Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte.

Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn disapproved of one critical Jedi Order decision pre-dating the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and Star Wars: The Acolyte may finally explain why the Jedi made such a massive change. The Acolyte is set 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in the Star Wars timeline. The show is therefore primed to reveal brand-new insights into the history of the Jedi Order.

In its first three episodes alone, The Acolyte has already begun elucidating issues the Jedi were experiencing during the High Republic Era, despite it being considered the golden age of the Jedi. In fact, several of the issues identified in The Acolyte thus far directly connect to flaws of the Jedi seen in myriad Star Wars movies and TV shows. One such problem is a concern that Qui-Gon Jinn himself expressed, and it seems The Acolyte may finally explain why the Jedi made this grave error.

The Jedi Used To Be Present Across The Galaxy

During the High Republic Era, the Jedi were spread far and wide across the galaxy, stationed on various planets as protectors of the peace. Because the Jedi believed the Sith were extinct during this era, the Jedi’s role on other planets wasn’t to fight the Sith or dark side Force-users. Instead, their focus was on smaller-scale issues, such as acts of piracy or planetary disputes. The Acolyte has already shown what this presence looked like.

Some planets in The Acolyte, beyond Coruscant, even have local Jedi Temples on them, which is a significant change from the prequel trilogy. By The Phantom Menace, the Jedi were no longer spread across the galaxy in this way. Rather, the Jedi had become removed, not only in the sense that they had receded from their physical posts on the planets but also because they had withdrawn from interfering in galactic issues.

Sadly, this represented a massive (and unfortunate) shift in the Jedi’s role. Prior to withdrawing, maintaining outposts on other planets was a major part of the work the Jedi did. Because they stepped away from this practice, it diminished a sense of safety and trust in the Jedi for citizens throughout the galaxy.

The Jedi Stepped Away From This Tradition—And Qui-Gon Knew It Was A Problem

The Jedi seemingly took a step back from their more hands-on involvement in the galaxy out of self-preservation rather than based on what was best for the galaxy’s citizens. Many in the galaxy felt this move by the Jedi was a way of abandoning those in need, which was the beginning of the end for people’s faith in the Jedi and what they stood for. This was addressed directly in the canon Star Wars novel Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller.

Purchase Star Wars: The Living Force

In The Living Force, the Jedi began to recede from their posts, closing down outposts in certain systems and leaving the planets’ citizens to fend for themselves. Because of this, criminal activity, including piracy, increased, and many people became displaced from their homes without a clear sense of how to move forward. Indeed, without the Jedi as protectors, criminals felt emboldened, which led many displaced people to blame the Jedi directly.

Although Qui-Gon Jinn wasn’t the only Jedi who took issue with this change, he was certainly one of the most vocal. In The Living Force, Qui-Gon saw firsthand how people were being harmed by the change and was frustrated by the Jedi’s lack of action. Not only did he come face-to-face with pirates who believed they had escaped the threat of the Jedi, but also, he fought to find the best path forward for refugees who had been abandoned first by the Jedi and then by the Republic, which didn’t have a clear plan for them.

Mae’s Story May Reveal Why The Jedi Withdrew

Given the fallout from this decision that was shown in The Living Force alone, it seems odd that the Jedi would have made such a drastic change. In the novel, it isn’t quite clarified why the Jedi would completely alter their galactic role in this way, especially given the clear harm it caused. However, The Acolyte may have the answer.

In The Acolyte, a yet undisclosed event took place on Brendock between the Jedi stationed on the planet and Mae, the antagonist of the show, when she was a child. Although the specifics haven’t been revealed, it’s clear that the Jedi were at least slightly culpable, and it’s likely connected to the fire Mae set in episode 3. One Jedi Master, Torbin, was so consumed with guilt, he elected to take poison rather than tell the Jedi Council what he’d done. This mysterious event between Mae and the Jedi may explain why the Jedi abandoned their posts throughout the galaxy.

It would have taken a major issue to change the Jedi’s role so significantly. Given how pained Mae remains even years later and the guilt Master Torbin exhibited, this event very well could be the root. Although it still wouldn’t excuse the Jedi effectively abandoning the galaxy to protect themselves, this would mean Star Wars: The Acolyte would finally explain why the Jedi made such a controversial decision.

New episodes of The Acolyte release Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+.