Plo Koon

Plo Koon was a Kel Dor male from the planet Dorin who became a Jedi Master and a lifetime member of the Jedi High Council, holding the position from before the Invasion of Naboo to the end of the Republic in 19 BBY. During the Clone Wars, Koon served as a High General in the Grand Army of the Republic. Plo Koon was also an accomplished starfighter pilot.

Plo had a niece, Sha Koon, who was also a member of the Jedi Order, and served as a personal communicator between the Jedi strike force and the rest of the Republic during the Stark Hyperspace War. He was a close friend of fellow Masters Qui-Gon Jinn (whom he fought alongside during the Stark Hyperspace War), Micah Giiett, and noted fighter pilot Saesee Tiin.

Plo Koon was shot down over Cato Neimoidia by his clone troopers, killing him in compliance with Order 66.

 Biography

Early life

Native to the planet Dorin, homeworld of the Kel Dor species, Koon was accustomed to breathing in an atmosphere containing little oxygen. Hence, in order to survive on oxygen-rich worlds, a Kel Dor had to wear protective goggles and an antiox breath mask, which supplied him with a trace gas found only on his home world, and also included a built-in comlink. An adept and skilled warrior, Plo came from a long Kel Dor Jedi dynasty, including an uncle and Plo Koon's own niece, Sha Koon.

Plo Koon studied the Jedi way under the tutelage of legendary Wookiee Jedi Master Tyvokka. Kel Dor had a reputation for making quick and clear distinctions between right and wrong. Plo Koon was no exception, often taking swift, decisive action with little or no contemplation for repercussive effects. This attitude, combined with Koon's sarcastic wit, often tried the patience of his Jedi Master.

In his career, Plo trained many Padawans, including Bultar Swan and the female Trandoshan Lissarkh—Koon's apprentice during the Invasion of Naboo. Koon was a close friend of Qui-Gon Jinn, and believed that Qui-Gon deserved a seat on the Jedi High Council. He even suggested the idea to Tyvokka, though the elder Jedi disagreed. However, Koon soon came to realize that due to his rebellious nature, Qui-Gon would never find a place on the Council.

Stark Hyperspace War

Plo Koon fighting during the Stark Hyperspace War.

Before he could accept his former master Tyvokka's offer to join the Council, Koon accompanied the Wookiee to Troiken, where the Republic was to negotiate with the pirate Iaco Stark. Stark had been stealing bacta supplies from cargo vessels and selling them at lower prices than the Trade Federation could afford to offer. Rather than resort to military action, the Republic decided to negotiate, with Master Tyvokka as chief diplomat.

However, some factions in the government wanted more decisive action, and they organized an attack on Stark's forces, which caused the negotiations to degenerate into a firefight. Plo Koon watched in disbelief as Tyvokka was killed in the crossfire. In the wake of his Master's death, Koon rallied the forces of the Republic and led them to a miraculous victory in the ensuing conflict, which came to be known as the Stark Hyperspace War. This triumph made Plo Koon a hero of the Republic. During the battle Plo befriended a Republic soldier, Jace Dallin, who later spoke of Koon's bravery and humility.

Jedi Council

Plo Koon on the Jedi Council.

Following the Stark Hyperspace War, Plo Koon was promoted to Jedi Master and was given a life-time seat on the Jedi Council in honor of his Master's dying wish. Koon, ever humble, felt there were many others more qualified than he to serve on the Council. Plo was also a close friend of fellow Council member Micah Giiett and went on many adventures with him. Their constant verbal sparring made them appear as rivals, but those close to the two Jedi Masters understood that they were indeed good friends.

Sometime in the years before the Clone Wars, during a mission on Shili, Koon found a Force sensitive Togruta named Ahsoka Tano. He took her to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant to be raised as a Jedi. They became close friends and Plo nicknamed her "Little Soka".

Giiett and Koon were responsible for the release of the chef Slabba Drewl from the clutches of Corpo the Hutt on Ord Mantell. In a cooking contest with Corpo's kitchen droid MREM-02, Giiett was able to distract the audience while Koon swapped the droid's ingredients with volatile substances such as Rakririan Burnout Sauce.

When judged, Giiett's Squirmer Stew, though average, was enough to win the competition and release Drewl. It was after this mission that Giiett considered the possibility of using two lightsabers.

