This article contains spoilers for episode seven ofThe Acolyte, “Choice.”
The seventh episode ofThe Acolytefinally gave fans the answers to many of the show’s biggest mysteries. The veil over much of theStar Warsshow has been lifted, as Lee Jung-jae’s Master Sol opened up about the mysterious tragedy that occurred on the planet Brendok, leading to the deaths of the local witch population and the separation of the twins, Osha and Mae. While there are a lot ofspecific details that are worth talkingabout in this penultimate episode,there was one seemingly throw-away line that has caught the ears of manydie-hardStar Warsfans.
This episode is almost entirelya flashback story. At one point, when the four Jedi assigned to the planet Brendok – Sol, Master Indara, her apprentice Torbin, and the Wookie Jedi Kelnacca – are discussing the planet’s history, Indara reveals thatthe planet’s life was entirely decimated by a hyperspace disaster100 years prior. While this line was delivered casually and then quickly moved on from, fans of the broaderStar Warsuniverse immediately recognized it as a reference to the expansiveHigh Republicseries of books and comics. Here’s what you need to know about what this line was in reference to and what it means forThe Acolyte.
The Great Hyperspace Disaster
When talking about the planet Brendok inThe Acolyte, Indara states that “a hundred years ago, this planet was cataloged as lifeless because of a hyperspace disaster.” This line is a direct reference to the Great Hyperspace Disaster, one of the defining events ofthe early High Republic era. Essentially, what happened was that a Republic ship called the Legacy Run broke apart when traveling through hyperspace. The Legacy Run had been attempting to avoid collision with another ship that had begun blocking part of the hyperspace lane through which it was traveling. The ship could not handle the stress of a sudden change of direction while moving through hyperspace, which caused it to break and send debris scattering across the galaxy at tremendous speeds.
The debris from the Legacy Run disasterbegan exiting hyperspace and causing tremendous destruction across the galaxy. Imagine the famous “Holdo Maneuver” that was seen inEpisode VIII - The Last Jedi, though on a much larger galactic scale. The worst of the damage was in the Trymant system, near where the initial disaster had occurred. However, many other planets and systems throughout the galaxy were affected as well, with many suffering a tremendous loss of life. According to Indara inThe Acolyte, Brendok was one of these planets. It was affected by the disaster so immensely that it was rendered completely lifeless, which is why the Jedi were so shocked to find plant life and the civilization of witches during their investigation of the planet just 100 years later.
Star Wars: The Franchise’s New Timeline, Explained
Lucasfilm unveiled a new timeline for Star Wars at Celebration this year, complete with nine defined eras of the galaxy. It’s still kind of confusing.
The Great Hyperspace Disaster is one of the defining moments of theHigh Republicstories. It is depicted in great detail in the novelThe High Republic: Light of the Jedi, which was the debut novel of theHigh Republicseries. Much of that book’s story directly centers on the Legacy Run disaster, what caused it, the immediate effects it had on the galaxy, and the extensive aftermath of the tragedy.
What This Means for The Acolyte
The Acolyte
One of the core differences betweenThe Acolyteand the rest of theStar Warsfranchise is the time period in which it is set. While most oftheStar Warsfilmsand shows exist somewhere during or around the Skywalker Saga,The Acolyteis the first live-action depiction of the High Republic. The show is set approximately 100 years before the events of the first prequel film,Episode I – The Phantom Menace. This placesThe Acolyteat the tail end of the High Republic era, about 100 years after the events of the Great Hyperspace Disaster depicted inLight of the Jedi.
Despite knowing the show’s difference in time, it hasn’t felt all that dissimilar from the prequel era we have already seen on film and television. However, there have been a few distinct connections to theHigh Republicstories, such as the different robes the Jedi wear as well asthe inclusion of Vernestra Rwoh, who made her debut in theStar Warscanon as one of the key characters inLight of the Jedi. However, the reference to the Great Hyperspace Disaster serves as another strand firmly tyingThe Acolyteto the High Republic era.
Did The Acolyte Just Hint Toward a Major Connection With the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy?
Although The Acolyte is set 100 years before The Phantom Menace, Disney+ is seemingly establishing connections to the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
That said, this reference inThe Acolyteisn’t likely going to have a great effect on the show’s story. It was a comment made mostly in passing, serving more as a piece of worldbuilding rather than a tease for any sort of grand revelation to come.Star Warsis a franchise that has become famous (or infamous, depending on how you look at it) for including plenty of references and callbacks that only die-hard fans will pick up on. Indara’s reference to the Great Hyperspace Disaster is just another in a long line ofEaster Egg references.
Star Wars Is Slowly Embracing the High Republic On-Screen
When the High Republic was introduced into theStar Warsnovels and comics in 2021, it brought a brand-new creative life for the franchise. It presented an entirely new era of the galaxy far, far away. It allowed for Lucasfilm to tell new stories without the creative restraints of beingnear the Skywalker Sagawhile also avoiding the high expectations that would come with fan-favorite eras like the Old Republic. Over the last few years, theHigh Republicside of theStar Warsfranchise has exploded on the page. There have been three different “phases” of its publication, each bringing all sorts of different stories to life through novels, comics, short stories, and more. Over just the last few years,dozens ofHigh Republicstories have been releasedas part of this new endeavor.
However, despite the almost overwhelming amount of newHigh Republicstories released by the publishing side of Lucasfilm, there has been a substantial lack ofHigh Republicmaterial from the film and television side of the franchise.The Acolyteis the first live-action story set in this era, and it just barely qualifies, considering it is right at the end of it, and things are beginning to transition into the Fall of the Jedi era seen inthe prequel films. BeyondThe Acolyte, the only otherHigh Republicstory we’ve seen on-screen is that of the animated Disney Jr. seriesYoung Jedi Adventures.
The Acolyteis testing the waters of the High Republic. These waters will continue to be tested with the new video gameStar Wars Eclipse, which will be set in the High Republic era as well. The future of the High Republic in live action likely depends on the success ofThe Acolyte. While the series has proven fairly controversial amongStar Warsfans, it has also been one of the most-watchedStar Warsshows on Disney+ so far. If it can continue to build its audience, we will likely see more High Republic stories on-screen soon.The Acolyteis streaming onDisney+.
