Alpha Males

I think Kyp is an alpha male. He is definitely a leader and someone who people look up to and are willing to follow. He easily puts together squadrons of non-Jedi, which I think shows he is in touch with the common people. Remember in Rebirth, after destroying the world ship, his squadron cheered and looked at him “as some master of old” as Jaina put it sarcastically. He also has many followers among the Jedi. At least half the order was ready to follow him and possibly even leave the order if he pushed it (at least that’s how a few novels seemed to state it). Didn’t even Denning state “those who supported Kyp on one side of the room” giving me the impression that even after the war he had at least half a room of supporters. Although he respects Luke, he definitely sees himself as Luke’s equal, however he does not plan on usurping that role.

I couldn’t agree more that Luke is not an alpha, but has been forced to assume that role. I worry that he has set himself up as a dictator now. I am thinking perhaps this has been written that way on purpose, and perhaps that will cause conflict later in the series. In Betrayal you get the feeling Luke is the only Jedi who attends meetings with Omas and that what is discussed is classified. This is a big change over the NJO and even over how things were done in the Old Order.