Disney+’s Most Divisive Star Wars Show Is the One That Most Deserved Another Season

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In June 2024, the much-anticipated series “Star Wars: The Acolyte” premiered on Disney+, but it was met with both excitement and division, typical of the franchise. Being the first live-action project set in the High Republic era, it promised a new take on the galaxy far, far away, exploring the roots of the dark side’s reemergence during the Jedi’s Golden Age. Although it introduced captivating new characters, the series unfortunately only lasted one season, having been cancelled by Disney+, much to the dismay of fans who were left wanting more. Even at Star Wars Celebration in April 2025, crowds passionately cheered for a second season during a panel featuring Manny Jacinto (Qimir/The Stranger).

From what I gather, the first season, despite its apparent shortcomings, established a solid foundation for enriching backstory and character advancements – developments that, in retrospect, seem like an immense, cosmic misstep not to be repeated. The series subtly suggested intricate puzzles waiting to be unraveled and concepts yearning for further scrutiny, thereby sparking more questions than solutions and fueling the audience’s hunger for a continuous narrative.

The Brief Glimpse of Darth Plagueis Was a Tease for a Deeper Dive Into Sith Lore

Revenge of the Sith, Darth Plagueis has always been an enigma in the canon. Seeing even a glimpse of him on screen was a significant and unexpected delight for long-time fans. This brief appearance hinted that The Acolyte might not just be a standalone story but could also serve as a stepping stone to a larger narrative, one that could potentially reveal more about the Sith’s lineage and philosophy than ever before in live-action.

An alternate season might delve into Darth Plagueis’ relationship with his supposed apprentice, Qimir, his explorations in the Force, and his quest for eternal life, venturing beyond the limits of the Star Wars Legends timeline. Such an approach wouldn’t only pave the way for Palpatine’s ascension but also deepen the overall Star Wars narrative by shedding light on the complex and terrifying dogmas of the dark side from a standpoint distinct from Palpatine and Vader. The missed opportunity to unravel this thread is indeed the real sorrow surrounding Darth Plagueis the Wise.

Major Character Deaths Squandered High-Caliber Talent

In the first season of The Acolyte, the premature demise of Master Sol (Lee Jung-Jae) and Master Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss) presents a significant unrealized potential for the series, given their prominent stature in Hollywood. Although Master Indara’s character was written off early in the premiere episode, her narrative persisted throughout the season via flashbacks. This narrative strategy enabled Carrie-Anne Moss to assume a central role in the show and evolve her character as well as her relationships with Mae and Osha after her demise. If given another chance in a second season, this method could be employed again to delve deeper into Sol and Indara’s pasts, exploring how their histories shape the current events, possibly examining their days as Jedi, individual odysseys, or even secret missions they embarked on together.

By featuring these acclaimed actors extensively in future episodes, not only will viewers spend more quality time with them, but we’ll also gain richer insights into the Jedi Order during the High Republic era, especially alongside Master Vernestra Rwoh. The thought of letting go of such accomplished and revered performers, whose acting lent depth to the series, seems like a missed opportunity. Continuing Lee and Moss’ roles, even through intricate storytelling techniques, would be a delight for fans who were prematurely deprived of their two Jedi characters. Moreover, it would amplify both the emotional and dramatic intensity of a potential second season, making the absence of these characters in any upcoming conflict more poignant.

This Master and Apprentice Story Begged for Exploration

The intriguing and largely unexplored history between Qimir and his ex-Jedi Master, Vernestra Rwoh, presented an abundance of untapped material in “The Acolyte.” Briefly touched upon, there were captivating hints suggesting a once close master-apprentice bond that deteriorated into a heated confrontation, resulting in Qimir bearing scars from a lightwhip – Rwoh’s signature weapon. Exploring their past further would not only reveal insights into Qimir’s descent to the dark side and his underlying motivations, but also delve deeper into Rwoh’s character, her journey as a Jedi Master, and the trials she endured during what was considered a tranquil period.

The deep, emotionally intense relationship often seen between masters and apprentices in Star Wars is a well-known theme, and The Acolyte had a chance to create its own take on this theme with Darth Plagueis involved. By leaving the story of Qimir and Rwoh mostly untold, it presents a strong case that The Acolyte could have benefited from a second season.

Beyond Master Sol, Rwoh was not a fresh character conceived for the series. Rather, she boasts a rich history that has been delved into in novels as part of the High Republic publishing endeavor. This pre-existing material serves as a solid foundation for storylines and character progression suitable for a second season, where elements from the cherished Rwoh and Qimir tales could be brought to life on screen. For instance, the second season could have showcased significant events from their shared past, potentially introducing other characters from High Republic books to enrich the live-action Star Wars universe’s High Republic sector, making it more consistent with the extended universe.

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2025-09-09 00:12