Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episodes 1 and 2.
Summary
Star Wars: The Acolytehas made one of the Jedi’s most basic powers into something incredibly impressive and compelling.The Acolyteis showing us a completelydifferent kind of Jedi Order. As the show takes place near the end of theHigh Republic era, around 100 years before the Skywalker saga begins, the Jedi are approaching the end of their Golden Age. Soon enough, they’ll be overwhelmed by fear and darkness, retreating in on themselves rather than reaching out a helping hand across the galaxy. One Jedi Master in the show has already embodied this shift.
InThe Acolyte, we’re introduced to Jedi Master Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman), who, years earlier, took theBarash Vowand has been in silent communion with the Force ever since. Though the origins of the Barash Vow are tragic – some Jedi use it to seek absolution, as Master Torbin seemingly has –The Acolytehas proven the meditative state a Jedi enters, whether for knowledge or the Barash Vow, is not just for contemplating the will of the Force. It seems to make their physical connection to the Force that much stronger, too.
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.
Master Torbin’s Meditation Was Staggeringly Impressive
Meditation is a tool used by all Jedi, regardless of their place within the Order. They use it to feel closer to the Force, to center themselves, find their strength, and even to relax. One of the things I love about the High Republic era is that it demonstrates Jedi experiencing the Force differently while in a meditative state. Some experienced it as a song, others saw it as a vivid tapestry of color, and so on. In Torbin’s case, it seems it also allowed him to use the Force in one of the coolest, most Jedi-like ways possible.
The Force field that surrounded a levitating Torbin during his meditation was undeniably impressive. It’s been implied that Master Torbin took the Barash Vow to atone for some dark deeds in his past involving Mae and her sister; it’s likely that it involved some form of violence. So, in his meditative state, Torbin was able to create an incredibly powerful Force field to block out the outside world – a shield, as it were, which, in my mind, is what the Jedi should always strive to be, and likely what he wishes he had been that fateful night, too.
There Was Only One Way Mae Could Beat Torbin
Mae did her best to penetrate Torbin’s meditative Force field, but nothing worked. The only way to get to him was by preying on his guilt and his need for forgiveness. The physical world couldn’t penetrate Torbin’s impressive shield, but the pain and anguish they both felt could. Torbin accepting the poison Mae offers him not only proves just how harrowing that night must have been, but it also proves thatthe answers to the Jedi’s problems can’t always be found in the Force, even after years of silent meditation.
The physical world couldn’t penetrate Torbin’s impressive shield, but the pain and anguish he felt could.
I’ve always thought that the Force shouldn’t solely be relied upon to bring Jedi inner peace. That’s something they need to find for themselves. Torbin communed with the Force for years and wasn’t able to find the absolution he was searching for. Though his physical feats during his meditative state were undeniably cool, I think there’s something to be said for finding an emotional balance, too, without the guidance of the Force. Torbin may have been incredibly connected to the Force, but his death inStar Wars: The Acolyteshowed that disappearing into meditation cannot solve all the Jedi’s problems.
The first two episodes ofThe Acolyteare now available to stream on Disney+. New episodes drop weekly on Tuesdays.
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.
