Jedi Master Sol draws Osha into an investigation involving Mae.
Star Wars: The Acolyte is a new Disney+ series set before the events of the films.
The first four episodes explore themes of Jedi arrogance and hubris.
The series follows twin sisters Mae and Osha, one a Jedi and the other hiding her powers.
Star Wars: The Acolyte, a new Disney+ series set roughly a century before the events of the films, presents an intriguing departure from the traditional Star Wars narrative. The show follows twin sisters Mae and Osha (both portrayed by Amandla Stenberg), each trained in the ways of the Force differently. While Mae is a devoted Jedi, Osha has been taught to use her powers in secret due to fear of persecution.
The series opens with Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) drawing Osha into the hunt for Mae after a Jedi assassination. As they work together, both sisters are forced to question their beliefs and the role of the Jedi in society. The first four episodes sent to critics explore themes of arrogance and hubris within the Order, as well as its impact on those outside it.
The Acolyte also features a diverse cast including Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joonas Suotamo, Manny Jacinto, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson and Dean-Charles Chapman. Each character brings unique perspectives to the storyline.
The series is set during the High Republic period and offers glimpses of a society where peace and prosperity reign. However, it also highlights significant missed opportunities for exploring new territory in the Star Wars universe.
While The Acolyte does not yet feel like a classic Star Wars story, it presents an intriguing premise with strong performances from its cast. It remains to be seen how the series will develop and whether it can deliver on its potential.
Star Wars: The Acolyte is set about 100 years before the rise of the Empire
The series follows twin sisters Mae and Osha, each trained in the ways of the Force differently
Amandla Stenberg plays both roles, imbuing each sister with distinct mannerisms and energies
Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) draws Osha into the hunt for Mae after a Jedi assassination
Accuracy
Carrie-Anne Moss plays Master Indara in the series
Deception
(35%)
The article contains editorializing and selective reporting. The author expresses their opinion that the visual style and storytelling of the show feel 'a bit off' and 'more like Star Trek than Star Wars.' They also mention that some plot points feel clunky. However, they do acknowledge that the show has some great fight scenes and enjoyable character dynamics. These opinions are editorializing as they are not facts but rather the author's interpretation of the show.
More often than not, The Acolyte is at its best when dealing with the conflict between the two sisters and Sol’s dynamic with them.
However, outside of its exciting Jedi fight scenes its execution sometimes feels off, with frequent cheesy moments and a lack of visual flair that contributes to the ongoing concern that all these Star Wars streaming series have diminished the epic nature of the franchise and what makes it special.
The Acolyte feels a bit off in this regard.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it mentions the 'excellent' Russian Doll created by Leslye Headland. It also contains some inflammatory rhetoric in the statement 'this is a franchise that has typically operated at a different and grander scale than this.'
The Acolyte was created by Leslye Headland, best known for co-creating Netflix’s excellent Russian Doll.
This is a franchise that has typically operated at a different and grander scale than this.
Bias
(90%)
The article expresses a neutral opinion towards the show, but there are some instances of monetary bias as the author mentions the budget and production values of the show in comparison to Star Wars' typical grandeur. However, this does not significantly impact the overall analysis as it is not a direct attack or endorsement of any specific political or ideological stance.
In terms of the long-running sci-fi institution it most readily evokes, the flatter visual language and character interactions of The Acolyte often feel more like Star Trek than Star Wars.
]The Acolyte is a franchise that has typically operated at a different and grander scale than this.[
Star Wars: The Acolyte is a new series that challenges the presumed faith in the righteousness of Star Wars’ emblematic figures.
The show asks both its protagonists and the audience to question their blind faith in the concept of law and order.
Accuracy
The series opens with a young woman challenging Master Indara to fight, leading to an action scene reminiscent of ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Kill Bill.’
Star Wars: The Acolyte takes a relatively simple fugitive mystery tale and uses it to explore the patriarchal and spiritual colonialism inherent to the galaxy’s foremost religious order.
Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) draws Osha into the hunt for Mae after a Jedi assassination
Deception
(70%)
The article makes editorializing statements and uses emotional manipulation by praising the show for its 'quietly revolutionary storytelling' and 'ripping, nimbly paced action series'. The author also engages in selective reporting by focusing on the positive aspects of the show while ignoring potential negative aspects. There is no clear evidence of lies or deception, but there is a noticeable bias towards the show.
The ensuing battle is a slice of straight-up action movie fan fic, pitting Trinity from The Matrix Movies against an ace fighter with a vendetta a la Kill Bill – except, again, this is Star Wars.
There's much to appreciate about a show that cunningly strives not only to be deemed good but to make us redefine what that means.
It hints that in an opening title card that forgoes the long crawl to simply describe the era as a time of peace, explaining that The Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic ‘have prospered for centuries without war.’ For such a political arrangement to prosper, there must be the necessary tension of an antagonist being kept at bay.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to the reader's emotions by using phrases like 'riveting', 'quietly revolutionary', and 'ripping, nimbly paced action series'. The author also uses dichotomous depictions by contrasting the old Jedi Order with the new perspective presented in 'Star Wars: The Acolyte'. For example, they describe the Jedi Order as having prospered for centuries without war and wearing rough robes, while also mentioning that this show is set a century before the rise of the Empire when there are lots of battles. This creates a clear contrast between peace and war, which can be seen as an attempt to manipulate the reader's perception.
][The author] Both women are unknown characters, with one of them representing an unknown faction. The show itself arrives in a cloud of mystery, limiting which specifics we can detail.[/]
[[]The author describes the Jedi Order as having prospered for centuries without war and wearing rough robes.[[]
[[]The author mentions that this show is set a century before the rise of the Empire when there are lots of battles.[[
Bias
(80%)
The article expresses a clear bias towards questioning the righteousness of Jedi and their portrayal in Star Wars media. The author criticizes the lack of diversity in previous shows and praises 'Star Wars: The Acolyte' for its revolutionary storytelling that challenges the presumed faith in Jedi's righteousness.
Generations who came of age with George Lucas’ fantasies had the light versus dark side, Jedi versus Sith dichotomy drilled into us along with the assurance that Force-wielders, besides being special, belonged to one team or the other. The first six movies packaged this alongside an unsubtle version of misogyny: nearly all human Jedi with lines were white guys until Samuel L. Jackson.
Liberated from most aspects of the Skywalker saga, she and her writers take a relatively simple fugitive mystery tale and use it to remind us of the patriarchal and spiritual colonialism inherent to the galaxy’s foremost religious order.
The ensuing battle is a slice of straight-up action movie fan fic, pitting Trinity from ‘The Matrix’ Movies against an ace fighter with a vendetta a la ‘Kill Bill’ – except, again, this is Star Wars.
The Acolyte is a Disney+ Star Wars spinoff set roughly a century before the events of the films.
Amandla Stenberg plays both roles, imbuing each sister with distinct mannerisms and energies.
Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) draws Osha into the hunt for Mae after a Jedi assassination.
The series explores themes of Jedi arrogance and hubris, showing the emergence of these flaws in the Order.
An episode directed by Kogonada focuses on a group of individuals persecuted for their unnatural use of the Force, offering an alternative perspective on the Jedi’s actions.
Accuracy
Star Wars: The Acolyte is set about 100 years before the rise of the Empire
The series follows twin sisters Mae and Osha, each trained in the ways of the Force differently
Deception
(30%)
The author makes editorializing statements and uses emotional manipulation by describing the Jedi as 'entrenched establishment' and 'heroic Jedi freedom fighters versus dark-side imperialists' in a derogatory way. The author also engages in selective reporting by focusing on the negative aspects of the Jedi while ignoring their positive contributions. Additionally, there is an instance of science fiction language ('unnatural use of the Force') that is not backed up by any peer-reviewed studies or sources.
It would certainly be unfair to say that all Star Wars stories have the same plot... In broad strokes, though, a whole lot of them seem to come down to the same trusty formula: heroic Jedi freedom fighters versus dark-side imperialists, on and on across the galaxy for decades.
