This article contains spoilers for The Acolyte episodes 1 & 2.
Summary
The new Disney+ seriesThe Acolyteis bringing to light one of the biggest criticisms fans have of modernStar Warsstories in an interesting, meta way. Starting in 2014 with the animated seriesStar Wars: Rebels, newStar Warsstories have been releasing on screen every single year - whether in animation or live-action. Many DisneyStar Warsmovies and TV showshave been heavily criticized, however, for overusing nostalgia.
Nostalgia has always been a powerful tool withinStar Warsstorytelling, as is the case in a lot of businesses that are based around iconic media. People are familiar with what they love, or what they loved when they were younger, and will pay to see more of that. Many criticize the sequel trilogy,Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, andThe Mandalorianfor cashing in too much on nostalgia.But the newestStar Warsseries,The Acolyte, uses nostalgia in a very different way.
Jecki Explicitly Calls Out The Danger Of Nostalgia
The Classic Star Wars Threat Of Attachments
InThe Acolyteepisode 1,Dafne Keen’s Padawan Jecki Lonstumbles upon her master, Sol, looking at a hologram of his old padawan, Osha. Jecki questions her master about it; “This pastime encourages sentimentality and nostalgia,” she observes. There’s a subtle warning or reprimand here about the dangers of nostalgia and attachment – something the Jedi of the prequel trilogy are very focused on. This critique is legitimate and rather universal, though, in how it applies to both the character of Sol andStar Warsin our universe.
All 35 Star Wars Easter Eggs In The Acolyte Episodes 1 & 2
The Acolyte has finally premiered on Disney+, featuring a massive collection of exciting Easter eggs and references in the first two episodes.
Jecki’s concern about attachment isn’t an insult, as it’s genuinely well-meaning from her character’s point-of-view. When it comes to embracing being a Jedi, one is called to forget the things of the past, and accept the will of the Force whatever it may be. This is something many are calling forStar Warsto do as a franchise too, andin a way,The Acolyte, as the first series set outside the Skywalker saga, is blazing this trail against nostalgia itself.
Master Sol’s Advice Shows The Way Forward… But It’s So Hard To Do
It’s Tough To Embrace The Past While Not Living In It
Master Sol responds to this subtle critique, though, in an even more interesting way. He brings up the classic “if we do not reflect on the past”, and Jecki completes the phrase with “we are doomed to repeat it”. Sol states that memories are lessons, and things we can learn from in very important ways. This has a double meaning when you realize that it’s coming from a master, reflecting on his past apprentice – aJedi who left the Order– while talking to his current apprentice.
The Acolyte Officially Biggest Disney Plus Launch Of 2024 With 4.8 Million Views In One Day
The new Star Wars show The Acolyte officially becomes the biggest Disney+ launch of 2024, pulling in an impressive 4.8 million views on the first day.
But this can also be applied toStar Wars, andThe Acolytein a specific way, too.FutureStar Warsstories, whether they be in animation or live-action, should not forget the past. However, the most important qualifier to follow that up with, is that they should not live in the past. Just as Sol can choose to learn from his nostalgic memories and use them as lessons,Star Warsshould stop living in nostalgia, and do something new, while learning from the past, like with this series itself. In this way,The Acolytebrings this nostalgia issue into question while also addressing the problem.
The Acolyteepisodes 1 and 2 are now available to stream. New episodes release Tuesdays on Disney+.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
