The Resurgence of the Jedi Order: From Order 66 to the Skywalker Saga

The Jedi Order, once a powerful and revered organization within the galaxy, faced its most significant challenge and transformation following Order 66. This pivotal moment in Star Wars history fundamentally changed the trajectory of the Jedi and their influence on the galaxy. While the Order 66 mandate led to the near-annihilation of the Jedi, subsequent developments in both the canon and Legends universes offer insights into the potential for the Jedi to recover and regain their former glory.

Origins and Decline

Contrary to popular imagination, prior to The Phantom Menace, the Jedi Order was predominantly depicted as a modest, somewhat isolated order, akin to the Knights of the Round Table. This perception affected how audiences envisioned the rebuilding of the Order after the fall of the Galactic Empire. Many believed that Luke Skywalker could easily reconstruct a tight-knit community of a few surviving Jedi.

However, research and well-established storylines reveal that there is no definitive canon storyline where the Jedi fully recover to their pre-Clone Wars status. As a matter of fact, in both the Canon and Lore universes, the Jedi's resurgence has been complicated and fraught with setbacks.

Leveraging Legacy and Building Forward

Canon presents a more pessimistic perspective, showing Luke Skywalker attempting to restore some Jedi temples with the help of Lorrand San Tekka. Yet, neither Luke nor any other character has managed to build a substantial Jedi Order, nor has it survived beyond the initial stages in the latter sequels.

In the Legends universe, the story takes a different turn. In the aftermath of the Battle of Endor and the fall of the Empire, Luke Skywalker successfully rebuilt the Jedi Order, establishing a new Jedi Temple. This resurgence of the Jedi Order in the Legends universe provided a glimmer of hope for the return of a powerful and widespread order.

Current State and Future Prospects

The Return of the Jedi brought a renewed sense of hope, but subsequent events in both the Extended Universe (EU) and the Sequels series quashed that prospect. In the EU, the revival of the Jedi Order took time to establish but was ultimately cut short. The sequels further dampened this hope, as the Jedi both in canon and Lore faced significant challenges that precluded a full-scale revival.

Rey, the new protagonist introduced in the Sequels, may have the potential to rebuild the Jedi Order to its former glory, given her connection to the Skywalker bloodline and the Force. However, based on her character development and interactions in the sequels, it appears unlikely that she seeks to restore the Jedi Order to its former power and prominence. Rey’s journey seems to emphasize personal and character growth rather than grand cosmic ambitions or orders of power.

Conclusion

Whether the Jedi Order can recover to its former glory remains a topic of speculation, especially considering the existing canon and Legends storylines. The potential for a resurgence of the Jedi Order in both universes varies widely, with the Legends offering a more optimistic scenario compared to the Canon. Despite the challenges and losses, the possibility of the Jedi reclaiming their place as guardians of peace and justice within the galaxy remains a central theme in both the Canon and Lore narratives.