A shocking member of the Jedi Council anticipated a potential threat to theStar Warsgalaxy right under the Jedi’s noses a year beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. The prequel trilogy era is undeniably one of the most important points intheStar Warstimeline. Not only didStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithsee the fall of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi Order, and the Republic, but also,this period is when the Sith truly re-emerged, coming out of the shadows at last.
Because these plans were so extensive, many have criticized the Jedi for not uncovering the plot sooner. Their oversight is in part explainable because these plans were carried out by one ofStar Wars’most powerful Sith, who also no doubt used one ofStar Wars’Force abilities—Force concealment—to hide his true self from detection in the Force. Not every Jedi was entirely fooled, though. One canonStar Warsbook, set 1 year beforeThe Phantom Menace,reveals that a key member of the Jedi Council anticipated precisely the type of deception the Jedi ultimately fell for.
Ki-Adi-Mundi Sensed The Potential Threat Of The Sith
Star Wars: The Living Force, written by John Jackson Miller, is set 1 year beforeThe Phantom Menaceand reveals thatKi-Adi-Mundi voiced concerns about the possibility of a growing threat to the galaxy the Jedi were blind to. Speaking of the plans the Riftwalkers' leader, Zilastra, hatched with the Regal Voyager cases, Ki-Adi-Mundi stated:
“They looked innocent—yet behind a cloak that nothing could penetrate, they held something terrible. What if there was another threat like that, but one that put the whole galaxy at risk? Something we Jedi saw as routine. That we looked past, every day?”
While this may not be a concern explicitly about the Sith, the strategy Ki-Adi-Mundi was worried about mirrors nearly exactly how Darth Sidious eventually gained control of the galaxy and took down the Jedi.
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Already, Palpatine was establishing himself as a critically important member of the Republic Senate, and one who specifically came across as wise, trustworthy, and compassionate. Padmé Amidala, who proved to be a brilliant politician throughout the prequels, looked to him as a mentor, and, especially byStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, the Jedi began to seek Palpatine’s insights regarding political issues. It was exactly as Ki-Adi-Mundi had predicted;the Jedi worked with Palpatine day in and day out, all the while having no idea that he was well on his way to ruling the galaxy.
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The Jedi Dismissed Ki-Adi-Mundi’s Concerns
Despite how brilliant Ki-Adi-Mundi’s perception was, the Jedi seem to have ignored his warning, as they were entirely blindsided when Palpatine’s true form and intentions were revealed inRevenge of the Sith. Even more odd,Ki-Adi-Mundi himself seemed to have forgotten his own concerns. His voice was arguably the loudest in the room to claim that the Sith could not have returned inThe Phantom Menace.
Despite how brilliant Ki-Adi-Mundi’s perception was, the Jedi seem to have ignored his warning.
Sadly, the Jedi’s lack of awareness when it came to the plot against the Order and the Republic was a pervasive issue that went far beyond the Council dismissing Ki-Adi-Mundi’s prediction. At multiple turns inStar Wars’prequel trilogy, the Jedi failed to perceive the dangers growing not only from Palpatine directly but also from their increasing involvement in politics and war. Ki-Adi-Mundi’s wise assertion inThe Living Forcereveals that, even beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, the Jedi had some sense of what could be coming, but it wasn’t enough to save them.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Cast
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a galaxy facing political turmoil, as Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi seek peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker, a slave with great potential in the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith begin their resurgence, threatening the stability of the Republic.
