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absolxguardian · 3 years

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When Into the Dark first came out, there was some controversy because with Cohmac suppressing his grief is seemed like the High Republic was getting more back into the Legends idea of Jedi being emotionless. Well with The Rising Storm, I think we can say that isn’t the case.

“He would also remind you how a Jedi faces the death of those they love,” [Indeera] continued, and Bell’s smile immediately dropped away. “Because Jedi can love, Bell. We’re not droids, nor should we ever be. We are living creatures rich in the Force, with everything that brings. Joy, affection, and, yes, grief. Experiencing such emotions is part of life. It is light.”

“But—”

“But while we experience such emotions, we should never let them rule us. A Jedi is the master of their emotions, never a slave. You miss what you might have shared with Loden if he were here. That is natural. I miss him, too. And so we acknowledge that hurt. We understand it, even embrace it, but eventually…”

“We let it go,” Bell said, looking back at the Innovator so Indeera couldn’t see the tears she must have known were in his eyes.

The Tholothian reached out, placing a comforting hand on Bell’s forearm. “I didn’t say it was easy. Just like a lateral roll.”

-The Rising Storm

Other than Indeera putting emphasis on the regular Jedi emotion coping methods when it came to coping with grief compared to Cohmac’s Master Simmix, I think it’s really just that Chomac’s problem was theological. And that was what Simmix focused on. Because when it comes to loss specifically, the Jedi make a big point about the dead becoming one with the Force and how that means you can’t mourn them. Yoda even says such in Revenge of the Sith “Rejoice in those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not.” Not the usual “don’t let your emotions control you” and “let you attachments go”, but rather a value judgement regarding how the afterlife works in the Star Wars universe. It’s theological, not philosophical and as useful as telling an atheist not to mourn their loved one because they’re in heaven if the person doesn’t share your views about the afterlife. That’s specifically the problem Cohmac has (along with the seemingly contradictory nature of the Master-Padawan bond)

“I’m sorry about Master Simmix,” Orla said.

Cohmac nodded. His gaze remained unfocused. “We’re not supposed to mourn,” he said. “He’s one with the Force.”

She answered exactly as she was supposed to: “But we can regret his loss—”

Cohmac cut her off with a gesture. “It’s ridiculous.” He readjusted his robes, restless, ill at ease. “They command that master and apprentice spend years together, working as a partnership, as close as any family could possibly be, and then they expect us not to become attached. I never thought about it before—I never had to—but now I can’t escape how unfair it is. Worse than unfair. It’s wrong.”

[....]

She could cry for her loss. He could not even acknowledge his.

Master Simmix would’ve told me to bury the grief, Cohmac told himself. There’s no place for it in the Jedi. No place for it within you.

So he buried it as deeply as a mine.

One that could wait years before exploding.

-Into the Dark

Indeera likewise ends off her reminder with the same theology, something Bell likewise has trouble with. And he doesn’t feel comfortable expressing his disagreement with Jedi Force worship orthodoxy.

That made him smile again, as did the slight squeeze she gave him before turning back toward the ship. “Besides, no one is ever really gone. No matter what happens, Loden will be with you, now and forever. He is a part of all of us now.”

Again the tears pricked his eyes. “Through the Force.”

“Through the Force,” she agreed. “You believe that, don’t you?”

He nodded, hoping that she was fooled while knowing full well that she wasn’t. “Yes. Of course I do.”

-The Rising Storm

#sw spoilers #the high republic #star wars #sw #the jedi #the jedi order #bell zettifar #indeera stokes #the rising storm #into the dark #cohmac vitus

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