WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 8.
Summary
The Acolytehas been a divisive show since its premiere, but now that all ofThe Acolyteseason 1 has been released, some of the major controversies don’t seem as big as they once did.The Acolytehas been the victim of review-bombing, often before episodes even premiered, and it has caused theStar Warsfandom to be quite divided on the show. Many viewers enjoy the show and its compelling storytelling, focusing on the mistakes and imperfections of the Jedi, while others feel the show has rewritten or contradicted previously established canon.
Now thatThe Acolyteepisode 8has premiered, it’s a good time to look back at all the controversies to see whether they were worthy of all the conversations they caused. ManyStar Warsviewers stood behind theStar WarsExpanded Universe (also called Legends)to justify their criticisms ofThe Acolyte, despite Legends no longer being canon. WhileStar Warshas done a great job re-canonizing a lot of Legends elements, things like timelines and characters' ages have certainly changed and, while it’s a non-issue for some, others feel it’s completely changing theStar Warsthey grew up loving.
The Acolyte Ending Explained: The Shadow Of Darth Vader Descends In The High Republic Era
The Acolyte episode 8 wraps up season 1 of the High Republic show by casting the shadow of the dark side, and Darth Vader, over the Jedi Order.
Why The Acolyte Was Controversial From The Beginning
Many Feared It’d Rewrite Star Wars History
BecauseThe Acolytetakes place at the end of theHigh Republic Eraand about 100 years beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, the Jedi should not have known of the Sith’s existence. Based on a line that Master Ki-Adi-Mundi said inThe Phantom Menace,many believed that the Sith having interactions with the Jedi Order during this time wouldn’t make sense.It was argued thatthe Jedi, especially ones on the Jedi High Council, would’ve remembered Jedi being murdered, and that it wouldn’t have been easy to cover up.
The Acolyteseason 1 finale showed howMaster Vernestra Rwohwas able to concealwhat really happened on Brendokand blame it onMaster Solgoing rogue. Keeping the events of the show quiet within the Jedi Order means that the Sith being alive and operating in the shadows wouldn’t be widely known. In fact, the events ofThe Acolyteand the true story of Brendok may eventually die with Master Vernestra. Using a deceased Sol as a scapegoat for the murder of multiple Jedi covers up the larger Sith conspiracy.
So… Was The Acolyte Even “Woke?”
Diversity Is Not Wokeness
SomeStar Warsviewers believed thatThe Acolyte’s creator and showrunner Leslye Headland would make the show “woke” because she is queer. However,Headland set out to tell a compelling story that integrated many little aspects of Legneds back into canon. One notable re-addition toStar Warscanon wascortosis, an ore that Qimir used on his helmet to disable lightsabers. Despite the product that has been released, some still callThe Acolyte“woke.”
When showing so many different planets and so many different Jedi, showcasing the diversity of the galaxy only feels natural.
If nothing else,The Acolyteis exceptionally diverse, both in its casting and in the way its characters appear on-screen.The Acolytehas multiple people of color in prominent roles, with these characters ranging from Jedi to witches andSith Acolytes. The show also showcased many different species fromStar Wars, withJecki Lon (Dafne Keen)being part human, part Theelin. When showing so many different planets and so many different Jedi, showcasing the diversity of the galaxy only feels natural.This doesn’t makeThe Acolyte“woke,” it makes it accurate.
Every Star Wars Alien Race In The Acolyte
The fiirst trailer for Star Wars: The Acolyte featured several different alien races - and some of them are surprisingly deep cuts into Legends lore!
Has The Acolyte Changed Star Wars Canon At All?
Yes…But Also Not Really
Because other stories outside the Skywalker saga were previously defined by the non-canon Legends, much of what has “changed” inThe Acolytehasn’t actually changed at all. While storylines and aspects from Legends certainly influenced the direction of the show,The Acolytewas not bound to them in the slightest.Each new television show, movie, or book changesStar Warscanon in some way, or at the very least helps reframe some aspects of other titles.BecauseThe Acolytetakes place before theStar Warsprequels, it’s not surprising that the Jedi are somewhat different.
It’s unclear what Master Vernestra toldMaster Yoda in his cameo at the end ofThe Acolyte, but it’s likely that the legendary Jedi doesn’t get the full story. This wouldn’t change Yoda’s story, but instead enrich his story fromThe Phantom Menacewhere he knew more about the Sith than other Jedi High Council members. If anything,Yoda’s appearance may pose the greatest risk of changingStar Warscanon, but until it’s revealed what Vernestra told him, it’s all speculation.
Some Acolyte Controversies Prove This Wasn’t All In Good Faith
Ki-Adi-Mundi’s Birthday Was Extra Special Because of The Acolyte
One of the last Jedi audiences expected to appear inThe Acolytewas Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi for many reasons. For one, he was the Jedi who stated that the Sith had been extinct for nearly a millennium inThe Phantom Menace, so him potentially knowing about the Sith seen inThe Acolyteteetered on breaking canon. However, the biggest controversy arose because in Legends, Ki-Adi-Mundi wouldn’t have been born yet. His previous birthdate was 93 BBY, but now in canon, it’s not clear when he was born, or how long his species, the Cerean, can live.
In the case of Ki-Adi-Mundi, it’s clear thatpeople were looking to find things wrong or unlikable inThe Acolyte. When Wookieepedia, theStar WarsWiki changed the Ki-Adi-Mundi’s date of birth on their website, users sent death threats and slammed the free site. It’s clear that this was an overreaction to a television show, and it’s a shame that some feel that those actions were justified because something from Legends wasn’t carried over into canon.
Ki-Adi-Mundi’s canon birthdate is currently unknown, but is believed to be sometime before 132 BBY.
What Lessons Can Lucasfilm Learn From The Acolyte Backlash?
The Acolyte Was a Lesson in Sticking To Your Guns
It’s clear from the many controversies that no matter what the final product ofThe Acolytewas, there were always going to be portions of theStar Warsfanbase that hated it. However,despite the many unnecessary criticisms ofThe Acolyte, hopefully, Lucasfilm learned that pleasing everyone is impossibleand that when people get mad over the minute details like fire in space or Ki-Adi-Mundi’s birthdate, it’s best to ignore those people. In the grand scheme ofStar Wars,those details don’t matter and don’t risk harming the galaxy George Lucas created.
The Acolyte was not a perfect show and did have some clear issues that need to be rectified if the show gets a season 2; however, a fandom divided doesn’t always make for great discussion about where things went wrong.
It’s unfortunate because these over-the-top criticisms take away from legitimate criticism.The Acolytewas not a perfect show and did have some clear issues that need to be rectified if the show gets a season 2; however, a fandom divided doesn’t always make for great discussion about where things went wrong. It’s important forStar Warsviewers and Lucasfilm to not let silly bad-faith criticisms damage the franchise’s future.The Acolytehas such an interesting and unique concept, and while it’s not the best project Lucasfilm has ever put out, it didn’t deserve the range of controversies it received.
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.
