I've had similar feelings regarding the Jedi joelwatts. The Jedi from the original series always struck me as being independent and ensuring peace and justice in the galaxy. Maybe there was some very loose organization, but no real hierarchy beyond master-student and certainly not a council to direct them. The sheer dogmatism about attachment and love taught about the Jedi never seemed to fit with the compassion and connection to the the living Force that was so emphasized in the OT.

I think that also explains why some were skeptical of the Jedi, specifically because they weren't an institutional body being monitored or checked by the likes of the Senate. Knights almost being mythical in that many didn't see them or the use of the force would demonstrate why those like Han and Motti were disbelieving about it so many years later.