Summary
With the release ofThe Acolytenow quickly approaching, it seems thatStar Wars’Jedi Order will be more different than it has ever been portrayed before. The show takes place duringthe High Republic Era, a period of time that has been explored in various novels, comics, and even a cartoon, but never in live-action.The Acolytewould mark the first time this era is explored in live-action, and with it will come a very different picture of the Jedi Order than what viewers are used to.
The Jedi Order as seen in the prequel trilogy is a rigidly structured organization with strict rules and many secrets. The Jedi are supposed to be a small, closely knit group and are tied tothe Galactic Republicitself. The content audiences have already received for the High Republic Era has painted a much different picture of the Jedi Order, one that will be continued asThe Acolytebegins to air.
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10The Jedi Starships Are Even Cooler Than The Prequels
Vector Ships Were Used During The High Republic Era
When the prequel trilogy was released, one of the noticeable additions was special starships used exclusively by the Jedi. They used a few different ships, including the likes of the Delta-7 and the Eta-2, both of them regularly seen in the movies and throughoutStar Wars: The Clone Wars.Many of these ships were known for their maneuverability and their firepower.
These ships are completely absent in the High Republic Era, replaced instead with a different sort of ship known as a Jedi Vector. Also known for their speed, they were meant to be an extension of the Force.A Jedi Vector’s weapon systems were so tailored to the Jedi that it could only be activated via the use of a lightsaber,something later Jedi ships seem to be missing.
9There Is A Focus On Expansion And Exploration
So Much Of The Galaxy Is Still Unexplored
During the time of the High Republic Era, much of the galaxy alongthe Outer Rimhad yet to be discovered. The job of charting new paths and finding new planets was left up entirely to the Jedi during this time, as it was a dangerous job. Not just anyone was qualified for such a journey, especially when one cannot know the danger that lies ahead. The Jedi were the galaxy’s best bet for learning anything about what lies beyond what they already knew.
Missions into the Outer Rim would establish a variety of things, including communication with the rest of the galaxy. New hyperspace routes were discovered, and new planets were explored during this time. This helped to establish the galaxy that viewers know today, meaning that not only the Jedi Order, but the rest of the galaxy will be a bit different inThe Acolyte.
The job of charting new paths and finding new planets was left up entirely to the Jedi during this time, as it was a dangerous job.
8There Are Jedi Outposts Across The Galaxy
The Frontier Was Left To Jedi To Defend
Going hand in hand with the Jedi’s focus on exploration and expansion, they established Jedi outposts at key points throughout the galaxy. They were mostly placed along the Outer Rim, serving as bases to assist in exploration but also to protect the other surrounding worlds from bad actors lurking in unexplored space. Many Jedi trained in outposts such as these, growing up on the galactic frontier as opposed to on Coruscant.
The most famous of these outposts was the Starlight Beacon, which seemed to find itself roped into disaster after disaster. It was led by Avar Kriss and served as an important bastion against the Drengir andthe Nihilduring its time. It would eventually be destroyed by the Nihil, falling out of orbit and directly onto the planet Eiram just below.
7The Jedi Are At The Peak Of Their Power
Countless Jedi Were A Part Of The Order
There were an incredible number of Jedi that lived during the events of the prequel trilogy. There were enough of them to wage war against the Separatists, even if their numbers were aided by the clones. This makes it even more surprising thatduring the time of the High Republic Era, the Jedi were even more numerous than in the militaristic times that came later.
The Jedi were considered at the height of their power during the High Republic Era, with their forces spread across the entire galaxy and beyond. Temples and outposts were filled to the brim with Jedi, and for good reason. The galaxy was far more dangerous in those days, requiring a strong force to push against these ongoing threats.
6The Jedi Order Is Far More Open And Accepting
Attachment Meant Something Completely Different To The High Republic Jedi
The Jedi Order of the prequel trilogy is known for its rigid set of beliefs. A Jedi can have no attachments, must never consider using the Force in a way that would be considered dark, and generally take emotion out of their thinking. This was not necessarily the case during the High Republic Era, as the Jedi Order grew so large that it also became more accepting.
