Since The New Jedi Order: Traitor, it has been apparent that the relativistic teachings of Vergere were contaminating the sweet nature of Jacen Solo.

His travels among other Force adepts in The Dark Nest trilogy that has given him power beyond those of other Jedi has suceeded in muddling his mind so that the code of the Jedi seems narrow-minded.

Should we be surprised then that, as Luke and Mara Skywalker - who surely should have known better anyway - began to abandon the philosophy of using the Force to acheive good ends regardless of the method at this point, Jacen - for the greater good - mentally assaults the vicious grandmother of his love Tenel Ka.

When black and white issues of good and evil are tossed aside, why should society react in horror when horrible acts are committed?

Unlike Anakin Skywalker, who was headed straight for Sithhood without realizing it, Jacen Solo is walking right into it with both eyes open. Supported by the grandson of an officer who served Darth Vader with unswerving loyalty, he deliberately leaves his parents to die, fires upon them and his sister, Jaina, as well as his apprentice, Ben, and is responsible for the death of Boba Fett's daughter.

Luke ponders that, if Jacen falls to the darkside, it will be because he is so unselfish. That belief, in and of itself, seems to cinch why Luke simply doesn't understand what is happening before his eyes. Jacen Solo has been convinced that he is the only one who can stop a devastating conflict (and, oh yes, he wants to save his lover and child). Once someone believes they are the only person capable of doing anything, the title of "unselfish" should never be applied to them. Jacen's actions are entirely selfish - they are borne out of a lack of trust that characterized Anakin's inability to truth his Jedi mentors with the truth. Jacen believes he is more powerful than the other Jedi and that he is the only one that can save the galaxy.

To do so, he will sacrifice anyone. The callous way in which he considers who he must sacrifice in each book demonstrates his selfishness and single-mindedness more than any other act. Someone who can dispense with life so easily, especially that of his own family members, cannot be trusted to rule with a velvet glove.