Yinchorri Uprising

A year before the Invasion of Naboo, Plo and Micah participated in a mission to quell an uprising on the planet Yinchorr, accompanied by Lilit Twoseas and her apprentice K'Kruhk.

Koon, lightsaber ready.

During the fighting, Koon used a Force technique to conjure and manipulate clouds of dust to cloak the Jedi from their Yinchorri attackers. Due to Koon's effective smokescreen, they were rescued by Adi Gallia, Eeth Koth, and Tsui Choi, and soon embarked on a mission to rescue the remaining Jedi. During the conflict, Giiett was mortally wounded and chose to stay behind to distract the enemy. In honor of his fallen friend, Koon took over the training of Giiett's Padawan, Bultar Swan.

The Invasion of Naboo

In most meetings with the Council, Plo Koon was a silent, enigmatic figure who rarely joined in with debates, but his knowledge was valued by the other Councilors. Plo was present when Qui-Gon brought the young Anakin Skywalker before them, asking for him to be trained as a Jedi. The Council's members were skeptical of the boy's suitability, and Qui-Gon's usual headstrong attitude did nothing to help matters. Before the Council came to a final decision, Qui-Gon was killed on Naboo, and Koon now had to mourn another friend. He, along with the rest of the Council, journeyed to Naboo for Jinn's funeral.

During the years after the Battle of Naboo, Plo traveled with fellow council members to Malastare to negotiate a truce between the Lannik royals and a terrorist group known as the Red Iaro. He also used his telepathic abilities to help Aayla Secura regain her memories following an incident with glitteryll on Ryloth.

Separatist Crisis

Koon remained on the Jedi Council for the next decade, witnessing a growing public discontent with the galactic government and the Jedi. A splinter group known as the Separatists emerged, led by a former Jedi who had now taken the name Count Dooku. At the same time, a group calling itself the People's Inquest began enlisting support for a motion that would have forced the Jedi Order to be more accountable to the government. Plo Koon himself used a Jedi mind trick to disperse a crowd of student protesters who had infiltrated the Jedi Temple.

When an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala's life caused an uproar in the Senate, Chancellor Palpatine held a meeting with the Jedi and the Loyalist Committee—a meeting which Plo and fellow Council members Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Yoda attended. Plo was also present when Obi-Wan Kenobi contacted the senators when he uncovered Separatist activity on Geonosis.

Plo Koon during the Clone Wars.

Clone Wars (22 BBY–19 BBY)

Plo was one of the 200-strong task force of Jedi who rescued Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala, and fought during the Battle of Geonosis in 22 BBY, joining with Jedi Knight Ki-Adi-Mundi and a number of others on a mission to deactivate the Droid Control Ship on Geonosis. Unfortunately for them, the Separatists had a backup control device, and Koon and Mundi were captured. They were marched to the execution arena where the surviving Jedi awaited a seemingly imminent death. Just as the surrounding battle droids readied their blasters, the Jedi escaped with the timely intervention of the Republic Army. Plo Koon led a company of clone troopers into battle on Geonosis, and was among the few to survive the Battle of Geonosis. He served as a General in the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars.

During the war, he coordinated the Battle of Brentaal IV, advising Shaak Ti and joining her in meditating after the battle. Plo also worked with Adi Gallia for a period during the Clone Wars. They rescued Senator Bail Organa when he was attacked by pirates. The pair also helped Anakin Skywalker and Ki-Adi-Mundi locate Obi-Wan-Kenobi and ARC trooper, Alpha-17, both of whom had been reported missing in action. During the search, the Jedi participated in a space battle against bounty hunters over Varonat.

Koon dispatches a cold assault battle droid.

At some point during the war, he and fellow Jedi Council member Kit Fisto encountered the bounty hunter Durge while attempting to quell an inmate uprising at a galactic prison. They sealed Durge in the catacombs beneath the prison with the help of one of the inmates, though they remarked that he would surely escape eventually. Plo Koon then deferred to Fisto's judgment on the fate of their ally, who decided to petition for a reduced sentence for the inmate for "good behavior", provided he watch their backs while they continued to put down the remaining inmates.

