Is Snoke the Grand Inquisitor in Star Wars: A Comprehensive Analysis
In the vast and ever-evolving universe of Star Wars, characters come and go, each with their unique roles and identities. One such enigmatic figure is Darth Snoke. Questions often arise about his true identity and past. A particular query often asked is, 'Is Snoke the Grand Inquisitor?' To answer this, we need to delve into the character's backstory and relevance within the Star Wars canon.
The Eradication of the Sith and the Rise of Snoke
The fate of the Sith Order, a powerful and malevolent group aligned with the dark side of the Force, was forever altered during the Cade’s final confrontation with Sidious. Anakin's betrayal and the subsequent fall of Sidious into the reactor shaft marked the ultimate demise of the Sith.
With the Sith eradicated from the galaxy, Snoke, a clone of Sidious, emerged as a puppet to lead the remnants of the Empire and the First Order. His mission was clear: to eliminate the Jedi and the New Republic. This raises the question of whether Snoke, as a successor to the Sith, could also be a Grand Inquisitor.
Survival and Identity of Sidious
However, Sidious did not truly die. The clone body he inhabited was indeed deteriorating as it had not been maintained properly after the entity he transferred were no longer sustaining it. This deterioration left Snoke in a state of near-vacancy, not fully alive, thus ruling out the possibility of him being a Sith, as a Sith must fully embrace the dark side and undergo the proper training.
Role and Motivation of Snoke
Was Snoke controlling himself? The notion that Snoke couldn't be a Sith due to being a clone and not embodying the full dark side is strengthened by the lack of Sith-like behavior from Snoke. Not only is he not calling himself a Darth, there's no indication of any training in the Sith tradition. If he was indeed a clone, his shadow might have been more assertive in asserting his control over him.
It is more plausible that Snoke was created as a tool to seduce Ben Solo to the dark side. The Master/Padawan relationship between Snoke and Ben was set up to guide Ben to his ultimate fall. It can be assumed that before being sent to Ben, Snoke served as his apprentice for a period, or was made to believe he was in a master-student relationship to better manipulate him.
Empire and First Order
The First Order in itself represents a continuation of the Empire's quest for power but without the traditional Sith. The leader of the First Order, Supreme Leader Snoke, is a hybrid of the roles played by Vader and Sidious. He does not fit the traditional Sith role but is more of a dark lord figure who seeks to dominate and control.
The absence of the Grand Inquisitor's traditional duties, such as hunting down and eliminating the Jedi, further supports the idea that Snoke is not a Grand Inquisitor. The primary goal of Snoke and the First Order is more about the fear and chaos generated by their presence, rather than a systematic elimination of the Jedi Order.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the identity of Snoke is one of the most intriguing in the Star Wars saga, becoming the Grand Inquisitor is not within his scope. With the Sith eradicated, and the absence of any clear training in the Sith tradition, Snoke is not a Sith, let alone a Grand Inquisitor. Instead, he serves a different purpose, possibly that of a puppet to manipulate young, powerful force-sensitive individuals, such as Ben Solo.