Star Wars: The Acolyte depicts the Jedi in a complicated light. This makes sense given the show's time period, but it also raises the question of whether we will ever see the Jedi portrayed as a true force for good in Star Wars.
When are we going to see the Jedi portrayed in a purely positive light?
When discussing The Acolyte, many people suggest that this is the first piece of Star Wars media to question the Jedi. This is not true. The prequels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars both delved deep into how the Jedi had lost their way by becoming generals and warriors and taking part in a brutal and destructive war.
The Acolyte and The Last Jedi both get credit for "puncturing the myth of the Jedi" because they kind of hit you over the head with it. There is nothing wrong with this approach necessarily, but that does not mean this is some revolutionary or groundbreaking new approach.
In The Acolyte, we see the Jedi as overconfident and self-assured. The character of Yord represents the rigidity of the Jedi Order. Even Jecki, who is probably the most likable of the Jedi, sounds cold and detached when discussing what an honor it is to get to see anything transform into the Force.
This all makes sense given this time period. The Jedi are roughly 100 years away from almost being completely wiped out by a Sith master hiding right under their nose. The prequels emphasize not getting too attached, and we see some of that arrogance in that time period as well.
Master Sol is another character who we are seemingly supposed to like. However, it seems like the series is building up to a big reveal that Sol was a liar and possibly a murderer, essentially the same reveal in The Last Jedi. The franchise seemingly subscribes to the cynical words of the version of Luke Skywalker we see in The Last Jedi: "The legacy of the Jedi is failure."
It begs the question when, or if, we will ever see the Jedi portrayed in a largely positive light. There must have been some period in the history of the galaxy when Jedi were benevolent peacekeepers not mired or bogged down in politics, lying to people, or kidnapping children, right?
There was an opportunity with the sequel trilogy to paint the Jedi in a good light. We could have seen Luke learn from the lessons of the downfall of the Jedi Order and apply them to his new Order. We could have seen the Jedi return to their roots as nomadic peacekeepers who do not view the Force as theirs but simply seek to use their connection with it in as selfless and compassionate a manner as possible. We could have seen Luke and Leia both understand that the Jedi and politics should remain separate, that the Jedi should not have to answer to a political body but instead should answer to morality and what the right thing to do is.
Alas, that is not the version we got.
Two announced movies could give us a more likable version of the Jedi. The "New Jedi Order" movie with Daisy Ridley set to reprise her role as Rey could give us a more benevolent version of Rey as she tries to rebuild the Order. James Mangold's "Dawn of the Jedi" project, which will focus on the origins of the Jedi, could be a good opportunity to show the Jedi in a positive light.
Or perhaps we will get more of the same on the Jedi: that they do try to maintain the peace and be selfless but are willing to compromise the values and morals very quickly for political reasons. If that becomes the official narrative of the Jedi that is a shame. I am all for complex and human characters who make morally gray decisions, but at some point you need to remind us why the good guys are good and the bad guys are bad. If not, then what is the point of it all?