The Mysterious Case of Darth Vader's Identity in the Jedi Temple
One of the most intriguing chapters in the Star Wars saga is the existence of Darth Vader in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Even after Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, he was still referred to as a Jedi among the younglings and several members of the Order. This article explores why the Jedi still considered Darth Vader a Jedi in their temple, and how this intricate detail reshapes our understanding of the remnants of the Jedi Order.
Why Did the Jedi Consider Darth Vader a Jedi?
It is widely known that Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side and became Darth Vader on the final day of the Jedi Temple's existence. However, the transition from Anakin to Darth was not a prolonged period. Instead, he engaged in a brief series of killings, and then moved on to other duties, leaving the younglings and other survivors to assume he was still the same Jedi Knight and hero they had known.
During the Murder Spree
During the short murder spree, no other Jedi were present to witness his oath of fealty to Palpatine and the renaming. Therefore, it is natural that the younglings and fellow survivors would continue to address him as Anakin Skywalker. This period was shrouded in secrecy, with Darth Vader's true identity being deliberately hidden from the public, except for a few trusted individuals like Thrawn and Ahsoka.
The Hidden Truth
The truth about his transformation became known only to a select few: Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. Other survivors, such as Ahsoka, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and even some other Jedi, managed to piece together the secret. However, Darth Vader was not lenient towards those who realized too late. He killed many of them, ensuring the secrecy of his identity. The storyline of the official narrative was that Anakin Skywalker perished in the Jedi Purge, a deception that most accepted.
Public Knowledge and Official Story
Only a few days before the Jedi Purge, Anakin Skywalker was last seen, going to the Senate building along with Mace Windu and his other comrades. The fact that he disappeared during this time led most people to believe he was dead. The videos of his actions during the Purge, including the murder of Jedi and the younglings, were not public knowledge, making it easy to spread the false narrative.
After the Order 66, the last known interaction with the Jedi Temple involving Darth Vader was a brief visit in the comics where K-tor, the library droid, identified him as Anakin Skywalker through a DNA scan. This further emphasized the confusion that permeated the Jedi Order during this chaotic period.
Confusion at the Jedi Temple
The Jedi at the Temple were stunned by the sudden revelation that their greatest hero had turned against them. They continued to recognize Anakin as a valued and trusted member of the Order. The gatekeeper, for instance, met a tragic fate, believing that Anakin was merely going to the Jedi Tower (JT) to warn them about Chancellor Palpatine's actions and Mace Windu's whereabouts.
Even at Mustafar, where Anakin turned into Darth Vader, he entered the volcanic planet as Anakin Skywalker and left it as Darth Vader. The confusion and shock among the Jedi remained, a stark reminder of the fragility of trust and the depths of betrayal that existed within the Order itself.
Understanding the identity of Darth Vader as Anakin Skywalker in the Jedi Temple provides a deeper insight into the complex dynamics of the remnants of the Jedi Order during the final days of the Republic. The story of Darth Vader’s transformation, his secretive return to the Jedi Temple, and his intense but short-lived conflict with his former allies offers a nuanced perspective on one of the most iconic characters in the Star Wars universe.