The animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender holds the title of one of the best animated shows of all time—so much so that it spawned a live-action reinterpretation on Netflix. While not quite reaching the same heights as the animated series, the live-action show is a solid adaptation that resonates in a similar fashion to its source material.

In the series’ second episode, titled “Warriors,” there is a conversation between Aang and one of the previous Avatars, Kyoshi, that can recontextualize a long-held perspective on the Jedi Order and its role in the galaxy. In the scene, Aang struggles to understand the breadth of his responsibilities as the Avatar. Kyoshi offers him insight into this, saying, “You must fill several roles, and many of them require unparalleled strength.” This statement strikes a chord, as it closely parallels the context of being a Jedi, regardless of whether they belong to the High Republic, the Clone Wars era, or the Jedi Order Rey seeks to rebuild. To be a Jedi is to be called by the Force—a calling of significant weight. Kyoshi continues by explaining, “Every Avatar is different. We are shaped by the demands of our times.” Aang, surprised by this notion, asks, “So I have to figure this out myself?” Kyoshi responds, “That is part of the journey.”

As though Avatars of the galaxy far, far away, the Jedi are called to fill a multitude of roles: guardian, warrior, mediator, peacekeeper, and even role model. These responsibilities demand tremendous strength, as the Jedi Order holds immense influence over the galaxy. In many ways, the Jedi are the moral compass of the Republic, the galaxy, and the Force. When the Jedi fall, so does the galaxy’s stability.

Just as each Avatar is unique, every Jedi is different. While they share a code and guiding principles, every Jedi must ultimately decide for themselves what it means to be a Jedi. This journey of self-discovery is key to what makes Jedi like Luke Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, and Qui-Gon Jinn stand out. Each has their own unique Jedi path that they walk, thus defining their roles within the Order in their own way.

For many years, there has been debate about whether or not the Jedi were wrong to join the Clone Wars as generals. They are, after all, supposed to be “keepers of the peace, not warriors.” However, this perspective has long struggled with a level of cognitive dissonance, as it is also clear that the Jedi, as protectors of the galaxy, had to answer the call to fight when the Republic was under threat. These two dichotomous ideas—one calling for nonviolence and the other for military action—have often been difficult to reconcile.

While the answer to such questions has been fodder for debate for decades, Avatar Kyoshi answers it perfectly, saying, “The Avatars are shaped by the demands of [their] time.” The Jedi, as it were, are shaped by their time as well. The answer to whether or not they should have joined the war is not as simple as a definitive “yes” or “no.” The Republic needs defenders. The Jedi were best suited to meet such a need; the issue lies not in their decision to fight, but in how the Jedi Order tried to fit all of its members into a singular mold. As the war escalated, the Jedi became more entrenched as generals and commanders, stripping them of their freedom to choose their own path. This may have made them efficient in the role of warrior, but it did not allow them to fulfill the other vital roles the galaxy needed them to play.

The suppression of each Jedi’s ability to find their own path diminished their ability to be the best version of themselves. True strength is found in diversity, and a Jedi’s unique path and personal growth are integral to the Order’s success. By forcing conformity upon its members, the Jedi Order risked losing what made them strong. The fall of Anakin Skywalker—a tragedy rooted in his inability to reconcile his individuality with the expectations of the Order—highlights the dangers of such a rigid system.

At the core of the Jedi’s fall in the era of the prequels, and what makes them so different from Jedi of previous eras, such as the High Republic, was their dogma. Every Jedi was expected to fit into a specific box, follow certain rules, and behave a particular way. Individuality was frowned upon— even discouraged in the case of someone like Iskat Akaris (from Rise of the Red Blade)—in favor of creating uniformity that could easily be controlled. This approach sought to preserve order and unity, but ultimately, it stifled the very qualities that made the Jedi capable of greatness.

This perspective reshapes the understanding of what the Jedi truly represent and redefines their involvement in the war, including the extent to which it contributed to their downfall. The deeper issue, it turns out, lies in how the Order removed the freedom of choice from its members, forcing them into roles they were not meant to be in. The true tragedy, then, is not the decision to fight. The tragedy is the loss of their individuality. The Jedi, like the Avatar, must remain true to themselves, blaze their own paths, and embrace the diversity that makes them strong.