during a period of time star Wars Prior to the trilogy, the Jedi Order had become concerned about Anakin Skywalker’s mood, even though Grand Master Yoda quietly thought there was something positive to be found within him. Although his training began years later than what a Jedi should normally do, Anakin’s mastery of the Force has grown far beyond what anyone on the Jedi High Council could have imagined. However, he was spontaneous, impulsive, and unpredictable, often going against Jedi advice to do whatever he liked in the moment. It turned him into a controversial figure among the council members, though Yoda remained infatuated.
Yoda knew as well as anyone by the time of the Clone Wars that Anakin had the potential to one day become Grand Master of the Jedi Order, a seat currently held by Yoda himself. Anakin’s behavior during the Clone Wars was positive and inspiring. He single-handedly led the Republic through some of its darkest days, and it was impossible to deny that he was an exceptionally combative general. He was the poster boy for the Jedi and not without good reason: he saved Master Piell, prevented the destruction of Anaxes, and trained Ahsoka – among other things.
Yoda believed that Anakin’s spontaneity was his true gift
However, what Yoda admired most about him wasn’t Anakin’s unparalleled abilities, nor his proficiency with a lightsaber. Oddly enough, Yoda began to notice the aforementioned spontaneity and occasional recklessness that Anakin had, which he believed to be his true gift. In the sixth season of Star Wars: The Clone WarsYoda enlisted Anakin to help him escape his guards to travel to Dagobah. Even away from war, Yoda saw Anakin as a valuable asset whose unorthodox methods might help the Jedi gain the upper hand. Although Anakin was undoubtedly something of a loose cannon, his unique temperament gave the Jedi something they didn’t already have: a new trick.
In fact, when Anakin exhibited behaviors deemed unbecoming of a Jedi (usually in moments of frustration or fear), Yoda became anxious. The Jedi were completely consumed with their ancient faith by the time of the prequel trilogy, which led to their fear of controversial characters. In the Clone Wars, however, Yoda saw the noble actions of negotiating and peacekeeping as somewhat futile. What the Jedi needed were warriors, and Yoda knew that the Jedi’s impulses were vital in battle, so Anakin’s spontaneity suddenly became something to nurture and steer him in the right direction, rather than crush him.
Anakin’s spontaneity led to conflict with the Council – and its downfall
Although Yoda may have been eager to help Anakin develop his uninhibited traits, they nonetheless created a rift between Anakin and the Jedi High Council, eventually driving him into the arms of Chancellor Palpatine. Mace Windu, a revered and generally orthodox Jedi Master, was mistrustful of Anakin until the time of Anakin’s death. In one fatal moment, Windu refuses to accept Anakin’s plea for the latter to join the detachment assembled to arrest Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sithresulting in Anakin helping Palpatine kill Windu.
Had Anakin worked to earn the Jedi Council’s trust in the years leading up to this event – perhaps through a concerted effort to keep himself motivated and listen to their advice – he might have felt more at home within the arrangement. He may have been included in the squad that captured Palpatine. As it happened, he was not restrained or controlled enough to manage it, and his subsequent conflict with the Council helped bring Darth Vader to an end. star Wars prequels.
