By Lance Leibrock Gray Jedi are possibly one of the most polarizing concepts in the Star Wars mythos. Some people love them, and some hate them. But there are bigger questions that I think need answering: are they even canon? Were they even an official concept? Well, they’re not canon currently, at least since the Disney reboot, but we aren’t concerned with that. Are they canon to the EU? I think this answer is quite complicated and deserves a proper rundown. The first use of the term “Gray Jedi” occurred in Star Wars Republic: The Stark Hyperspace War as a descriptive term for Qui-Gon Jinn. Now, at that time, the definition was radically different from what it is now. Back then, the term was referring to Qui-Gon in reference to his frequent disagreements with the Jedi Council, not that he dabbled in both sides of the Force without succumbing to either side, which is the modern understanding of the term. Even if you don’t think this definition of the term suits Qui-Gon perfectly (I’ve heard some good arguments for this), it’s really a term that’s almost a pejorative term in-universe used by Jedi. Jedi Master Tyvokka accused Qui-Gon of being Gray and his concerns over it. Just because an in-universe character makes a claim about another doesn’t necessarily make it true. However, I don’t see anything narratively wrong with Gray Jedi in this respect, and whether you believe Qui-Gon was a Gray Jedi (according to this definition) or not, it’s undeniable the term and concept is canon to the EU, and it doesn’t present anything contrary to the established lore. The more common understanding of the term comes from Knights of the Old Republic, an RPG video game released in 2003. Jolee Bindo, who was one of the companions to the player character, is a self-described Gray Jedi who dabbled in both sides of the Force without falling to either side. Star Wars: Legacy and the Jedi Academy Training Manual also both include excerpts about Gray Jedi, and they use the exact same definition Jolee gives in KOTOR. The latter source also states that a “true” Gray Jedi is one who does not belong to any Force tradition and operates independently, using both the light and dark sides of the Force. Since then, though, the Lucasfilm Story Group have gone to claim that this concept of Gray Jedi is contrary to George Lucas’ view of the Force, which is if you continue using the dark side long enough, you will be corrupted by it. Matt Martin, a member of the Lucasfilm Story Group, has gone on to say the following: "That sort of goes against what Star Wars is all about. The dark side corrupts." Now, I don’t disagree with Matt here, but I do disagree with the idea that it’s “just a fan thing,” which is where I want to get at with this article. If you look at the rest of the Twitter thread Matt was having with a fan, he claims that it’s a fan thing and isn’t official. Rather you like the concept of Gray Jedi is one thing, but it’s undeniable that it was once a part of the official continuity of Star Wars, via Expanded Universe material. As shown earlier, there are numerous sources that refer to Gray Jedi, with all three of the following definitions: 1. Jedi who operates independently of the Council and/or frequently disobey the Council. 2. Jedi who dabbles in both sides of the Force without succumbing to either side. 3. Force-users who act independently from all Force-based traditions and dabble in both sides of the Force. Now, in my personal view, the latter two definitions were never truly shown in the EU because they can’t really exist, just as Matt Martin says. Let me explain. The Imperial Knights in Legacy are the epitome of not being Gray Jedi, despite the Jedi Order thinking they are (this is a common theme as we will see). The Knights were light side users who had a strict allegiance to defending the Emperor using the light side. Many of them were even former Jedi. If you read the Legacy comics, there’s really no examples of Imperial Knights dabbling in both sides of the Force. They’re clearly light side users, and the Jedi accusing them of being Gray is probably because the Imperial Knights do not follow the Jedi’s strict dogmatic view of the Force, much like Tyvokka in Republic. The Jedi also claim that the Jensaarai were Gray Jedi, though this isn’t particularly true either. The Jensaarai, who were created by a former Jedi, did blend the teachings of the Jedi and Sith, though they did stay true to the light side of the Force. Blending Jedi and Sith teachings does not make one Gray; these are religious institutions, not sides of the Force. Even then, one can find wisdom in Sith teachings, and, if combined with the teachings of the Jedi, you can still stay true to the light, and that’s exactly what the Jensaarai did. As shown earlier, the Jedi are constantly accusing others of being Gray Jedi just because they don’t follow their exact philosophy of the Force; that doesn’t make it true. Lastly, Jolee Bindo, the character who started this controversy, really isn’t a proper Gray Jedi either. He’s clearly an old hermit who has been living in the Shadowlands for too long; he uses nearly exclusive light side powers, even threatening to betray the main character of KOTOR if they turn to the dark side, yet they won’t betray them if they stay with the Jedi. He clearly identifies with the light side; perhaps his years fighting Exar Kun’s Sith and seeing the strange wilderness of the Kashyyyk Shadowlands traumatized him, but there’s no way he’s a true Gray Jedi, at least with what Jolee himself describes. In conclusion, while Gray Jedi may not be exactly as George Lucas envisioned, what is certain is it is not a mere idea from fan fiction. Truly, it was a part of the official Star Wars canon at one point, and it is an official concept, despite there not being any true examples of it. Regardless, I hope this article can rid any confusion some may be having about Gray Jedi. Yes, they were an official concept. Long live the Expanded Universe!

Argovia System (S-14) ·        Sun/Star: unnamed ·        Orbits: o   Argovia A temperate world of mountain ranges, forests, and wetlands shrouded in mist and rainstorms, Argovia was a remote planet rich in natural resources. During the Galactic Civil War, the Galactic Empire established a complex on the planet to excavate the minerals and ores, as well as be a regional observation base for their vast galactic network of sensor arrays. Imperial forces attempted to restrict movement in the sector, however, their blockade was broken, and the command center destroyed by Rebel forces, leading to hyperlane routes reopening shortly thereafter. Following the collapse of the Empire, it is unclear if Argovia declared neutrality, or joined the New Republic or other galactic governments.

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