In episode 3 of the Disney+ series ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’, the titular Jedi was brought to a safe house, a temporary home to many others like him. The specific mention of Quinlan, a former ally, bears looking into for those that are wondering who he is.
One thing sure in a series connected to such a vast franchise is that there will always be throwaway references to something that will undoubtedly make fans jump up and take notice. When Obi-Wan says the name ‘Quinlan’ out loud, there was bound to be a section of the fanbase that perked their ears up in delight. But who is Quinlan, and what is his story?
Where does Quinlan Vos come from
Quinlan Vos was born on the planet Kiffu in the years before the fall of the Galactic Republic. He became a member of the Jedi Order, becoming an apprentice to Jedi Master Tholme.
He was a maverick within the Jedi Order and garnered a reputation for bending the rules, but he was particularly effective in his missions.
His key traits
He was renowned for his retrocognition—perceiving others’ memories when touching objects they had contacted. Due to this ability, Vos was an expert tracker and, as a result, often took missions that dealt with the criminal underworld.
During his Jedi service, Vos was the Order’s liaison with local law enforcement. He was respectful of the police, openly sharing intel and visiting corner “cop cantinas.” Coruscant Security Force Inspector Tanivos Exantor Divo lauded Vos’ work.
His relationship with the Force and other Jedi
On one of his missions, Vos rescued Aayla Secura from a dangerous area in her homeworld of Ryloth. The maverick Jedi took Secura as his Padawan, and the two formed a close relationship.
During the Clone Wars, a Hutt crime lord named Ziro escaped imprisonment in the Galactic Republic capital, Coruscant. Vos teamed with Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to track and recapture him.
Though they were ultimately unsuccessful in rescuing Ziro or capturing his murderer, Cad Bane, Obi-Wan and Quinlan learned a lot from and developed some new-found respect for each other.
Later in the war, Vos partnered with Asajj Ventress, a former dark side assassin and apprentice to Count Dooku. The duo was unsuccessful in their attempt to assassinate the brutal leader of the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
In an attempt to uncover the identity of Dooku’s master, Darth Sidious, Vos succumbed to the dark side and briefly became Dooku’s apprentice. However, he was brought back to the light side of the Force by his love for Ventress.
He was one of the several Jedi to survive the Great Jedi Purge and spent his time helping smuggle Jedi and Force-sensitive children across the Galaxy and keeping them safe from the Galactic Empire.