Star Wars just introduced a brand-new Jedi in Star Wars: Visions season 3, and in addition to being absolutely terrifying, he is an interesting character to compare to Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. Visions is a particularly intriguing addition to the Star Wars franchise, in part because Visions isn’t canon, which allows for much more creativity.
However, Visions isn’t entirely separate from canon Star Wars stories, either—the opposite is true, actually. Visions explores many of the same themes, concepts, and conflicts seen throughout Star Wars’ nearly 50-year history, and this new season is no exception. In fact, one new Visions Jedi has implications for Anakin Skywalker himself.
Star Wars: Visions’ New Jedi Is Determined To Destroy The Dark Side
Visions is an anthology-style show, so each episode acts as its own self-contained story. Even so, Visions does occasionally have episodes that are effectively sequels to prior episodes, which is true of season 3, episode 1, “The Duel: Payback,” a sequel to season 1’s “The Duel.”
In this sequel story, a new Jedi, called the Grand Master, is introduced as an adversary for returning Visions character Ronin, a reformed Sith. Although one would think the Grand Master was the hero and Ronin was the villain, the truth is more complicated. The Grand Master is actually on a path of revenge.
Specifically, the Grand Master wants to destroy Ronin and all Sith/the dark side as part of his revenge plot. While battling with Ronin, the Jedi Grand Master declares:
“Balance only comes with true peace. Thus, the Sith and dark side must be eliminated. Or they must fully be brought to justice.”
Interestingly, in response, Ronin says that the Jedi has clearly lost his way and tells him, “There is no balance without the light and the dark.” This conversation, and the conflict between the two characters, really gets at the crux of Star Wars movies and TV shows: what is true balance in the Force?
Clearly, the Jedi of the prequel trilogy shared this Grand Master’s view, as they told Anakin that the Chosen One prophecy meant he was destined to destroy the Sith. That isn’t actually what the prophecy said, though; it simply said the Chosen One would bring balance.
Since then, other additions to Star Wars, particularly the sequels, have further deepened the questions regarding true balance. After all, Luke Skywalker tells Rey that where there is light (such as on Ahch-To), there will also be darkness in equal measure.
Star Wars has therefore left this massive question open-ended so far, yet this newest addition to the franchise adds interesting complexities to what’s been revealed before. Specifically, this Visions episode raises fascinating questions regarding what role Anakin really should have played.
Is This What Anakin Skywalker Should Have Been?
Based on the prequels, the Jedi believed that Anakin should similarly have been focused on destroying all Sith and the dark side, just as the Grand Master was in “The Duel: Payback.” Yet, the Grand Master’s story in that episode is precisely why the Jedi were always wrong.
Ronin was right to say that the Jedi had lost his way. Revenge is not the Jedi way, for one, but the desire to kill and destroy is also antithetical to who and what the Jedi were meant to be.
Had Anakin, who already (obviously) had serious issues with anger and hatred, had similar aims, he would have fallen to the dark side all the same. This episode of Visions therefore has implications for Anakin’s Star Wars timeline. Namely, Anakin was doomed no matter what path he chose.
Although Star Wars: Visions isn’t Star Wars canon, it certainly has an impact on the franchise’s canonical stories, including that of the Chosen One himself, Anakin Skywalker.