Master Koon served as chief negotiator during the Battle of Rendili. Also present were Saesee Tiin, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan-Kenobi. Plo was accompanied by Captain Jan Dodonna when he boarded a Rendili Dreadnaught. During the negotiations he was reunited with his old comrade Jace Dallin, but shortly after, Lieutenant Yago of the Rendili Home Defense Fleet arrived along with a security force to take command, putting Dallin under arrest. Master Koon decided to put down his lightsaber, choosing life at this point.

Yago was planning to turn the Republic fleet over to the Separatists, and Jedi Master Saesee Tiin felt he had no choice but to destroy the Rendili Dreadnaughts. Fortunately, Anakin Skywalker had another plan, and was able to avoid this drastic outcome. Finally Plo, Jace and Dodonna were rescued by Obi-Wan and Quinlan Vos. He was also involved in the mission to Boz Pity that sought to destroy the Separatist command. He fought on the ground alongside his fellow Jedi.

The Malevolence crisis

In 22 BBY, Plo Koon later led a patrol fleet of three Venator-class Star Destroyers to discover an unknown Separatist super weapon that had killed many fleets of cruisers and left no survivors. During the Battle of Abregado, the Malevolence, commanded by General Grievous, wiped out his patrol fleet leaving Plo, Commander Wolffe, and the two clone troopers Sergeant Sinker and Boost as survivors in an escape pod. Plo and the survivors held off the "Pod Hunter" that destroyed all other pods, and were picked up by Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano in the Twilight. Ahsoka, having a close connection to Plo, enabled him to be recovered from the debris of the destroyed Republic fleet. After being rescued, the group managed to evade a wave from the deadly ion cannons of the Malevolence, and Plo united with Skywalker's fleet and prepared the counter attack on the Separatist warship.

Plo Koon after his ship was destroyed by Malevolence.

Destroy the Malevolence

Skywalker took them through a shortcut through the Nebula which the Malevolence was circling to get to the medical station. However, when Skywalker mentioned it was a smuggler's route called Balmorra Run, Koon realized where they were and informed Skywalker that the Balmorra Run was the nesting ground of the Neebray mantas and that they must turn around. Unfortunately, Skywalker refused to give up and they arrived straight in the middle of the nesting ground. They managed to get out and beat the Malevolence to the station, but lost half their squadron to its ion cannon. A plea from Ahsoka and additional persuasion from Plo Koon made Skywalker change targets from attacking the bridge to damaging the warship's ion cannons. When the Malevolence tried to fire its deadly weapon at the medical center, they exploded and caused further damage to the ship. Reinforcements then arrived to take down the Malevolence.

However, a Naboo ship carrying Senator Padmé Amidala and her assistant droid C-3PO arrived, lead on misinformation to be captured as a hostage by Grievous. She contacted the Republic ships, telling them to continue their attack, but Anakin ordered a ceasefire and headed a rescue mission. Koon commented that Skywalker was always "craving adventure and excitement." Later, Plo Koon would help the Jedi fight off the Nightsisters, who had formed an alliance with Count Dooku and his Separatist allies. He was instrumental in destroying the battle cruiser, the Devastation, where he dueled Asajj Ventress with Ahsoka Tano.

Order 66

The death of Plo Koon above Cato Neimoidia.

Plo was present during the Battle of Coruscant in 19 BBY, where his expert flying skills and swordsmanship paid off. He later was leading a starfighter patrol above the Neimoidian purse world Cato Neimoidia in his Delta-7 Aethersprite when Supreme Chancellor Palpatine activated Order 66.

Captain Jag, along with an escorting squadron of ARC-170 starfighters, opened fire on the unsuspecting Jedi Master before he could react. A volley of laser blasts struck the nimbler craft's starboard wing, near its engine section. Koon's body was consumed by an explosion. His crippled starfighter promptly went into a spin, clipping a spire-shaped clone staging area jutting up from the bridge city below and breaking apart, ejecting Koon's astromech droid in the process.

When the Galactic Empire emerged, official records compiled by Sate Pestage stated that Koon's death had resulted from a suicide attack on a Neimoidian grub nursery.

Abilities and traits

Plo Koon unmasked.

