Midi-Chlorians are one of the most debated and divisive concepts introduced in the Star Wars prequels. Ever since they were first mentioned in 1999’s ‘The Phantom Menace‘, fans have been arguing over what exactly they are and what purpose they serve in the ‘Star Wars‘ universe.
With more stories and lore expanding on their role, Midi-Chlorians remain a source of talk among the fandom. So let’s understand what they are first according to Star Wars canon and explore why fans hate it.
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Midi-Chlorians In ‘Star Wars’ Explained
Midi-Chlorians are microscopic, symbiotic life forms that live inside the cells of all living things in the Star Wars universe. They serve as a link between the living and the Force. Those who have a high Midi-Chlorian count, it allows them to be more aware of the Force and use its powers. The Jedi Order developed the ability to test this as counts in blood samples as a way to identify individuals who could potentially become Jedi. Characters like Anakin Skywalker were discovered to have extremely high Midi-Chlorian counts, indicating their strong connection to the Force.
Midi-Chlorians essentially act as a messenger and connection between the Living Force generated by all organisms and the overarching Cosmic Force that binds the galaxy. They are able to sense the will of the Force and communicate it to the beings they inhabit. Those with high Midi-Chlorian counts are naturally more inclined to wield the Force as a result. However, most fans have quite an issue with this concept.
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Why Fans Reject Midi-Chlorians
When first introduced in ‘The Phantom Menace‘, many fans felt that Midi-Chlorians ruined the mysticism and spiritual aspects of the Force by explaining it in scientific terms. Part of what made the Force so compelling was its intangible, magical nature that seemed to defy explanation. By providing a very scientific explanation, it took some of the magic and mystery out of the Force.
There was also a sense that Midi-Chlorians implied that one’s inherent power in the Force was predetermined based on cell composition rather than achieved through study, training, and discipline as in the original films. Some saw it as a simple way to explain Anakin as the “Chosen One”. Overall, this concept clashed with many fans’ conceptions of the Force developed from earlier films and continues to be a lightning rod in discussions of ‘Star Wars‘ lore and philosophy.
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