The worst half, in the event you can name it that, about The Acolyte episode 5 (a chapter so good that it offered some individuals on the present) was that it raised the bar too excessive, particularly after a blended first half of the season. By chopping by two main characters, trimming down the investigation plot, and letting the primary gamers’ feelings come to the floor, it appeared just like the collection had lastly discovered its true identification. This week, whereas issues are a lot calmer, it positive does really feel just like the story is in a greater place after that Jedi bloodbath.
Maybe it was at all times the plan to play an extended recreation with the setups and misdirections with a view to knock it out of the park with the second half of the season, with inverted roles and twisted morals. However such an method would not immediately justify the extra mechanical shortcomings of episodes 1 by 4. Because the live-action debut of the Excessive Republic period and a primary crack at a homicide thriller, The Acolyte may’ve been so a lot better. At this level, nevertheless, we’ll be completely satisfied to embrace the present as a good-enough Star Wars win if it sticks the touchdown within the two remaining episodes.
Episode 6, titled ‘Train/Corrupt’ and directed by Star Trek veteran Hanelle Culpepper (additionally of Westworld fame), is the inevitable calm after the storm. For probably the most half, we observe Sol and Mae (posing as Osha) on the Jedi ship at Khofar and Qimir and Osha on the unknown planet the place Mae met Qimir (aka the Stranger) on the finish of the premiere episode. Everyone seems to be both going by some large adjustments or opening up about their previous. In the meantime, a bunch of Jedi led by Vernestra Rwoh appears to be like into what occurred on Khofar, since Sol fails to contact and warn them in regards to the potential Sith menace.
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Spoilers forward for The Acolyte episode 6: “Train/Corrupt”
Is Osha going to fall to the darkish aspect?
Many of the on-line dialog (that is not blind hate) surrounding this episode can be about Osha and Qimir’s relationship, with very unsubtle tints of ‘Reylo‘ taking on and the degrees of temptation going dangerously excessive actually quick. Earlier than the present had even began, we may understand some critical younger grownup literature power that might assist it join with youthful audiences who endlessly shipped the sequel trilogy forged. After final week’s love letter to these of us who grew up with the prequels’ fast-paced lightsaber fights, this feels earned inside and outdoors the present’s narrative.
Anyway, Qimir claims he was as soon as a Jedi who was betrayed by his grasp, seemingly capturing down any theories about his Sith previous. Once more, do not forget that he by no means outlined himself as a Sith within the standard sense of the phrase, as an alternative saying the Jedi preferred to make use of that time period for anybody that did not observe the Jedi’s dogmatic views of the Drive and the way it needs to be used. It is also right here the place we should level out series creator Leslye Headland’s words concerning the transient use of Kylo Ren’s musical theme in final week’s episode: “It’s there on objective, however I am unable to inform you why, and I am unable to go into what it’s. However you shall see.” It would not shock us if he finally ends up creating what later turns into the cult of the Knights of Ren.
No matter Qimir’s previous (extra on that later) is, Osha is in a bizarre and harmful place proper now. There’s a rising sense that the 4 Jedi stationed on Brendok did one thing actually dangerous 16 years in the past and that the time spent with the Jedi Order took her away from Mae, who she may’ve discovered and saved from a darkish path. Qimir additionally claims her sister by no means ‘dedicated’ to his trigger, as an alternative searching for empty revenge, which, given how she jumped ship the second issues bought dangerous, type of tracks.
So, what’s Qimir’s trigger? “The ability of two” appears to be a recurring motif that makes us consider the Sith’s famous rule, but it surely additionally might be there to throw us off or arrange the Force dyad idea launched for the primary time in The Rise of Skywalker.
Osha’s relationship with the Jedi (no matter her emotions for her former grasp and her murdered mates) is troublesome, and working away did not get her anyplace both. At this level, we positively suppose she’ll at the very least dabble with the darkish aspect, and the ultimate moments of this episode, wherein she tries on the Stranger’s cortosis helmet, seem to counsel that is the place issues are going until somebody comes up with a great purpose to not take heed to Qimir.
