It seems The Acolyte has perhaps not been as critically acclaimed as we might have expected. We never expected this recent Star Wars TV series to set a record-breaking course through space, albeit for reasons as impromptu as a plot twist in a galaxy far, far away. After beaming less than half of its first season into our living rooms, The Acolyte has achieved the dubious honor of becoming the worst-rated Star Wars television series, descending to a 14% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
This descent has unfortunately eclipsed the notorious Star Wars Holiday Special, which infamously hovered at a 20% audience score. In the midst of everything, The Acolyte writer gently points the finger at Dave Filoni, the Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm.
The Acolyte Surpassed the Star Wars Holiday Special in Fan Disapproval
The Star Wars franchise has seen its fair share of highs & lows over the years, but the recent reception of The Acolyte has left fans dismayed and disenchanted.
The show, which has been eagerly contemplated by fans, has now set a record as the worst-rated Star Wars television series of all time, with a dismal 14% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Could anyone have predicted that this latest series would even slip past the Star Wars Holiday Special with such a startling reception?
Indeed, what makes this news even more surprising is the fact that The Acolyte has weighed down the infamously bad Star Wars Holiday Special, which previously held the title for the worst-rated piece of Star Wars media with a 23% audience score (see Rotten Tomatoes). Starring Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford and directed by Steve Binder, the series was aired in 1978.
Despite receiving mixed reviews and little public support, The Acolyte is still available for streaming on Disney+ and earning favorable reviews from critics. However, the question remains the same; who is at fault here? It appears that The Acolyte writer has the answer.
The Acolyte Writer’s Ingenious Blame Game with Dave Filoni
One of the writers of The Acolyte Episode 4, Claire Kiechel, has raised eyebrows by subtly pointing the blame at Dave Filoni, a prominent figure in the Star Wars universe (via Culture Crave). He mentioned that Filoni gives notes on all the scripts and ultimately approves them along with the Lucasfilm team, implying that he may be partially responsible for the show’s decline in quality.
Needless to say, this hot off-the-press has prompted a mixture of responses, with Filoni’s involvement drawing comments from concerned fans. Fans have taken notice of this apparent finger-pointing at Filoni, with many expressing their dismay and anger via X.
Some have condemned the show’s recent episodes, while others have defended Filoni’s contributions to the franchise. The controversy has sparked discussion among fans, with many interrogating the direction of the show and its impact on the Star Wars legacy.
Let us take a look at some comments made by fans:
The Acolyte’s recent plummet in ratings has left a significant mark on the Star Wars franchise. With fans divided and tensions running high, the show’s fate remains in the dark. Amidst the intergalactic commotion, it’s clear that the force of public opinion is as potent and unpredictable as the energies that bind the Star Wars universe together.
Stream The Acolyte on Disney+.
