'The Acolyte' raises continuity questions among 'Star Wars' fans
What's the story
As the premiere of The Acolyte on Disney+ is fast approaching, Star Wars fans are grappling with a potential continuity issue. The show, set approximately 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), is expected to depict the rise of the Sith. This narrative twist has sparked debate among fans due to its potential conflict with established Star Wars lore.
Lore discrepancy
Fans debate over Jedi's discovery of Sith
The main point of contention among fans is the timeline of the Jedi's discovery of the Sith. In The Phantom Menace, Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi stated that the Sith had been eradicated a millennium earlier, "not just a century." If The Acolyte shows the Jedi discovering the Sith a mere 100 years before The Phantom Menace, it would contradict Ki-Adi-Mundi's statement, causing a continuity problem in Star Wars lore.
Sith survival
'The Acolyte' threatens the established Sith survival narrative
Despite being believed to have been eradicated a thousand years before The Phantom Menace, the Sith survived in secret with the ultimate goal of conquering the galaxy and destroying the Jedi. This plan, successfully executed by Palpatine in 19BBY, took nearly a thousand years of strategic planning, as evidenced by Palpatine's behind-the-scenes maneuvering in The Phantom Menace. The presence of a Sith Lord in The Acolyte could potentially jeopardize this thousand-year plan.
Sith strategy
Ultimate goal of the Sith Lord remains unclear
The final goal of the Sith Lord featured in The Acolyte trailer remains unclear. However, their presence threatens the overarching objective of conquering the galaxy and defeating the Jedi. It's known that Jedi are being killed in The Acolyte, but this method seems inefficient for eradicating all Jedi while maintaining secrecy. The only plausible explanation for the Sith revealing themselves 100 years before The Phantom Menace would be if they believed they were ready to execute their plan.
Character's role
Amid the chaos, Mae may hold the key to answers
Amandla Stenberg's character, Mae, holds a pivotal role in the forthcoming series. Formerly a Padawan to Master Sol, Mae's departure from the Jedi Order remains shrouded in mystery. However, the trailer suggests that Mae's Sith training might have advanced enough for her to become a formidable opponent against the Jedi. This strategic move mirrors Palpatine's manipulation tactics, as seen with Count Dooku in the prequels. The Acolyte is set to premiere its first two episodes on June 4.