What did Grasp Sol do again in Brendok 16 years in the past?
Impatient followers have been apprehensive final week that Sol would promptly journey to Coruscant and let everybody know they’d simply fought a Sith or a darkish determine skilled within the Jedi arts. Worry not, as interference disrupts Sol’s makes an attempt to contact the Excessive Council. Regardless, he is understandably shaken by the loss of life of so many Jedi and shedding Osha once more.
It is unusual to see a Jedi letting out so many feelings and rage with out falling to the darkish aspect. Whereas Luke and Rey went by some tough patches within the now distant sequel trilogy, it looks like we hadn’t seen an old-school Jedi Knight enable himself to be human this a lot – in live-action – since Obi-Wan duelled Anakin on Mustafar (although we’ll admit that last Obi-Wan Kenobi episode was fairly emotional).
Lee Jung-jae’s fluid efficiency throughout these six episodes has been one of many present’s highlights. It seems that we’re heading for an additional main flashback in episode 7, one that can certainly reveal the reality behind the Brendok incident we have been lacking. Whereas some followers have theorized that Sol may even be a Sith Lord hiding in plain sight, his intimate moments in episode 6 with nobody round counsel in any other case. He may’ve made large errors and have a darker aspect buried deep, however he simply looks like a troubled man attempting his finest to remain on the great path.
Nonetheless, Sol reads Mae’s intentions the second she talks an excessive amount of and opens up in ways in which Osha (the noticeably shier twin) hardly ever did, thus somebody will get shocked as soon as once more. Sol, nevertheless, is not going straight to Coruscant, and as an alternative desires to inform Mae every part that went down on Brendok in hopes of getting her out of her darkish place. Extra importantly, Bazil and Pip are surviving by this entire factor and including much-needed laughs to the collection.
Who skilled and “discarded” Qimir?
A part of the explanation why we expect Sol is not the darkish Jedi or hidden Sith we’re searching for is the sudden significance given to Vernestra Rwoh’s half on this story. To date, her position was extra of a glorified cameo for Excessive Republic diehards. Nevertheless, her response to listening to what’s gone down on Khofar and the way she continues to dam data on the matter from reaching the Excessive Council counsel she’s bought one large soiled secret.
If we return to Qimir’s scenes on this episode, particular consideration was paid to the unusual scar on his again, which appears to be like like no regular wound attributable to a lightsaber. On Khofar, we additionally get to see Vernestra use her lightwhip abruptly in a second that feels random, however, very like many seemingly empty actions on this present, it is likely to be the breadcrumb we would have liked to place collectively an image that is one step nearer to the actual, last factor. Whereas a correct Sith Lord may nonetheless be laughing within the background at everybody, it more and more appears to be like like Qimir’s Stranger identification, quite a lot of references, and even the usage of ‘Sith’ in a key scene are simply there to mess with the followers.
Extra Sith lore has been promised by Headland ought to The Acolyte be renewed for season 2, however the creator has additionally overtly declared season 1’s story arc ought to have ended neatly by the point episode 8’s credit roll. With Sol’s large mistake about to be revealed and robust indication that Vernestra is likely to be liable for Qimir’s anger in spite of everything, possibly the true Sith can be ready within the shadows for some time longer. Additionally, based on the villain, his master-apprentice fallout occurred a very long time in the past, which ties straight into Vernestra’s previous age by human requirements (and suggests he might have discovered a secret to longer-than-usual life, a really darkish aspect factor to do).
As an additional: Headland’s final ‘deep reduce’ into Legends lore is likely to be the as-yet-unnamed ocean planet the place Qimir’s base is. The character of its geography, the pristine waters, and the presence of cortosis ore (which he in all probability used to create the enduring helmet himself) counsel it might be a canonized model of Bal’demnic. Crucial half? It as soon as fell into the palms of Darth Tenebrous and Darth Plagueis. Theorize away!
