Revenge/Justice

At this point, we have become so used to "Star Wars" being set in a specific place in time, and to see something that doesn't feel like it's a part of the Skywalker Saga can be a bit strange at times. There are moments where I have to remind myself that this is not set during the prequels, but actually an entirely different chapter of this universe. And it feels great to be watching something where I don't have any idea about its final direction. This episode continues in the veins of the previous one, both in terms of its strengths and its few shortcomings.

A lot of the issues I had with the first episode are repeated here, but the writing for this is considerably more of a mixed bag. The additions to the mystery of what went down on Osha and Mae's home planet and why Mae bears a grudge against the Jedi are all very fascinating and fulfills the promise of this feeling like a detective show in a way. It also continues to bring in a slew of interesting characters, but the issue is that the episode's don't dedicate nearly enough time for any investment in these new characters. Lee Jung-jae's Sol continues to be the highlight of the show, but a lot of supporting characters seem to be exclusively a personality and not a lot more. It's not that they are bad characters, there's just not enough in there for me to actually care for them, so a few big events of this episode left me pretty emotionless. However, the action sequences are still proving to be among some of the franchise's very best, and the idea of Jedi fighting without using their lightsaber and adapting more a martial arts style of combat is so visually pleasing to watch and it makes for some incredibly fun and badass fight scenes. The episode also features a more pleasing visual look as a lot of the visual effects are better and the Volume is less aggressively used in this episode, although some of the production design does feel reminiscent of things that we've seen in the universe before.

"Revenge / Justice" makes for another solid entry as it continues to lay the groundwork for the show, but the writing is an overall mixed bag. The fight choreography is still a highlight of the show, and the visual effects are better utilized in this episode, making the world feel more vibrant and lived-in.

Instead of a two part opener. This could had easily been combined with the first episode.

The flat script and the earnest acting did not help the opening minutes. It felt too vanilla.

Also being just too late to save the next victim from his fate was a trope that could quickly become tiring.

The saving grace is that Acolyte does have few gears to crank. The mystery is just what did these four Jedis do in the past. What guilty sin are they shouldering?

This includes Master Sol, his name is in the hitlist.

So there is a mystery worth exploring but also just what to do with the Osha and Mae saga.

The writing and acting will certainly need to pep up a bit.

This is slightly better than the last episode because it has a few less insanely stupid plot holes (that lifting the dirt up was still pretty stupid). Also slightly more funny than the last one and brings some ok tension in the story.

This is slightly better than the last episode because it has a few less insanely stupid plot holes (that lifting the dirt up was still pretty stupid). Also slightly more funny than the last one and brings some ok tension in the story.

This is slightly better than the last episode because it has a few less insanely stupid plot holes (that lifting the dirt up was still pretty stupid). Also slightly more funny than the last one and brings some ok tension in the story. 5.5/10.

I really hated the first episode. It reminded me of everything wrong with Disney Star Wars. Although the second episode wasn't MUCH better, it did get more enjoyable. They set up all the pandering in the first episode, so once you get past that and know what to expect, you can enjoy the show for what it is.

I'm disappointed at how they made yet another goofy male character over-eager to fight being berated by a wiser, more discerning female character. It's like Disney's go-to for the last 20 years.

The action is great. The Star Wars mysteries are being developed. Hopefully they finally bring in some more of the religious aspects of the Force that fans have been dying for in the live-action stuff.

The writers move the plot along through scenes that mostly work, but for me they should be more compelling than they are. I am still held by the central mystery, but the characters stop me from consistently enjoying it. It does not help that you want to overarching narrative to move on and reveal the key points already. For me the few attempts at humour do not work and feel quite forced.

That being said the important arc involving Amandla Stenberg's character does make me want to find out where it's going. It's concept of the old Jedi order is a pretty good one so far, but I will hold off on judgement until the story develops further. I have a slightly bad feeling that if it does not take us to something that cleverly relates to some of the movies I will be disappointed.

It does though end on a new hope with the introduction of what has the potential to be a cool new character, but it's still early days.