Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 8.
Summary
The Jedi’s struggle against the Sith began long before Luke faced off against Darth Vader, andThe Acolytehas made it undeniable thatYodacould have helped them prepare for the oncoming threat. Yoda’s incredibly long lifespan has given him the unique opportunity to gather wisdom and experience over the centuries that he uses to lead the Jedi as their Grand Master. When the Sith once again become active in the galaxy, the Jedi could have been much better equipped to deal with the threat if Yoda had utilized the knowledge that he acquired a hundred years prior.
As the leader of the Jedi, Yoda’s responsibilities are enormous. While the occasional misstep is understandable, Master Yoda should have gathered enough information over the years to prepare the Jedi for an upcoming attack by the Sith. Beyond the Sith, the Jedi also faced a growing skepticism from the senate. Yoda’s failure to explore the possible threats to the Jedi’s security put them at risk of collapse. A hundred years later, that’s exactly what would happen.
The Acolyte Ending Explained: The Shadow Of Darth Vader Descends In The High Republic Era
The Acolyte episode 8 wraps up season 1 of the High Republic show by casting the shadow of the dark side, and Darth Vader, over the Jedi Order.
He Didn’t Use That Time Wisely
Yoda
The aged Jedi Master had trained Jedi for 800 years by the time he met Luke Skywalker on the planet Dagobah. One of the most famed and revered Jedi, Yoda served as Grand Master of the Jedi Order for centuries; he was powerful enough to duel Darth Sidious himself, although he was defeated. Yoda exiled himself to Dagobah, where he learned how to become a Force Ghost and offered guidance to Luke Skywalker.
When the Sith begin to stir again inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Yoda is quick to minimize the threat. He reacts slowly, as if the Sith might only just be reawakening. As far as the other Jedi know, the Sith have been dormant for a thousand years. However,The Acolytereveals that Yoda should have been aware of their movements long before Darth Maul’s introduction. Despite being caught off guard, the Jedi should have been able to react much faster when Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon reported on their run-in with Darth Maul on Tatooine.
If Yoda had known the Sith were active a hundred years before, why would he have kept that information from them? For some reason, Yoda neglected to heed any warnings he might have gleaned from the other Jedi at the time ofThe Acolyte. Instead of using that time to train the Jedi to fight against powerful agents of the dark side,Yoda allows them to continue their belief that the galaxy is at peace and their power in the Force is uncontested.
Yoda Discounted Warnings From Senators Who Were Right To Fear The Jedi
The Jedi Would One Day Intertwine With The Senate
Even an entire century before the events of the prequel trilogy, Republic senators were beginning to become wary of the Jedi and their power. Senator Rayencourt specifically points out that their desire to control their own emotions would one day have terrible consequences. He reminds MasterVernestra Rwohthat the Jedi are only human (in the non-literal sense), and that it would only be a matter of time before one of them eventually snaps under the pressure that the Jedi put on themselves.
It becomes all too easy for him to convince the rest of the Republic that the Jedi had become the enemy.
Rayencourt is right, of course. Only a century later, Anakin Skywalker will self-destruct as a direct result of the Jedi’s strict code. Despite the years of warnings from senators like Rayencourt, Yoda still neglects to direct Anakin correctly.Anakin’s downfalltakes the entireGalactic Republicdown with him because the Senate lost its faith in the Jedi’s ability to prioritize their best interests. With Palpatine acting as the Supreme Chancellor, it becomes all too easy for him to convince the rest of the Republic that the Jedi had become the enemy.
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Yoda Held The Jedi Back Worse Than We Thought
A Disaster In The Making
Yoda’s complacency and reluctance to believe that the Jedi could be threatened by not only the Sith, but the Senate’s confidence in them as well, would set them up to fall perfectly into Palpatine’s plot. As it turns out, the Jedi were beginning to develop those same weaknesses during the time ofThe Acolyte. Over the many decades between the prequel trilogy andThe Acolyte,Yoda could have slowly and steadily empowered the Jedi to withstand the oncoming threats.
Unfortunately, the story ofStar Warscould not exist if Yoda had actually taken steps to prepare the Jedi for the emergence of a powerful Sith Lord.The Acolytebrilliantly hides its story in a shadowed time in the Jedi’s history so as not to break canon, but it also puts more blame onYoda’s small green shoulders. After all the time he had to prepare for Sidious’ attack, it’s no wonder the Grand Master elected to retreat into exile.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
