As a seasoned Jedi Master with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from the triumphs of the light to the depths of the dark side. The events that transpired sixteen years ago on Brendok still haunt me, and the memory of my fallen colleague Sol continues to cast a long shadow over my life.
As an avid Star Wars fan, I’ve been following the buzz around The Acolyte with great anticipation since the trailers were released. However, the online conversation about the show has been overwhelmingly negative, which is disappointing to hear as a fan.
The Season Finale of “The Acolyte” was packed with tasks: resolving open storyline questions, delivering an exciting climax for the main character, and ensuring it aligned with the “Star Wars” universe. Given the complexity of these objectives, it’s understandable if “The Acolyte” didn’t manage to tick all the boxes. Nevertheless, Episode 8 featured some remarkable scenes that are sure to ignite conversations among fans.
The Acolyte Episode 8 Recap (Finale Spoilers)
Inhale and Exhale – The episode commences with Qimir (Manny Jacinto) discovering Osha (Amandla Stenberg) in his hidden lair, wearing his Cortosis helmet. When Osha begins to choke for breath, Qimir attempts to remove the helmet, but finds himself being overtaken by her mind, similar to how Mother Aniseya once controlled Torbin. Qimir battles through the obscurity inflicted upon him by Osha and also resists her Force grasp on his body to reach the helmet and extract it from her. Shaken, Osha recounts a vision of her twin sister Mae murdering Jedi Master Sol with a lightsaber, yet not executing the final blow. Qimir identifies this as a potential future where Mae completes her apprenticeship under his tutelage. Osha argues that she can still prevent this outcome and asks how she can do so when Qimir possesses the sole means of transportation to locate her. In response, Osha proposes an alliance, with both agreeing they will journey together in search of Mae, and observe which one of them she will heed.
Mae is still shackled on Sol’s spacecraft after he explained the past events on her home planet, Brendok, sixteen years ago. Sol discloses they have returned to Brendok, intending to present Master Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) with evidence of the Force Vergence supposedly present there. Mae and Osha will serve as proof that the Force can be harnessed to create life artificially. Mae challenges Sol’s justification for killing Mother Aniseya, sparking an argument. She inquires why Sol didn’t inform Osha about the truth if he believed his actions were justified. Sol claims Aniseya’s death was an accident and that Mae initiated the blaze leading to the coven’s destruction. Mae remains firm in her belief that the Jedi’s arrival on Brendok led to its demise, with Sol being the catalyst. Sol expresses remorse for not saving Mae and Osha earlier. He attempts to clarify that Osha isn’t truly her sister or twin, but Mae manages to free herself using PIP the droid as a lockpick. She shocks Sol with PIP and escapes, leaving him disoriented. Bazil tracks Mae down as she flees, and Sol pursues. PIP guides Mae to an escape pod, where she bids farewell to Sol, “See you in hell, Jedi,” before launching toward Brendok’s surface.
[The Acolyte Title Logo Plays]
As an experienced space pilot with numerous interstellar voyages under my belt, I can tell you that pursuing a fugitive through the icy rings of a moon is no easy feat. In the heat of the moment, I found myself in such a predicament, hot on the tail of Mae’s ship as we darted through the treacherous terrain. With icy crystals pelting my hull and my trusted copilot Bazil looking on with growing concern, I pressed forward, determined to bring her to justice.
Political Animals – In the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Rwoh is approached by Jedi Mog (Harry Trevaldwyn) who informs her that Senator Rayencourt (David Harewood) is on-site to speak with her. Rwoh is both surprised and annoyed that Rayencourt has come (and was admitted by Jedi security) in order to sandbag her. Rayencourt is waiting inside Rwoh’s chambers, wanting to know how she’s doing after her hyperspace travels, which he knows makes her ill. Rwoh corrects the senator’s worry about her stomach, saying it’s her head that gets afflicted by hyperspace travel, and that she’s fine. Rwoh presses to know why Rayencourt has come personally, and he reveals that he’s caught wind that Rwoh is conducting a Jedi murder investigation without reporting it to the senate or Jedi Council; Rwoh counters that it is an internal matter she’s handling internally, within her delegated authority to do so, and within legal bounds to only report larger threats. When Rayencourt presses to know why this is no larger threat at work, Rwoh slips up by revealing there have been multiple Jedi murders when stating she’s close to apprehending the killer. Rayencourt wants to know if the suspect is a Jedi, but Rwoh won’t answer and starts to take her leave. Rayencourt gets personal, saying he knows she doesn’t like him or his calls for a review of the Jedi Order, which he sees as a massive unchecked power posing as a religion, false and self-deluded in its assertions of Jedi being higher-minded Zen master monks. Rayencourt feels it’s just a matter of time and numbers before a Jedi snaps and goes rogue, creating a massive threat that even other Jedi may not be able to stop. Rayencourt thinks views of the Jedi need to be brought down from the heights of them being mythical heroes to seeing the flawed organization they truly are. Rwoh listens before using her Force abilities to open the door and show the senator out. Rayencourt leaves, letting Rwoh know an official tribunal is being conveyed to review the murder investigation.
