The Complexities of Order 66 and Clones' Decision-Making

The Order 66 implementation is often a heavily debated topic among fans of the Star Wars universe, particularly concerning the actions and decision-making abilities of the Clone Troopers. The order appears to have transformed these highly trained and intelligent soldiers into mindless automatons, capable of executing orders without thoughts of friend or foe. However, this narrative often faces significant scrutiny and inconsistencies that challenge our understanding of these armored warriors.

Clones' Lasting Decision-Making Capabilities

Despite earlier programming by Palpatine to follow him under all circumstances, the Troopers demonstrated a remarkable ability to differentiate between allies and enemies. This is exemplified when Anakin Skywalker, a former Jedi, led them to the Jedi Temple. The Troopers, having been instructed by Palpatine to follow Anakin, recognized him as an ally, not an enemy. This decision-making ability was a pivotal aspect of their loyalty to the Believers, as evidenced by their behavior in various battle scenarios and missions.

The significance of long-term programming and the role of individual judgment cannot be overstated. While the Troopers were designed to follow the mandate of the Sith and Dark Forces, they retained the ability to make judgments based on their training and loyalty to Anakin. This complex interplay of programmed obedience and personal allegiance is what ultimately led to the varied responses of the Clones during critical moments such as Order 66.

Sidious and the Long Game

From a strategic standpoint, Palpatine's actions with Order 66 were part of a longer-term plan. By manipulating the Clones to target the Jedi, he ensured the destruction of the Jedi Order, a key component of his grand scheme. This plan was meticulously crafted to eliminate potential threats and solidify his control over the galaxy. The fact that the Clones had to follow any Sith Lord, including Darth Vader, demonstrates the extent to which Palpatine sought to indoctrinate the Troopers with his dark side beliefs and programming.

Interestingly, the transition of Anakin Skywalker to becoming a Sith was pivotal in this narrative. Once Anakin embraced the dark side and transformed into Darth Vader, his status as a Sith Lord became a critical factor in the Clones' decision-making process. The Troopers recognized Vader as a Sith and followed him, indicating that the inhibitor chips and programming had adapted to prioritize loyalty to any Sith over other allegiances.

Plotholes and Fan Theories

Despite the logical constructs of the plot, numerous plotholes have emerged, particularly in the DVD The Clone Wars and subsequent episodes like the Bad Batch. These episodes depict the Clones as being no more than mindless executioners, devoid of any moral or ethical standards, a far cry from their original portrayal. The integration of these elements has led to significant inconsistencies in the narrative, as evidenced by the Troopers' varied responses to looking for Anakin, Ahsoka, and Inquisitors.

The insistence that the Clones did not attack Ahsoka, but did attack Anakin in a specific scenario raises a multitude of questions. The theory that there was an exemption built into the Order for Anakin is internally contradictory and does not hold up under scrutiny. For example, when asked by Jocasta Nu, a Clone was instructed to kill Anakin, and other Clones perceived Darth Vader as a Jedi and attempted to kill him. This internal contradiction makes it impossible to reconcile with any fan-applied fixes or retcons.

The Troopers' behavior also raises the question of whether the inhibitor chips could be bypassed or overridden in certain circumstances. The episode where a Padawan instructed Purge Troopers to execute Order 66 and they complied with the command of the Inquisitors is a clear example of the inconsistency in the narrative. This lack of uniformity suggests that the Troopers retained significant capacities of judgment, ethics, and loyalty even after the implementation of the inhibitor chips.

Conclusion

The implementation of Order 66 and its effects on the Clones present a complex and often contradictory narrative. While the Troopers were undoubtedly intended to become mindless executioners, their actions and decision-making during critical moments suggest a more nuanced understanding of their programming and allegiances. Whether the Troopers were acting out of free will, long-term programming, or a combination of both remains a fount of debate among fans. The inconsistencies in the narrative underscore the challenges of maintaining a coherent storyline when blending different canon sources, and may ultimately require a fresh start to resolve these conflicts.