A Recap of ‘The Acolyte’ Episodes 7 & 8
Written by Michael Lee
*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. & Disney
Video Courtesy: Walt Disney Pictures
‘The Acolyte’ Episode 7 Recap: “Choice”
Sixteen years earlier, on the planet Brendock; Sol, Torbin, Kelnacca, and Indara are collecting samples of planetary flora and fauna, surveying the planet for research to report back to the Jedi Council. They are investigating a potential vergence in the Force, one that could potentially create life. The investigation has been a large undertaking for the Jedi, as they’ve been on Brendock for seven weeks with nothing to show for it. Torbin is upset at their lack of progress but his Master, Indara, informs him that this planet was categorized as lifeless due to a hyperspace disaster yet Brendock is somehow thriving. Torbin expresses his distaste for the mission but Sol reminds him of the vergence and its importance to the Jedi, to which Kelnacca agrees with a mighty, yet timid roar.
Sometime later, Sol stumbles across the tree to which we’ve seen Mae and Osha under before. It is revealed that the scene has played out the same as we’ve seen it from Mae and Osha’s perspective in Episode 3, but this time with Sol watching. Again, Mae and Osha are fighting over the insect they’ve captured, with their bickering directly in Sol’s view. Sol is surprised, as they have believed this planet to be uninhabited, so Sol immediately contacts Indara over his commlink. Sol follows Mae and Osha, being led back to their coven by Mother Koril. Sol scales the wall of their encampment, now having a full view of Mae, Osha, Mother Aniseya and the rest of the coven, again witnessing scenes we’ve already seen play out, this time however, from the Jedi’s perspective. Sol sees members of the coven worshiping a massive crater built into the cliff as he watches on, carefully.
Back at the Jedi’s camp, Indara and Sol discuss his findings. They are not Nightsisters of Dathomir, of this Indarra is sure, but a different kind of Force witch, something they do not immediately understand. Sol informs them they are making two young girls, Osha and Mae, perform some sort of ritual ceremony. Indara wishes to inform the High Council for guidance, but Sol begs her to see for herself what he’s seen.
The group of Jedi arrive at the coven’s gate, with Kelnacca hotwiring the gate in order for the Jedi to gain access. Indara wishes to go alone, but Torbin and Sol convince her it’s better to go as a group. We see the Jedi meet with the Witches once again, but again from the perspective of the Jedi. Though we see Mother Aniseya haunt Torbin, worming her way around his head, promising that she can help him escape this planet. She sees the weakness in Torbin and attempts to exploit it but Torbin manages to shake her grip upon him. Mother Aniseya excuses the Jedi and they go back to their ship, again to test Osha and Mae.
Sol tells Indara that he believes Osha is meant to be his Padawan, that it is destined to be. Sol argues that Osha must be trained as a Jedi, but Indara refuses, citing that she is too old to undergo the Jedi trials. Torbin brings Mae aboard, asking to test her blood, likely to gauge her Midacholorian count. Indara gives Mae the test, but Mae purposefully fails. Indara asks Mae about their Ascension ritual, with Mae saying that she and Osha will eventually lead their coven. They excuse Mae, but Sol begs Indara to try a different approach with Osha. Osha informs the Jedi of her wish to join them, but Indara isn’t entirely sure.
Indara sends the bloodwork of the twins to the Jedi High Council and awaits their further instruction, advising Torbin, Sol, and Kelnacca to return to their field studies while she waits. Sol informs Indara that Osha passed the test, but informs Sol to await the Council.
Later, Sol senses that something is amiss and Indara reveals that the Council denies both Mae and Osha to join the Jedi. Sol attempts to argue with Indara, but Indarra is firm. Torbin arrives with the blood analysis of the twins, claiming they have an extremely high Midochlorian count. But the two share the same symbionts are the same, which would not be the case if they were truly twins. He argues that even identical twins would have different symbionts. They agree that they are artificially created with a single consciousness split into two bodies, with Sol arguing they are the vergence they have been seeking. Torbin hears enough, as he is ready to return home, so he takes a speeder back to the coven despite Sol and Indara’s yells, hoping to find proof that Mae and Osha are indeed vergence in the Force.
