https://youtu.be/hwIoOlhnw3M

Let’s face it: the Jedi of the Galactic Republic were as blind as Palpatine foresaw. In fact, one can make a case for Yoda being responsible for the Sith’s rise. (From a certain point of view; see link below.) There’s no question that Palpatine was able to skulk about right under the Jedi’s noses. But… perhaps Mace Windu was on to something. He was, at least according to Dave Filoni, even if it was too late.

One of the more questionable decisions the Jedi made was to storm Palpatine’s office to arrest him. The now-iconic scene of Revenge of the Sith proves just how ill-advised that decision was. The would-be-Emperor cut through the arresting Jedi like the proverbial hot knife through butter…. With the exception of Mace Windu. Now, some will debate whether or not Palpatine let Windu defeat him. That actually makes sense, as Palpatine needed Anakin to save him to complete young Skywalker’s fall to the Dark Side. But, as Dave Filoni’s analysis suggests, perhaps Windu’s change of heart was more important.

Mace Windu; Revenge of the Sith
Image: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Would Mace Windu take the fall for the Republic?

In the video above, we see the parallels between a poignant story arc in The Clone Wars and the final battle with Palpatine. Both stories feature a force-wielding adversary, too powerful to be kept alive. In The Clone Wars, Clone Trooper Dogma kills Jedi traitor Pong Krell. Simply arresting the Jedi wouldn’t have sufficed. His power, and his betrayal, were too great. Dogma was willing to face arrest for the good of the Republic rather that suffer the consequences of Krell’s survival. Was Mace Windu ultimately willing to make the same sacrifice? And did he come to that decision too late?

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According to Filoni, yes. The Jedi Master, perhaps originally intent on arresting the Chancellor, became acutely aware of the true danger Palpatine posed. It was only through his death that the Republic would find its salvation. Mace Windu would have assuredly be arrested had he killed the Chancellor. Notwithstanding, it was a sacrifice he would have made for the good of all. Anakin’s weakness, however, made Windu’s efforts all for naught.

Maec Windu
What have you done, indeed, Anakin. (Image: Lucasfilm Ltd.)

What do you think? Was Mace Windu wrong to try and arrest Palpatine in teh first place? And did he decide to take the fall to ensure the safety of the Republic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!