Osha and Qimir put on dark cloaks and make their way to where Qimir’s ship is moored. On their journey, Qimir inquires about their destination, but Osha keeps this information hidden out of fear of losing her advantage. Qimir attempts to assert his dominance, yet Osha challenges his integrity in keeping promises with her and Mae. Qimir again proposes that Osha become his apprentice, but she refuses since she’s not like Mae who accepted without hesitation. As they embark on the ship and set sail, a bizarre and ominous creature emerges from Qimir’s hidden lair to observe their departure. It is believed by many that this creature could be none other than “Darth Plagueis the Wise,” the enigmatic Sith Lord known for his mastery over manipulating life through the Force, who later became the infamous Sheev Palpatine/Darth Sidious.
Summoning the Reinforcements: After touching down on Brendok, Sol takes a moment to gaze wistfully before signaling his ship for help. He steps outside and utilizes his Jedi abilities to trace Mae’s location. Back on Coruscant, Rwoh makes a clandestine attempt to contact an unidentified individual, implying urgency despite Sol being otherwise engaged. She is informed that her message will be delivered to the appropriate person. In the meantime, Mog reports the discovery of Sol’s spacecraft on Brendok. Rwoh readies her vessel and assembles a team of Jedi Knights in preparation for confronting the issue head-on. Simultaneously, Qimir and Osha arrive on Brendok, only to find that Mae and Sol have already arrived before them.
At the ruins of the Coven of Ghosts, Sol spots Qimir’s ship arriving as he recalls the haunting night when he fatally wounded Aniseya. Reaching the coven stronghold, Osha insists they must hack the door access to gain entry; Qimir queries if this is indeed necessary. However, upon turning around, Qimir has mysteriously vanished. Sol traverses the debris towards the catwalk where he had once rescued Osha and inadvertently let Mae fall. After Sol departs, Mae emerges from her hiding place beneath the catwalk and manages to infiltrate the stronghold. Inside, she is greeted by memories upon entering the chambers that were once home to her mother and sister. Meanwhile, Osha successfully activates the door controls and enters the fortified compound.
Allow Them to Engage in Combat: As Sol strolls through a dimly lit corridor, he’s suddenly pounced upon by Qimir, who expresses gratitude for his role in locating Mae, implying they make an effective duo. The two opponents exchange blows in a fierce martial arts battle. Their clash continues until they find themselves back in the courtyard, where Sol had slain Aniseya. Determined to eliminate Qimir, Sol threatens destruction. In response, Qimir warns that Mae could potentially be the one to end Sol’s life before then. They resume their fight, with Qimir attempting to skewer Sol with both his lightsaber and saber-dagger, as well as using Force-holds to slice him down with helicopter swords. Sol disables his saber and employs a unique Force technique to deflect the swords and The Stranger. However, Qimir swiftly recovers his weapons and renews his assault.
At the family reunion, Osha confronts Mae in their former living quarters, finding her bitter towards her sister for the destruction and loss they experienced. Mae insists that Sol didn’t truly blame Mae for the coven’s demise, but Osha confesses that she took responsibility – acknowledging that Sol only wanted Osha to forgive someone capable of doing wrong. Mae then discloses that Sol was responsible for killing Aniseya, and Osha, filled with anger and sadness, lashes out at her sister. The two engage in a fierce martial arts fight, with Mae managing to defend herself. However, when Osha witnesses Mae’s manipulation of PIP, releasing oil on Osha, she becomes enraged once again.
