No other Star Wars story had the courage to do what “The Acolyte” does

In this week's episode of The Acolyte, titled "Night," we get a closer look at the Sith during a time when the Jedi are at their strongest. The episode is not only visually stunning but also features a brutal fight scene with a Jedi. A big reveal is that the character known as "The Stranger" is played by Manny Jacinto, which makes us think about whether we can sympathize with the Sith. No other Star Wars story has really explored this idea before, even though many have focused on how the Jedi view the

Sith. So, the question is: Do the Stranger's actions make sense?

The viewpoint of the Sith is given by “The Acolyte.”

In Star Wars, the idea that everything depends on your point of view is a recurring theme. For example, in Return of the Jedi, Obi-Wan tells Luke that his story about Darth Vader betraying and killing Anakin Skywalker was true, "from a certain point of view." This idea can feel a bit unrealistic at times. While Darth Sidious is always shown as evil for the sake of being evil, The Acolyte lets the Sith share their side of the story and show their point of view.

Though the series is often talked about as focusing on the dark side of the Force, it's easy to forget that with so much focus on the Jedi. But The Acolyte has stayed true to this theme since its very beginning. It also portrays the Jedi as having a near-imperial role, controlling who in the galaxy gets to use the Force. Since the show takes place in the later years of the High Republic, a time when the Jedi faced trauma from Force-sensitive beings who didn’t follow their teachings, this makes sense in the story.

In short, they continue to limit access to the Force for those who disagree with them, so by the time of The Acolyte, it's still troublesome to carry out what they are doing. Or, alternatively phrased, gatekeeping.

Naturally, by definition, the Sith are the antagonists in Star Wars. They lie, murder, betray allies, and so on. Even when the Stranger confesses to Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) that all he wants is to use his power anyway he pleases, it's still hard not to feel at least a little sympathy for him. to be perpetuated by an adherent. There are many Padawans and young Knights among the Jedi; why shouldn't other faiths based on the Force be granted the same privilege? Even his declaration to Sol that the Jedi claim that he "can't exist" serves to explain away his slaughter: though killing is morally disgusting and a characteristic of a baddie, for him it's the only way of survival. Nobody should recognize who he is if the Jedi still have to seek him out. If someone does, that is just tough luck. He may be the only Sith in the galaxy right now, but there's a whole league of other Jedi in the locality.