The Force is very intense these days and the reason has a name: The Acolyte, the new Star Wars series that will arrive on Disney Plus on April 4. It is a special story, since it takes us to times that are very different from those we have known so far in the movies and series.
Only those who have ventured to read the Star Wars comics and books know the stage in which it is set. The Acolyte. These were more peaceful times and the Jedi were not nearly extinct memories of the past. Quite the opposite. The Jedi Order ensured peace throughout the galaxy and the Sith were a species that was believed to have disappeared.
This story tells the rise of the Dark Side and how we arrived at Palpatine's fateful Order 66, and ultimately the Galactic Empire. Although perhaps it is a very brief description, so below I will tell you everything you need to know before watching the new series… at least the most basic because it would be very difficult to collect absolutely everything in one publication.
Before watching Acolyte: story and characters
The Acolyte It is presented as a mystery series, almost police or detective. Its Season 1 will have 8 episodes of approximately 40 minutes each and the cast includes familiar faces such as Carrie-Anne Moss and Jung-jae Lee, known as Trinity in Matrix and Seong Gi-hun in The Squid Game respectively.
These are the basic data of the series, so let's go to the big question that all fans and the general public ask themselves: where does it fit The Acolyte in the chronology of Star Wars? And it is a good question because it is very important to know the context to link these events with the second trilogy of films, which include Episodes I, II and III.
Image by DrunkWookie
The series is set in the last times of the High Republic. It takes place in the year 132 BBY, or in other words: a century before the Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Not many films and series have dealt with these times, although Star Wars Jedi: Survivor had it very present in its history.
It is a time of relative peace and great expansion throughout the galaxy. Government of the Republic and Jedi Order were much more differentiated than what we see in Episodes I, II and III of Star Wars. They collaborated to maintain order and the Jedi saw themselves as the protectors of peace that we already knew, although the version in the movies was much more outdated. Yoda even mentions this detail at one point. The most problematic enemies of the republic at that time were pirates, gangsters, bounty hunters and all types of criminals.
This location in the chronology of Star Wars It should be cause for celebration for all fans for a very simple reason: almost everything we see will be new and even unique. Characters, ships, fighting styles… although that is not synonymous with a total absence of well-known characters and concepts that sound familiar to us.
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Darth Bane is one of the fan favorite Sith to appear in The Acolyte and it makes a lot of sense, since he was the one who promoted the famous rule of two, mentioned by Yoda in the movies. This rule stated that there could only be Master and Apprentice on the Dark Side to maintain a low profile at all times. This does not mean that there could not be acolytes, hence the name of the series.
Another very popular Sith among Star Wars fans and a favorite to appear is Darth Plagueis the Wisewho we know was the teacher of Darth Sidious and the one responsible for the latter becoming obsessed with eternal life. Series like The Bad Batch y The Clone Wars They have dedicated many episodes to this obsession. As for the Jedi Council, we could see well-known characters such as Yoda, Yarael Poof and even Plo Koon, as The Shadow of the Empire indicates.
More context on the High Republic
According to the Fandom Wiki, the Jedi developed their knowledge of the Force during the High Republic, making their ties with it much closer. The manifestations of the Outside were much more numerous and personal with each individual. We have never seen in movies and series a period as luminous as the High Republic.
The last times of the High Republic were a hotbed of social and political conflicts, bureaucracy, problems to control resources… Everything deteriorated the power of the republic, while the Jedi Order was increasingly decimated due to conflicts, disasters and even attacks.
The Acolyte could explain how the Sith and their allies slowly created the instability that would end the High Republic. All this would lead to the discontent of many systems and the creation of the Separatists. Do you see where the shots are going? This context is enough to start watching the new Star Wars series and, if there is still interest, there are plenty of books and comics about it.
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