Warning! This article contains SPOILERS forThe Acolyteseason 1.
Summary
The Acolyteexplored a new era ofStar Warsand introduced a new cast of characters but still made significant changes and retcons to the official canon. While learning more about the history of theStar Warsuniverse can be incredibly rewarding for longtime viewers who keep up with every story, it can also become problematic when a new entry makes noticeable changes. Some retcons can be easily explained and add new context to old plotlines, while others seemingly contradict established lore and create questions to be answered later.
From new details about existing characters to entirely new concepts,The Acolyteseason 1has featured all kinds of additions toStar Warscanon. Most of these changes tie fairly well into theStar Warsprequel trilogy, but some remain unresolved and could be expanded on in a potential second season. 20 retcons were the most noticeable inThe Acolyteand offered the most significant changes to the timeline.
The Acolyte Ending Explained: The Shadow Of Darth Vader Descends In The High Republic Era
The Acolyte episode 8 wraps up season 1 of the High Republic show by casting the shadow of the dark side, and Darth Vader, over the Jedi Order.
20The Acolyte Revealed Another Zygerrian Jedi
The Jedi were the ancient enemy of the Zygerrian slave empire
One of the first new Jedi introduced inThe Acolyteepisode 1 “Lost / Found” was Yord Fandar’s Zygerrian Padawan, Tasi Lowa. Having a Zygerrian in the Jedi Order is surprising, asStar Wars: The Clone Warsseason 4 established that the Jedi once dismantled their slave empire and were still resented for it. Even so,Tasi Lowa is the third Zygerrian Jedi inStar Warscanonand the first to appear in a live-action project. Adding another Zygerrian Jedi suggests that there could be many more throughout the Order and implies that Zygerrian society isn’t unified against the Jedi.
19The Jedi Temple & Coruscant Looked Different Before The Prequels
A slightly different design and an altered landscape
EveryStar Warsmovie and TV show has a different production design, andThe Acolytechanged the Jedi Temple and its immediate surroundings on Coruscant. According to the official episode trivia gallery on theStar Warswebsite,"…the Jedi Temple looks slightly different from the prequel films as the skyline is shifting…“because”…elements are notably still under construction.“This implies that the Temple is undergoing a renovation that will lead to its eventual appearance in the prequel film, or that the surface of Coruscant was slightly lower in this area 100 years before the prequel trilogy.
18Mirialans Are A Longer-Lived Race Than We Thought
Vernestra Rwoh is over 100 years old
Star Warsis no stranger to alien species with much longer lifespans than humans, and it seems Mirialans can be added to the list. Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh, a Mirialan who first appeared as a teenager in theHigh Republicbooks and comics, made her live-action debut inThe Acolyte. Because the show is set 100 years after her initial appearance,Mirialans could live for hundreds of years.
17Anakin Skywalker Wasn’t The First Being Created With The Force
Sol even implies that it was done before Osha and Mae
Anakin Skywalker was hailed as the prophesized Chosen One because Qui-Gon Jinn believed he was a vergence in the Force conceived by the midi-chlorians. While this was a huge deal for the Jedi,The Acolyterevealed thatMother Aniseya used a vergence on Brendok to create her twin daughters, Osha and Mae Aniseya, 100 years before Anakin was born. Jedi Master Sol even suggested to Mae that it had been done before them, telling her"In the history of the galaxy, very few have been that powerful.”
16The Jedi Council Didn’t Always Have Absolute Authority In The Order
Other Jedi were willing to handle problems without consulting the Council
Star Warshas always had characters willing to defy the Jedi Council to do what they thought was right, butThe Acolytetook this mentality to another level. The Jedi Council doesn’t seem to have as much authority over the order as they do in the prequel trilogy, with Vernestra Rwoh and other high-ranking Jedi Masters perfectly willing to keep important matters to themselves. Perhaps the Jedi Order was much less centralized, but once the Republic Senate had more oversight, the Council asserted more control to keep a firm hold on the Order.
15Ki-Adi-Mundi Is Over 100 Years Old In The Phantom Menace
This makes his line about the Sith more surprising
One of the most surprising cameos inThe Acolytewas Ki-Adi-Mundi, a Jedi Master who sat on the Council during the prequel trilogy. While no longer official canon,Ki-Adi-Mundi was generally assumed to be 60 years old inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,since this was his age in the Legends timeline. However, becauseThe Acolytetakes place a century before the prequel trilogy, Ki-Adi-Mundi is well over 100 years old in canon. Being present when the Sith were nearly discovered makes it interesting that he is the one who claims they have been extinct for a millennium.
14Qimir Brought Back Legends Force Powers
Even Palpatine might find him a challenge
Qimir’s proper Sith introduction inThe Acolyteepisodes 4 and 5 demonstrated his power and brought back Force abilities from the Legends timeline. Throughout the series,Qimir could control his levitation so well that he appeared to be flying, similar to Count Dooku in theStar Wars: Clone Wars2D micro-series. He was also seemingly immune to stun beams, something characters like Revan and Corran Horn could do in Legends.
13The Acolyte Brought Back Cortosis, A Massive Lightsaber Weakness
It can block lightsabers and make them short out
Another weapon Qimir had at his disposal was a helmet and gauntlet made from cortosis, a unique material that first appeared in Legends. Cortosis could temporarily short out lightsaber blades, making it perfect for enemies of the Jedi and the Sith. While cortosis has appeared inStar Warscanon before, Qimir used it more creatively and effectively than those who typically produce cortosis blades.
12Sith Helmets Can Be Used To Prevent Jedi Telepathy
One surprising aspect of Qimir’s cortosis helmet was its ability to block Jedi telepathy. He based its design on sensory deprivation helmets used to train Jedi younglings, which deprived the user of their senses and made them rely solely on the Force. However, Sol discovered that this went both ways, and he could not look into Qimir’s mind during their initial duel on Khofar.
11The Acolyte Introduced A Treacherous New Sith Lightsaber
Keeping a secondary hilt inside the main one
Continuing theStar Warstradition of introducing creative new lightsaber designs,The Acolytegave Qimir a second, smaller blade that could detach from his main hilt. Characters like Asajj Ventress have previously wielded dual lightsabers that could combine into a double-bladed weapon, but Qimir’s is far more treacherous. His lightsaber looks like a single blade but can quickly become two, allowing him to surprise anyone he fights, which Jecki Lon learned when he killed her with three quick stabs.
