The clones of Star Wars, engineered for absolute obedience, played a pivotal role in the galaxy’s history.
Programmed to follow without question, they executed every command—until Order 66 turned them against their Jedi generals.
In this exploration, we’ll delve into the clones’ programmed loyalty, their actions under new command, and the sparks of free will that defy their design.
Table of Contents
The Programming of Clones
Clones were made to be perfect soldiers: they always followed orders, worked well, and never gave up on their mission.
The Clones were created to obey every command, which was written into their DNA.
This obedience was exemplified during the Clone Wars, where they fought valiantly under the command of the Jedi.
The clones were programmed to follow orders without fail, which made them very good soldiers because they always did what they were told.
But this programming also meant that they couldn’t decide for themselves if an order was right or wrong.
They didn’t have the freedom to think about the ethics of their actions; they just obeyed orders automatically.
So when they were given Order 66, they carried it out without considering whether it was morally correct to do so, leading to the attack on the Jedi.
Adaptation to Leadership
The influence of the Jedi on the clones cannot be overstated.
Each battalion, reflecting the temperament of their Jedi leaders, developed distinct characteristics.
The 501st Legion, led by Anakin Skywalker, was known for its aggressive tactics, mirroring Anakin’s own boldness in battle.
In contrast, the 212th Attack Battalion, under Obi-Wan Kenobi’s command, operated with precision and strict adherence to protocol.
These differences highlight how the clones, despite their programming, could adapt and adopt traits from their leaders, suggesting a capacity for growth beyond their initial design.
With the execution of Order 66, the absence of the Jedi’s moral guidance exposed the underlying nature of the clones’ programming.
The same clones who had once upheld the principles of the Republic under Jedi command now, devoid of that influence, followed orders from their new superiors without question.
This obedience was absolute, to the extent that they would have turned their guns on anyone, including civilians, if so ordered.
Clones’ Actions Without Jedi Oversight
After the Jedi were gone, the clones showed how they were truly made to follow orders.
Without the Jedi to guide them on what’s right and wrong, the clones were easily given new orders, even if those orders were against what they used to stand for.
This change makes us wonder just how much their programming controlled them and if they could ever make their own choices about what’s right or wrong.
What the clones did after Order 66 hurting civilians and capturing people who did nothing wrong shows they might have lost the power to think for themselves, all because they were built to obey the orders above all else.
Free Will and Individuality Among Clones
Despite the overarching theme of obedience, some clones exhibited a remarkable degree of free will and individuality.
Commander Cody, known for his independent thinking, and Captain Rex, who often took initiative, stand out as examples.
ARC troopers, too, displayed a higher level of autonomy. These exceptions challenge the notion that all clones were mere automatons.
They also raise ethical concerns about the creation of sentient beings with varying degrees of free will, especially when such beings are capable of heroism and personal growth.
Notably, Captain Rex’s actions during the harrowing events surrounding Order 66 exemplify this.
When the order was issued, Rex initially succumbed to the programming of his inhibitor chip, but not without a visible struggle against it. With the help of Ahsoka Tano, he was able to remove the chip, regaining his free will and choosing to resist the order to kill Jedi
Similarly, the Bad Batch, a unique group of clones with genetic differences, showed they could think and act on their own.
They weren’t really influenced by Order 66 because their special genes let them think about and even refuse to follow the order.
What they did after Order 66, like helping people and making their own choices, shows that clones could do more than just what they were programmed to do.
