Star Wars: The Acolyte was just a Jedi cop show all along

As a long-time Star Wars fan with a deep appreciation for the complexities of its lore, I must confess that I was initially intrigued by the premise of “The Acolyte.” The show promised to delve into the gray areas of the Jedi Order and challenge our understanding of their role in the galaxy. However, after watching the entire first season, I can’t help but feel disappointed and underwhelmed.

The first season of “The Acolyte,” which consists of eight episodes, suggested that it would delve deeper into the complexities of the Jedi’s history in Star Wars, contrary to their often portrayed role as symbols of the Force’s light side. However, the show took its time revealing these complexities, leading to disappointment for viewers who were expecting a compelling story about the enigmatic Jedi actions on Brendok, instead, we were left with a routine police procedural.

[Ed. note: This analysis of The Acolyte includes season 1 end spoilers.]

Series creator Leslye Headland and her team went to great lengths to conceal the real plot of their show, spreading the revelation of the Brendok conspiracy over two episodes. The Jedi community is alarmed when they discover a witch coven on Brendok, and Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) expresses significant worry, despite limited evidence presented to the audience, that the two children within the coven could be in grave danger.

A heated argument ensues, leading to tragic consequences. Sol fatally wounds Mother Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith). The mind-controlled Wookiee Jedi Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo) comes close to killing Padawan Tobin (Dean-Charles Chapman). Indara, the Jedi team leader (Carrie-Anne Moss), interrupts and frees the witches from Kelnacca’s mind control, eliminating them. Simultaneously, Mae (Leah Brady) confines her sister Osha (Lauren Brady) in a cell and sets ablaze the entire stone mountain, suggesting an intent to eliminate Osha rather than allowing her departure with the Jedi. Even in Mae’s account, this scenario seems accurate. Indara instructs Sol and the other Jedi to relay to the Jedi Council that “Mae destroyed the witches’ fortress, and everyone perished,” establishing the Council’s official account of events.

The season’s grand mystery, which was heavily suggested to involve significant Jedi misdeeds based on Sol’s deep regret and secrecy, as well as hints from Mae and her Master Qimir (Manny Jacinto), turns out to be a letdown. Instead of uncovering a major dark secret, it is revealed that Sol acted impulsively based on incorrect information, but was motivated by his fear of the witches posing a real threat to the children. However, the show fails to provide an explanation for why Sol would consider this danger severe enough to warrant murder.

The pivotal moment in “The Acolyte” is revealed to be Sol’s role in killing the mothers of the girls he mentors. This act causes both Sol’s guilt and Mae’s anger. Consequently, by the end of the finale, Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh (played by Rebecca Henderson) places blame on Sol, labeling him as a well-intentioned man who made a regrettable decision. The series shares similarities with contemporary cop shows in its portrayal of this complex scenario. “The Acolyte” presents Sol’s actions as heinous yet justifiable, and depicts the Jedi Order as a noble yet fallible force that wields violence and power. This theme is prevalent in modern cop fiction, which explores police misconduct while adhering to the genre’s conventional framework.

In “The Acolyte,” the Jedi characters seem to have honorable motives, yet unfortunately, their presence on Brendok ends up resulting in the deaths of nearly everyone there due to human (or Wookiee) weaknesses and choices. The series suggests this outcome subtly throughout its first season, but the climax takes a simpler route. Importantly, the Jedi did not deliberately bring about the devastation; rather, their actions, combined with those of the coven, inadvertently led to it – a more intriguing scenario that “The Acolyte” had been building towards throughout its first half.

The Acolyte, similar to many contemporary cop stories, presents a complex dilemma: on one hand, the Jedi are portrayed as flawed individuals who commit questionable acts resulting in fatal consequences; on the other hand, these actions are justified due to the existence of greater evils. However, this simplistic approach fails to spark an engaging dialogue about ethical quandaries. Sol remains unwavering in his belief that his actions were righteous, without allowing the narrative to explore alternative perspectives. He labels the killing of Mother Aniseya as a necessary act because she brought forth Osha and Mae through a forbidden ability. Nevertheless, the show neglects to establish why this power poses a threat or why Sol’s decision is justifiable. Despite these gaps in logic, Sol remains convinced that the Jedi Order would support him if they were aware of the situation.

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: The game doesn’t portray the character as a solitary sinner justifying his wrongdoings. In fact, there’s a familiar Star Wars motif of “bad apples” at play here. Even Vernestra, a revered figure in Star Wars history, steps in to shield the Council from the truth. She spins the tale, claiming “We utterly reject Master Sol’s actions” and “A renegade Jedi named Sol took out his accomplices to preserve our covert operation.”

“While this is a terrible tragedy,” she says. “It was the work of one flawed man.”

As a passionate gamer, I’ve noticed that Headland and The Acolyte team aim for intricate narratives surrounding the Jedi, Sith, witch covens, and the concept of good versus evil. However, they seem to rush these stories without giving them enough space to unfold or allowing the lessons to resonate. In contemporary cop shows, we often see complex characters and moral dilemmas, but in their production, there’s a lack of depth and context. They intentionally leave us guessing about who’s truly at fault for the events on Brendok, yet they don’t provide enough information for us to make an informed decision.

In the end, The Acolyte isn’t bringing anything new to the table when it comes to the Jedi debate. We already knew they were considered “bad” by some, and we were aware of their role as guardians and enforcers, similar to police forces. It’s common knowledge that there are unscrupulous individuals within these organizations as well.

In an alternative interpretation, the way the sequel trilogy portrays Kylo Ren’s connection to Luke Skywalker can be seen as a reflection of Luke’s mistakes in training him. The movie “The Last Jedi” offers various perspectives on this issue, similar to the Japanese film “Rashomon.” However, before reaching this revelation, the audience has already gained insights into Kylo’s perspective – his worldview and relationship with the Jedi Order. Consequently, once the truth about Luke is unveiled, it significantly alters our perception of him, while also deepening our comprehension of Kylo’s background and experiences.

In “The Acolyte,” the audience doesn’t get to see Mae or Qimir’s perspectives as the show primarily explores the intrigue of the unknown. Had the first six episodes presented a mix of their and Sol and Osha’s viewpoints, the intended message would have been more clear and impactful. However, what we receive instead is a disappointing plot twist that fails to deliver. Essentially, “The Acolyte” conveys that Jedi can sometimes act unjustly, but the Sith pose a greater threat.

As a fan, I can’t help but notice that the creators of “The Acolyte” seem determined to delve deeper into the intricacies surrounding the Jedi order. They skillfully draw attention to the flaws that emerged in George Lucas’ prequels, where the Jedi’s arrogance and rigidity ultimately led to their downfall at the hands of a tyrannical regime. “The Last Jedi” gave us a glimpse into the complexities of our beloved Jedi heroes. But beyond the message they intended to convey, what did “The Acolyte” truly tell us about the Jedi?

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2024-07-17 20:49