Back at the coven, we see the same scenes unfold, with Osha informing Mother Aniseya that she wishes to become a Jedi. Mother Koril radicalizes Mae with her anger, hoping she will be enough to stop the Jedi from taking Osha. The coven discusses with Mother Anisiya that they do not wish for Osha to go, but she informs them it is Osha’s decision and no one else's. We see Mae start the fire once again.
Sol immediately follows Torbin and the two of them confront the entirety of the Force Coven before Indara and Kelnacca arrive, attempting to save the girls from their Ascension ceremony. The Coven attempts to prepare for combat as they too confront Sol and Torbin. Mother Aniseya references her distaste for the Jedi Way to Sol and suddenly Mae arrives, begging her mother for help with the spreading fire as the Coven and Jedi prepare for battle. Torbin withdraws his lightsaber and Mother Aniseya screams “No” and melts into smoke as Sol withdraws his lightsaber, killing her. Her last words to Sol is that she was going to let Osha go.
Kelnacca arrives, but the witches inhibit him, using him to attack both Sol and Torbin only for Indarra to overpower them, releasing Kelnacca. The witches are all attempting to cast some sort of spell, likely for possessing the Wookie, but they fail, ultimately falling dead from the power. The fire rages on and Mae and Osha are separated from the same burning bridge, choosing to save Osha over Mae, as he only has the power to save one. Sol takes Mae and the team return to Coruscant. Indara decides to blame the entire incident on Mae and she does not inform the council of the true happenings on Brendock so that Sol can train Osha as his Padawan.
‘The Acolyte’ Episode 7 Recap: “The Acolyte”
The episode begins with Osha inside Qimirs cave, with Osha still meditating inside Qimir’s Sith helmet. When Osha begins to panic within the mask, Qimir attempts to use the Force to remove the helmet, but his eyes turn black, as if he has become possessed. He removes the helmet, but not without a struggle. Osha informs Qimir that she saw a vision of Mae murdering Sol without a weapon and though she had a lightsaber in hand, she did not use it. Qimir informs Osha of his similar vision, with Osha remarking that the future is not fixed and that she will change it. Qimir is ready to track Sol and Mae, telling Osha that he knows where they are and the two board his ship.
Meanwhile Sol has set course for Brendok, with Mae still bound on the medbay bed. Sol informs Mae that he will contact Vernestra to meet him on Brendok, along with a group of Jedi soldiers. Mae questions Sol about this, with Sol informing her of a vergence on the planet, planning to use both Osha and Mae to prove for once and for all an existence of a vergence on Brendock. Mae activates Pip, now hacked, to attempt to escape.
Mae confronts Sol about her mothers murder, with Sol admitting it was an accident. Mae asks why Sol didn’t tell Osha of the truth and questions his decision to blame Mae for the tragic events. Sol still blames Mae for the fire, telling her she still trapped everyone within the fortress. Mae counters his point, blaming him and the other Jedi for invading their home, blaming the four Jedi for the death of the coven. With this, Mae uses Pip to unlock her restraints. Sol defends the Jedi’s rights to intervene, admitting to Mae that his biggest regret was that he couldn’t save both girls. He informs Mae that she and Oshs are not twins or even sisters, but Mae manages to subdue Soll with Pip’s stun gun.
Mae flees, escaping in an escape pod with Bazil on her heel, heads for Brendok. Sol pursues Mae through an asteroid belt, trying to close in on Mae’s ship until Bazil rips out several wires within the cockpit, causing Sol and Mae’s ship to collide, leaving both ships hurtling toward Brendok’s atmosphere.
Back at Coruscant in the Jedi Temple, Master Rwoh meets with Sentaro Rayencourt. He informs Vernestra that he has heard of their murder investigation and questions her decision to not report this to the Senate. She explains the need to keep it internal, exposing that she does not believe there is a larger threat to the Senate, only to the Jedi and that they are close to apprehending the suspect in question.
Rayencourt informs Vernestra that the Jedi are a system of unchecked power, only posing as a religion. He informs her that he believes that the Jedi are cultists of delusion who only claim to control the uncontrollable. Vernestra counters, saying they do not control the Force, but Rayencourt refers to their emotions, not their magic. Rwoh retaliates, saying that his opinion is not one shared by the rest of the Senate. Rayencourt warns her that he has reported her lack of transparency to Supreme Chancellor Drellik.
