Do Jedi Run And Is the Dark Side Stronger?

The Force Awakens has planted some questions and doubt in my mind about the importance and role of the Jedi in the galaxy at large. The Force Awakens opens with us looking for Luke. It isn't until later in the film that we learn that Luke has exiled himself because one of his padawans had gone sour and slaughtered his other students. But because this pattern has been repeated again, in almost every detail, it has brought up questions. Do the Jedi run and what is the point of the Jedi? This may turn into a little babble and ramble here but I just need to chat this out.

In the second film, Episode II: The Clone Wars, Obi-Won and Anakin are assigned as Jedi security for the threatened Senator Padme Amidala. There is an argument that takes place between Obi-Won and Anakin as the point of their 'true' mission is questioned by Anakin. Obi-Won is set on just acting for security for the Senator while Anakin argues that they should work to catch the threat not just protect the Senator. They are Jedi, better than just security. Previously, this scene seemed to me, to show the obnoxious feelings and concern for Padme that cloud Anakin's judgment but now I see the argument in a different light. Frustratingly enough, this scene seems to justify some of Anakin's confusion and anger that builds up against the Jedi. What are the Jedi for? What exactly do they do?

Now, I also think, that the Dark Side is portrayed as stronger. If you'll allow my to elaborate here:

• The Jedi have an entire counsel that sit up in their room and meditate but they don't feel a disturbance in the Force regarding Darth Maul or Darth Sidious
• Or the creation of a clone army
• Or Anakin's dark feelings beginning to grow
• Or Palpatine's intentions in the Senate
• The Jedi have an entire counsel, the Sith have two. The master and the apprentice. (Which actually isn't really true...) Numbers should be in our favor.
• The Jedi feel pain, after anything has happened (Not helpful!)
• A padawan goes bad so you run to seclusion. (Again, that's very helpful, thank you.)

For the Dark Side:

• Feels EVERY disturbance in the Force, we don't have conversations between Siths without mentions of disturbances in the Force
• The Emperor learns of all the plans of the Alliance
• Knows that Luke is a Skywalker
• Knows how to exploit Anakin
• Manipulates Queen and Senator Amidala
• Takes over the Senate without the Jedi batting an eye (HELLO!)
• Now, it has mysteriously overtaken a Jedi (Kylo Ren) without the presence of another Sith (because I don't think that Snoke is a Sith)

In reality, the Dark Side's Achilles heel is themselves. They make the same weaknesses with their battle stations. Other than that, they have all the advantages.

Therefore, is the Dark Side stronger, and if not...then PROVE IT! (I would like to add that I'm not saying that the Dark Side can't be overcome, I'm just saying, pattern wise, it looks like it is stronger.)

Okay, as to the question of Jedi running. They do. At least with the new movie that's what we are led to believe. When we left off in Return of the Jedi this was not the case. Luke proved to be the exception when he confronts Vader and faces down the Emperor. But not so now. With the Force Awakens Luke has run away. I've heard a few arguments in his defense and the defense of other Jedi but none of them have satisfied me. Obi-Won ran away to seclusion as did Yoda and they waited in their exile and watched the Empire rise. Now we have Luke, who also ran away and watched evil rise again. I'm sorry, but sitting back is not what Jedi should be doing. (But that doesn't seem to stop them from doing it.) Here are some of the excuses reasons I have heard for this approach:

• They were old (Not when they ran away, okay, Yoda might have been pretty old)
• They are the last ones, what do you want them to do? Go charging into the middle of the battle as the last Jedi? (Umm, that's exactly what Luke did to break the pattern. He was literally, the last Jedi and he allowed himself to be captured and taken to a Death Star that he knew was going to be attack and if possible destroyed.)

Not very serious reason if you ask me...and not very many of them either.

*sigh* I'm afraid I was right, this was a rambling and ranting post. I am totally dissatisfied with what the Force Awakens did to Luke. :P

As I have said in pervious posts, I am open for discussion in the comments. :)

To finish up here I guess I should just use the 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' term for the Star Wars Universe. (As in: what you say when you don't know what else to say.)

Han shot first.

Yours truly,
Cordy