It’s finally here! After many years of waiting, Star Wars: The Acolyte has arrived. Set 100 years before the rise of the Galactic Empire, this is a big step in live-action adventures in The High Republic. Since the series was first announced, I’ve been looking forward to what Leslye Headland would be creating in the Star Wars universe. Nerdgazm’s review for Star Wars: The Acolyte “Lost / Found” is here. The series premiere was released with two episodes.
Star Wars has spent much time post-Return of The Jedi as of late. The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, two prominent series, take place after the fall of the Empire. Therefore, rewinding and stepping far back in the Star Wars timeline is refreshing. As a fan of The Old Republic material, this series is something I have been waiting for. Sadly, it’s not a re-telling of Star Wars: The Old Republic, so my dreams of seeing Darth Malgus are stuck with the epic SWTOR trailers we occasionally get.
SPOILER WARNING – This is a full Star Wars: The Acolyte review.
The Acolyte Sets The Stage
The opening of Star Wars: The Acolyte, “Lost / Found,” sets the stage for the location of the Star Wars Universe. Immediately, we are introduced to the much-advertised fight scene. This is between Amandala Stenberg’s Mae character and Carrie-Anne Moss as Master Indara. While this fight scene is fantastic, losing Indara so early in the story is a shame. I was very much looking forward to Moss in this series. To find her only in 5 minutes of the series currently is disappointing. I can only hope for some flashbacks, which I strongly suspect we will get.
Until the episode explained it, I was very confused about Stenberg’s role. Later in the first episode, it’s revealed that she is playing two roles: twin sisters Osha and Mae. The sequence of events showing the flashbacks to their past was very well done. It gives the impression of force tricks at play.
Seeing Coruscant at the height of The High Republic was an excellent detail. Speaking of details, The Jedi Temple is a grand sight. An exciting thing to note here is that the Temple is raised higher. But it’s not higher. It’s simply that the Coruscant skyline has not yet reached the levels it is at in The Phantom Menace. This detail also reveals new areas of The Jedi Temple, such as landing pads for Jedi starships.
A New View of The Jedi Order
The Acolyte is giving us a new view of The Jedi Order. Well, at least on-screen, anyway. Fans of The High Republic would already be familiar with some characters and references of this era. Which is fantastic for continuity purposes. However, I have to say that Lee Jung-jae steals the scenes he is in. The actor perfectly captures that of a wise Jedi Master. I think the casting of this series is already very strong.
We’ve only had one episode, but I am enjoying the cast dynamic. Scenes with Charlie Barnett’s Yord Fandar provide light comic relief but also the seriousness of a Jedi. Is it only me who thinks he’s a bit like a young Hayden Christensen? Rebecca Henderson plays Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh. According to series creator Leslye Headland, Rwoh is the only character from the High Republic books who will appear in the first season. Though others could appear in a potential second series, if that gets ordered.
The New Star Wars Villain
“An Acolyte kills the dream” is a relatively cool line to introduce yourself. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about who this new villain is for the Star Wars universe. Many fan theories raged online about how Star Wars: The Acolyte could possibly set up Darth Plagueis. The master of Darth Sidious. Some also think that this mysterious individual could be Darth Tenebrous. He was the master of Darth Plagueis.
I think the Acolyte will have a tough time trying to find balance with this villain. Either they go the route that it is someone we vaguely know of or create someone entirely new. We would all be rather impressed if this was Darth Plagueis running around causing havoc. It would continue the Star Wars series trend of tying everything together. Most recently, series like Star Wars: Ahsoka and The Mandalorian have tied events together. It’s a great way of storytelling. However, I think it is key to find balance.
Star Wars: The Acolyte “Lost / Found” Nails Opening!
As a starter episode, Star Wars: The Acolyte “Lost / Found” is a great introduction. This premiere episode sets the foundation for what the series is about. It’s rather easy, but this is essentially a Jedi crime thriller, in a sense. Someone has been murdered, there are new villains, and the Jedi have to go about finding it. The set design and casting are two big green flags for me. In episode one alone, the series nails the Star Wars setting we find ourselves in. Coruscant, it looks like we just left it yesterday.
My only major criticism of the series’ opening is Carie Anne Moss’s lack of character. I’m not a fan of series that hype up a particular actress or actor and throw them down the pan in the first five minutes. However, I do understand that we’re watching for the story, not this one character. It’s just a shame. I would have liked to have seen Trinity with a lightsaber a bit more. While it was disappointing seeing Moss exit The Acolyte so early, her scenes were a fantastic display of the martial arts featured.
Overall, it is a strong start to another modern Star Wars series. I’m a big fan of the mystery at play here. But we’re also getting a new and fresh view of a neglected part of the Star Wars universe. If The Acolyte nails its first season, I’d be on board for more adventures in this era of the Star Wars timeline.
Star Wars: The Acolyte has premiered with two episodes on Disney+. The remaining six episodes will air weekly on the streaming service.
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