The infamous Order 66 has become a defining obsession for Darth Vader. The origins of this chilling directive trace back to 1977, when Obi-Wan Kenobi revealed to Luke Skywalker that Darth Vader had betrayed the Jedi Order, assisting the Empire in their brutal campaign against the Jedi Knights. However, it wasn’t until the release of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005 that audiences witnessed the horrific enactment of Order 66.
Viewers experienced the horror as Emperor Palpatine initiated Order 66, resulting in the startling betrayal by the clone troopers who turned on the Jedi. In a pivotal moment, Darth Vader played a crucial role in this tragic scene, launching an assault on the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, which included the heartbreaking massacre of younglings. Since then, the Star Wars universe has progressively expanded both Darth Vader’s involvement and the broader implications of Order 66, evolving it into a lifelong crusade for the Sith Lord.
Order 66: A Persistent Legal Directive
In Crimson Reign #3, authored by Charles Soule and illustrated by Steven Cummings, we delve into the backstory of a dark side expert who faced dire consequences due to Order 66. Once a respected lecturer at the University of Bar’leth, her expertise became worthless as the Empire sought to suppress the sharing of such knowledge. She found herself in trouble for possessing “illegal contraband”under what was known as “Order 66 Codicil Nine.”
This indicates that Order 66 was not merely a command directed at clone troopers. Instead, it evolved into a legal mandate that criminalized Jedi and likely other Force traditions. A codicil, being a legal amendment, suggests that the scope of Order 66 expanded over time to encompass more than just the Jedi, although they remained at the forefront of Darth Vader’s vendetta.
Darth Vader and the Inquisition
Within Disney’s Star Wars saga, Darth Vader has been positioned as the leader of the Imperial Inquisitors—fallen Jedi charged with hunting and exterminating their former allies.This aligns perfectly with Obi-Wan’s early remarks in A New Hope, where he describes Darth Vader’s role in facilitating the Empire’s Jedi purge after the issuance of Order 66 by Palpatine. Vader established his operations in the Mustafar system, where the Inquisitors were also based.
Ultimately, this became Darth Vader’s primary function within the Empire: tracking down Jedi. Any sign of Jedi activity prompted reports sent to the Inquisitors for immediate action—whether through capture or lethal force. During moments when the Inquisitors struggled, Darth Vader intervened, as illustrated in narratives from Obi-Wan Kenobi and Star Wars Rebels.
Kylo Ren’s Quest and Vader’s Legacy
Transitioning to the sequel trilogy, we see the emergence of Kylo Ren, who idolizes Darth Vader. In a memorable scene, he confronts his grandfather’s helmet, proclaiming a desire to “finish what you started.”This statement carries significant weight as recent developments indicate that Kylo Ren aims to pursue survivors of Order 66 in Charles Soule’s forthcoming comic miniseries, revealing his belief that he is continuing the legacy of Darth Vader—specifically targeting the Jedi for destruction.
However, Kylo Ren’s interpretation of his grandfather’s mission is limited; he appears to view redeeming actions as deviations rather than as pathways to true fulfillment. This notion ties into a deeper theme present in the Star Wars canon, where from Kylo’s viewpoint, Darth Vader embodies the archetype of the Jedi executioner.
This perspective offers a dark reflection on Anakin Skywalker’s descent into darkness, beginning with his infamous murder of Mace Windu and culminating in his first act as Darth Vader—leading the invasion of the Jedi Temple. As the Empire’s primary Jedi hunter, he scoured the galaxy for survivors of Order 66, intent on eradicating the remnants of the Jedi Order. Therefore, it becomes evident why the quest to eliminate the Jedi ultimately came to define Darth Vader’s character, encapsulating the essence of his role as the Dark Lord of the Sith.
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