Osha and Qimir cross the causeway to the starship, with Qimir questioning Osha’s unwillingness to share her ultimate destination. Qimir asks Osha to be his Padawan, but she declines. After their starship departs, a cloaked figure, with glowing orange eyes watches on. This is suspected to be Darth Plagueis, Palpatine’s Master referenced in Revenge of the Sith.
Meanwhile, Sol has arrived on Brendok and activates his transponder switch. He leaves, while Bazil watches from the cockpit. Back at the Jedi Council, Vernestra uses a transmitter, telling them she needs to get in touch with them, urgently. A Jedi arrives to inform her that they have tracked Sol to Brendok. She prepares her starship for departure, speaking to a resolution. Mae and Qimirr also land on Brendok close to the coven’s former fortress with Osha informing Qimir that Sol has already arrived.
Sol spots Mae and Qimir’s ship and walks through the abandoned fortress, haunted by the memories of his sixteen year old trauma. Osha and Qimir reach the fortress, with Osha proposing repairing the elevator instead of climbing. Qimirr disappears. Suddenly, Mae appears, climbing out of the pit with Pip, visiting her and Osha’s old bedroom. Back at the elevator base, Osha hotwires the elevator, restoring it.
Sol is confronted by Qimir and the two engage in combat. Mae and Osha meet in their childhood bedroom and the two attempt to reason with one another, but the two break out in hand to hand combat. Mae informs Osha that she witnessed Sol killing their mother. She accuses Sol of lying to Osha since she left their home. Mae asserts that Sol is responsible for Osha's negative emotions. With nervousness in her voice, Mae approaches Osha, emphasizing that Sol is the one who failed, not Osha. Mae retreats.
As Sol and Qimir duel, the two are evenly matched until Sol breaks the deadlock by deactivating his lightsaber and breaking free. Mae interrupts Sol and manages to steal his lightsaber. Qimir urges Mae to strike Sol down, but Mae argues he should stand trial. Sol reveals that she and Osha are not twins but rather the same individual. Sol theorizes that Mother Aniseya, utilizing the vergence on Brendok, harnessed the power of the Force to create life. Specifically, Sol believes that Aniseya used this ability to bring forth both Mae and Osha into existence through her manipulation of the Force. While Sol speaks, Osha arrives, stealing Sol’s lightsaber.
Sol reveals the entire truth to Osha, revealing how her mother died and the circumstances surrounding their initial meeting. This angers Osha, upset by Sol’s manipulation. Osha angrily kills Sol using the Force, corrupting the kyber crystal in his lightsaber which bleeds, turning from blue to red, showcasing Osha’s final descent to the Dark Side.
She and Mae escape before Vernestra arrives with a group of Jedi and locates Sol’s body. When landing, Verenestra senses Qimir, as it is revealed the two somehow know each other. Osha and Mae finally reconcile, and Osha finally agrees to train with Qimir. He wipes Mae’s memory. Back on Coruscant, the Senate has grown weary of the Jedi and launches into an investigation. It is here that Vernestra blames the events on Brendok on Sol, as well as the murders of Indara, Torbin, and Kelnacca. We learn that Qimir was once her apprentice, as she reveals to Mae. As the series ends, Vernestra reports to Jedi Master Yoda.
A Recap of ‘The Acolyte’ Episodes 5 & 6
Written by Michael Lee
*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. & Disney
Video Featurette: Across Generations - Video Courtesy: Walt Disney Pictures
‘The Acolyte’ Episode 5 Recap: “Night”
The episode begins immediately after the events of the previous one, with Osha waking up to her surroundings after being knocked out by Force push from the mysterious Master. She wakes up to find the Master and several Jedi engaging in lightsaber combat, with the Master decimating most of the Jedi, seemingly without any effort. It is here we see some of the Jedi get their lightsabers shorted out from the Cortosis metal emblazoned on the Master’s cuffs. After defeating most of the Jedi, The Master attempts a pursuit of Osha, throwing his lightsaber at her, only to be quickly blocked by Sol.
Yord and Osha manage to escape to leave Sol behind to engage with the Master. The cloaked Master asks Sol if he remembers him, but Sol doesn’t, adding he ‘senses something familiar’. The two engage in combat. Mae emerges from Kelnacca’s quarters only to be caught up in a surprise attack from Jecki Lon. The two tussle in sort of a pseudo- fist-fight as Jecki attempts to arrest Mae for the death of several Jedi. Sol begs the Master to show his face, but the Master denies him this, only for The Master to quickly disappear into nothing.
