The Reel Rejects - THE ACOLYTE Episode 3 REVIEW!! Star Wars Breakdown & Review

Episode Date: June 12, 2024

A CONTROVERSIAL EPISODE As We Explore Mae & Osha Origins?! The Acolyte Full Episode Reaction Watch Along: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects This connected to the Witches Of Dathmoir?! The Acolyte 1x3 Reaction, Recap, Commentary, Analysis, Spoiler Review, Theories, & Easter Eggs for the new Disney+ Star Wars series! Set in the High Republic era, approximately 100 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, It follows the story of a former Padawan who reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes. As they delve deeper into their investigation, they uncover a greater threat involving the emergence of dark side powers in the final days of the High Republic era. The series promises to explore the Jedi Order at the height of its power and influence, as well as the shadowy secrets and emerging dark side powers that threaten the galaxy...as well as great light saber duels and hand-to-hand action fight scenes...along with a disappointing Carrie anne Moss death scene! The cast features Amandla Stenberg as Mae, Lee Jung-jae as Master Sol, Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity from The Matrix) as Indara, Manny Jacinto as Qimir, Dafne Keen (X23 from Logan) as Jecki Lon,  Charlie Barnett as Yord Fandar, Jodie Turner-Smith as Mother Aniseya,  Rebecca Henderson as Vernestra Rwoh, Joonas Suotamo as Kelnacca, a Wookiee Jedi. We just had the end of The Bad Batch Season 3, Tales Of The Empire, and now we await Star Wars: Dawn Of The Jedi, The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Star Wars: Lando, & perhaps more! Follow Michael Tesslerr:https://www.instagram.com/mjtessler/ Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Music Used In Manscaped Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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I'm a super sexy patron. I know. We forced you. No, I have two accounts. I can't figure out how to delete one. Can you help me with? Who do I talk to? No, no, no.

I pretend that I can't help. Darn. That's how you profit. Whoa, that was wild. I like that episode a lot. Yeah. I think that's a way, like, I enjoyed one and two, and I had my criticisms about how some of the writing was going down and such,

even though there's lots to still appreciate. I feel like this episode, I mean, I have no idea what people's opinions are my personal opinion I like this episode more than the last two yeah by kind of a lot actually like it's not perfect to me there's still some like tad clunky the more nip

in the grand scheme of the entire episode those those things don't stand out to me as much of a takeaway as like something that I find to be like where the criticism the critical side of me comes out and like zeroes in on it like I'm more like whatever that moment that moment was a little off or whatever

but for most of this like I love the mood I love the lore building I love the atmosphere. I love the perspective challenge. And I really like how they're dealing with this other side of the Jedi. Because you spend like two episodes going like Acolyte, Bad, Jedi, good detectives, hunting down the bad with little hints. And then to take the perspective of OSHA and May's family and see like this conflict that was brewing and kind of this like unfairness of like law and order and this kind of like draconian matter of like the Republic. So, you know, it's kind of, like, we're stepping on your covenant, your ritual and your beliefs?

Like, it's a little messed up. And so to see that side of it, but to keep it like multi-layered for like OSHA actually being drawn and desiring it. But still seeing kind of the ugliness and the, but then the teases of like, we created them. And there's like so much that happened here that I find, I was like, oh, this is like, this is compelling stuff. This is actually, like, compelling to me. And great acting, too. Great acting all around. So, yeah, I like that episode a lot.

Well, it's the first time I have felt there is a mystery in our mystery series. Right. You know, because I think it took me all of, what, five seconds to be like, there's a twin. But this, following the POV of OSHA, and especially that, you're not fully realizing that until you get to the very end. was, I thought, very, very clever from a narrative and just a cinematic perspective. Sure. Yeah, absolutely. Because you're like, oh, I'm beginning to fully understand this only to end the episode with so many more questions than you started with and with so much more at stake for the larger narrative. But the questions come in because of the, they stick you in the flashback, but then you think about other things that went down in the last two episodes.

We're like, but that doesn't line up. No, the math is not mapping. That Torben scene especially. Oh, well, it creates a big hole in this. But it's all of them. I think a Torbin, Torbin's really hit. Torbin scene specifically, yeah. Because, whoa, the worst thing he did was give this girl a shot.

Yeah, yeah. Like, oh, man, I got to off, you know, sorry. You know, got to be sad now. Yeah. Because he said we thought we were doing the right thing. Yeah, exactly. And it can't just be, we visited this planet. And then your sister snapped.

Yeah. You know, because it happens. But it's also interesting. I love that they pick this era because part of why I think it's such an interesting storytelling playground is that it is the end of the High Republic. It is not the High Republic. It is watching the beginning of the demise of the Jedi. And watching all of the foundational elements of this institution and seeing just how twisted and wrong they were and are

and how all of that eventually snowballs into what eventually becomes, you know, the fall of the Jedi. I mean, too much power always corrupts. And like this episode, while they were talking about the force or whatever they call it, a thread in terms of like power the way they're painting the Jedi here is like look what happens with power with anyone who gains too much power the Jedi included and we don't have the full context here of it sounds like the Jedi and the Republic have outlawed hunted down and prevented them from recruiting having children having any sort of you know um and maybe it's justified we don't know but what that says to me is that the Jedi have imposed their very

particular monolithic view of the force on the galaxy at large and I think that also kind of gets back to what I said in the last two episodes which is if this ends with the Jedi discovering that the Sith are back and they actually actively choose to hide that from the Jedi High Council and from the archives, it makes, it enhances and turns the rest of all of Star Wars into such a beautifully sad tragedy. Yeah. Because it just echoes all of that sentiment.

