star wars as a franchise is full of multi-dimensional characters. From Anakin to Obi-Wan and Ahsoka to Ezra Bridger, the characters and their shifting loyalties are interesting to watch. One of the characters on this list is Count Dooku. Disillusioned with the Jedi Order, he left it, but he was still the subject of praise for a time. But Tales of the Jedi has confused the canons regarding the timeline of events.
In what capacity was he active and in contact with the Order after leaving it? Because a book seems to contradict his appearance in the Jedi Temple during the Phantom Menace, as seen in Tales of the Jedi. Let’s explain.
The confusion of canon regarding Count Dooku
Count Dooku
Count Dooku was highly regarded by members of the Order even after his departure. He is described by them as a “political idealist”. Dooku was disenchanted with the corruption, rigidity, and laid-back attitude of the Order and the Galactic Senate. He therefore left the Order and returned to his home planet, Serenno, where he overthrew Ramil, his corrupt brother, and regained the title of Count.
In the book Master and Apprentice, Qui-Gon and Rael talk about Count Dooku and why he left the Order. But here’s the confusion – in the recently released animated show, The Tales of the Jedi, we see Dooku present in the Jedi Temple during the events of The Phantom Menace.
As such, it begs the question – we know Dooku wasn’t part of the Order when he met Qui-Gon after Jinn had a fight with Maul on Tatooine. So why did he enter the Temple, and why was he allowed to? Or was it an oversight?
Why was Count Dooku allowed into the Jedi Temple during the Phantom Menace?
Count Dooku
The answer lies in how his peers thought of him in the Order. In the last episode of Tales of the Jedi, the year is 32 BBY. He’s been an ex-Jedi for about a decade. Even though his peers in the Order thought he had been misguided in his decision to leave, they still thought highly of him.
As a result, he was still allowed to enter the Jedi Temple. After all, not all Jedi members who decide to leave the Order become outcasts. Instead, they always wanted him to give his opinion on various issues. And they even let him keep his lightsaber.
Besides, Dooku didn’t hate the Order yet. He only began to despise them after Qui-Gon Jinn died at the hands of Maul. So the Master and Apprentice book and Tales of the Jedi are both correct given the timeline of events. As such, it is not an oversight.
What do you think? Let us know.