Osha and Yord question the identity of the Master, with Yord saying that his existence cannot be explained, that he ‘gets into your head and stays there’. Yord encourages Osha to escape with him back to their ship, as Sol has ordered her safety. Jecki and Mae continue their dispute, with Jecki noticing that Mae took Kelnacca’s lightsaber. Jecki pauses, sensing a disturbance in the Force, and pulls her lightsaber, bringing it down upon the Master’s saber as the two engage in combat.
The Master is impressed with Jecki, encouraging that Mae can learn something from Jecki. The Master brings upon his Cortosis metal on Jecki’s lightsaber and it short-circuits for a moment until Jecki brings out Kelnacca’s saber as backup, now wielding two lightsabers against the Master’s one. As the two continue in their battle, the Master disappears once again.
Yord and Oshsa are gaining ground further away from the battle, until Osha instructs Yord to turn off his saber, to avoid attracting the insects that inhabit the forest. The Master takes this time to gain ground on Mae, who is trying to escape. The Master and Mae engage briefly, only for Mae to escape again. Sol and Jecki surprise the Master and engage in combat with him once again. Osha hears her name whispered in the forest and begs Yord to go back to them, as they are also about to be pursued by a swarm of insects.
Sol and Jecki gain the upper-hand against the Master, with Jecki knocking off the Master’s mask. But the Master overpowers Jecki, revealing another lightsaber blade, killing her as she attempts to parry his first attack. Osha returns only to see Jecki murdered in cold blood. The Master is revealed to be Qimir, which surprises everyone, including Mae.
Sol asks Qimir who he is, but he ‘has no name’ and ‘people like you would call me a Sith’. He explains he wants freedom to wield power without Jedi interference. He wants a pupil, an acolyte and explains his failure with Mae, telling them that he’s been revealed and he will have to kill them all. He argues that he doesn’t make the rules; the Jedi do. Yord appears suddenly and tries to take the upper-hand, but Qimir breaks his neck, killing him instantly.
Mae attempts to run but Osha subdues her, as Sol and Qimir engage in hand to hand combat. Sol gains the upper-hand with his lightsaber to Qimir’s neck. Osha doesn’t think Sol should kill him and Sol agrees, silently. Qimir asks Sol what he’s done to accept his own darkness, which puzzles Sol. Sol then expresses the Jedi Code as his reason for pulling back, but Qimir expresses his disinterest for the Jedi’s rules. Osha engages her droid’s light and sticks it onto Qimir’s back, only for the insects to carry away Qimir.
Mae then stuns Sol so that the two can speak alone. The two argue with each other's choices in life, both confused by the path the other has decided to take, at odds with each other's inherent philosophies. Mae is enraged with Osha and knocks her unconscious. She steals Osha’s clothes and uses a lightsaber to cut her hair to Osha’s length. She poses as Osha in front of Sol, who takes her back to their ship, not knowing it’s actually Mae and not Osha. Qimir has now freed himself from the insects and discovers Osha there, unconscious. The episode fades to black.
‘The Acolyte’ Episode 6 Recap: “Teach/Corrupt”
The episode begins with Osha awaking on an unknown planet in the chambers of the Master, formerly known as Qimir. Though Qimir is not there as she awakes, she finds the abode to be his home, more or less, with cooking equipment and personal effects strewn about. Qimir has healed Osha, seemingly through The Force. She discovers Mae’s backpack and withdraws one of Mae’s spears to search the island to kill Qimir.
On Khofar, Sol attempts to send a distress signal to the Jedi Temple, but the signal is weak and unable to transmit. Mae makes her way around the ship still disguised as Osha, though Bazil, the tracker, realizes her deception. Mae attempts to murder Sol from behind, but Sol senses her presence and tells her, as Osha, to take the wheel as he attempts to fix the broken transmission signal. Sol is grappling with himself and the events that transpired on Khofar, clearly shaken by the brutality of the murdered Jedi. Meanwhile, Bazil has Pip, Osha’s droid she stuck on Qimir and he powers Pip on through an energy source aboard the ship.
Qimir visits a serene pool on the unknown island planet and Osha is in slow pursuit. As Qimir disrobes, Osha makes for his lightsaber, only for Qimir to tell her to turn it on, even though his back is still turned to her. Osha threatens Qimir, but he isn’t interested in violence, offering her lightsaber form techniques. The two discuss their relationship to the Force and Qimir’s intentions, with Osha assuming Qimir will kill her. They discuss her relationship to Sol and her history in the Jedi arts, but Osha is more intent on listening than she is speaking.
