Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 1 & 2.
Summary
Now that the first two episodes ofThe Acolytehave dropped, it is easy to draw comparisons between their Jedi Order and the Jedi Order portrayed in theStar Warsprequel series. The two Jedi Orders have their fair share of differences, taking place in different time periods and following different generations of Jedi, with the Jedi of theHigh Republic eraseeming to be not only stronger, but more numerous as well. Despite this, the Jedi Order ofThe Acolytestill falls into some of the most famous pitfalls depicted in the later era.
The Jedi Order of the prequel trilogy was best known for its rigidity, something that directly contributed to Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side. This is a trap that earlier iterations of the Jedi Order also fell into, leading to a variety of different weaknesses and mistakes that could potentially cost them everything. These mistakes are the most egregious, making the Jedi Order feel much more questionable than it has previously been made out to be.
All 35 Star Wars Easter Eggs In The Acolyte Episodes 1 & 2
The Acolyte has finally premiered on Disney+, featuring a massive collection of exciting Easter eggs and references in the first two episodes.
10Observation Is Still Not A Strong Point Of The Jedi
So Much Was Happening Right Under Their Noses
Even during the prequel trilogy, a great deal happened within and around the Jedi Order that seemed to go completely unnoticed for far too long. Not only did they allow for smaller discrepancies such as tampering with the archives regarding the location of the planet Kamino, but they also did not notice how dangerous the Sith threat had become and how manipulative Chancellor Palpatine was until it was too late. The only one to so much as suspect him was Mace Windu, and by the time he did anything, Anakin Skywalker had already been swayed by the dark side.
It seems that the Jedi Order ofThe Acolyteis no different. Not only do they allow Mae to enter into the Temple unchecked, butthrough Master Torbin’s willing death, it is implied that something much more sinister might be going on with the Jedi. It is possible now that there is corruption among the Jedi’s ranks, and that the Jedi Order is either too self-involved to notice, or they are actively covering it up. Either way, it does not look good for the Jedi.
9The Jedi Disregard The Opinions Of Outsiders
Osha And Others Are Quickly Overlooked
The opinions of others have never been particularly important to the Jedi, especially Jedi on the Jedi Council. In the prequel era, this can be seen through their outright dismissal of characters such as Padmé Amidala and even Jar Jar Binks. Though Padmé is taken somewhat more seriously because of her connection to the Senate, there are still times when her opinion is blatantly disregarded by everyone except for Anakin Skywalker. The opinions of Padawans such as Ahsoka Tano are also often not taken seriously.
All of this is compounded in the Jedi Order’s treatment of Osha. Not only do they immediately assume she is the Jedi killer based on witness testimony alone, but they do not consider anything she has to say in the process. She is no longer a Jedi, and that must mean she is guilty. In a way,it reflects Ahsoka’s treatment during her trial inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, assuming the worst of her before the real villain is found.The Jedi even call the little girl who helped Mae break into the Jedi Temple a scoundrel.
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One of the bigger early reveals in The Acolyte surrounds the character of Osha, a rogue Padawan formerly of the High Republic Jedi Order.
8The Jedi Are Consistently Slow To Action
Meetings With The Jedi Council Get In The Way Of Helping Others
The Jedi have always been slow to action, and this has mostly been due to the inaction and constant deliberation of not only the Jedi Council, but the Senate as well. They are slow to help with Naboo and take careful time to consider whether Anakin should be allowed to become a Jedi or not. Later, the Jedi are mostly inactive when it comes to the Mandalorian conflict, allowing characters like Ahsoka Tano to pick up the pieces.
It seems that the Jedi are doomed to repeat this cycle of inaction, and it could end up costing them dearly.
By the end ofThe Acolyteepisode 2, “Revenge / Justice,” it is clear that the lives of bothMaster SolandMaster Kelnaccaare in danger. Mae is actively targeting the lives of the Jedi Masters who were stationed on her and Osha’s home planet of Brendok, and still the Jedi insist on returning to the Temple and meeting together instead of finding Kelnacca before it is too late. It seems that the Jedi are doomed to repeat this cycle of inaction, and it could end up costing them dearly.
7Age Is Still A Factor In Allowing Recruits To The Jedi
Osha Was Too Old To Join The Jedi At Eight Years Old
When Anakin Skywalker was recruited to become a Jedi by Master Qui-Gon Jinn, one of the biggest issues with convincing the Jedi to accept him was his age. Anakin was much older than the other Jedi when he was found, as most were found as babies and brought into the Order from there. Because he was so much older, Anakin held attachments to people such as his mother, not wanting to leave her behind.
Osha was found in a similar manner, already eight years old by the time she was recruited by Master Sol.She was almost not allowed to join the Jedi, as at that time, she was mourning the loss of her mothers and her sister, who perished in a fire on their home planet, Brendok. This grief and attachment is something that followed her into her Jedi training, for better or worse, almost confirming the Jedi’s fear of attachment before she left the Order entirely.
6The Jedi Are Still Too Militaristic
They Seem More Like Cops Than Ever Before
The Clone Wars were the height of the Jedi’s military strength, showing them as generals in the face of intergalactic war. They commandedclone troopersand regiments, fought bloody battles, and took a stance politically against the Separatist faction. For a peacekeeping organization, this was a drastic step taken supposedly to keep the galaxy safe from harm.
