The Acolyte is another step forward from Disney in advancing the Star Wars Universe with original content and is set during the High Republic era, approximately 200 years before the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, a period of great expansion and prosperity to the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order, before the rise of the Sith and the start of the Clone Wars.

With this freedom to be BEFORE everything we know, the series promises to explore the dark side of the Force and the secrets of the Sith during a time when the Jedi are at the height of their power, with a new perspective within the vast chronology of Star Wars, focusing more on the origins and growth of the dark forces that will eventually lead to the fall of the Republic. With a more inclusive cast, starring Lee Jung-Jae, from Squid Game, as Jedi Master Sol; a powerful tip of our sternum The Matrix‘s Trinity, Carrie-Anne Moss, also as a Jedi master, Manny Jacinto as Qimir and Amandla Stenberg, as the twins Mae & Osha Aniseya, the “Acolytes”.

Therefore, The Acolyte is a prequel to all trilogies and series and can provide deeper context on how the Sith managed to operate in the shadows and plot their return during the High Republic era. The problem? If you only have the films and series as a base, without having read the books or games… you will be lost. It’s little surprise that the outcome of the series is dividing opinion.

Theories that sound even more complex than we are seeing

The official plot of The Acolyte says that “an investigation into a shocking crime wave pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-Jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal that not everything is as it seems.” Super vague.

The problem isn’t even not having in-depth knowledge of history or who is who, because they are all new and we can get carried away and discover each one, but essentially when they talk about the Force, Jedis, Siths, Apprentices, Acolytes, Planets… I swear, we lose interest quickly. There’s always a big flaw in the franchise: even if you’re a big fan, if you’re not up to date with all the content, you’ll feel confused.

Osha Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg) is a former Jedi Padawan (i.e. apprentice) who became a ‘meknek’ for CorpSec. She is arrested because she matches the description of a murderer who we soon discover is her twin sister, Mae. That’s right, a Ruth and Raquel from Star Wars (Note: A reference for Brazilian fans).

Just as Luke and Leia Skywalker will delight fans two centuries later, this was the expectation for Osha and Mae, but it has not yet come to fruition. To follow the theories that are online, and even create your own, you need to remember important concepts.

What is DIAD in Star Wars?

In Star Wars, a “Force Dyad” refers to an extremely rare and powerful connection between two Force-sensitive individuals. This concept was introduced in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. A Diad in the Force is a unique bond that allows two individuals to share thoughts, feelings, and even physical abilities, regardless of the distance that separates them.

In the film, Rey and Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) are revealed to be Diad in the Force. This explains the strong connection they feel between each other and the ability to communicate and interact in ways that other Force users cannot. For example, they can fight each other or transfer objects through the Force, even though they are in different locations.

This connection is described as something that hasn’t happened in generations, highlighting its rarity and power. The existence of a Diad in the Force also has significant implications for the balance of the Force in the Star Wars universe, as the two individuals are seen as two halves of a whole, complementing each other and enhancing their abilities. And, in The Acolyte, Osha and Mae’s motto is “Always one, but born as two”, which is a reference to the Force dyad and may indicate that the twins are part of one.

Jedi conflicts in the Star Wars Saga

In the Star Wars saga, the Jedi face various internal and external dramas and conflicts throughout the stories. Here are some of the top dramas:

Conflict with the Dark Side of the Force: Jedis is constantly tempted by the Dark Side of the Force, which represents negative emotions such as fear, anger, and hatred. The struggle to maintain the purity and discipline of the Light Side is one of the main internal dramas of the Jedi. Anakin Skywalker, for example, is a Jedi who succumbs to the Dark Side and transforms into Darth Vader. Osha and Mae are also tempted, with each seemingly making the opposite choice of the other.

The Jedi Order and Politics: The Jedi Order is often involved in political issues, especially during the Clone Wars. They serve as generals and leaders in a war that tests their pacifist and defensive principles. This creates a moral and ethical dilemma, as Jedi are trained to be guardians of peace, not soldiers.

Loss and Sacrifice: Many Jedi suffer great personal losses and are forced to make difficult sacrifices. Order 66, for example, results in the near extinction of the Jedi Order, with many Jedi being betrayed and murdered by those they led. Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi are examples of Jedis who lose almost all of their companions and are forced to live in exile.