Mae docks the ship at a landing grid and Sol embraces her, thanking her for saving him and that he intends to turn himself into the High Council for reasons we are not privy to. Sol asks Mae (he still believes her to be Osha) to see if she can possibly fix the broken transmission, as he was unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Vernestra is speaking to a hologram from a Senator friendly to the Jedi Council, informing her that a Senator Ranncourt is gaining support and that he and his colleagues will vote for an external review of the Jedi Council. Vernestra is concerned that since Rancourt is not a friend of the Jedi, that the review will go poorly. The hologram of the Senator informs her he believes there’s nothing for her to worry about. He believes this is because Rancourt is struggling for higher power.
She is then interrupted by another Jedi and excuses the Senator, only for the other Jedi to inform her of Sol’s broken message. They gather that Sol’s team was wiped out, but have little to no context as to why. Vernestra has the Jedi gather a ship and a rescue crew immediately as they plan to travel to Khofar.
Osha and Qimir walk the beach and he reveals he used to be a Jedi. Qimir offers the ship to Osha, telling her she can make it before sundown. He also offers her a meal, to which she silently agrees. Aboard the ship, Mae suffers a surprise oil attack from Bazil and Pip. Though harmless, Mae resets Pip to factory settings and finds him a new body, asking Pip to run a check on the power system.
Osha and Qimir are back at his abode and the two discuss in the ways of the Jedi and the semantics of the Force, how the Jedi are narrow minded and too concerned with semantics. His source of the Force comes from emotions, not manipulation and Osha informs him that is the path to the Dark Side. Qimir attempts to reason for his murder of the Jedi, asking Osha why she is no longer a Jedi. Osha becomes emotional, withdrawing Qimirs lightsaber, threatening his life. She, however, withdraws.
Mae, still disguised as Osha, attempts to get Sol to tell her the truth about what happened that night on the planet Brendok. Sol is solemn, he is attempting to understand how he didn’t sense Qimir’s true intentions. They are interrupted when the ship’s power is suddenly restored. Mae attempts to make contact by way of transmission, but Sol stuns her, after figuring out she is really Mae and not Osha. When Mae awakes, Sol promises her that he has spent sixteen years attempting to figure out what he’d say if they were ever reunited.
Vernestra and the other Jedi arrive on Khofar and find their way to the place of battle. The ground is littered with Jedi corpses and her and another Jedi deduce it was a lightsaber that killed them, not the surrounding insect swarm. Both of them agree it must be a Fallen Jedi, and the other Jedi suggests it being Sol, to which Vernestra argues the severity of that accusation.
Back on the unknown planet, Osha sees Qimir’s repaired mask and places it on and breathes through it slowly, but nervously, with the sound echoing the breathing of the infamous Darth Vader as the screen fades to black.
A Recap of ‘The Acolyte’ Episodes 3 & 4
Written by Michael Lee
*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. & Disney
Video Featurette: Sol Of The Jedi / Bug / Dated - Video Courtesy: Walt Disney Pictures
‘The Acolyte’ Episode 3 Recap: “Destiny”
The episode begins with a flashback to Mae and Osha’s childhood on their home planet of Brendok. Mae plays dutifully with a butterfly creature and uses the Force to sit and study the insect, carefully and empathetically. Mae approaches Osha and proceeds to Force hold the insect too, but in a way that is seemingly full of malice. The two bicker with each other over the treatment of the insect and the oncoming The Ascension, a ceremony that the two of them are set to undertake.
The two begin their walk back home in tandem, citing their twin mantras with each other in harmony, cementing the two’s very sacred bond. A Zabrakian witch mother, called Mother Koril, reprimands the two for wandering outside of their fortress walls and brings them back to their grounds. The two ask Mother Koril for spice creams, which she refuses, only for Mother Aniseya to interject, allowing the twins to have their dessert. The two run to Aniseya and call her ‘mama’ in an embrace. She demands the twins to meet her in the common room for their training session.
When Aniseya and Koril are alone, Aniesaya asks Koril if there have been any sightings of the Jedi, who have seemingly occupied their planet for reasons they do not understand. Aniesya promises this is a safe place for their coven while Koril reprimands Aniseya for her lax treatment of the twins.
