Summary
- The Acolyte
‘s latest episode reveals a connection to the High Republic era through the Great Hyperspace Disaster event. - The show offers insight into the aftermath of the disaster, showing how it shaped the galaxy 100 years before the Skywalker Saga.
- The reference is a subtle nod to dedicated
Star Wars
fans, highlighting the intersection of the High Republic era with
The Acolyte
‘s narrative.
The article discusses the connection of the new Star Wars series “The Acolyte” to the High Republic era through a reference to the Great Hyperspace Disaster, which is a significant event in this era. However, the impact of this reference on the show’s story is minimal and more of a piece of worldbuilding rather than a major plot point. The author also notes that “The Acolyte” is the first live-action Star Wars story set in the High Republic era and that there have been many stories released in this era through novels, comics, and short stories. The success of “The Acolyte” may determine whether we see more High Republic stories on-screen in the future.
This article contains spoilers for episode seven of The Acolyte, “Choice.”
In the seventh installment of “The Acolyte,” long-standing enigmas of the series were elucidated, shedding light on the hidden past behind “Star Wars” character Lee Jung-jae’s Master Sol. The catastrophic event on Brendok, resulting in the demise of its witch community and the estrangement of twins Osha and Mae, was unveiled, providing much-anticipated answers for viewers. While numerous intriguing aspects emerged from this pivotal episode, a seemingly insignificant remark has sparked intense interest among dedicated “Star Wars” enthusiasts.
In this episode, the majority of the story unfolds as a flashback. During their conversation on planet Brendok, Jedi Masters Sol and Indara, along with their apprentices Torbin and Kelnacca, discuss the past of the planet. Indara discloses that a devastating hyperspace disaster occurred 100 years ago, which completely wiped out the planet’s life as we know it. This revelation is significant for fans of the “Star Wars” universe, as it connects to the extensive “High Republic” series of books and comics.
The Great Hyperspace Disaster
In “The Acolyte,” Indara mentions that a century ago, Brendok was deemed devoid of life due to the aftermath of the calamitous Great Hyperspace Disaster. This catastrophic event is deeply entrenched in the history of the High Republic era. Essentially, as a Republic vessel named Legacy Run was navigating hyperspace, it encountered another ship obstructing its path. The sudden maneuver required to avoid collision proved too much for the Legacy Run, leading it to disintegrate. Consequently, debris from the shattered ship traveled at great velocities through the galaxy, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The remnants of the Legacy Run catastrophe started emerging from hyperspace, leading to extensive damage throughout the galaxy. Picture a massive version of the Holdo Maneuver depicted in “Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.” The most devastation occurred in the Trymant system, not far from where the mishap had transpired initially. Yet, numerous other planets and systems endured significant damage as well, resulting in immense loss of life for their inhabitants. As per Indara’s account in “The Acolyte,” Brendok was one such affected planet. Its desolation following the disaster was so profound that it appeared devoid of life. However, a century later, Jedi explorers were taken aback to discover flourishing plant life and an advanced civilization of witches residing there.
The Great Hyperspace Disaster is a pivotal event in the tales of the High Republic era. A detailed account of this catastrophe can be found in the novel “The High Republic: Light of the Jedi,” which marked the beginning of the High Republic series. A significant portion of this book’s narrative focuses on the causes, immediate consequences, and long-term repercussions of the Legacy Run disaster.
What This Means for The Acolyte
One significant distinction between “The Acolyte” and the majority of the “Star Wars” franchise lies in its time setting. Most “Star Wars” films and series take place during or in close proximity to the Skywalker saga. In contrast, “The Acolyte” marks the first live-action portrayal of the High Republic era. This series is positioned around 100 years before the occurrence of the events in the initial prequel film, “Episode I – The Phantom Menace.” Consequently, “The Acolyte” sits toward the end of the High Republic era, approximately 100 years following the Great Hyperspace Disaster as detailed in “Light of the Jedi”.
Although I’m aware that “The Acolyte” is set in a different time than what we’ve previously seen in Star Wars films and TV, the experience hasn’t felt drastically different. There are, however, some noteworthy connections to the High Republic stories. For instance, the Jedi wear distinct robes and Vernestra Rwoh, introduced as a major character in “Light of the Jedi,” makes an appearance. Moreover, the mention of the Great Hyperspace Disaster serves as a significant link to the High Republic era.
In “The Acolyte,” this mention of the Great Hyperspace Disaster may not significantly impact the series’ narrative. It was more of an added detail, contributing primarily to expanding the show’s lore instead of hinting at a major upcoming revelation. The Star Wars franchise is known for incorporating numerous references and callbacks that only dedicated fans will recognize. Indara’s comment about the Great Hyperspace Disaster falls under this category as an Easter Egg.
Star Wars Is Slowly Embracing the High Republic On-Screen
Introduced into the Star Wars novels and comas in 2021, the High Republic marked a fresh and innovative chapter for the franchise. This new era unfolded an entirely unexplored corner of the galaxy, providing Lucasfilm with the freedom to create novel narratives, untethered from the Skywalker Saga’s creative constraints and the immense pressure associated with popular eras like the Old Republic. In recent years, the High Republic segment of Star Wars has flourished, resulting in an impressive output of stories told through various mediums, including novels, comics, short stories, and more. Over this brief period, approximately two dozen High Republic stories have graced audiences as part of this exhilarating new endeavor.
As a dedicated gamer of Star Wars, I’ve been thrilled by the recent surge of new stories set in the High Republic era from Lucasfilm’s publishing division. However, it’s disappointing that we haven’t seen much content from this era on the film and television side of the franchise yet. The only exception is “The Acolyte,” a live-action series that just barely touches upon the High Republic timeframe as it nears its end, with events starting to shift towards the Fall of the Jedi era depicted in the prequels. Other than “The Acolyte,” the only on-screen High Republic story we’ve encountered is the animated Disney Jr. series called “Young Jedi Adventures.”
The Acolyte is exploring the unfamiliar territory of the High Republic. This unexplored realm will be further probed with the upcoming Star Wars video game, Eclipse, which is also set in the High Republic era. The future development of the High Republic in live-action hinges on The Acolyte’s success. Despite the controversy it has sparked among Star Wars fans, it has been one of Disney+’s most-watched Star Wars shows to date. If its viewership continues to grow, we can anticipate more High Republic narratives in live action. The Acolyte is now available for streaming on Disney+.
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2024-07-14 06:01