Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episodes 1 & 2.

Star Wars’ newest TV show, Star Wars: The Acolyte, has set up the Jedi’s downfall and Palpatine’s ultimate victory, 100 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The Acolyte is set during the High Republic era, an era of the Star Wars timeline that takes place a few centuries before the Star Wars prequel trilogy. During this era, the Jedi were, arguably, at the height of their power. Thousands of Jedi and Jedi Temples were scattered all across the galaxy, reaching out to unknown worlds and those in need as much as they could.

On the surface, the Jedi Order of the High Republic era was everything the Jedi were supposed to be. Though the Jedi of the prequel era were famously blinded by their pride and fear, the High Republic Jedi were more flexible, less prone to violence, and, above all, less fearful of the dark side. And yet, since The Acolyte takes place near the tail end of this prosperous period in Jedi history, the cracks were already beginning to appear. One of the Jedi’s interests, in particular, eventually led to Palpatine’s Imperial victory over a century later.

The Jedi Are Already Immersed In Politics

By the time of The Acolyte, the Jedi were already deeply immersed in the galaxy’s political landscape. Throughout the High Republic era, the Jedi worked closely with the Galactic Republic and its security forces as they valiantly fought the Nihil, a dangerously violent group of marauders wreaking havoc across the galaxy. However, in The Acolyte, the Jedi’s interest in politics seems to have grown – no longer do they follow politics as a result of their alliance with the Republic, but they are implied to have their own political agenda as well.

In The Acolyte’s premiere episode, Master Vernestra (Rebecca Henderson) informs Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) that they need to catch the mysterious assassin who has been targeting Jedi. Together they discuss the possible ramifications should it become public knowledge that a former Padawan is killing members of the Order. According to Master Sol, the Jedi’s “political enemies could use it against [them].” But the Jedi are meant to be a peacekeeping force, so why do they have political enemies in the first place? Why have they allowed themselves to get tangled up in a web of trade, handshakes, and deceit?

Jedi Have Never Been Good At Politics

The Jedi’s involvement in politics may have been a natural progression of their alliance with the Republic, but it was also a major reason why they fell 100 years later. The Jedi have never actually been good at politics; the very nature of the Jedi Code does not allow room for the passion, drive, and determination needed to survive within the political sphere, much less thrive. The Jedi are all about compassion, balance, and treating all life as equal. Political disputes cannot always be settled that way, however. The most ethical solution is not always the most practical one.

That is why the Sith, on the other hand, have managed to flourish within the galaxy’s political landscape. They are not bound by any moral obligations – they can manipulate, dictate, and fight for their “beliefs” because, in the end, the Sith are out for power, and politics can give them that power. By becoming embroiled in politics long before Palpatine was even born, the Jedi unknowingly set the stage for their demise. Getting involved in political disputes in The Acolyte eventually led to the Clone Wars, the re-emergence of the Sith, and the rise of the Empire.

The Acolyte episodes 1 and 2 are now available to stream. New episodes release Tuesdays on Disney+.