At their joint training session, Aniseya teaches Osha and Mae about ‘The Thread’ that binds all living things. Some call it The Force and claim to use it, but Aniseya advises ‘The Thread’ is not something to be wielded, that it ties you to your destiny and binds you to others. The power of “One” she demonstrates, is weaker to the power of “Two”, which is weaker to the power of “Many”, which they will learn at tonight’s ceremony. Mae and Osha begin to argue and Aniseya uses this as a teaching moment in which they attempt to block her power. Mae succeeds, but Osha does not.
In their room, Osha is troubled by the ceremony happening later tonight. She refuses to do the Ascension, to which Mae replies “that’s how we become witches” to which Osha refutes. She does not want to be a witch. Aniseya claims ‘The Thread’ tied them together before they were born, encouraging the two to share in the love of their bond. Aniseya says the Ascension is about walking through fear and sacrificing a part of yourself to the will of the “Many”. Aniseya says the galaxy is unkind to female witches like themselves, urging them to stay special. The episode quickly cuts to a cult of cloaked witches, seemingly praying or practicing over a large sacred portal of some kind.
Osha and Mae are preparing for the ceremony and begin in another argument, which Osha argues they are not the same and that they need ‘their own things’, rather than their apparently sacred duality. Osha wonders what could lay outside of the coven, to which Mae does not understand.
We see the coven of witches gathered for the Ascension ceremony, chanting and singing while the group wave their hands in careful paces as if to summon or perform some kind of Force magic. Aniseya informs the group that this is the first Ascension since their exile. They have been hunted, persecuted and forced into hiding because most consider their power to be dark and unnatural. They have been blessed with a miracle, a gift of life in the form of Mae and Osha, who form some kind of symbiotic dyad with one another. The twins take the center while the witches begin chanting again, summoning something. Aniseya asks Mae if she takes the vow to become a witch and protect the coven of their legacy. Mae agrees and Aniseya summons some kind of magic into Mae, asking her to ascend. She asks the same of Osha, to which Osha agrees. However, Mae spots the Jedi approaching and Aniseya asks Koril to hide the twins.
The Jedi introduce themselves; Idara, Sol, Kelnacca, and her padawan Torbin. The Jedi thought the planet to be uninhibited and Aniseya claims this as a lie. The Jedi say they mean peace, yet Aniseya disagrees. Master Indara is concerned that the coven is training children and this is against Republic law, but Aniseya makes it very clear that her coven does not operate within the Republic.
Osha is impressed with the Jedi and how they carry themselves, but Mae is not impressed. The Jedi call for Mae and Osha to make themselves known and Osha steps forward, but Mae is reluctant. Indara asks who their father is and Aniseya says they do not have a father. This is reminiscent of Anakin Skywalker, who also was conceived by Shmi Skywalker without a father.
The Jedi assert their right to test them for potential Padawans. Aniseya reluctantly agrees to this. The coven deliberates while we learn that Koril physically carried the twins, but Aniseya created them for reasons unknown. Aniseya asks the children to fail the test while Mae and Osha debate if the Jedi are good or bad. Aniseya says there is no good or bad but power and who is allowed to use it.
Mae does fail the test upon her mother’s orders, but Osha denies her mother and passes the test, telling the coven that she wishes to become a Jedi instead. Mae becomes angry and locks Osha inside of her room and burns her diary as the fire begins to spread rapidly. The whole conclave becomes engulfed in flames and Sol helps Osha get away to safety. Sol seemingly sees Mae die and the camera pans to a pile of dead witches, not burned nor around any discernible fire. The Jedi take Osha to Coruscant and Sol tells Osha she will be his Padawan. On Brandok, it is revealed that Mae survived and begins her search for her sister.
‘The Acolyte’ Episode 4 Recap: “Day”
The episode begins on the plane Khofar where the Jedi Master Kelnacca has made his home, seemingly in exile. Kelnacca is the second last of the Jedi that Mae wishes to eliminate, with the final one being Sol, Osha’s former master. Her masked, Sith-like advisor has instructed Mae to kill Kelnacca without a weapon and Mae agrees, though does not know how this is to be done.
