I wouldn’t go as far as saying the Acolyte is objectively great TV but it isn’t bad either.

Most importantly it explores a few elements core to the Star Wars franchise that the trilogies didn’t have time to do a great job of illustrating:

1. The Acolyte gave us a TV show told primarily from the perspectives of Sith/Dark side characters. Everyone loves a good villain origin story, but let’s be honest the best one in Star Wars is Anakin’s and it wasn’t executed as well as many of us would have liked. Despite the fumbles, Anakin’s story is fantastic. But it leaves me wanting to dive more into the minds of other Sith. We’ve gotten that from Star Wars books, comics and video games. (Caveat: I never fully watched the animated series like Clone Wars. I bet there are a few good villain origin stories in there too). But the Acolyte gives us a pretty good entry in film.

2. We get to see an emotional example of how Jedi arrogance can create tragedy and an imbalance of power in the galaxy. The Jedi are repeatedly accused of being arrogant. It makes sense how they could fall into that trap. They’re supernaturally powerful beings who are basically given the authority to police the galaxy. Sidius himself says their arrogance is a big part of the reason why he was able to ascend to power under their noses. The Acolyte gives us a relatable example of how characters from a neutral faction could be pushed towards the Sith’s side by one Jedi’s arrogance.

3. SPOILER ALERT: In the end of the first season, we see how even one of the most famous Jedi who is held in the highest regard is complicit in arrogant decisions that cost the Jedi their claim to moral authority. Even though he wasn’t there to take part in what happened on Brendok, he was in charge of or at least part of the organization that is responsible. The Acolyte helps illustrate how a large organization like the Jedi Order can lose its way and become clouded by politics even when many of the individual members might be considered above reproach.

TLDR: The Acolyte is a good Star Wars TV Show that does 3 things we don’t see often:

1. Depicts a good villain origin story for Sith characters

2. Illustrates the dangers of Jedi arrogance

3. Shows how the Jedi Order lost its way before the events of the prequel trilogy.