Summary
The Acolytehas officially been canceled, butStar Warscan still learn from the show.The Acolyte’scancelationcame as a major surprise. Although it wasn’t the most popular amongStar Warsmovies and TV shows, there was a significant portion of theStar Warsfanbase that enjoyed the show and considerable interest in a potential second season, even among those who didn’t love the show. However,Star Warshas surprisingly elected not to renew the show, a decision that came about very soon after the show’s finale.
This doesn’t mean that the show was all for naught, though. In addition to the show remaining beloved by many viewers,The Acolytehas some very important lessons to teach the franchise. In fact,Star Wars’upcoming moviesin particular would be wise to pay attention to what worked well inThe Acolyte—one key aspect in particular.
Where The Acolyte Went Wrong—And, No, It Wasn’t ‘Going Woke’
The Acolyte isn’t getting a season 2 after all, and while many believe this is because the Star Wars show ‘went woke,’ the true issues were different.
The Acolyte Proved Star Wars Fans Aren’t Really Tired Of The Sith
AlthoughThe Acolytefaced many controversies, audiences were generally enthusiastic about Qimir/the Stranger. On the one hand, this was undoubtedly due to Manny Jacinto’s incredible acting. However, the character himself was also very compelling, not only because he was initially presented as a quirky accomplice to Mae only to be revealed as someone terrifying, but also becauseQimir represented a brand-new Sith in the franchise.
Although the Sith are a major part ofStar Wars, there have actually been surprisingly few on theStar Warsscreen thus far. Palpatine and Darth Vader dominated most oftheStar Warstimeline, although the prequels also introduced Darth Maul and Count Dooku. However, the sequel trilogy failed to introduce new Sith, as Kylo Ren technically was not a Sith Lord, and other shows and movies have consistently included only Vader and Palpatine.
Yet,Star Warsaudiences clearly continue to be fascinated by Sith stories. This became evident followingThe Acolyteepisode 5, in which Qimir’s true identity and status as a Sith were revealed. In fact, it was following this episode that so prominently featured Qimir that interest inThe Acolytegrew considerably. This is precisely whatStar Warsshould take away fromThe Acolyte: Sith stories still sell.
Sith stories still sell.
New Sith Lords Mean Moving Away From The Skywalker Saga
IfStar Warscan apply this lesson fromThe Acolyteto the franchise’s future, it will have multiple positive impacts. On the one hand, yes, it is likely to increase interest in upcoming projects. Additionally, though,introducing new Sith will addressStar Wars’current problem with the Skywalker Saga. Specifically, since the Skywalker Saga ended withStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the franchise has clearly struggled to move forward or identify what shape future movies and shows will now take.
Introducing new Sith will requireStar Warsto explore new eras on the timeline, which is precisely what the franchise needs to move beyond the Skywalkers. Indeed, there are centuries of Sith stories to be told long before the prequel trilogy. Hopefully, even with the cancelation,Star Warswill learn fromThe Acolyteand consider ways future movies and TV shows in the franchise can implement brand-new Sith.
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.