Despite the fact thatThe Acolytetakes place during a time of peace, there are already signs of this militaristic side of the Jedi. The Jedi are almost more like cops, taking and interrogating prisoners, investigating crime even if it is within the Jedi Order’s own ranks.There is a specific violence in the way the Jedi keep order, which is a far cry from the peace-loving religious order they are often made out to be.
5The Hubris Of The Jedi Is Still An Issue
The Jedi Order Sees Themselves Above Others
The Jedi are often noted for being struck down by their hubris, being so confident in their decisions and their abilities that they do not account for errors. This occurs inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menacewhen the Jedi Council outright refuses the possibility that Darth Maul could have been a part of the Sith, as the Sith had supposedly been extinct for centuries. This continues, with them taking the assistance of the clones without question, not even taking into account that things have fallen into their lap almost too easily.
This hubris is still alive and well inThe Acolyte,beginning withVernestra Rwoh’s insistence that Osha must have been the one to kill Jedi Master Indara. This continues with the fact that it seems anyone can walk through the Jedi temples freely and without question, as this is exactly what Mae does in the second episode. No one even questions why she might be there as she passes by, allowing her to locate Master Torbin as well as her escape plan.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode Guide - Cast Members, Biggest Takeaways & Easter Eggs
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4Politics Are Important To The High Republic Jedi
As Well As The Outside’s Perception Of The Jedi Order
Politics are something that is directly tied to the Jedi of the prequel era, as they are constantly seen being involved with the Senate and their affairs. For a group that is supposed to stay out of most conflicts, they certainly find themselves in the middle of a great many of them, leading up to their direct involvement in the Clone Wars against the Separatists. By the time ofThe Phantom Menace, they are directly tied to greater galactic politics as a whole.
Though they seem to be more neutral so far, the Jedi of the High Republic Era make mention that politics are something that is still very much on their mind. In a conversation between Vernestra Rwoh and Master Sol,it is specifically mentioned that there could be political ramifications should anyone discover that a Jedi is killing their own.This could either be one of the sparks that started their ties to politics as a whole, or the Jedi were simply always at the center of political intrigue in the galaxy.
3The Jedi Are Still Blind To What They Fear To Be True
Mae’s Survival Would Have Frightened The Jedi
In the prequel trilogy, it always seemed as though the Jedi ignored what they feared could be true in order to look for a more favorable answer. This can be seen with their direct rejection of the Sith’s return as a possibility. After all, it would be much better to believe that there is simply a pretender in the works than to think there is a highly trained, highly dangerous Sith out in the galaxy with sights set on the destruction of the Jedi Order and the light side of the Force.
It still shows a dangerous trend of the Jedi not only believing that they are right, but that the reasons for their belief is their own fear.
The Jedi Order here is no different, outright rejecting the possibility that Osha’s twin Mae could be alive until there is no other possible explanation.Master Sol is the only one that seems to take this into account, with characters such as Yord Fandar refusing to see reason. Thankfully, this revelation comes quickly in the second episode, with Mae breaking into the Jedi Temple while Osha is still in Jedi custody. However, it still shows a dangerous trend of the Jedi not only believing that they are right, but that the reasons for their belief is their own fear.
2The Force Is Still Being Used In Dangerous Ways
Interrogation And Intimidation Should Not Be Hallmarks Of The Jedi
Dark side use of the Force is something that is constantly warned against by the Jedi. After all, the Force is a balance of light and dark, with the only real difference between the Jedi and the Sith coming down to how they view and use the Force. Things such as emotions and attachments are forbidden by the Jedi, and yetthroughout the series, the Jedi are shown using Force powers such as the Jedi mind trick to influence others and even intimidate.
Interrogation and intimidation are also shown by the Jedi ofThe Acolyte.Master Sol uses the Force to interrogate a witness, and though the answer eventually leads him to the conclusion that Osha is still a good person, he ultimately uses it to manipulate the man. Yord Fandar even threatens to use the Force as an intimidation technique, and he is often seen using intimidation as a way to bring about what he sees as a positive outcome. Despite the fact that the Jedi are generally trying to do good deeds, they are using negative tactics to achieve that end.
1Attachment Is Still Forbidden By The Jedi
Even Master Sol Struggles With Attachment
One of the most difficult things for any Jedi to master, and one that often leads to the most problems, is their outright refusal to allow any form of attachment whatsoever. It was this refusal at its core that led Anakin Skywalker straight to the dark side, with the sentiment against his attachment to both his mother and later his wife, Padmé Amidala. If attachments were not forbidden and the Jedi were instead taught how to better deal with them, it is possible that Anakin might not have become a Sith at all.
Osha was almost not permitted to train in the ways of the Jedi because of her attachment to her family and her grief. Master Sol is even seen struggling throughout the series, as it is clear that he is still attached to Osha despite their years apart. IfThe Acolytehas shown viewers anything so far, it is that attachment and its taboo are still at the center of the Jedi’s problems, even so many years in the past.
The Acolyteepisodes 1 and 2 are now streaming. New episodes are released every Tuesday on Disney+.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
