Does the Acolyte work as a phantom menace prequel?
Set a century before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte unfolds in the twilight of the High Republic era. Relative peace and wealth for the Republic and the Jedi Order define this era, which offers a special setting for a narrative meant to link to the prequel trilogy.
Investigating links to The Phantom Menace
The Acolyte offers interesting links to the events of The Phantom Menace even though it has drawn criticism. The links of the series to the Skywalker Saga are broken out here:
Presence of Trade Federation
The Trade Federation, a major group in The Phantom Menace, opens the show. This suggests the developing tensions that would finally result in the events of Episode I, so establishing a familiar aspect from the prequel trilogy.
the beginnings of Anakin Skywalker
The Acolyte explores further the idea of vergence in the Force, the phenomena that was fundamental in Anakin Skywalker's birth. The show introduces the Aniseya twins, Mae and Osha, who were created artificially using a vergence and provide insights on the particular nature of Anakin's life as a living vergence.
Connection of Darth Plagueis
The programme also links to Palpatine's Sith master, Darth Plagueis. Plagueis is renowned for his ability to use the Force to generate life; this ability is mirrored in the birth of the Aniseya twins. This link implies a closer examination of the Sith and their activities in the years preceding The Phantom Menace's events.
Beautiful Influences
The classic duel between Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace inspires the lightsaber choreography and stunts in The Acolyte. The visual look of the show reflects the prequel age, so establishing continuity between the two eras.
Similar Arcs Parallel
The Acolyte also shows thematic equivalents to The Phantom Menace. Master Sol's wish to train Osha despite his age, for instance, reflects Qui-Gon Jinn's will to train Anakin, so stressing the recurrent themes of destiny and the erratic character of the Force.
Acolyte's Shortcomings as a Prequel
Though it has interesting links, The Acolyte fails in several aspects of setting up The Phantom Menace. The show neglects to sufficiently address the following:
Jedi's stupidity about the Sith
The show's inability to fully explain why the Jedi thought the Sith were extinct causes a major point of dispute. Although the show presents sinister dangers, it does not sufficiently examine how the Jedi stayed uninformed of the Sith's comeback despite their alleged extinction.
The Two Rules
The Acolyte does not explore the fundamental idea of the Sith's Rule of Two, developed in The Phantom Menace. This omitting leaves viewers wondering about the internal workings of the Sith prior to Episode I.
Prospect for Future Seasons
Although The Acolyte's first season falls short in some areas of properly setting up The Phantom Menace, next seasons present a chance to solve these flaws and increase the series' link to the Skywalker saga.
Yoda's Part in It
Yoda's fleeting visit in the last scene implies he might be more often featured in next seasons. His participation would directly link the events of The Phantom Menace to the internal conflicts of the Jedi Order during this era.
Investigating the Evil Side
Future seasons might also highlight the actions of the dark side and the ascent of the Sith. The Acolyte's first investigation of the Aniseya twins' creation through a vergence provides a basis for examining the Sith's impact and the Force's manipulation.
The Significance of Darth Plagueis
The way that Darth Plagueis shows in the last episode points to his maybe larger importance in next seasons. His participation could expose the schemes of the Sith and the events preceding the ascendancy of Palpatine.
In conclusion
As it stands, The Acolyte is a good beginning for a longer story that would fit The Phantom Menace rather well. Although the first season falls short in some areas, next seasons could fully explore the series's links to the Skywalker saga, so providing a richer and more fulfilling prelude experience.
