The Acolyte (news and discussions)

Sure. And that seems to be the most popular speculation/solution, however, I think that is the easy way out and I'm expecting more from Hedland. Not to mention, it seems to be that every character we know is in that scene, so it's very unlikely that all of them die. Let's also consider that generally, these early trailers use scenes from early in in the series. Now maybe this is breaking that trend because that red saber does feel like a very climactic thing. We don't know if this is even a Sith. Plenty of non-Sith darksiders use red blades... It really wouldn't surprise me if we don't even hear the word Sith. If I remember correctly, the Sith were virtually unheard of by most Jedi during the High Republic. When the Drengir were found on an ancient abandoned space station they were being contained by Sith relics and none of the Jedi present had any idea, just that the relics looked ancient and evil. I like the idea that the Jedi in The Acolyte simply see this threat as a Darksider and the idea of Sith doesn't even arise. Not denial and arrogance as we see in TPM, but ignorance and a sense of optimism. That could add depth to the characters.

 

I would strongly disagree with that. And I don't think it retreads Revenge Of The Sith either.

In Revenge Of The Sith, Anakin and Obi Wan only become mutual enemies in absentia (and in a super clumsy and credibility stretching way). Kenobi is compelled to seek out an destroy his old pupil by his duty to the Republic (which is kind of in limbo at this stage) and in respect to Yoda's authority. (Yoda's strategy here is very questionable too. It makes no sense for them to divide forces and contrive it so that they each battle Sidious and Vader alone and respectively on opposite sides of the galaxy and at the same time.)

I don't think Anakin really thought far enough ahead to seriously contemplate having to fight his "like a father to me" master to the death.

Obi Wan's attitude toward the duality, and mortality, of Anakin/Vader was born in that moment when all his dismembered friend could say was "I hate you!" as the flames consumed him. Obi Wan was able to walk away and compartmentalise the situation. "That thing there is not my old friend. I didn't choose to fight it. And I feel no obligation to put it out of its misery." So he refers to Anakin in the past tense and turns his back on the dying Vader.

But it's really expanded on in the Obi Wan series. In OWK Kenobi accepts it as his destiny to face Anakin. Not just his duty. He despairs at it because although he used the excuse that Anakin was already gone to be able to walk away the last time, he has a much tougher time with Anakin/Vader actually walking around.

Vader knows this and when Obi Wan gets the better of him, there's nothing Vader wants more than for Obi Wan to be forced to watch him die, unlike on Mustafar. But his desire to take credit for creating "himself" by destroying his supposed weakness actually absolves Obi Wan of both the duty of finishing the job. And realises that he isn't about to meet his destiny just yet. And although he still cannot bring himself to destroy Vader (which sort of define what his eventual destiny will be) he finds purpose in the time he will have between now and when they meet for the last time.

I think that if Revenge Of The Sith did touch on any of that stuff, it didn't do it as well as Obi Wan did.

 

I’ve only read one HR book so are dark side users prevalent during that era? Or Dark Jedi? Or just Jedi that lose their way? Or any Force groups for that matter? I wouldn’t think so but maybe that’s the theme here: Force sects that broken off over the years and now the Jedi who have decided to bring them to heel. An extremist of one these groups doesn’t like that and catches the eye of a real Sith when she has success, a real Sith masquerading as a Jedi.

 

Also, if it's wrong that I want Kelnacca to use the Force to rip somethings arms off, I don't want to be right.

 

Not in the traditional sense of a dark being in dark clothes wielding a red lightsaber. The Force does play heavy into THR, there are beings that "use" the Dark side such as the Drengir and the Nameless, and Phase Two shows the Convocation of the Force, which is basically a council of many Force using groups that meet on Jedha. For the most part the Force plays heavy into the stories and not so much from a Good Guy vs Bad Guy theme but leaning heavy into Light vs Dark. There are several cases of strong, revered Jedi who stumble and tap into the Darkside briefly as well and in most situations it's handled surprisingly well by the other Jedi, and treated as simply "oopsie" moments of weakness that should be used as lessons. From what I have read through the end of Phase Two, there aren't any "fallen Jedi" or "dark Jedi" as of yet.

It's probably wrong, and not encouraged Jedi behavior, but I'll buy that ticket to watch it as well.

 

https://screenrant.com/star-wars-the-acolyte-lightsaber-whip-confirmed/

 

While I can't think of a specific example, I feel like I've seen many trailers or other types of previews for movies and TV shows where the preview seemed to indicate that X was going to happen, but then X never does happen and the scene from the trailer had a completely unexpected context. That's the vibe I got from this. While the editing makes it look like the Jedi are asking "what's that?" in reference to the red lightsaber, those scenes may not be connected at all. We never actually see a red lightsaber, or any lightsaber other than a Jedi's, in the same frame as a Jedi.

 

That's actually the most reasonable and likely explanation. We do not see the red blade in the same frame as the Jedi. We see the group get blown by a powerful gust of wind, presumably a Force attack, but there is no evidence of a lightsaber duel. Now, there has been some discussion this week around Dafne Keen stating that they wanted to match or exceed the intensity and choreography of the Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon/Maul fight from TPM, so that does hint we will see some sort of combat action. We don't know if that will be some intense sparring in the temple, or real confrontations with an enemy, and even then we have no idea if they will be identified as Sith or not. Another possibility is that the Jedi are confronting a known group, such as the witches we know of, and therefore the idea of Sith never even occurs to them.

 

I can see something glowing red in the top right. This is right before they all get pushed backwards by some sort of concussion.

I mean I guess it could be they were all visiting a red-light district or something.

 

Oh nice catch! Looks lightsaber-ish to me, weird angle, but yeah. Or it could just be a red herring. A big, glowing, upright red herring.