In an anticipated turn of events, Sol observes Vernestra Rwoh’s spaceship descending, boasting to The Stranger that he will soon receive his due justice; however, Qimir remains unperturbed and asserts that the Jedi are not there for him. The narrative shifts between confrontations: Mae versus Osha and Sol versus The Stranger. Simultaneously, both pairs observe the arrival of the Jedi ship – an opportune moment for Mae to escape from the room. In a fierce clash, Sol and Qimir engage in saber combat, with Sol delivering a critical blow that splits Qimir’s hilt in two. Sol hovers over Qimir, pondering the final act, as Qimir removes his helmet, revealing himself to Sol. Just then, Mae bursts into the scene, startling Sol, who is subsequently disarmed by her. She casually tosses away his saber and cracks open a nearby rock to reveal the precious blue kyber crystal hidden inside.
In simpler terms, Qimir persuades Sol to confess his crime of killing Mae’s mother Aniseya to the Jedi Council and Senate for justice. Initially, Sol defends himself, revealing that Mae and Osha are two parts of the same soul, created through Aniseya’s unique Force ability on Brendok. Sol tries to convince Mae that their existence proves greater power, which Qimir pays close attention to. Eventually, Sol admits to his guilt. As Osha emerges from the shadows, she asks for confirmation and reasons behind the deception. Sol explains that they concealed the truth to protect both Mae and Osha’s dreams and prevent exploitation by the Jedi and Republic. Frustrated, Osha Force-chokes Sol mid-sentence when he attempts to claim his love for her. With tears in her eyes, Osha finishes him off, whispering “It’s okay” before ending his life.
Rise of the Acolyte – Osha falls to her knees, traumatized, and Qimir tries to put his hand on her shoulder for comfort. Osha screams and ignites Sol’s saber, swinging it wildly at Qimir, who doges her blows effortlessly. Suddenly, the saber’s blue light flickers and explodes into a wild red color. Both Mae and Osha stare at the saber, in shock and awe. Meanwhile, Vernestra Rwoh and her Jedi squad exit the ship, and Rwoh immediately Force-senses Qimir (who is not wearing his cortosis helmet to shield his thoughts) and recognizes him as the former padawan she thought dead. Qimir feels Rwoh sensing him, and quickly re-dons his helmet, disappearing from Osha and Mae’s side. Rwoh tells Morg and the other Jedi that she knows where to go and to follow her, as Bazil runs out of Sol’s ship to join them.
Come on! Mae shakes Osha from her daze and urges her to flee immediately. With her expertise, Mae knows a way out. As they reach the stronghold entrance, Rwoh uses her Force powers to pry it open and senses all past occurrences around the scene with her fellow Jedi (Sol, Torbin, Kelnacca, Indara). Mae takes Osha to the spot where she had fallen earlier and urges her to trust her. They descend through a hidden tunnel in the cliff face, which had once saved Mae from the coven’s fires sixteen years prior. Rwoh and her team enter the coven’s courtyard and hear echoes of the night the coven was destroyed. Sol’s body is discovered, and Rwoh instructs the Jedi knights and Bazil to secure the crime scene and pursue the attackers. A mysterious figure, The Stranger, observes Rwoh from a vantage point but disappears before being confronted. Mae and Osha exit the tunnel into the forest, with Osha asking about Mae’s actions long ago. Bazil picks up Mae’s trail, leading the Jedi towards her; Mae and Osha reach their childhood Bunta tree, where Mae had waited for her sister after the coven burned down. The sisters apologize to each other, shedding tears and reciting their nursery rhyme as one. Qimir approaches unnoticed, taking Osha’s lightsaber and warning them that the Jedi are closing in. Osha suggests confessing to the Jedi but Mae and Qimir argue that they would consider her an enemy, potentially harming her like Aniseya was.
As a seasoned Jedi Master with decades of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of heart-wrenching situations. But the story of Osha and Mae, two sisters bound by love and duty, is one that will forever stay with me.
The Hidden Truth
On Qimir’s hidden planet, Qimir and Ohsa gaze out at the sunset over the rocky islands and the sea beyond, their hands intertwined (and his lightsaber clutched tightly). As an emotional prelude plays, they stand there in quiet contemplation. The scene fades to darkness before Vernestra Rwoh enters a secluded chamber in the Jedi temple. She apologizes for the intrusion as she addresses Master Yoda, who is visible only from behind, revealing that important issues require their attention.
[End Credits Roll]
Star Wars: The Acolyte is streaming on Disney+.
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2024-07-17 13:10