The trailer for The Acolyte, the future series in the Star Wars universe, shows that the Sith, the sworn enemies of the Jedi, are present. Fans of the saga point out storyline inconsistencies, with the Sith supposedly having disappeared. But it is not that simple.
The trailer for The Acolytethe new series Star Wars, has just been revealed – and already, fans are looking into its smallest details, like the yellow color of the lightsabers or the identity of the new Jedi knights… Everything has been scrutinized. And if there is one element that the public did not miss, it is the red lightsaber that we can see at the end of the trailer. However, such a weapon can only mean one thing: the Sith are back.
Many fans were delighted to see the return of the Jedi’s sworn enemies, promising new clashes between the light side and the dark side of the Force. However, others have pointed out a particular concern: that of “ retroactive continuity “. According to them, the fact that a Sith is present in The Acolyte violates certain narrative indications of the universe of Star Wars.
On Reddit, for example, an Internet user protested against the presence of these dark lords. “ A Disney series, which takes place before episode I, with Sith who were supposed to be all extinct… This devalues Yoda and the idea that Palpatine was this epic Sith who managed to impose himself. I feel like everything we know, what we’ve been told, and what we’ve experienced in the movies of our childhood is being rewritten to create content », he regrets.
However, what we discover in the trailer for The Acolyte can always properly articulate with what is told in films and series Star Wars.
No story continuity problem
A chronological report, first of all. The story of The Acolyte takes place long before the films Star Wars. Its plot takes place during a period called “the High Republic”, when the Jedi order is at its peak. We then find ourselves approximately a century before The Phantom Menace — episode I, which opens the prelogy.
In this film, released in theaters in 1999, we see the very young Anakin Skywalker make his appearance when Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are stranded on Tatooine. The Jedi Order is still in place, as is the Republic. There is no obvious dark threat, but “trivial” commercial disputes (which will escalate later).
However, the feature film includes a notable line, which is held up today as proof that The Acolyte alters what is established in Episode I. During this sequence, Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi says that “ the Sith have been extinct for almost a thousand years. » As a result, the presence of Sith in The Acolyte would contradict this statement.
However, this is going a bit hastily. As’remarked on X (ex-Twitter) _Deathtrooper, a fan of the saga“ just because the Jedi believe the Sith were destroyed doesn’t make it true. In fact, the prelogy [les épisodes I, II et III, NDLR] clearly shows us that the Sith never disappeared. Palpatine — a Sith — already had significant influence over the Chancellor and the Trade Federation in The Phantom Menace. » Palpatine’s apprentice, Darth Maul, fought against Qui-Gon Jinn shortly before the Jedi reported the incident to the Council.
Later, still in episode I, Yoda also seems to be very aware of the practices of the Sith. “ Always in pairs they go, no more, no less… The Master and his apprentice… “, he declares. That’s not all: in the following film, Attack of the Clones, a dialogue between Mace Windu and Yoda shows that the Jedi are aware of their weaknesses, and that they cannot see everything. “ Only the Sith Lords know our weakness », recognizes Yoda.
Series The Acolyte will be broadcast exclusively on Disney+, from June 4, 2024. The streaming service is available from 5.99 euros per month, or from 29.99 euros per month with the Canal + Ciné Séries offer.
“ [La prélogie] clearly shows that the Jedi were blind to the dark side, that they were weakened and that only the Dark Lords of the Sith knew about it. So what’s the problem with Sith involvement in The Acolyte? », asks Deathtrooper. It would not be surprising if some members of this nefarious order have survived throughout this millennium, remaining hidden in the shadows.
The continuity problem suggested by some Internet users is therefore not really one. Ki-Adi Mundi like the other great masters is not omniscient. They were unable to detect Darth Sidious when he posed as a simple senator. It is also not surprising that the Sith of the era of The Acolyte were not spotted by members of the Jedi order either.
However, a question remains. If the Sith reveal themselves to the Jedi in the series The Acolytewhich happens a hundred years with The Phantom Menacewhy does this fact seem unknown to the Jedi when Ki-Adi Mundi speaks?
Such an incident, such a peril, such a revelation would normally travel around the Jedi order and would certainly leave a lasting impression, even a century later. This is a mystery that the series will certainly have to resolve. Perhaps by getting the Sith(s) to kill any Jedi who witness their return?
If you liked this article, you will like the following: don’t miss them by subscribing to Numerama on Google News.
Some links in this article are affiliated. We’ll explaine everything here.