Jedi during this time were much more likely to embrace love and attachment. It was not an issue to fall in love like it was for Anakin Skywalker, and instead it was embraced as a part of life. Learning to balance love and the fear of losing someone was an important lesson to learn, and one that Padawan Lula Talisola learns in the comic book seriesStar Wars: The High Republic Adventures.
Learning to balance love and the fear of losing someone was an important lesson to learn.
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5The Jedi Accept Older Recruits In The High Republic Era
Anakin Skywalker Would Have Been More Easily Accepted During The High Republic
Another thing that would have benefited Anakin Skywalker during the High Republic Era was the fact that they took in older recruits. Age was not an issue for the Jedi in the High Republic Era, and many of the older recruits were brought to another Force order known as the Convocation of the Force on Jedha to be trained. Despite being fourteen years of age and having no connection to the Force, Lohim Nara was welcomed into the Jedi Order by Master Yoda in “What a Jedi Makes” -Stories of Jedi and Sith.
This would have been the perfect situation for Anakin, as he would have skipped the fight to join the Jedi Order entirely. He would not have been denied the ability to train, especially by Master Yoda - who had previously let older students into the Order. Though the Sith were believed to be extinct during this time and, as such, there was little need for aChosen One, Anakin would still have been welcomed with open arms, either by the Jedi Order itself or by one of the smaller sects.
4Most Of The Jedi In The Order Will Be Different
Master Yoda Is One Of Few To Survive Through Multiple Eras
By the time the Skywalker saga rolls around, around one hundred years have passed since the end of the High Republic Era. Because of this, few species could have lived long enough to survive to see both eras.Master Yoda is one such Jedi, living to see both the High Republic Era as well as the Imperial Era.
Because of this, most, if not all, of the Jedi that will be shown inThe Acolytewill be exclusive to the High Republic Era. There is a chance that Master Yoda will show up, but aside from that, there will be plenty of new faces, as well as the return of characters such asVernestra Rwoh- who was a mainstay in other High Republic content. This will offer the opportunity for more exciting stories, offering something different from whatStar Warshas created before.
3The Sith Are Not The Monsters The Jedi Are Fighting
Nihil And Other Monsters Plague The Galaxy’s Fringes
Dangers came from all sides during the time of the High Republic, coming in the form of monsters and pirates. The most dangerous of these was the Nihil, a group of marauders and pirates that raided hyperspace lines across the galaxy.The Nihil were known for their hatred of the Jedi, believing that their expansionism was dangerous and deprived the people living in those outer regions of their privileges.
Another monster faced during these times was the Drengir, which was a wild and tentacled monster. They were obsessed with consuming meat and thrived on the chaos of darkness and fear. The Drengir were known to be resistant to weapons such as lightsabers, making them a dangerous foe for a Jedi to face.
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2The Jedi Aren’t As Closely Tied To Republic Politics
There Are Bigger Things Going On For The Jedi
At this point in history, the Jedi and the Galactic Republic were not directly linked. The Jedi may have assisted the Republic with some things along the way, but they were not directly associated, as they were shown to be in the prequel series. This made for a Jedi Order that was not only more self-reliant, but more proactive as well.
Though somewhere along the line, the Jedi and the Republic did become inseparably linked - with the Jedi even going to war on their behalf - the Jedi Order of the High Republic was able to continue on without being closed off or unreachable. It seemed the two struck the perfect balance during this time, with open communication as the key as opposed to direct subservience. It is unlikely that the Jedi in this time would have gone to war on behalf of the Republic.
This made for a Jedi Order that was not only more self-reliant, but more proactive as well.
1The Jedi Are More Willing To Experiment With The Force
Lines Between Light And Dark Were Far More Blurry
Throughout most of theStar Warsstory, the Force has been used in one way by the Jedi and in another by the Sith, with the Jedi focusing on harmony and the Sith focusing on raw emotion. Over time, characters such as the Nightsisters have broken that mold, showing that there is more to the Force than meets the eye. This is also the case with those in the High Republic with characters such as Elzar Mann, who was known for his unorthodox ability to use the Force to touch people’s minds.
Because of this, it is possible thatThe Acolytewill show the Force in a way that’s never been seen before. There is an entire world of possibilities going forward, both with the perception of the Force and of the Jedi Order itself. Only time will tell, and questions will be answered onceThe Acolyteis finally released in June.
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.
