One of my favorite things about Star Wars is its created world. Besides being incredibly detailed and immersive, it was also very lived-in. Every character and place feels real because the audience can sense the history behind them. There is a past there that we haven’t seen, which is a powerful lure to our imagination. The Acolyte 1×01 and 1×02 succeed in feeling like a part of the Star Wars world we all know and in carving out a unique place for itself at the same time.
With the words, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” George Lucas lent his space fantasy films a fairytale quality. There was even a princess at the center of the fight between good and evil. But that phrase also left open limitless possibilities. If this was “a long time ago,” then what was happening in that galaxy now? What about before then? The Prequel films filled in some information but what about before the saga of the Skywalker family? One time period fans have seen little to nothing about is the High Republic era. This is when the Jedi were at the height of their influence in the galaxy, before the Empire.
The Acolyte 1×01 and 1×02 take viewers 100 years before the Empire for a thrilling beginning to a mystery story. It has characters we come to care about or at least find intriguing. And it has clear respect for the franchise it’s a part of.
“If she is guilty, it is my failure.”
This series opens with an exciting and effective hook. A mysterious hooded figure confronts a Jedi Master (played by THE Carrie-Anne Moss). There is clearly a strong reason she wants to kill the Jedi, as yet unrevealed. After an excellently choreographed fight, she manages to do so. Someone has trained this assassin (played by Amandla Stenberg) in the Jedi arts. Yet she is not a Jedi or Padawan. As we’re trying to process this, we meet another character, Osha (also played by Stenberg). Osha was studying to be a Jedi but left the order. She says she is not the murderer but the Jedi Council takes her into custody.
Osha’s Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) wants to believe her innocence. When another crime is committed while Osha is in custody, Sol and Osha realize a truth that shocks them. Osha’s twin sister Mae is not dead as they thought and she is hunting the Jedi who were present when a fire killed their family. Mae also believes Osha is dead. Such heightened drama! It feels like it fits with the Original Trilogy of Star Wars films. Especially when Osha has Mae in her sights but can’t shoot directly at her in the second episode.
Other references to the Original Trilogy are more overt. “I have a bad feeling about this” is ALWAYS going to hit that sweet spot. Creator and writer Leslye Headland also directs the first episode, and the pace and transitions feel classically Star Wars. The Prequel Trilogy isn’t forgotten about either. If you want to see Coruscant or the Neimoidians again, you’re in luck. Don’t forget about a new cute droid. Osha’s handheld assistant PIP is adorable. All this makes it clear this IS the franchise you’re looking for.
“An acolyte kills the dream.”
Let’s talk about the story of this particular show. The biggest question these first episodes raise is: who is training Mae? Of course, we want to know exactly what happened the night these sisters thought each other died. But the wider implications for the Star Wars universe that stem from Mae’s situation are undeniable. The idea of the Force has always been accompanied by the Dark Side as well. With the Jedi come the Sith. Osha and Mae seem to embody these opposites so far.
In fact, the examination of these dichotomies is such a concern for this show that the episode titles are in that format. The dynamic between Osha and Mae, with Stenberg adeptly playing both, has plenty of potential for a meaty narrative. I, for one, am eager to see the interaction between the light and the dark at this time in the history of that galaxy far, far away. The writers have already established that the Jedi are not perfect but we still root for them. Sol is a deeply good character and he’s on Mae’s hitlist. That makes me nervous. Sol’s Padawan Jeckie is an engaging character as well, and it helps that the talented Dafne Keen is playing her.
There are so many relationships here that have a chance to grow or be explored, not just Osha and Mae. Headland and her writing team clearly want also to give fans of this franchise cool details– like a Jedi Wookiee!– and follow through with them. Michael Abels’ music reminded me of John Williams’ work for the Original Trilogy. Suffice it to say, The Acolyte 1×01 and 1×02 feels like Star Wars. It works as a beginning for a unique story and as a fun addition to a familiar world.
The Acolyte is streaming on Disney Plus.