I like that. I like that. I know some people when they saw the trailer for this were like, this doesn't line up with the cannon. And I think they probably acknowledge that. We're going to hope that they know that. Yeah. And then they're going to see the plot.

This seems like really, like, knowledgeable. Leslie Headland has done such a phenomenal job, despite, you know, and I think there's some fair criticisms around the writing, and I think there's, you know, but it's the first season of a new show in a new era. There's going to be some growing pains. I think that's A-OK. But what has been so exceptionally phenomenal is the integration of, you know, lore and aspects of the of the storytelling yeah from the old republic from the expanded universe from

all these different treasure troves yeah and they've sprinkled it all in in where it's just like little tiny it's not like in your face but they've like slowly canonized a lot of really wonderful things sure absolutely and i feel like it's been so organic and has been really really enjoyable and for me this is just turned the high republic era into something that i'm like yeah i want to see more of this absolutely um you know and because now i'm like i don't know what's the politics of this you know like i want to like i'm like what episode one did i'm like the politics here are very interesting yeah like what's going on in politics yeah like even even when they're like we can't let the senate know about you know this i'm like i want to know what's going

on with that because this feels like very fanatic like like of course gave me throne uh fantasy i was going to say it too. Oh, yeah. Because like, fantasy menace. You know, when you see, you compare to,

when people say like, like a Game of Thrones and House of Dragon are all about politics. Yeah. And Star Wars is, it's part of its DNA, but it's not all about that.

And I think when you get an episode like this, it does make you go, oh, it's like that fantasy world politics where Phantom Menace felt like, like, oh my God,

this seems like I'm in social studies class from kind of politics, you know? Well, I think it's a difference between a, it's a difference between, a feature film and a long-form television series, right?

Yeah. Like, Fandemannis, we had waited since Return to the Jedi for Star Wars film, and then we immediately start with a trade dispute. You know, but like building up to the Clone Wars and then being able to explore the politics through that. Yeah, yeah. It was really fascinating, and I really enjoyed, you know, and I think this kind of... I like the cultural politics of this a lot.

Yeah. Yeah. And I think it's an interesting time at the Republic because it's like they are expanding, and that's part of what the Jedi are. You know, they're out there in the mid rim and the outer rim. But the Republic's idea of expansion may kind of maybe come off a little bit like, you know, colonies. And probably. Yeah. And it might not be the best thing in the world. And I think that's such an interesting way to look at, like, oh, maybe this is why things weren't so great by the time we get to this era. Like, and it's cool to be able to see that and to explore those different themes, but in a galaxy far, far away. It's like the 1950s. People are always like, the 50s were great, best time. And then you're like, actually cool. Yeah, I see what you're saying.

Yeah, it's clean and pretty. Yeah, it's clean and pretty. And then your lives they gave off. And then you deep dive, you're like, there's a lot of, this is like really nasty. People really weren't that nice to each other. Yeah. But everybody had a refrigerator. So, you know, it's honest, that's a great, I think that's a great metaphor.

And there's also this sense that like we are, nothing can go wrong. Right. Which isn't always the case in 1950s. Of course, the Cold War kicks in. but I think that's kind of the the situation the Jedi are in like there's been

smaller instances of like little threats to the galaxy but there hasn't been a like oh crap the Sith are back sort of like you know in need of a clone army sort of threat to the galaxy

but to kind of keep it back and focused on this episode I just I really really enjoyed getting to explore the force in a way that was outside like the parameters of the Jedi.

I think any chance we have to do that it's just neat and interesting and fun and even though the vernacular is different the philosophy's the same which I think is like kind of can be set of like any interesting religion you know? Like doesn't matter where you are there's a lot of like the same themes and ideas.

Yeah it's true to like a like what's the word um it was like catholicism christianity mormon is uh uh d is a d word a god damn definition yeah the different denominations of the force yeah yeah yeah and and it's it's kind of interesting that there is this kind of intersection and even you know sift uh they are fundamentally you know what satanism is to catholicism you know like they are They're fundamentally the same belief system

just on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Absolutely. But they subscribe, I think, to the same underlying. Like, well, those guys, this guy, this guy, my guy's that guy. You know, but exist in that same kind of dichotomy. That's actually probably a terrible metaphor. That's way more about balance than it is about, you know, Satan and God and all that.