Like many of his kind, Plo had a strong sense of justice and telepathic abilities. His species tended to see issues in black and white, and favored what was termed "rough justice," a method of solving disputes that to non-Kel Dor seemed overly retributive and too close to vigilantism. Somewhat controversially, Plo Koon employed a Force technique that he called Electric Judgment. To many Jedi, this seemed to be too close to the Force lightning employed by the enemies of the Jedi—the fearsome Sith Lords. Koon was a master of telekinesis, and could move objects without even having to face them. He wore talons over his fingertips, allowing him to further augment his already prodigious Force powers. Possessing great strength, Koon was a master of hand-to-hand combat. Darth Maul considered Koon to be one of the greatest Jedi warriors of his time. He was a skilled user of the fifth form of lightsaber combat, Shien.

Plo Koon possessed an extensive knowledge of the physical sciences. In particular, he used his expert knowledge of physics along with the Force to alter the environment—the resourceful Jedi could create small whirlwinds as well as a dense fog over a limited area, freeze tiny rivers and lakes, and raise or lower the temperature of his surroundings enough to incapacitate an opponent. He also possessed the ability to breathe and survive in space for a short period of time owing to his thick Kel Dor hide.

He was a skilled pilot and his piloting skills were as well known as his abilities with a lightsaber.

During the Clone Wars, General Plo Koon developed an affinity for the clone troopers under his command and often stated how their lives meant more to him than completing a mission. For instance, he questioned Sergeant Sinker about why he had no hope of being rescued. When the clone replied that it was because all clones were created to be an expendable product, General Koon firmly stated "not to me" - thus indicating he felt a degree of compassion for the clones, which ironically led to his death when the clones followed Order 66 and killed him.

Behind the scenes

Portrayals

Plo Koon was played by Alan Ruscoe in The Phantom Menace, and by Matt Sloan in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. He was voiced by Gregg Berger in Jedi Power Battles and Star Wars: Obi-Wan, and by James Arnold Taylor in The Clone Wars TV series.

Origin of the name

During construction and planning, Plo Koon was known as "Plonkoon", after the nickname of Nick Dudman's son. It was amended by George Lucas before filming to "Plo Koon".^[1]

Lightsaber

Plo Koon's blue lightsaber.

The lightsaber wielded by Koon in Attack of the Clones is the same design as the one worn by Mace Windu in The Phantom Menace. This Windu's saber was also blue in the Expanded Universe.

Based on his abilities in Jedi Power Battles, it could be hypothesized that Koon utilized the Form V technique of lightsaber combat. However, this was never explicitly stated in any canonical source until The Force Unleashed novel was released.

In Jedi Power Battles, Plo Koon wields a yellow lightsaber, which was echoed in the Plo Koon figure for Episode I, under the Power of the Jedi series. He also wields a yellow lightsaber in his appearances in The Stark Hyperspace War, Jedi Council: Acts of War and the Obsession. The figure technically had a light greenish-yellow lightsaber but this matches the Jedi Power Battles video game closely and is probably meant to be yellow (like the Power of the Force 2 Darth Vader figures having pink lightsabers instead of a true red). These two instances were contradicted by Plo's use of a blue lightsaber in Attack of the Clones and The Clone Wars TV series and a green lightsaber in the Republic: The Dreadnaughts of Rendili. It is unclear if Plo Koon had other lightsabers, replaced his lightsaber, or if the color change is a case of canon contradiction. In the latter case, the film and TV series outstrip the video game, comics and toy.

Hasbro's toy electronic lightsaber credits Plo Koon with an orange lightsaber instead of yellow, although this presumably is not canon.

In some Revenge of the Sith concept art, Plo Koon is shown equipped with a twin-bladed lightsaber gauntlet. Though this weapon was not seen in the film, it may be found on Sideshow Collectibles' 1:6 scale Plo Koon figure. In design, this weapon is similar to one used by Uda-Khalid, though Koon's saber gauntlet has twin green blades as opposed to Uda-Khalid's paired red blades. In Hasbro's The Clone Wars action figure line, Koon comes with the lightsaber gauntlet with blue blades, a blue bladed saber, and a blue bladed Shoto.

 Starfighter

Plo Koon's Delta-7.

Plo Koon's fighter was the Delta-7 Aethersprite starfighter and it's variant 7B. He was shot down over Cato Neimoidia during Order 66. The fighter was destroyed along with Plo Koon when it was sent crashing into the city below.

 Appearance without mask

The official Star Wars database has an image of Plo Koon without his goggles exposing his closed eyes. The canon status of this is, however, in question, as the image appears in the Behind the Scenes section as a pre-production concept model and does not necessarily reflect the reality of the character.