The Acolyte, Star Wars' latest TV show, stands out with its unique perspective on the franchise. It not only transports us to the High Republic era, when the Jedi were at the zenith of their power but also offers a fresh take on the lore, particularly the enigmatic Force, in a distinct and polarising manner.
Despite dividing Star Wars fans, The Acolyte quietly and steadily provides new avenues for the grander Star Wars lore to evolve.
The Acolyte has the potential to forge a path for more intricate, layered storytelling and lore-building for the cherished franchise, much like Anakin's destined role in restoring balance to the Force.
The Acolyte has had a mixed reception from the moment it was announced. Fans of Star Wars Legends and the canon lore are enraged thanks to how the Jedi are portrayed during their peak, and many others were surprised by how the show gave a new meaning to the Force itself.
While this is true, and all constructive criticisms about the show are valid, The Acolyte opens up a new path for future Star Wars media to build their foundation. Yes, the prequels, the original trilogy, and the sequels were not perfect, and neither is The Acolyte, but these movies built what Star Wars is right now, with the support of millions of fans who love the franchise.
Future video games, movies, and other media can build on what The Acolyte is trying to deliver, which is a good thing. This means that whatever Star Wars media comes next can improve on what this show did poorly and continue what it did great.
Since we have now seen what the High Republic looks like in its latter days, the following shows and movies can build more on that. A possible slice-of-life show or anime about the life of a padawan? Or a darker story revolving around witches, the Night Sisters and Night Brothers of Dathomir could be the next fan favourite, all thanks to the ground paved by The Acolyte.
The Acolyte is a necessary part of the process that Star Wars has to go through to create bigger and greater stories for fans all over. Anakin couldn’t balance the force, but Leia and Luke were born because of him, and eventually, the Jedi were restored. It wasn’t Anakin who brought balance to the Force, but he had to walk so that Luke and Leia could run.
The Acolyte is no different. While Anakin is the ultimate symbol of the franchise for some fans, The Acolyte is trying to become a path forward so that the franchise can evolve. Fans are entitled to their opinions, but some of the sheer hatred that pops up for this show has no place in the fandom.
However, shows like The Acolyte and many others build on what is already a fantastic franchise. Sometimes, the shoes they are trying to fill are massive, and even being accepted by fans today is challenging.
Only time will tell whether The Acolyte will tip the needle one way or another, but one thing is sure: the Star Wars franchise has more potential to evolve than ever.
With this in mind, while the future shows and media can now evolve Star Wars, it is also essential for these shows to look back and recognise what has made Star Wars great ever since its inception.
The excellent storytelling, compelling characters, and brilliant pacing made all nine mainline movies great in their own right. For fans who do not like The Acolyte, this too shall pass. For those loving the show so far, take your time and enjoy it.
We all want the same thing: more good Star Wars, and The Acolyte will eventually lead the franchise there, one way or another.
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