EPISODE III: WINDU'S ON THE TAKE!

Updated: June 20, 2005 (see bottom of page for details)

 

...that is to say, after viewing Star Wars: Episode II, Attack of the Clones, I am convinced that Mace Windu, Jedi Master and senior member of the Jedi High Council, is, in actuality, in the service of the Sith Lord Sidious.  With the intent to enlighten fellow fans, I have thus compiled this list of strikes against Windu:

 

• Windu's general ineffectiveness across all appearances thus far.  As revered a Jedi as Windu is, it seems inconceivable that his presence should be so negligible throughout these two episodes.  True, it could be argued that Yoda has been equally uninvolved, but we already know well of both his past and future significance.  Windu, on the other hand, is a character whose past, present, and future have consistently been shrouded in mystery, his only considerable achievement being the killing of Jango Fett, an act which itself raises many questions...

 

• The slaughter of Jango Fett.  While these Jedi obviously aren't superheroes, I still cannot recall any comparable acts of brutality committed by any other Jedi.  I find it also hard to believe that George Lucas (the man who actually insisted on going back years later and revising a scene to show the rogue Han Solo firing second) would allow one of his heroes to behead a man in front of his son.  Even the villain Tyranus appeared shocked by this turn of events.  More telling, however, is the fact that, as soon as the deed was done, Windu and Tyranus stared directly at one another.  Not in an antagonistic manner, mind you, but with a mutual bewilderment, as though there had been some sort of miscommunication.  That said, Jango Fett had already served his purpose as the clone template, and his capture definitely would not have served Windu, so his death was still rather convenient.

 

• The mysterious purple lightsaber.  There have been a number of explanations given for the distinctive color of Mace Windu's lightsaber, but most are based on hearsay, and even those coming from official sources may very well be deliberate misdirection of fan speculation.  In all previous Star Wars films, lightsaber color could be referenced as a reliable indicator of a character's alignment with the Force.  Red lightsabers were wielded exclusively by the Sith, while blue and green lightsabers were the only options available for Jedi.  The traditions remained, for the most part, through Episode II, with Mace Windu being the lone exception.  Expanded Universe notwithstanding, Windu alone wields the aberrant violet lightsaber, leaving his alignment suspect.  If this aesthetic curiosity is not quite damning, the distinction nonetheless marks Windu as a definite wildcard.

 

• Windu's assessment of Anakin.  When Obi-Wan expresses doubt about his Padawan's readiness for assignment, Windu immediately notes that Anakin has exceptional skill, apparently oblivious to Obi-Wan's legitimate concern over Anakin's arrogance.  Remember also that Windu has been the only Jedi to repeatedly bring up the prophecy about Anakin bringing balance to the Force.  Considering that, at the time, Jedi forces still appear in much greater concentration than Sith, balance should theoretically constitute either a weakening of the Jedi or a strengthening of the Sith.  Yet Windu seems interested only in Anakin's ability, as though, despite Obi-Wan's observations, his alignment is a given.  It seems odd that Mace Windu, senior member of the Jedi High Council, should approach things so naively.  Then again, maybe Windu is certain--certain, that is, that Anakin will serve the Dark Side.

 

• Yoda believes that certain older, more experienced Jedi have recently become arrogant.  Responding to Obi-Wan's doubts about Anakin, Yoda mentions that even some of the more seasoned Jedi have become arrogant.  Later events suggest that Yoda may have been referring to Count Dooku, or, perhaps, even to himself as Dooku's apparently failed Master.  Standing right next to Yoda when he spoke those words, however, was Mace Windu.  Perhaps Windu's presence was meant as a visual clue to illustrate the true significance of the line.  After all, there are probably few Jedi more seasoned than Windu.

 

• The blindness of the Jedi High Council.  Yoda acknowledges a failure, on the part of the Council, to foresee the events of Episode II, theorizing that the Dark Side is clouding the future.  It would take either a massive opposing force or one in very close proximity to so effectively dissipate even Yoda's prognosticative abilities.  Palpatine, heavily implied to be Darth Sidious, would seem the prime suspect, but Windu is also a possibility.  Sufficiently powerful and almost always in close proximity of Yoda, Windu could easily covertly undermine any attempts to see the future.

 

• The erasure of Kamino from the Jedi Archives.  Once again, this would have had to have been an inside job.  But this time, even Palpatine could not have been responsible, because, as Yoda notes, only a Jedi could have erased the files.  Windu, on the other hand, most certainly would have had access.

 

 

Apologetic Disclaimer: I've only actually seen Episode II once, and that was in theaters, months before I bothered to write this document articulating my suspicions.  Moreover, I must admit I was less than enthralled by the film when I did see it.  I might very well have forgotten, or outright missed, a lot of relevant details.  As a result, the information presented here could be wildly inaccurate, based on misinterpretations of mixed up memories.

That said, this is where YOU come in:

Whether you're a hardcore Star Wars fanatic or just a casual follower, if you think you have any information supporting my theory, then I encourage you to make it known!  Just click the link below to sign my guestbook and tell me why you suspect Windu is in league with Sidious.  Who knows, maybe when Star Wars: Episode III, Windu's on the Take! comes out in 2005 and confirms our suspicions, you'll be able to look back proudly at your own entry here, telling the world what a genius you really were!

 

Click here to tell the world why you think Windu's on the take!

UPDATE!

Well, it has been almost three years now since I created this page.  With Episode III having finally been released, the time for speculation is over.  I shall leave this page up, however, as a small time capsule of Star Wars fandom circa 2002.

Thanks for stopping by!

-ImmenseStrength

You can still see what others had to say!