Warning! Spoilers ahead for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3
The new Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith. While the Jedi knight isn't seen directly in the new episode, his legacy and operations during the dark times of the Empire's reign have finally been revealed.
Originally nothing more than a background character on Tatooine in The Phantom Menace, Dark Horse Comics' John Ostrander and Jan Duursema created an entire origin and backstory for the Jedi in 2003, as seen in the Star Wars: Republic series which takes place during the Clone Wars (and is now non-canon). George Lucas enjoyed the character so much that Vos was referenced in Revenge of the Sith and was going to be featured on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk before the sequence was ultimately cut. However, Quinlan would come back in the canonical Clone Wars animated series as well as in the novel Dark Disciple from Christie Golden which was published in 2015.
While Quinlan Vos had been teased as a Jedi Purge survivor in subsequent books and comics, Obi-Wan Kenobi officially confirms that the Jedi is still alive following the fall of the Republic and Jedi Order. He's also been resisting the Empire's influence much to Obi-Wan's surprise. Here's everything that's known about Quinlan Vos in the Star Wars canon.
Who Is Quinlan Vos?
Quinlan Vos is one of the most dynamic Jedi knights of the prequel era, being seen as a maverick who had no problems breaking the rules to get the job done. Born on the planet Kiffu, Quinlan Vos has the unique ability of psychometry, allowing him to sense the memories of others by touching objects that they previously interacted with. This was an ability that was shared by the Jedi padawan survivor Cal Kestis as seen in the Jedi: Fallen Order videogame. Vos also carried out the Jedi Order's most morally questionable mission during the Clone Wars: attempting to assassinate Count Dooku. What followed was a brutal journey that saw Vos being corrupted and seduced to the dark side by Dooku himself. At the same time, he also attempted to use the dark side to end both Dooku and Sidious once and for all before coming to his senses after the death and sacrifice of Asajj Ventress (whom he had fallen in love with). He was later reinstated into the Jedi Order in the final days of the Clone Wars.
Quinlan Vos' History With Obi-Wan Kenobi
While Quinlan Vos and Obi-Wan Kenobi were good friends, the two Jedi were polar opposites. Kenobi was far more conservative than Vos whom Obi-Wan openly described as crazy with his antics. That being said, Quinlan and Obi-Wan worked very well together during their mission to capture Ziro the Hutt, a search that ended with an intense battle against none other than the bounty hunter Cad Bane. Furthermore, Kenobi was instrumental in getting Quinlan back into the Jedi Order after his time on the dark side. Believing that the Jedi Council's decision to turn Quinlan into an assassin was inherently immoral to begin with, Kenobi was able to convince his fellow Jedi to give Quinlan a shot at redemption, a decision that paid off by the end of the Clone Wars with Vos leading his own battalion on Kashyyyk.
What Happened To Quinlan Vos After Order 66
Although future novels and comics following The Clone Wars teased that Quinlan Vos was a potential Order 66 survivor, Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3 confirms that he not only lived, but that he continued his work as a Jedi (albeit more covert). While Obi-Wan is helping young Princess Leia Organa get home after being kidnapped, they find a whose connected to The Path, a secret network of agents who aid those on the run from the Empire including the rare Jedi survivor as well as Force-sensitive children. It's also revealed that Quinlan Vos once visited the same hideout Obi-Wan and Leia were taken to, and that he often helps to smuggle younglings out of the Empire's reach and into The Path's care. Kenobi also reads aloud the message Vos left behind on a wall: "Only when the eyes are closed can you truly see". It's a very poignant piece of wisdom considering Quinlan's dark past when he was very much lost, eventually finding his way back to the Jedi despite having fallen.
At any rate, it will be very exciting if Obi-Wan runs into his old friend as this new Star Wars series continues. Quinlan Vos is one of the most dynamic Jedi in the entire galaxy, carrying a redemption story and personal battle between the light and dark side of the Force that's second only to Anakin Skywalker himself. Here's hoping Kenobi will perhaps encounter his friend and fellow Jedi survivor as Obi-Wan Kenobi continues.
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New episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi release Wednesdays on Disney+.