The Force is Strong with This One
In a galaxy far, far away, the name Syndulla carries weight. Jacen Syndulla, son of New Republic General Hera Syndulla and the late Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus, is no exception. The young Syndulla has always aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Jedi Knight. His dreams seemed closer to reality when he showcased a strong connection to the Force, even locating Ahsoka Tano in the oceans of Seatos, as depicted in episode 5 of Ahsoka.
“As seen in Ahsoka, young Jacen Syndulla wishes to become a Jedi Knight just like his father who died ahead of the events of the original trilogy as seen in the Star Wars Rebels animated series.”
Ezra Bridger’s Return: A New Master for Jacen?
The finale of Ahsoka brought back a familiar face that could change Jacen’s destiny: Ezra Bridger. Thanks to Ahsoka and her apprentice Sabine Wren, Ezra has returned from the extragalactic world of Peridea, where he had been exiled with Grand Admiral Thrawn. Ezra’s return to the known Star Wars galaxy is a game-changer, especially for Jacen.
“Having been trained by Kanan, Ezra now has the opportunity to train Kanan’s son, making Jacen his Padawan as he guides and teaches Syndulla how to harness the abilities he inherited from his father.”
Ezra’s return could be the perfect setup for Jacen to learn the ways of the Force, sidestepping the darker path that awaits students of Luke Skywalker’s Jedi academy.
The Perils of Training with Luke Skywalker
While the idea of training with Luke Skywalker might seem like a dream come true, it’s a dangerous proposition. Luke’s Jedi academy met a tragic end, as revealed in The Last Jedi. His fear of his nephew Ben Solo’s inner darkness led to the latter becoming Kylo Ren, resulting in the destruction of the academy and the death of its students.
“Luke’s fear of his nephew’s inner darkness pushed Ben Solo over the edge, rejecting the light as Kylo Ren which ultimately led to the demise of Skywalker’s academy and all of his students.”
This grim outcome makes any association with Luke’s academy a risky endeavor, and it’s a fate Jacen could avoid thanks to Ezra’s return.
The Narrative Quandary Surrounding Luke Skywalker
While Jacen’s potential training with Ezra offers a brighter future for the young Syndulla, it also highlights the narrative challenges Lucasfilm faces with Luke Skywalker’s character during this era. The unfortunate fate of his academy casts a shadow over any Jedi he might train, making alternative paths like Ezra’s return a welcome development for the Star Wars universe.
“While this is good for both of their characters and their futures in the Star Wars galaxy, the narrative predicament Lucasfilm has placed itself with Luke Skywalker during this era continues to be rather unfortunate.”
The Force Will Be With You, Always
With all episodes of Ahsoka now streaming on Disney+, the stage is set for Jacen Syndulla to carve out his own destiny. Whether he chooses to train under Ezra Bridger or takes another path, one thing is clear: the Force is strong with this one, and his journey is just beginning.
