Who Is Quinlan Vos? The Jedi Master Who Loved A Sith Assassin Explained

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Warning! This episode contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld episodes 1-3

In the TV series titled “Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld“, we find the return of Jedi Master Quinlan Vos, a character who had a romantic relationship with a Sith assassin during the Clone Wars. This series debut episode revisits one of Master Vos’ most heart-wrenching episodes, a tale that was initially written but later cut from the animated Clone Wars series 10 years ago. This omitted arc also featured Asajj Ventress, paving the way for her continued story in “Tales of the Underworld“.

In summary, although Quinlan Vos’ debut in the latest Star Wars series is relatively short, the initial episodes of ‘Tales of the Underworld’ offer intriguing perspectives on this Jedi Master as a survivor of Order 66. However, it primarily delves into Ventress’ storyline. Here is a comprehensive overview of Quinlan Vos, his extensive Star Wars background, and potential future developments for the Jedi Master in the Star Wars narrative.

Quinlan Vos Was A Maverick In The Jedi Order

Known For Bending The Jedi Council’s Mandates

In much the same way as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Quinlan Vos was known for his unconventional behavior among his fellow Jedi, often pushing the boundaries of the Jedi Council’s guidelines. Specializing in the seedy underbelly of the galaxy and acting as a liaison between the Jedi Order and various planetary law enforcement agencies, Vos possessed an extensive understanding of the criminal dealings of powerful crime bosses and syndicates. Interestingly, Quinlan made his only live-action debut in The Phantom Menace, working undercover on Tatooine during the same time that Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were on the desert planet, guarding Queen Amidala of Naboo.

In the third season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Quinlan Vos teamed up with Obi-Wan Kenobi to hunt down Ziro the Hutt. This was Vos’ sole appearance in the main series of Clone Wars, but it was later revealed in Revenge of the Sith that he fought at the Battle of Kashyyyk alongside Jedi Master Yoda and Luminara (although scenes featuring a Clone Turbo Tank were removed). Importantly, subsequent canon comics would establish that Quinlan Vos survived the events leading up to Order 66.

2022’s “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series revealed that Quinlan was associated with a clandestine group called The Hidden Path, aiding Force-sensitive individuals and their kin in escaping the Empire and its Imperial Inquisitors. Originally, a significant portion of episodes from the Clone Wars series was planned to focus on both Vos and Asajj Ventress. Unfortunately, these episodes were transformed into the 2015 novel “Dark Disciple” due to the cancellation of The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network before its sixth season on Netflix, and eventually its seventh and last season on Disney+.

Quinlan Vos’ Connection To Asajj Ventress And Secret Clone Wars Story Explained

A Surprise Romance and Fall To The Dark Side

In Dark Disciple, the Jedi Council controversially chooses to send Quinlan Vos on a mission to eliminate Count Dooku in an attempt to hasten the end of the Clone Wars. To accomplish this task, it was decided that Vos would collaborate with Asajj Ventress, a former Sith assassin who had been deceived by Dooku and previously attempted to slay him. Over time, Vos manages to win Ventress’s trust and discloses his objective. Impressed, Ventress consents to assist Quinlan, teaching him how to harness the dark side – a skill necessary for them to have any hope of defeating Dooku.

Through their training under Ventress, Quinlan and Asajj developed feelings for Vos, planning to depart from the Jedi Order upon fulfilling their mission. Regrettably, their attempt on Dooku’s life ended with Quinlan’s capture instead. Under duress and manipulation, he became more aligned with the dark side, serving as Dooku’s new agent and apprentice, known as Admiral Enigma. Yet, Vos harbored a secret hope that his new position could be utilized to eliminate not only Dooku but also their former master, Darth Sidious.

In another version, Ventress made an effort to save Vos, but Dooku managed to make Quinlan turn against her by revealing that Asajj had killed Vos’ master while she was still serving the Count. Later on, Ventress joined the Jedi, and they believed they had rescued Vos. Unfortunately, they didn’t realize that Quinlan had become Dooku’s new apprentice.

Eventually, the Jedi Council grew suspicious of Vos’ loyalty and assigned him a task to eliminate Dooku as proof of his allegiance. This led to a final confrontation where Vos aimed to meet with Sidious in order to kill both Sith Lords.

As a devoted cinephile, I found myself witnessing the heart-wrenching finale between Quinlan and Dooku, where their lightsaber battle concluded with Ventress bravely taking a lethal blast of Dooku’s Force lightning intended for Vos. This selfless act illuminated the path back to the light for Vos, enabling him to free himself from the dark side’s grasp and show mercy to Dooku, allowing him to flee.

In the poignant aftermath, Vos and Kenobi honored Ventress by carrying her remains back to her ancestral home of Dathomir, where she was laid to rest in the hallowed burial pools of the Nightsisters. In a surprising twist, Obi-Wan championed for Quinlan’s reinstatement into the Jedi Order, recognizing that the Council’s own ethical shortcomings had played a role in the events leading to this confrontation (namely their initial decision to send Vos after Dooku).

Tales of the Underworld Reveals Quinlan’s Fate After Order 66

Laying Ventress To Rest/Establishing The Hidden Path

The television adaptation of Tales of the Underworld concludes the storyline from Dark Disciple, with Asajj Ventress’ funeral serving as a starting point. This scene is expanded upon significantly, and in keeping with the book’s hints, it reveals that Ventress has been resurrected. Though she could have joined her deceased Nightsister comrades, Mother Talzin explains to Ventress that due to her extraordinary connection to Maul (Vos), she is granted a second chance at life, but only if she relinquishes her deepest desire – which happens to be Quinlan Vos himself.

In contrast to what the first episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi in 2022 implies about Quinlan Vos being a member of the Hidden Path, it is revealed that he was the one who founded this secret network following the Order 66 events. Despite their tragic separation in Asajj Ventress’s Tales of the Underworld episodes, there’s still hope that these star-crossed lovers might reunite someday. Fingers crossed that Quinlan Vos will eventually star in a Star Wars spin-off series, exploring his involvement with the Hidden Path and his ongoing struggle against the Empire.

All episodes of Tales of the Underworld are now streaming on Disney+

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2025-05-04 15:08