Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episodes 1 and 2.

The first two episodes of The Acolyte just premiered on Disney+, and its story has explained why there are so many astromechs in the Star Wars galaxy. The Acolyte episodes 1 and 2 introduce audiences to Osha, a former Jedi Padawan to Master Sol who left the Jedi Order six years before the beginning of the show. When first introduced to Osha, she is aboard a Neimoidian ship working as a meknek.

It’s said often throughout The Acolyte episode 1, or at least made quite clear, that the work of mekneks is extremely dangerous – and even illegal. This is because mekneks are the mechanics responsible for doing repairs to the exterior hull of a ship, which often forces them to go out into space to complete their work. Danger, however, isn’t the only thing referenced in the work of a meknek, and the other affiliation explains a long-running mystery about some of Star Wars’ most beloved characters: astromechs.

In The Old Republic, Only Astromechs Were Authorized For Repairs In Space

This Explains R2-D2’s Origins

The most famous astromech in the Star Wars galaxy is R2-D2, the loyal companion to both Anakin and Luke Skywalker in the prequel and original trilogies, respectively. However, R2’s introduction in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was as a droid who was tasked with repairing a Naboo starship while in space. The Acolyte shows why using astromechs was the galactic standard.

In The Acolyte episode 1, Osha and her meknek friend, Fillik, are tasked with a job aboard the Neimoidian ship. Osha and Fillik put on space suits and go out to repair the ship, which other characters later on insist is droid work. It seems that even during the end of the High Republic Era, using people to do repairs in space was not the standard and something the Jedi actively disapproved of. Doing repairs in space was likely a safety issue and instead, the Republic made it so that only droids could do work on ships while in space.

Most Pilots Would Become Dependent On Astromechs

This Has Been Seen In Most Star Wars Titles

As seen throughout the Skywalker saga, a majority of pilots rely on astromech droids to help keep their ship operational while in space. This has been seen with famous droids like R2-D2, or even C1-10P aka Chopper in Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka. These droids weren’t just for maintaining a ship’s integrity, but also assisting with things like navigation, calculating jump points, and even shooting at enemy aircraft.

These kinds of droids would become invaluable for intergalactic travel. While it was still a skill to be able to fix and maintain one’s ship, having an astromech to assist and run diagnostics was a way to streamline the process and make it safer. Additionally, having a machine that could go into the void of space without any adverse effects was a real selling point, as pilots wouldn’t need to put themselves at risk, nor would they need to employ someone.

Only A Few Pilots Would Also Train As “Mekneks”

It Was A Highly Dangerous Job

Because the Republic largely made it illegal for organic beings like Osha to be mekneks, they seemingly did not often travel on ships with the best morals. In fact, the Neimoidians onboard the ship said that Osha and Fillik were dispensable. Considering their profession was illegal, it would probably be easy for captains of ships to dispose of mekneks with little to no consequences. Despite the illegal nature of being a meknek, Osha seems to enjoy it. She even says that she’s much better company and more flexible than a droid.

Because being a meknek was illegal, getting a job was hard to come by, and this is likely why so few pilots would train as mekneks. Part of being a pilot is knowing how to fix one’s ship. However, there is a difference between doing so in space versus while the ship is grounded on a planet. In this sense, a meknek could also be thought of as a traveling mechanic. Instead of having to set a ship down to be fixed, mekneks cut out all of that extra time and are able to fix problems as they arise.

Even though Osha’s path seems to be leading her away from her job as a meknek, it’s interesting to see this part of galactic history. Because The Acolyte takes place about 100 years before The Phantom Menace, some historical aspects can be filled in for audiences. It’s likely for the best that mekneks will be phased out, as the job was seemingly very dangerous. Plus, it paved the way for some fan-favorite droids like R2-D2 to get created. Hopefully, The Acolyte continues to build the world of the High Republic as they did by explaining astromech’s importance.

The Acolyte episodes 1 and 2 are now available. New episodes premiere every Tuesday at 9pm EST on Disney+.