The Acolyte Never Really Started

This article is participating on Peliplat Challenge May 2025. 
https://www.peliplat.com/es/article/10055855/the-acolyte-never-really-started
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I may have been one of the few who enjoyed the first season of The Acolyte; set 100 years before The Phantom Menace, it was a breath of fresh air for the Star Wars saga. Seeing the High Republic finally on television was exciting, even if it was during the final years. Of course, it wasn't perfect, and Leslye Headland was responsible for this failure, due to her inability to write a simpler and more lineal story.

For a series that cost $230 million to produce, the art direction and cinematography were very poor and it needed proper lighting on the sets because at times it was barely visible to the eye. Furthermore, many interesting characters died very quickly and without development. If it weren’t for the episodes set in the past, many of the cast would have been completely in vain. I am glad Keanu Reeves was not able to participate, it would have been wasted.

Also, the timing and space wasn't right, for a recognizable talent that it is Leslye, her work seemed like that of a rookie. It hurts me to say that, despite the constant suspense and the promise of a mystery to be solved, it always felt predictable and therefore lacked a strong impact toward the end.

I would have started with the Brendok arc first. If a lot of money had already been spent, why not dedicate an entire season on this planet to fully develop Sol, Torbin, Kelnacca and Indara's investigation about the convergence in the Force? At least the origins of Mae and Osha could have been better explained and understood.

I'd even go so far as to extend it to four episodes and then six more to address the consequences 16 years later. I say this because Yord Fandar and Jecki Lon were too good to be killed in the middle of the season. The same goes for Torbin, Kelnacca and Indara, none of them had the opportunity to really shine except for one episode, and if it weren't for that one, why bother showing up for the shoot.

Yes, Master Sun had plenty of time, but he was always destined to become a means to an end for Vernestra Rwoh, who was undoubtedly one of the standout characters as the Stranger. Manny Jacinto was the real star and his scenes with Lee Jung-jae as Master Sol were epic. Both dialogues and duels with the lightsaber was the best of the show. It never disappointed. But in the end, this was Osha and Mae's story from the beginning, and Amandla Stenberg did his best but the characters were poorly written.

The promise of a mysterious plot to unravel was resolved in the first two episodes. It quickly became a conspiracy that relied heavily on the tragedy committed by Master Sol 16 years ago. He was responsible to what happened to Osha and her family. It is a shame that Carrie-Anne Moss presence felt more like a flower vase. Her character was undoubtedly one of the more interesting. Just imagine all the potential in devoting an entire season to the events occurred in Brendok.

Given the ending of the first season, with the promise that Yoda and Darth Plagueis would intervene in some capacity while Osha grows more powerful in the dark side of the force thanks to The Stranger's training. Yes, Leslye and company got this wrong from the beginning. Therefore, The Acolyte never really began and now it looks like that it never will.

Week after week, I always felt like this series was too long and naïve. But I always had faith that a Second Season could better address the mystery of the Sith. Because it's very important to discover whether Yoda or Vernestra actually knew about the them and chose to keep it a secret. A common mistake that Yoda made with the Nameless, as he opted to keep it a secret as he did again with Mace regarding their diminished ability to use the Force.

I would love to see the origin of Anakin Skywalker creation. I am pretty sure Osha and Mae are the key to unlocking this secret. I want to know if Mother Koril survived and is still out there seeking revenge. I wish to see the consequences of Master Sol actions been discussed and investigated by the Republic Senate. How did Palpatine get involved in politics, and what was Darth Plagueis’s purpose for him, taking into account the Rule of Two. Is Qimir the first Knight of Ren and what happened to his destructive relationship with Vernestra?

As you can see, there is so much untapped potential, even though the First Season was an enjoyable disaster. I truly hope they at least consider doing a spinoff, I’d even settle for just one movie about these darkside users operating in the shadows as the Jedi Orders slowly begin its inevitable fall.

For now, I will hold on to hope and wait, as many did with Clone Wars. When it comes to Star Wars, there are always second chances, so I don’t see any reason why The Acolyte can’t continue. Not when it still has a destiny to fulfill.

Fingers crossed.