The Jedi Used To Be All Around The Galaxy
Spread around the galaxy, the Jedi were stationed on different worlds serving as peacekeepers during the High Republic Era. The Jedi's purpose on other worlds was not to confront the Sith or dark side Force-users; they thought the Sith were extinct during this age. Rather, their attention was on more minor concerns as planetary conflicts or crimes of piracy. Already, the Acolyte has showed what this presence looked like.
The Jedi's purpose on other worlds was not to confront the Sith or dark side Force-users; they thought the Sith were extinct during this age. Unlike the prequel trilogy, several of the worlds of The Acolyte, beyond Coruscant even include local Jedi Temples on them. The Phantom Menace saw the Jedi no more dispersed around the galaxy in this sense. Instead, the Jedi had vanished not only from their physical postings on the planets but also from meddling in galactic affairs, effectively removing themselves.
Though it is set in the High Republic Era, one hundred years before the Star Wars films, the Acolyte features many deft references to the Prequel Trilogy.
The Acolyte is situated in the Star Wars chronology one century before Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. The program is consequently ready to provide fresh understanding of the background of the Jedi Order. Though it is regarded as the golden era of the Jedi, The Acolyte has already started clarifying challenges the Jedi were facing during the High Republic Era in its first three episodes alone.
Actually, a number of the problems found in The Acolyte closely relate to defects of the Jedi observed in many Star Wars films and TV series. One such issue is one that Qui-Gon Jinn personally raised, and it appears The Acolyte may at last provide the reason the Jedi committed this fatal mistake.
The Jedi Stepped Away From This Tradition—And Qui-Gon New It Was A Problem
From self-preservation rather than based on what was best for the inhabitants of the galaxy, the Jedi apparently withdrew from their more active engagement in the planet. Many in the galaxy felt that this action by the Jedi amounted to a means of deserting those in need, therefore marking the beginning of the end for people's faith in the Jedi and what they stood for. This was addressed squarely in John Jackson Miller's official Star Wars book Star Wars: The Living Force.
The Jedi started to withdraw from their positions in The Living Force, closing down outposts in certain systems and letting the people of the worlds to fend for themselves. This led to more criminal activities, including piracy, and many people being uprooted from their homes without a clear sense of direction forward. Indeed, criminals felt empowered without the Jedi as defenders, which encouraged many displaced people to specifically blame the Jedi.
Mae's Story Might Show The Reason The Jedi Left
It seems strange that the Jedi would have changed as drastically given the consequences of this choice as depicted in The Living Force alone. Given the obvious damage the Jedi wrought, it is not entirely clear in the book why they would fundamentally change their cosmic function in this manner. The Acolyte might have the solution though.
A yet unknown incident occurred on Brendock in The Acolyte between the Jedi stationed on the planet and Mae, the show's villain, when she was young. Though the details are yet unknown, it is certain that the Jedi were at least somewhat responsible; this is probably related to the fire Mae lit in episode 3. Guilt-ridden, one Jedi Master, Torbin chose to take poison instead of reporting what he had done to the Jedi Council. This enigmatic incident between Mae and the Jedi could help to explain why the Jedi left their stations all throughout the galaxy.
Qui-Gon Was Right: Star Wars Is Finally Revealing Why The Jedi Made The Mistake He Hated
Star Wars: The Acolyte may at last explain why the Jedi made such a significant adjustment since Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn disagreed of one crucial Jedi Order decision pre-dating the Star Wars prequel movies. This would mean Star Wars: The Acolyte would at last explain why the Jedi made such a divisive choice, even if it still wouldn't justify the Jedi essentially leaving the galaxy to save themselves.
Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+ mark new episodes of The Acolyte.
