Is ‘The Acolyte’ Most Authentic Star Wars Show Yet, or Is It Doing Irreparable Damage by Breaking Its Canon?

The release of ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ has severely divided the community. The show has been review-boosted and review-bombed simultaneously by fans and critics alike all chiming in with their arguments why ‘The Acolyte’ is both the best and the worst thing to happen to Star Wars canon.

Oh, and canon has been terribly discussed over the course of 4 episodes that were released. The show so far has terrible pacing, and when something interesting happens, it draws tons of reactions on both sides.

So let’s start with the authentic portion of the show. The show is based on the EU and deals with the High Republic era of Galaxy Far Away, this is why we don’t exactly have a reference point in live-action to compare it to something else. So far the characters introduced are colorful and I think no one minds them all that much, especially Wookie Jedi Kelnacca, who in my opinion was underused and terribly wasted (his origin story will be explained in Marvel Comics releasing this summer).

Then there is the way in which Jedi fight, over the course of the episode we’ve seen the Jedi acting only in defense, with Mae reminding Jedi Master Indara that Jedi draw their lightsabers only if they plan on striking the killing blow. That part is nailed for sure.

Then there’s also the corruption of the Jedi order itself, and Headland obviously wanted to sow the seed of the future downfall by making the Jedi seem too comfortable in their lack of threats and their disorganization in general.

But there are also bad things. Episode 3 introduced the Witches of Brendok who somehow managed to create not one but two children by using Force. Some fans pointed out that this completely rewrites Anakin’s origin by making him not that special.

I honestly gotta say that it isn’t an argument at all, since Anakin’s status is still unique. Anakin wasn’t created by manipulating the Force, he was created by the Force itself. Osha and Mae were clearly created by some twisted experiments and involved twisting the Force to create life, which is why their mother said that as soon as the Jedi order figures out how they were born, they are going to kill them.

The presence of the Sith Lord is one more aspect in which the show might break the established canon. He doesn’t seem to be either of the two Sith known to have been active in the century before Palpatine: Darth Plagueis and his mentor, Darth Tenebrous, who has been mentioned in both canon and Legends.

Episode 4 also sees this mysterious new Sith Lord risking exposure long before ‘Phantom Menace,’ which fans know is a big no-no. Episode 4 also showcased Ki-Adi-Mundi, who according to the biological rules of his species shouldn’t be alive.

Honestly, you realistically need to accept that everyone who contributes to Star Wars canon will attempt to change it instead of just going with the flow. Getting such an awesome chance to contribute something to the most notable sci-fi franchise of all time is more than enough temptation to tell yourself “Let’s see what I can do with it.” Before we rage at the canon-breaking, we need to ask ourselves whether those changes are good, so far, The Acolyte leaves much to be desired, hopefully, things pick up in the second half of the show’s first season.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

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