Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicwas groundbreaking forStar Warsin fundamental ways, including its use of characters and themes, as well as how it challenged core concepts that were foundational forStar Warsuntil that point. One of the most subversive characters it introduced was Jolee Bindo, who was aForce user who was neither Jedi nor Sith.
Jolee and Cal Kestis are similar in that they both served in a war while they were serving the Jedi. Jolee ended up voluntarily leaving the Jedi forever, while Cal survived Order 66 and sought to restore the Jedi. Both have very different opinions of the Jedi based on their experiences, but Jolee’s stands out because his opinion is distinctly different fromStar Wars' core view that the Jedi are fundamentally a just and right group. Jolee offers a more nuanced view, but theKnights of the Old Republic Remakeneeds to get it right to do it justice.
Jolee’s Introduction in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
It’s essential that theStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remakegets Jolee’s character right. If so, he’ll prove to be the perfect counterpoint to Cal Kestis. Both characters are Jedi who were once Jedi, but have reacted to their circumstances in very different ways, and this highlights just how subversive Jolee is as a character, without being facetious or deriding the Jedi as a concept.
Jolee is first encountered in the depths of Kashyyyk as a homage to Luke’s encounter with Yoda on Dagobah. Rather than finding an old Jedi master, the player finds an old man who’s proficient at using the Force but is neither Jedi nor Sith. Jolee’s morally a good character, and was trained as a Jedi, but left the Jedi after he found fault in their judgment several times during the course of a war. The final straw for him came when he deliberately broke the Jedi’s own rules, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people and, instead of receiving punishment, his forgiveness and wellbeing were valued higher than the consequences of his actions.
In disgust, he left the Jedi, and refuses to return to them after the player character meets him. Over the course ofKnights of the Old Republic’s story, he encourages the player character to question their path, to think for themselves, and to face the pitfalls of seeing the Jedi as infallible. This kind of thinking was completely unheard of in 2003 whenKnights of the Old Republicwas released, and it was done with nuance and respect rather than dismissing the Jedi entirely.
Cal Kestis and Jolee’s Differing Perspectives in Star Wars
Cal Kestis, on the other hand, was just a child when Order 66 happened, and the Jedi were his safety net and representative of peace in the galaxy, even though he served them as a soldier.Cal’s main goal in theStar Wars Jedigamesis to revive the Jedi Order, and it’s a goal that many players andStar Warsfans would agree with.
Jolee’s perspective on the Jedi wouldn’t necessarily argue for dismantling the Jedi completely, and not in the manner of a Jedi Purge like Order 66 was, but would challenge the perspective of them as an infallible institution, particularly in the case of theJedi Masters and other senior members of the Order. TheStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake’s Jolee should be able to give a great counterpoint to Cal’s goals, particularly if the player is roleplaying a light side character.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
WHERE TO PLAY
Choose Your Path.It is four thousand years before the Galactic Empire and hundreds of Jedi Knights have fallen in battle against the ruthless Sith. You are the last hope of the Jedi Order. Can you master the awesome power of the Force on your quest to save the Republic? Or will you fall to the lure of the dark side? Hero or villain, saviour or conqueror… you alone will determine the destiny of the entire galaxy!A brand new Star Wars role-playing experience with unique characters, creatures, vehicles and planets.Learn to use the Force with over 40 different powers and build your own lightsaber.Adventure through some of the most popular Star Wars locations, including Tatooine and the Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk.Choose your party from nine customisable characters, including Twi’leks, droids and Wookiees.Travel to eight enormous worlds in your own starship, the Ebon Hawk.
