Furthermore,The Acolyteasks a key question before the fall of the Jedi: What went wrong?
And if the bad guys are actually the underdog, it just seemed like a cool reversal.
Ostensibly, the series is focused on a big mystery.
© Lucasfilm
In our world, missionaries served as the frontline for colonization.
So seeing it explicitly focused on inThe Acolyteset my Native American senses tingling.
Who Decides Whats Right?
Theyve been given a legal mandate for it as well.
As a Native American, its almost impossible to not see the colonization parallels within these actions.
Instead, we see something more akin to the idea of forced assimilation that cameafter.
His mind immediately goes to branding something different as dark, or evil.
Rather he maintains it as some sort of proof the witches use of power is innately wrong.
This particular moment hit me hard.
Something that must be cast aside.
Who can forget the infamous Mayan book burningconducted by Franciscan friar Diego de Landa in 1562?
People, generally speaking, long for a connection with others.
In the absence of their own heritage many Indigenous people understandably latched onto the only option given to them.
We see this presented clearly within Oshas journey.
After the coven is destroyed, however, the Jedi are all she has.
Qimir points out later on, even after all these years, Osha still considers herself one of them.
On the flip side, we see this aspect in Maes quest for revenge.
This is what makes colonialism and assimilation so insidious; it allows perpetrators to hide behind good intentions.
The Jedi Way
Make no mistake, what the Jedi did on Brendok is wrong.
Even as they retaliate for horrendous crimes committed against them, theyre considered the ones in the wrong.
I could discuss this aspect all day, but its neither here nor there.
Were shown how they have good, even noble, intentions behind their actions.
By and large, the Jediarethe good guys.
They embody the ideals we hope to show within ourselves.
This is the main concept behind their downfall in the Prequels.
In doing so, it compels fans to face some uncomfortable truths.
Namely, even good people, with good intentions can still do horribly wrong things.
Heinous even, in some instances.Ill be honest, I have a soft spot for Sol inThe Acolyte.
His relationship with both Osha and Jecki reveals a fatherly mentor whos equal parts encouraging and caring.
Yet we come to find out his story is more complex.
Or at least honest acknowledgement for what they are.
Difficult as it may be, its crucial to not make excuses for people we like and trust.
Theres been no shortage of defenses flying around online in regards to Sol and the other Jedi on Brendok.
Some fans have made the case the Jedi are able to sense darkness.
Heres the thing, though: the Jedi are still just people.
Were in a period of time where the Sith have been supposedly wiped out.
In this, we see another parallel to the colonizer mindset.
Atrocities are not committed in the dark.
Theres a reason why were only just now uncovering the bodies of children buried underneath schools.
The Acolytepresents us with some messy, complicated characters.
Even as we enjoy their stories and arcs, were forced to reckon with their actions.
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