Mae’s murderous quest is backed by a mysterious figure whose helmet, weapon and mechanical voice recall Darth Vader...
The Acolyte represents an intriguing shakeup. The spinoff finds the Jedi not as scrappy underdogs but as entrenched establishment.
Fallacies
(90%)
The author makes a comparison between different Star Wars stories and The Acolyte, stating that they all follow a similar formula. This is an example of a hasty generalization fallacy as the author is making assumptions about all Star Wars stories based on limited knowledge or experience. However, the article also acknowledges that not all Star Wars stories are the same and provides examples of how The Acolyte deviates from this formula. Therefore, while there is a fallacy present, it does not significantly impact the overall article.
It would certainly be unfair to say that all Star Wars stories have the same plot.
Bias
(95%)
The author expresses a critical view of the Star Wars formula and praises The Acolyte for its departure from it. However, she also acknowledges that the series still maintains some elements of the franchise such as Jedi versus imperialists and lightsaber battles. While this is not inherently biased, it could be seen as a more nuanced take on Star Wars that challenges traditional views of good versus evil.
But in its willingness to challenge our assumptions, The Acolyte finds its own place. It's one deep in the gray, between the poles of light and dark that have defined so much of its galaxy.
]The Acolyte represents an intriguing shakeup. In broad strokes, though, a whole lot of them seem to come down to the same trusty formula: heroic Jedi freedom fighters versus dark-side imperialists, on and on across the galaxy for decades.[
Disney+ released the latest 'Star Wars' series, 'The Acolyte', which is set 100 years before The Skywalker Saga in 'The Phantom Menace'.
Writer/director Leslye Headland was brought in to create the show.
Carrie-Anne Moss plays a veteran Jedi in the series but her opportunity is squandered early on.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The author makes editorializing statements and comparisons to other shows, implying their opinions as facts. They also use sensational language such as 'hodgepodge malaise' and 'fan-fiction'. The article also engages in selective reporting by focusing on the negative aspects of the show while ignoring its positive ones.
It doesn’t help that the show’s momentum can be slow, with too many dull exposition pitstops even as episodes clock in at a light 32 to 42 minutes.
For the setting of its latest “Star Wars” series, Disney+ dips back 100 years before the start of The Skywalker Saga in “The Phantom Menace” and partners with a “Star Wars” newcomer, writer/director Leslye Headland, best known as co-creator of Netflix’s “Russian Doll.” Bringing in someone new gives hope “The Acolyte” could avoid “The Book of Boba Fett’s’ hodgepodge malaise or “Obi-Wan Kenobi’s’ fan-fiction and instead deliver a series closer to “Andor,” the best, most nuanced and adult “Star Wars” show to date, albeit not the most popular (that’s still the entertaining crowd-pleaser “The Mandalorian”).
Alas, “The Acolyte,” now streaming its first two episodes (weekly episodes follow on Tuesdays through July 16), fails to elevate the franchise even as it tries to differentiate itself with a story that’s part murder mystery and part family saga with a matriarchal twist.
Fallacies
(75%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by stating that 'Disney's The Acolyte' could avoid the hodgepodge malaise or fan-fiction of previous shows and instead deliver a series closer to 'Andor', implying that Andor is a superior Star Wars show. This is an appeal to authority fallacy because the author is not providing any evidence or reasoning as to why Andor is better, they are simply stating it as fact.
For the setting of its latest “Star Wars” series, Disney+ dips back 100 years before the start of The Skywalker Saga in “The Phantom Menace” and partners with a “Star Wars” newcomer, writer/director Leslye Headland, best known as co-creator of Netflix’s “Russian Doll.”
Bias
(95%)
The author expresses a preference for 'Andor' over 'The Acolyte', implying a bias towards that show. They also make subjective statements about the quality of 'The Acolyte', such as it giving off a 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' vibe and having slow momentum. However, these statements do not demonstrate an extreme or unreasonable bias.
]From a spacewalk in a spacesuit to uniform-like Jedi tunics to cheap-looking planet exteriors, this is the first 'Star Wars' series to give off a 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' vibe.[
The first two episodes are now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday until July 16.
