Star Wars: Father of the Rebellion? The Bail Organa Breakdown
Politician, revolutionary, and father to Princess Leia, Bail Organa is one of the most influential characters in Star Wars.
Politician, revolutionary, and father to Princess Leia, Bail Organa is probably a character who you don’t think about that often. But his influence and kindness knew almost no bounds. He just may be your new favorite secondary Star Wars character.
Bail Organa’s Early Life
Bail Prestor was born on Alderaan. Not much is known about his youth, but he probably had a life of relative privilege. He and Breha Organa, Alderaan’s future queen, met when they were young and fell in love. When they were married, Bail chose to take the name Organa.
Political Work and the Clone Wars
At some point, Bail joined the Galactic Senate, immediately forming friendships with Padme Amidala of Naboo and Mon Mothma of Chandrilla. His honesty and integrity earned him the respect of his peers. But despite his tireless work, the Republic grew more and more corrupt. Eventually, this general unrest in the Senate would lead to Count Dooku forming the Confederacy of Independent Systems or The Separatists. He would, in turn, lead the galaxy into the Clone Wars.
Bail opposed the war, but saw its inevitability. He focused his attention on humanitarian and relief work, attempting to get supplies to planets like Ryloth. But for the most part, the day-to-day political work, even during a galactic war, was made up of forming alliances, introducing policy, and doing his best to represent Alderaan.
Bail Organa & the Rise of the Empire
As the Republic fell and the Empire rose to power, Bail watched Palpatine take the title of Emperor, the execution of Order 66, and the death of his close friend, Padme Amidala. And he did all this without the ability to do anything to stop them. Instead, he and Breha quietly adopted one of Padme’s children, kept secret where Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda were hiding, and became a founding member of the Rebel Alliance alongside former Senate coworker, Mon Mothma.
While Bail continued to serve on the Galactic Senate, through his secret Rebellion work, continued to focus on humanitarian operations. While intercepting Imperial messages, he would help Jedi survivors of Order 66 stay ahead of Imperial capture. Eventually Ahsoka Tano, under the code name Fulcrum, would begin managing Bail’s dense network of Rebellion intelligence.
The Organa Influence
Eventually, his daughter, Leia, would join her father both as a Junior Senator and eventually in the Rebellion. The two helped Rebels steal Hammerhead Corvettes for the Rebel fleet.
Bail Organa was instrumental in bringing Jyn Erso into the Rebellion. He also made sure Leia was the agent he sent to find Kenobi in preparation of the war to come. As a result of Erso’s mission to steal the Death Star plans, Princess Leia was captured by the Empire. Her home planet of Alderaan was destroyed by the Death Star and Bail and Breha Organa were both tragically killed.
Bail Organa’s legacy is one of kindness and justice. Though he’s a relatively minor character, he is personally responsible for helping set up many of the most important events in the first two trilogies. We’re looking forward to seeing more of him in the current Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
Do you have a favorite Bail Organa moment? Which show or movie that he appears in is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
May the Force be with you, adventurers!
