The New Jedi Order
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The New Jedi Order, also known as New Jedi Order, or by its acronym, NJO, is a series of 27 science fiction stories set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe galaxy 25-30 years ABY. The plotline revolves around the invasion of the galaxy by the Yuuzhan Vong and its proceeding after effects, along with showing the changing lives of the characters on both sides in the conflict. The series was followed by The Dark Nest Trilogy in 2005 by Troy Denning, who also wrote several novels for the original series.
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[edit] Plot synopsis
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The series begins 21 years after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the second Death Star. The New Republic is facing internal conflict while trying to maintain peace. A new, unknown enemy, known as the Yuuzhan Vong, emerges from the outer galaxy, beginning what will be known as the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. The Jedi, along with the New Republic, struggle to resist this new alien race while it steadily pushes forward, annihilating or occupying different parts of the galaxy.
[edit] Character arcs
As the longest continuous series of novels in the EU, the NJO was able to establish several long-term character arcs. Many new or previously underused characters were put into the spotlight and were developed extensively over the course of the series. Among the most prominent character arcs:
- Ganner Rhysode: Rhysode began the series as an arrogant young Jedi, a trait best shown when, on assignment with Corran Horn, he mocked Horn's inability to use telekinesis, claiming that this made him a lesser Jedi. Rhysode gradually became more humble over the course of the series, especially after watching many of his friends die on the mission to Myrkr. After Jacen Solo was captured during this mission, Rhysode went searching for him, even though, in Jacen's words, "we weren't even friends"; Rhysode died fighting thousands of Yuuzhan Vong warriors so that Jacen and Vergere could escape. It was foreseen that in the future, the Yuuzhan Vong would eventually worship a new god called "the Ganner", referring almost admiringly, to Rhysodes last stand.
- Tahiri Veila: Not fully developed in her original role- Anakin's friend from Junior Jedi Knights- Tahiri was pushed to a starring role in the NJO. When the Yuuzhan Vong captured Yavin 4, she was taken prisoner and subjected to experiments designed to create a Vong-human hybrid. Anakin eventually rescued her, which stirred the romantic feelings they had had for years; when Anakin died above Myrkr, Tahiri was devastated. At this time, the Yuuzhan Vong personality implanted in her began to periodically take control, and Tahiri would wrestle with this for the duration of the series. Unlike most of the other Jedi, she had a peculiar empathy with the Yuuzhan Vong; at the end of the series, she chose to stay on Zonoma Sekot in order to continue learning about the Yuuzhan Vong and to help them build a better society.
- Jacen Solo: Jacen underwent perhaps the most complete and controversial arc of the NJO. He began the series as someone who actively questioned whether it was right to use the Force as a weapon. Many fans were frustrated by what they saw as his inaction; in some fannish circles, he received the nickname "Jacen Prufrock". After being captured by the Yuuzhan Vong he withstood weeks of torture at the hands of Vergere, an Old Republic Jedi and Vong familiar. He emerged with a new view of the Force, including a willingness to use it offensively. During the battle to retake Coruscant, Jacen achieved a state of oneness with the Force that gave him a 'perfect mastery' and also aged him five years. At the end of the series, he was one of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy.
[edit] The New Order vs. the Old Order
The Order itself is philosophically distinct from the Jedi Order of the Old Republic (thus the Old Jedi Order) by a new Jedi Code and broadened view of the Force. The Order's titular head is Luke Skywalker, but other senior Jedi such as Kyle Katarn, Mara Jade and Kyp Durron have significant say in the Order's activities. The Order during the Yuuzhan Vong incursion polarizes into two major factions: that of Luke Skywalker, who feels that the Force should be used peacefully, like the Old Republic-era Jedi; and the faction of Kyp Durron, who holds that the Jedi should take a proactive, aggressive stance against enemies, hoping that in that way to live up to the Jedi's roles as "protectors" of the galaxy.
[edit] Character deaths
Many major characters die within the New Jedi Order series, an unusual departure from typical Star Wars stories. In a number of New Jedi Order books the characters who die seemed to be of key importance in the novels. The books also revealed the death of some major characters in the Star Wars universe that were not even introduced in the series.
It should be noted that while Mon Mothma did not die in the New Jedi Order series, she died directly prior to Vector Prime; her death was first revealed in the series.
Similarly, while Nom Anor is indicated to have died during the events of The Unifying Force, many fans believe he is still alive as his off-screen death allows for uncertainty as to whether he did in fact die.
[edit] Deaths of major characters introduced in the series
[edit] Deaths of pre-existing characters
[edit] Criticism and reaction
Fan reaction to the series was sharply divided. Some applauded the moral ambiguity and dark nature of the books, while others claimed that the Yuuzhan Vong were a poorly-designed Star Trek rip-off and that the series ended with a deus ex machina. One of the most persistent claims is that the view of the Force propagated by Vergere and Jacen is dangerous and contradicted canon. Many fans also believe that the Vong were entirely too "powerful" and their existence seems dubious and they came from "out of the blue".
[edit] Media
[edit] Television commercial
In 1999, Mark Hamill reprised his role as Luke Skywalker in a brief speaking role for the series. Hamill spoke as Luke in a TV commercial for the first novel in the series, Vector Prime. In the commercial, Luke recalls the state that the galaxy is in at the present, compared to the times of the Empire.
[edit] The animated project
A project by a group of fans is underway to create an animated show based on the series. The link to this project can be found here.
[edit] The New Jedi Order entries
The series, published from 1999-2003, is a collaboration by the following authors: R. A. Salvatore, Michael A. Stackpole, James Luceno, Kathy Tyers, Troy Denning, Greg Keyes, Elaine Cunningham, Aaron Allston, Matthew Stover, Walter Jon Williams, Shane Dix, and Sean Williams. Various parts of the series have been published in novel, magazine, and e-book format. However, the core of the series is made up of 19 novels, and a further four were cancelled.
[edit] Entries
[edit] External links
- The New Jedi Order books at Random House
- New Jedi Order Encyclopedia
- The Unofficial New Jedi Order Homepage
- Link to view the Vector Prime commercial on the Official Star Wars site.
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