Star Wars: The Last Jedi teaser, what did Luke mean?

There’s a lot to dissect in the teaser trailer for The Last Jedi, but I don’t think we could spend enough time dissecting what Luke said at the end of the trailer.

Well, this weekend has been an amazing time for Star Wars fans. We got to see The Last Jedi teaser trailer. Like all teaser trailers, we were left with more questions than answers. But I don’t think anything left more of a question than what Luke said at the end of the trailer:

“I only know one truth: it’s time for the Jedi to end.”

A few questions came to mind when Luke’s words hit my ears: Is Lucasfilm doing away with Jedi and Sith? Has Luke become a Gray Jedi? Does The Last Jedi literally mean Luke will be the last one to hold that title? With all these questions, let’s start dissecting what Luke said.

Lucasfilm doing away with Jedi and Sith is a theory with plenty of traction. Shortly after Episode VII was released, J.J. Abrams came out to say that “Kylo Ren is not a Sith.” Now, we all know that beings can be experts in using the Dark Side without being a Sith Lord.

The Sith are merely a limb on the body of the Dark Side. So, if Lucasfilm did get rid of the Sith title, then it would make sense to get rid of the Jedi title, too.

Luke becoming a Gray Jedi would make sense, too. He could’ve seen how much pain the Jedi path has caused him, and decided to go Gray. This is the definition of a Gray Jedi, according to Wookieepedia:

"The term Gray Jedi, or Gray, had two meanings. First, it was used by Jedi and Sith to describe Force-users who walked the line between the light and dark sides of the Force without surrendering to the dark side."

Maybe over time, Luke saw the benefits of both sides of the Force. He could’ve been leaning towards being a Gray Jedi as early as ROTJ. When Luke enters Jabba’s Palace, he uses Force-choke on the two guards that stopped him.

Now, while some Jedi are known for using Force-choke, it’s not a common practice among them. Force-choke is a primary tool for the Sith, not the Jedi.

Next: A GIF Breakdown of The Last Jedi teaser trailer

In Return of the Jedi, just before Yoda dies, he gives Luke some insight:

"Remember, a Jedi’s strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Luke… Luke… do not… do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor or suffer your father’s fate you will. Luke, when gone am I… the last of the Jedi will you be. Luke, the Force runs strong in your family. Pass on what you have learned, Luke. There is… another… Sky… walker."

This is probably the most convincing argument for why Luke said what he said. In so many words, Yoda made it clear: the Jedi is to die with Luke Skywalker. Like we discussed before, Lucasfilm could go the route of just having light side Force-users and dark side Force-users.

Which, I guess, wouldn’t bother me. It would just be a little weird no longer to hear Jedi and Sith when watching Episode VII, VIII & IX. But no matter what happens, I expect an excellent Episode VIII in December.