STAR WARS: OBI WAN KENOBI SEASON 02 - Episode 05 "The Jedi Code"

As Mace decides he needs to take over Luke’s training, Rex tries to convince Obi Wan that there’s something off about the old General.

Obi Wan, Rex, their Clone companions, and the now conscious Mace Windu are all on edge, having only narrowly escaped Bur Gund and her forces of chaos. Kenobi tries to inspect his former mentor, nervous about his sudden recovery, but is soon put at ease.

Rex, however, becomes concerned when, upon seeing the ancient little droid, Windu destroys it in a bolt of purple lightning, identifying it as a spy. Finally, Kenobi learns about Bur Gund, her ancient order of chaos, and the purpose of Windu’s role in the Jedi order during the Dark Times. By the time Mace took up the mantle, the title was ceremonial. The Jedi were at the peak of their power. The Sith and the Vitari were no threat to their security, not until the day Mace died. Sensing his demise through the force, Gund and her acolytes were awoken from their eternal sleep. Initially relishing in the demise of the Custodian and the Jedi, they became quickly concerned with the rise of the Empire.

Their solution? Bring down the Empire. Too weak to do it alone, they sought out the body of Mace Windu and reanimated him. With the exception of the missing, presumed dead Yoda, Mace was the most powerful force user in the Galaxy and thus the only one capable of bringing down the Empire. Also, what sweet poetry to use their greatest enemy to bring down the Empire. As the reanimation process took place, the Vitari began stripping Mace’s memories. During this process, one name routinely came up:

Anakin Skywalker. The Chosen One. Tragically killed during the Jedi purge, but his body apparently returned to Tatooine to be laid beside his mother. To join the powers of the Custodian and the Chosen One was an opportunity Gund couldn’t pass up.

So, she hired Krrsantan.

Confirming the droid was a spy, the Clones are eager to set a course somewhere the cult can’t follow. Kenobi, however, has other plans. Despite his missing memories, Mace seems to be much the same as he was. He wants to tell Mace where he’s been these last few years.

Rex warns his former commander against this. To use a Jedi adage, he is allowing his feelings to cloud his judgement. Kenobi refutes this. Mace was one of the greatest Jedi ever to live, he’s a far better candidate to undertake the task set by Yoda at the end of the Clone Wars. Rex confirms this, but cites that as the exact reason Mace is the worst candidate. Say Mace succeeds, and the Order is restored. They will be just as blind, just as naïve as before and within a generation, the galaxy will be right back to where it is now.

To prove his point, Rex refers to his remaining Clone brothers. They disobeyed their orders, their family, everything they knew because that family had betrayed their principles. The Galaxy is changed. To survive, everyone will need to adapt.

After meditating on this, Kenobi decides to tell Mace. Mace is initially incensed with anger that Anakin betrayed the code to have children, then becomes furious that Luke has not yet begun his training. Rather than accepting Kenobi’s offer to train the boy alongside him, Mace declares he will train Luke himself. The outburst of anger, accented by a sudden burst of energy, reanimates the Vitari Droid, which immediately pings their location.

Mace demands they set a course for Tatooine, but as he approaches the cockpit, he is blocked by Rex and the Clones. Kenobi comes between them, attempting to diffuse the situation, but Rex is adamant. Mace is changed, volatile. They don’t know what changes the Vitari made to him. Kenobi asks that Rex trust his judgement, to step in line.

Good soldiers follow orders, but the best follow what’s right.

Purple energy shoots through the floor, forcing the Clones into the walls. Kenobi urges him to stop. They’re trying to help.

No, they’re in his way.

Faced with no choice, Kenobi confronts Mace. Before they can come to blows, the Vitari arrive. With no crew, the ship is quickly overwhelmed and boarded. Mace is ready to fight until he sees Bur Gund, who uses her ancient magic to force both Jedi unconscious.