Given that young Leia was just a child and weak due to her circumstances, a plan to train her aboard Alderaan would be fraught with danger.

Obi-Wan thought that young Leia was too vulnerable to be trained.

He might have tried. But I can almost guarantee that Bail and Queen Breha, Leia’s adopted parents, would have refused. At the time of the Obi-Wan series, the princess was young and vulnerable. It is one thing to work within the Senate as Leia did later in life, affecting change by helping the rebellion. But as a child, training as a Jedi with Ben would put her in far more danger from Vader and his Inquisitors.

Young Leia was very brave and handled herself well. But Jedi training if discovered would have got her killed outright. This concern is amplified by the potential consequences of discovery, especially given the threat posed by Darth Vader and the Empire.

Specific Instances and Attacks on Alderaan

Alderaan was a planet opposed to the Empire and supported the Rebellion. Despite this, Emperor Palpatine suspected Queen Breha and her consort to be involved in the Rebellion, leading to Tarkin's surprise visit disguised as a dinner party. However, no evidence was found during this visit.

However, Alderaan was under the watchful eye of the Empire. Tarkin and the Empire's spies were likely monitoring the activities of the queen and her household thoroughly. Even if Bail Bail would empathize with Obi-Wan's intentions, he would not risk Obi-Wan taking the fiery young Leia away from Alderaan. Furthermore, leaving Obi-Wan on Alderaan to train her would have been too risky, given the Empire's increasing presence and the possible betrayal or arrest of the royal family. Therefore, it is unlikely that Yoda and Obi-Wan would have chosen Alderaan for such a perilous activity.

Alternative Training Locations

Given the high risk of discovery, Obi-Wan Kenobi would certainly have sought alternative, remote locations with lower risks. Yoda might also have considered secluded planets for training Leia, such as Ahch-To or Dathomir. These remote locations would provide a safer environment away from the prying eyes of the Empire and the dangers of betrayal. Such locations would allow for a more protected and secure training environment, ensuring the safety of both Leia and the Jedi order.

Obi-Wan's training methods, while deeply rooted in his personal tragedy of losing his son, would adapt to these new circumstances. He might have employed an empathetic and protective approach to ensure that Leia could learn without compromising their safety or revealing their proximity to the rebellion’s core.

Obi-Wan's Force Ghost and Leia's Future

Even if Luke did die, it wouldn't necessarily mean the end of secrets. Yoda mentioned in The Empire Strikes Back that “there is another.” This could be a hint that Leia, despite the loss of her brother, could still become a Jedi under Yoda or Obi-Wan. This duality in potential futures remains a poignant reflection on the complex and intertwined destinies of these characters.

In Georges Lucas' earlier outlines, Leia was to be trained by Luke and become the true chosen one. However, due to the changes made by the studio, this future never came to fruition. The journey of the Rebellion and Jedi Order continued, with Yoda and Obi-Wan facing new challenges and opportunities to train the next generation of Jedi. Even after their untimely deaths, the influence of their Force powers lived on, guiding their successors, including Leia.

In essence, the training of Leia by Yoda and Obi-Wan if Luke were killed would have been a cautious and strategic undertaking, carefully choosing safe locations and adhering to a prudent approach to ensure her survival and the survival of the Jedi Order. The legacy of these legendary characters would continue, despite the tragic loss of their loved ones.