**Warning: This review contains full spoilers for Star Wars: The Acolyte Season 1, Episodes 1 and 2.**


Watching the two-episode premiere of *The Acolyte*, it's surprising that the show was initially marketed as not being about twins walking opposite paths of The Force. Amandla Stenberg's portrayal of sisters Mae and Osha is revealed early, with the characters introduced in consecutive scenes, highlighting their long separation. Stenberg effectively differentiates the two through her physicality, with Osha being warm and open, contrasting Mae's rigidity and determination.


Mae's introduction, featuring her one-on-one fight with the Jedi Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss), is thrilling. The unique approach of a Force wielder attacking a Jedi with throwing knives instead of lightsabers adds freshness to the duel. Moss, bringing her *Matrix* experience, effortlessly blocks and dodges Mae's attacks. Another notable fight scene between Sol (Lee Jung-jae) and Mae in the second episode stands out, especially when Mae triumphs by cleverly distracting Indara with a knife throw, allowing her to land a lethal blow.


Despite the cool action and solid setup with Mae targeting four specific Jedi for yet-to-be-revealed reasons, some storytelling aspects of *The Acolyte* feel clunky. For instance, when Jeckie (Dafne Keen) suggests to Sol that Mae might be the killer, he dismisses it only to believe Osha instantly when she says the same. Additionally, the Jedi Yord (Charlie Barnett) is introduced with a Padawan, but she is not mentioned again when he joins Sol’s mission.


The show sometimes lacks the right vibe, feeling more like a *Star Trek* series from the Next Generation era. Despite a big budget, it looks visually inferior to a Star Wars movie, a common issue with Disney+ shows. Moreover, the comedic banter often falls flat, such as Osha's joke about her friend Fillik being disposable, or the “can you give me a hand?” pun during a prison ship escape scene, which ends anticlimactically when Osha survives a crash unscathed.



On a positive note, *The Acolyte* excels in worldbuilding. The production design, set a century before the Skywalker Saga, includes fun details like larger, more unwieldy devices and consoles, evoking a 1970s sci-fi aesthetic. These elements make the show feel fresh and distinct from recent live-action Star Wars series, setting the stage for the return of the Sith.


The first four episodes have intriguing character dynamics and an enticing mystery but struggle with execution, frequent cheesy moments, and a lack of visual flair. These issues contribute to the concern that Star Wars streaming series are diminishing the franchise's epic nature. However, the show still offers enjoyable aspects, like a Wookiee Jedi, always a plus.


The Jedi forbidding "attachment" is a topic worth exploring, questioning if Anakin's fate might have been different had he not kept his marriage secret. Jecki's concern about Sol keeping holos of his old Padawan opens the door to examining the Jedi's approach. In Episode 2, the Jedi Torbin's (Dean-Charles Chapman) apology to Mae and his willingness to drink poison she brought him reflect the Order's flaws, which Palpatine would later exploit.


Some additional thoughts:

- Stenberg excels in her dual role, but Lee Jung-jae gives the standout performance, conveying depth through his eyes as Sol.

- Seeing Yord wield a yellow lightsaber is cool, linking back to the Jedi Temple Guards and the original Luke Skywalker action figure.

- The Trade Federation and Neimoidians' appearance connects the show to the prequel era, thankfully avoiding the racist caricatures from *The Phantom Menace*.

- Manny Jacinto's casting as Qimir, a lovable rogue aiding the Jedi's demise, is clever and subversive.

- The local Jedi temple on Olega is a nice touch, though Mae’s infiltration feels inconsistent.

- Ending the second episode with Kelnacca, a Jedi Wookiee, opening a door feels anticlimactic, reminiscent of early *Andor* episodes.


The Verdict: The first two episodes of *The Acolyte* set up the story well, moving Star Wars into a new era with appreciated production design and worldbuilding touches. However, inconsistent and clunky storytelling and tonal and visual discrepancies hinder the show's potential.