Jedi Embracing the Use of Force Lightning Unreservedly
Transformed Article:
Embracing the Gray Area: Electric Judgment and the Controversial Force Powers
Star Wars games have always captured our imagination with the allure of becoming a Jedi, wielding the power of a lightsaber, and tapping into the immense power of the Force. This fantasy, however, has often led to an oversimplified view of the Force as two disparate forces, light and dark, a perspective that originated from video game mechanics. But this perspective fails to resonate within the spiritual and narrative fabric of Star Wars.
Take, for instance, the power of Electric Judgment – a controversial ability introduced in the classic game, Jedi Power Battles, set in The Phantom Menace era. Electric Judgment is essentially a "good" version of Force Lightning, an ability that was, up until then, only associated with the dark side. The character, Jedi Master Plo Koon, used this power to disable droids in the game, marking the first time we had seen a Jedi use such a power.
This power's existence and justification in the Expanded Universe have been met with mixed reactions, as it straddles a fine line between the light and dark sides of the Force. In some interpretations, Electric Judgment was considered a forbidden technique due to its roots in harm causing intent. However, in other stories, the power evolved into Emerald Lightning, a more versatile version that could be offensive or defensive in nature.
The question remains: is it justified for the Jedi to wield powers that resemble those of the Sith? The answer is not straightforward and tends to elicit debate. The gamification of the Force as a toolkit that gave us Electric Judgment in the first place fosters a codified view of Force abilities being categorized as light or dark. However, examining the Force as portrayed in the original trilogies reveals a more nuanced perspective – the Force manifests based on intentions and context rather than being inherently light or dark.
With contemporary Star Wars expressing a renewed curiosity in the nature of the Force, we are presented with an opportunity to question the dichotomy between Jedi and Sith, and the motivations driving these factions. Classics like Ahsoka and The Acolyte have already delved into these complexities, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the Force and challenging the traditional dualistic view.
Perhaps, in reconsidering Electric Judgment's distinctive place within the Star Wars universe, we can broaden our perception of the Force and move away from a shrink-wrapped, video game-inspired view of its spiritual core. The Force, after all, transcends the two schools of thought that have become synonymous with Jedi and Sith, as it binds all sentient beings together, regardless of their sensitivity to it.
As the Star Wars franchise ponders its future, with the intention of delving into "what it will mean" for a hero to rebuild the Jedi Order once more on-screen, we could use a reminder of Electric Judgment's peculiar position in the cosmos. It may just help us redefine our understanding of the Force, much like it did 25 years ago.
Looking ahead, here are some exciting developments to watch for in the Star Wars universe:- Marvel's Krerik-25, a new series exploring the history of the clone troopers- The Mandalorian's third season, where we can expect to see more of Ahsoka Tano- The upcoming Skeleton Crew*, a young Han Solo adventure- The future of the DC Universe on film and TV, following the announcement of a new Flash series and the upcoming Batgirl film- The next chapter in the Doctor Who** universe with the highly anticipated upcoming season and the return of fan-favorite companion, Rose Tyler.
- In the future, the implementation of Emerald Lightning, a versatile version of Electric Judgment, could serve as a standardization of Force abilities, moving away from the black and white perspective commonly seen in tech-driven fantasies.
- As the Star Wars franchise considers the future of the Jedi Order, the reconsideration of Electric Judgment's unique place might influence the vision of what a Jedi's toolkit should consist of, altering our understanding of Force empowerment in line with the teachings of the acolytes.
- io9 might dedicate an article discussing the impact of gamification on shaping our perception of the Force, questioning whether this approach accurately reflects the spiritual core of the power as portrayed in movies like Star Wars.
- Moving forward, the line between the Jedi and Sith could blur even further, merging elements such as the distinctive power of Electric Judgment with the increasing technological advancement in the Star Wars universe, resembling a Jedi version of 'fantasies brought to life by technology.'
