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Yeah it was definitely a retcon and a mostly pointless one at that. Just playing devil’s advocate.
I think if they had addressed the absurdity of the rule in-movie as one of the many reasons the Jedi order is somewhat broken and archaic and tied it into Anakin’s disillusionment with the order, I would be fine with it. But, of course, as is there’s no point beyond Lucas trying to make it an epic love story or whatever.
I thought that it was clear that Anakin’s disillusionment with the Jedi Order was the primary reason for the turn to the dark side after his desire to save Padmé. The Jedi Code forbade attachment to all worldy things, which kept him from his mother, whom he left as a vulnerable young boy, leading to her violent death. The Jedi Code forbade his marriage to Padmé, whom he loved more than life itself. When Anakin learned that the Jedi Council was planning to execute the democratically elected supreme chancellor without a trial and seize direct control of the Republic, Anakin became convinced that the Jedi Order was corrupt. From Anakin’s point of view, Palpatine sought to win the war against the separatists, whereas the Jedi Order only sought to maintain power. Palpatine had told him the dark side could save Padmé, whereas Master Yoda had told him, “Let go of everything you fear to lose.”
The Jedi Code taught Anakin to repress his fear, anger, hatred, and love. Palpatine taught Anakin to give into his repressed emotions, which he desperately desired to hear.
If the Jedi Code never forbade natural emotions such as love and attachment, Anakin would not have been seduced to the dark side.
Yeah this is how it was supposed to be/should have been, but it simply was not executed well enough to come across. Though there are reasons why Anakin would leave the order (attachment and all), the only reasoning we actually see him act upon is that Palpatine can save Padme (not to mention how fast and dramatically he turns). The pieces are all there, the dots just aren’t really connected on screen. This background is, at best, subtext. At worst, it’s nonexistent.
The Jedi Order had to be at least partially flawed, otherwise Anakin’s turn to the dark side would have been unbelievable.
They are clearly flawed but nothing in the films suggest that we, the audience, should think they are flawed. We hear Anakin whine in AOTC about “love” and whine about spying on Palpatine in ROTS. Not really any legitimate critiques of the way they operate. No questioning or doubt from Obi-Wan or Yoda about the way they operate.
