One of the most interesting things about Star Wars is its ability to throw something at an audience that dislodges any preconceived ideas we might have had and reinvent them in a way that feels true to the universe or characters.
Can anyone reading this say that A New Hope doesn’t take on a whole different perspective when you consider the conclusive pieces of information at the ends of The Empire Strikes back and Return of the Jedi?
It’s easy enough for a twist to allow you to go back and look for clues. After all, it has been set up in a way where the viewer was meant to see it that way in the first place.
A much more difficult thing to do creatively is take the information that is already out there, and then create a story set before that retroactively changes your perceptions of what came before.
This was not only the monumental task George Lucas faced when making the prequels, but something that Cavan Scott must have faced when it came to writing the audio drama Dooku: Jedi Lost.
When Dooku first graced us on the screen in Attack of the Clones, I was pretty excited because it was Christopher Lee, and being a big fan of The Lord of the Rings films at the time, was psyched to see what would happen.
Sadly, we didn’t really get to see much of him, and then after his swift demise in Revenge of the Sith... that, as the expression goes, is all she wrote.
Cut to a few years later (a few more for me because I jumped into it earlier), enter The Clone Wars series, where Dooku’s power, both in The Force and as leader of The Separatists, was quite bold and he made for a particularly engaging foe.
Yet, even then, had you asked me to name my favourite characters, I don’t think Dooku’s name would have even crossed my mind.
Then came Dooku: Jedi Lost.
Not only does this story give us a phenomenal insight into Dooku’s life before leaving the order, but gives him a humanity that he was sorely lacking beforehand.
The story also gives us a look at the problems that plague the Jedi at a time without any major conflicts, the flaws within the Order, and I for one came away from the story thinking that I could unequivocally see why Dooku left the order, in the same way I saw Ahsoka’s departure.
It also offers us some insight into the early relationship between Dooku and Asajj Ventress, which in the context of where it went throughout the Clone Wars makes for fascinating listening.
To reach the end of this story and to think that Asajj knew all of this about Dooku is an interesting curve ball. One would have through prior to this that Ventress knew very little of her master, but indeed, she knew him more intimately than most.
Throughout the ‘present’ of the story, Ventress is hearing stories from Dooku about which influences his disillusionment with the way of the Jedi, but also dealing with the conflict within her of never being given the opportunity to become a Jedi herself had Ky Nerric taken her to the Jedi Temple, and this rid her of a very unpleasant early life.
The juxtaposition between Ventress' longing for a life she didn't have, and Dooku turning away from that very life is just gold, not to mention fantastic storytelling.
This is beautifully told from Ventress’ point of view and her insistence that Ky ‘shut up’ whenever his ghost (or more likely her subconscious), is deeply troubling because we see that there must be some good in Ventress, but she has become embittered over time because of her experiences.
But perhaps the most interesting thing that continues to strike me as interesting about this story is Yoda. I am continuously left with the sense that he is more out of touch than others might be. He certainly has wisdom, and philosophy on his side, but there is a practicality that seems to be lacking.
The story addresses the issues of his riddles and mind games which he uses to get his message across, and during my last relisten, I found myself wondering whether Yoda was the best choice for Grand Master of the Jedi Council.
Yoda is a being of about nine hundred years old, and I cannot help but think that must have created a level of patience that is not feasible for most beings. Yoda has seen planets fall, get destroyed, only to regrow, reshape and thrive once more.
The conflict then, between Yoda and Dooku, is that Dooku feels that there is a call to action, that the Force is telling him to intervene and do what is right. Yoda’s opposing attitude seems to be that whatever happens is the will of the Force, and the Jedi would only be getting in the way if they got involved.
I have definitely got a kick out of reading lots of stories about how flawed the Jedi Order was throughout this time before The Phantom Menace. This idea for Jedi to explore different philosophies within the Order is not a new one, but the way it is talked about in Jedi Lost has certainly stuck in my mind long after I have listened to it.
One quote that has stood out for me throughout my latest return to this story was between Dooku and Lene Kostana. Dooku shares with her his frustration with the Council and their decisions, and she tells him to focus on his compassion.
His compassion.
There are two ways in which this could be interpreted. Lene Kostana could have been reminding Dooku that negative emotions like hate and anger lead to the Dark Side and that he should focus on a character trait that has a similar energy, but is definitely more in tune with the Light.
Alternatively, Lene genuinely saw this in Dooku, his shining character trait that would ultimately lead to his downfall. Indeed, throughout most of the story Lene is a wonderful guide and confidant for Dooku, more of a master at times that Yoda was.
Perhaps it was a bit of both, for as the story progresses we see that Dooku has a great fondness for both of his Padawans, his connection to the ‘beasts’ of the galaxy is admirable, and his willingness to do what is good for others ahead of himself shines through (example: his test duel with Sifo-Dyas)
Compassion is the word that stands out for me the most in this tale. For it Dooku’s compassion for the less fortunate that leads him to attempt to create a task force to follow up conflicts the Jedi Order could not.
The Jedi’s lack of compassion that resigned Lene to look after the fragile mind of Sifo-Dyas long after his apprentice is over for fear that he will be locked in the Citadel.
Dooku’s compassion that fuels his insistence to go to Tabor to investigate Sifo-Dyas’ vision.
The Council’s lack of compassion that filled Master Braylon with such discomfort that she had to hide her the birth of her child from them.
Dooku’s compassion that moves him to destroy the Tirra’Taka, ending its pain.
The Jedi’s lack of compassion to send aid to Sereno when Lady Jenza pleaded for help.
And ultimately it was Dooku’s compassion that leads him to ultimately leave the Jedi Order in order to help restore Sereno.
There is so much to unpack in this story and if you haven’t listened to it yet, I could not recommend it more highly.
Thank you to Cavan Scott for this absolute masterpiece. Can’t wait for a follow up!
May the Force be with you.
Comments