Summary
The Acolyteepisode 6 subtly brought back one canon-breaking, real-world concept that appeared inThe Mandalorian, suggesting this item is here to stay inStar Wars.The Acolytewas set 100 years beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, making it the earliest live-action addition toStar Warsmovies and TV showsintheStar Warstimeline. Because of that, the show was primed to introduce many new (albeit, actually ancient) concepts to the franchise.
The Acolytewas innovative in many ways, such as with the introduction of Mae and Osha, sisters who were created by splitting one consciousness into two bodies, but the show also pulled from someStar Warsstaples. While that meant major connections to some ofStar Wars’best movies, including a Master Yoda cameo in the show’s finale, there was one surprising concept that has appeared inStar Warsbefore—but only inThe Mandalorian. In fact, this particular item has a history of being removed fromStar Warson purpose, making it all the more interesting.
Despite All The Controversy, The Acolyte Hasn’t Broken Star Wars Canon At All
Audiences were concerned from the very beginning that The Acolyte would break Star Wars canon and retcon the prequels, but that didn’t happen.
Sol
The Acolyteepisode 6 came on the heels of multiple shocking events, including the reveal that the masked villain was really Mae’s accomplice, Qimir, and the death of numerous Jedi, beloved characters Yord Fandar and Jecki Lon among them. The end ofThe Acolyteepisode 5also revealed that Mae had secretly taken the place of her sister, Osha, and was pretending to be her in an effort to get close enough to Master Sol to kill him. Perhaps because he was so distraught at the number of Jedi lost in the battle against Qimir, Sol didn’t notice the switch.
While reporting the deaths to the Jedi, Sol’s transceiver cut out. As he went to fix it, Sol stood up and told Mae,“Take the wheel.“What is interesting about this moment is the reference to a steering wheel. While it may seem inconsequential, this does deviate fromStar Warscanon to an extent, although it isn’t the firstStar Warsshow to do so. InA New Hope, George Lucas intentionally removed a steering wheel from Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder, presumably because it diminished some of the fantasy in the movie. UntilThe Mandalorian,Star Warscanon didn’t change this.
George Lucas intentionally removed a steering wheel from Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder.
Are Steering Wheels Becoming A Normal Part Of Star Wars Now?
The Mandalorianseason 3 saw the canon introduction of steering wheels toStar Warswith Gorian Shard, the Pirate King. In season 3, episode 5, Gorian can be seen flying his ship with what is quite clearly a steering wheel. Arguably, this canon change makes sense in this context; Gorian is a pirate, and the wheel is intentionally reminiscent of the wheel of a pirate ship. Nevertheless,this did mean a change to the existence of steering wheels inStar Warscanon.
Now, with this throwaway line about a wheel inThe Acolyte, it remains unclear whether this will be a permanent change inStar Wars. Although a small detail, it does suggest thatStar Warsmight be becoming less and less concerned with separating the real world from the galaxy far, far away, which could have interesting implications for the franchise. For now, though,The Acolyteis confirmed to be the second canonStar Warsreference to steering wheels existing in-universe.
All episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+.
The Acolyte
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
The Mandalorian
Released on July 19, 2025 The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter navigating the galaxy’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire’s fall. As a skilled bounty hunter, he operates in a lawless universe, undertaking various missions on the fringes of the New Republic’s territories.
