A scene from ‘The Acolyte’
at the closing ceremony of retainerSenator Rancourt (David Harewood) tells Jedi Master Vernestra Rowe (Rebecca Henderson), “The Jedi are a vast system of uncontrolled power posing as a religion, a delusional cult that claims to control the uncontrollable.” Too bad! As if Vernestra doesn’t have enough troubles. The Jedi Masters are being picked on by Mai (Amandla Stenberg), a dangerous psychopath with the most brilliant moves, an operation goes wrong with present-day dire consequences, and she has to deal with a variety of issues including a team being wiped out, a colleague and friend Sol (Lee Jung-jae) potentially going rogue, and a sinister puppet master pulling the strings to unleash the Force.
In episode three we learn that 16 years ago, Jedi Masters Sol, Kelnaka (Joonas Suotamo), Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss) and their Padawan Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman) were on the planet Brendok, where they encountered a coven of Force witches led by Mother Anicia (a regal Jodie Turner-Smith). Her twin daughters, May and Osha (Stenberg), were Force sensitive. Things went horribly wrong on Brendok, with Osha becoming a mechneck performing dangerous repairs on spaceships and May being drawn to the dark side by training from a sinister stranger.
retainer
Producer: Leslye Headland
Cast: Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, Carrie-Anne Moss
Episodes: 8
Duration: 30 to 40 minutes
Story: Story: When powerful Jedi Masters are being assassinated, it takes a Jedi and his former soldier to uncover the truth
The story is set 100 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom MenaceThe years of peace allowed the Jedi retainer Administrators are clashing with senators over the division of power. retainer It’s based on the rise of the Sith, who were apparently doing their dirty work in secret long before Senator Palpatine decided to abandon the Republic and make himself Emperor.
On the one hand, so much Star Wars Reminiscent of the Roman Empire, from the senators to the pod race Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, retainer It’s a charming show, and the action scenes are great, particularly Indara’s Force-fu moves, the lightsaber duel with the attendant bleeding crystal, and some of the Stranger face-offs.
There are certainly some inconsistencies and illogical choices by the characters, but the show moves along so smoothly that it helps you overlook some of the more obvious things, like the rock fort burning in flames – that’s probably the most important thing. Star Wars The Acolyte in me is talking!
On the unnamed planet, creatures like the tiny elephant-beaked birds and the giant flapping ambramoth are cute while Bazil is vaguely disturbing. Twins are a recurring motif Star WarsAnd Mai and Osha, though not as outstanding as Luke and Leia, are interesting contrasts that are vaguely reminiscent of Sita and Geeta And the lost and found formula of 70s Hindi films – there’s a family song/poem in them too!
Incidentally, Mai uses a lightsaber to cut her hair, which would surely be an interesting trick for a hairdresser. The truth of her birth (miraculous birth is another running theme Star Wars), when this is finally revealed no one on-screen is surprised, except for Sol, who is completely devastated by the information.
On the plus side, there’s pace, mystery, set pieces, action and chases that outweigh the negatives. Yes, we would have liked to see Indara do more than dispense fortune-cookie wisdom, including “don’t center yourself around your worries” and fight Kelnaka, but perhaps there will be a course correction in Season 2, hinted at by Vernestra’s meeting with her famous mentor in the finale. Hopefully we’ll wait.
The Acolyte is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