I just really love that you got the witch's perspective in a way because normally when you see the witches, it is not from their perspective where you're like, oh, they are just like human beings, you know? No, it was good to humanize them. I also thought the interspecies element of it was also really interesting too

where, because we've seen witches, we've seen covens. They're all death. Yeah, but they're all from Dathomere. And I thought that was kind of a unique. But it also now kind of poses the question of like, I wonder how many of them there used to be. and I wonder if the Jedi

wipe them all out and then you're like oh man what else did they erase from the Jedi archives um god it's so it's so interesting and you know but and it makes your main characters

that much more this episode also did the most important job which is make me care make you care way more about your main characters make make me care but I'm also like soul included so I was going to say soul to me has now become a soul is already like

a character that I'm like, I'm really, I really like you. Now I'm really invested in him. Yeah. That's how I felt about everyone. He's like, I like, I like, I like, oh, I'm invested in. And now I'm like, oh, I'm invested now. Yeah. So it'll be exciting to see where it goes.

I think the biggest challenge that they have is, I want to see everything from May's perspective. Yeah. And what do we have? We have eight episodes altogether. I believe so This is episode 3 All right I feel like they got plenty of time to

Yeah Because even from this perspective They just treat May Like some horror kid child That is the May Is the one character That I'm very worried about

Them not Sticking the Landigall It's a hard Anytime you're dealing with a character That is like Kind of messed up Kind of evil There's not a lot of redeeming

stuff going on there Like What else was I guess my question is has may been manipulated since even before this is

my question. Fasciny. I can finally speculate. You know, because that's number one, how did it make it off a planet? It's a question. Maybe the Sith came to her. Or in a

like, and listen, I think that could be kind of sick if we find out that like, May has been having like creepy, like evil voice in her head conversations with like the Sith Lord and her, you know. Oh, interesting. Yeah, I agree with her saying. Yeah. He's like being like

the little demon being like, you should kill your family. Yeah. You know, you should burn your sister on fire. I think of her saying, yeah. That would be interesting. Because yeah, they haven't really done anything to build up the Sith yet. And also just to explain the her snapping in that sort of fashion um because i'm not sure i buy her being that upset in order to like light the whole place on fire um i'm not sure i buy it but maybe from her perspective my opinion will change

so but meantime close about enough about our opinions we're sick of talking we want to hear what you think and i guarantee that i will listen and read your opinions and i will comment on them and i will be like that's a really great point and i wish you I wish I wanted to thought of that and said something. What did you think? Leave your comments in the comments section below. Do it. Not to be confused with the other sections below.

Absolutely. And don't forget to use the force, or in this case, use the thread. You can't use the thread. The thread, pull the thread. Your outroes are just never succinct. They're just never succinct. Well, I'm not good like you, Greg. I'm not an influencer.

I am Michael Tesla. You are an influencer. I am. You must accept that. I am a witch. Anyway, we love you guys. Thank you for watching, and we will see you for episode four next week. Tune in, peeps.

Tune in. Michael B. This month, we are shouting out our patrons and going. Which celebrity they remind us of the most. And, wow. Wow. Not even a second thought goes into this. Of who you remind us of.

It's just like, hear you talk, look at you, and it's just crystal. You know? Instantly. No, who it is.

I'm like, just comes to mind instantaneously. That is, of course. Was that a clue? Or should I not be focusing on the name crystal? It's not Billy Crystal. Okay, so definitely not Billy Crystal. It's John Goodman.

It's John Goodman, of course. You are easily the John Goodman of our Patreon. You are. Do I need to explain why? I don't think you do. I think Michael knows why. I mean, if you always go to Omni Media, you will discover. You're going to be like, yeah.

He's totally got a John Goodman vibe. Am I watching John Goodman break down this movie right now? I didn't know there was a whole channel dedicated to the Connors. What? Why does John Goodman even need to be on YouTube? This is not John Goodman. This is a guy cosplaying. This is John Cosplay channel.

A cover channel of John Goodman. John Goodman's life and experience. This is a cover of what John Goodman's like when he's watching movies and shows. yeah he said he interrupts a lot turns out you know which is funny for a guy who makes these things because you're you're so friendly

I think you were once huge but now you're intermediately fit yeah I think still Kyle look it even though now I'm just talking about John Goodman oh we've come full circle I'm not even talking about you

Jesus we're not shouting out the actual celebrity I've just say, you know, that John Goodman thing's kind of confusing. Sure. He lost a bunch of weight, but he still looks the exact same. Yes, yes. And that's, that's the dichotomy I'm in when looking at

John Goodman. John Good. He's like one of those guys who was always old. He's just always a rotund guy. You still look, you're not large anymore. Why do you still look large? That's your problem in life, Michael.

Yeah. You're not large. You're not large and you could get large. But whenever I think of Michael, I think of a large guy. I think of Michael all the time. I don't know what it is about you, dude. That's why I couldn't meet up with you when you were at LAX. I didn't think you'd fit in the car.

Oh, and you already had to buy two seats. Yeah. On the plane. And you said it was for your luggage. Yeah, yeah. We know what that means. Ass and others. just let me put my ass over here

I'll just leave my hip onto this other chair you know yeah what the things you gotta be comfortable on a long flight especially if you're coming out to visit or not visit sad times sad times Michael sad time whatever we shout your channel out every month man

yes free promo for you you should be thankful John Goodman John Goodman will be happy to be John Goodman yeah John Goodman's prolific saying it's not good enough when will you be happy with john goodman's career just shut michael pissing me on