The Prophecy of the Chosen One: The prophecy that a Jedi would bring balance to the Force is a source of great expectation and tension. Anakin Skywalker is initially believed to be the Chosen One, but his fall to the Dark Side complicates this belief. Eventually, his son, Luke Skywalker, plays a crucial role in bringing balance to the Force by redeeming his father.

The Reconstruction of the Jedi Order: After the fall of the Empire, Luke Skywalker attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order. This endeavor is full of challenges, including the search for ancient Jedi teachings and the training of new Jedis in a universe still full of dangers and Dark Side influences.

The Challenge of the Siths in the Star Wars Saga

The enemies of the Jedi, the Siths also face several challenges throughout the stories. Here are some of the main ones:

Conquest and Power: The Siths, guided by the dark side of the Force, constantly seek power and control over the galaxy. This puts them in direct conflict with the Jedi, who advocate peace and justice.

Rule of Two: Established by Darth Bane, the Rule of Two states that there can only be one Sith Master and one Sith Apprentice. This system creates an internal dynamic of betrayal and distrust, as the apprentice will eventually seek to surpass and replace the master.

Conflict with the Jedi: The rivalry between Siths and Jedi is central to the saga. The Sith must constantly combat the Jedi, who are more numerous and generally have the support of the Galactic Republic.

Maintain Concealment: For much of the saga, the Siths operate in the shadows. They must hide their true intentions and identities to avoid detection and destruction by the Jedi and the Republic.
Political Manipulation: The Sith often use political manipulation to achieve their goals. Palpatine, for example, rises to power as Supreme Chancellor of the Republic before declaring himself Emperor. This type of manipulation requires intelligence, patience, and a deep understanding of galactic politics.

Balance of the Force: The prophecy of the Chosen One, which would bring balance to the Force, is a constant challenge for the Sith. Anakin Skywalker, initially trained as a Jedi, is seen as this Chosen One, and his trajectory represents a direct threat to the dominance of the Sith.

The mystery of being born in two and connecting as one: the Twins driving the Star Wars Saga

In Star Wars, twins play a central and symbolic role in the narrative, especially in episodes from the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy. The most notable twins are Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, but we now know that before them came Osha and Mae. As we are still discovering the importance of both, shall we remember the ‘originals’?

Family Relationship and Inheritance: Luke and Leia are the children of Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader) and Padmé Amidala. Their existence as twins symbolizes the duality of good and evil present in the saga. Anakin, who becomes Darth Vader, represents the fall to the dark side, while his children represent the hope of redemption and the fight for the light side of the Force.

Balance in the Force: The presence of twins can be seen as a reflection of the necessary balance in the Force. Luke and Leia, despite following different paths (Luke as a Jedi and Leia as a political leader), both work to restore peace and justice in the galaxy, balancing the forces that are in conflict.

Narrative and Revelations: The revelation that Luke and Leia are twin brothers is one of the most impactful moments in the saga. This occurs in Return of the Jedi (Episode VI) when Luke discovers that Leia is his sister. This revelation not only strengthens the bonds between the main characters but also deepens the emotional and moral plot of the story.

Symbolism and Hope: The twins represent hope and continuity. Even in the face of the Empire’s tyranny and the loss of many allies, Luke and Leia’s existence symbolizes the possibility of a new beginning and the persistence of good.

Character Development: The relationship between Luke and Leia also allows for deeper character development. Leia, initially presented as a strong and independent leader, reveals a vulnerability and a deeper emotional connection when she discovers her true origin. Luke, on the other hand, finds in Leia an additional reason to fight the dark side and save his father.

Two episodes to go: what’s up?

The story of The Acolyte is so complex that it won’t end in two episodes, which is what’s missing when I write this review. It has quality, but it demands a unilateral commitment from fans who really want to understand the proposal, something more than just daring from Disney. To achieve the objective, even with great performances, there was a lack of charismatic protagonists.

If you search online you will see that there is also a conservative wave complaining about the strong “gay” tone of the story which is effectively silly, shallow, and far from the real problem. What was missing, and is always missing, is to think that not everyone has seen the animations, read the books, or seen the films or series. This commitment to having EVERYTHING in mind is what drives the public away.

On the other hand, I’m a passionate fan of the franchise and will go all the way with it. May the Force be with everyone!

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