We then see Kelnacca cooking and engaging in simple and mundane household chores, but the camera pans to a symbol of sorts decorated within Kelnacca’s establishment, with mysterious, eerie music playing. The scene quickly cuts to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where we see Jecki Lon being trained in lightsaber combat from an unknown Jedi Master. Osha appears and wishes Jecki a goodbye, thanking her for her help in finding her sister Mae. It is obvious the two have grown very close, and Jecki is able to read Osha, telling her she can sense how much she still cares for her sister.
Mae and Qimir have landed on Khofar in order to seek Kelnacca in the lush, densely populated forest. The two talk about their shared Master, both who are attempting to decipher their Master and his intentions and the mission that he’s given Mae.
The Jedi convene and discuss the attempt to apprehend Mae as well as her supposed Jedi abilities. They recognize that Mae has been trained by a Jedi but that she does not know her Master, which the Jedi are confused by. They do not know how Mae was trained in their ways without their knowledge and attempt to configure Mae’s true power, as she has killed two Jedi and bested the rest.
The Jedi believe that someone has splintered from the Jedi Order. Ki-Adi-Mundi, a Jedi Master that will eventually sit upon the Jedi Council alongside Anakin Skywalker, remarks that they must bring it to the High Council, to which Vernestra Rwoh shuts down, claiming the council will only inform the Senate, which she does not want, as it could inspire a conspiracy of fear and mistrust of the Jedi. She orders for a group to be sent to apprehend Mae before she attempts to murder Kelnacca.
Sol and Vernesta discuss Mae and Sol’s past, with Vernestra asking Sol how he didn’t realize that Mae survived that night. Sol claims he watched Mae fall and that no one could have survived it. Sol and Vernestra devise a plan to apprehend Mae using Osha as bait, to which the two agree this is the most appropriate form of action. Sol then manages to catch Osha before Osha departs. Sol informs Osha of the plan, and Osha assumes they need her to get to Mae. Osha agrees, but reluctantly.
Mae and Qimir are making their trek deeper within the forest of Khofar, with Qimir inquisitive with how Mae will kill a Jedi without a weapon and the two discuss her other failed attempts. Mae asks Qimir what he knows of their shared Master and if Qimir has ever seen their Master’s face, to which Qimir responds with a resounding “no’. Mae then reminisces about her recent reunion with Osha, unable to believe that Osha is collaborating with Jedi scum.
With the Jedi team assembled, they discuss their plans to capture Mae. The group includes Sol, Jecki, and Yord. Eventually, the group lands in Khofar and asks a local alien where Kelnacca might be. They then use a Tynnan tracker named Bazil to begin searching for Kelnacca by following his scent. Yord and Osha discuss their shared history and Mae’s apparent power, with Yord speaking condescendingly to Osha as he is apparently concerned with her safety. Osha informs Yord that if things go awry, she needs Yord to apprehend Mae, as she cannot do it. Yord informs Osha that maybe Sol brought her to Khofar to face Mae, or even, herself.
The Jedi convoy makes their way further into the forest with Osha and Bazil and find themselves within a nest of eggs of some kind of creature. Bazil informs the group that something here is wrong and the Jedi debate their fate, uncertain of what the forest contains. Osha touches one of the eggs and as she walks away, the egg begins to move, revealing them instead to be winged insects hibernating. One of the insects rises up and attacks the group, but Sol withdraws his lightsaber, killing it. The group figures out the creatures are attracted to light. This is where Osha believes she is reconnecting with The Force, as she was able to sense the creature. Jecki and Osha talk about Osha’s past and her history and trauma with The Force.\
Mae and Qimir stop to rest and Mae begins to feel that her mission to kill a Jedi without a weapon is impossible and no longer relevant to her now that she finally knows Osha is alive. The two talk about Mae’s mission to kill the Jedi and the mystery of their shared Master, with Mae entirely uncertain what to do or who to trust. Mae eventually captures Qimir in a trap by screaming falsely, luring Qimir into an elaborate rope trap. Mae informs him of her plan; to turn herself into Kelnacca, planning to reconnect with Osha and tell the Jedi what she knows about her supposed Master. Qimir says that their Master will kill her, which Mae scoffs at.
Mae makes her way to Kelnacca, only for her to find that he has already been murdered by lightsaber. The Jedi arrive and surround Mae, ordering her to surrender to the Republic for her crimes against the Jedi Council. Before Mae can do so, her Master appears behind the Jedi, activating their red lightsaber in front of Osha, as if to kill her. The Jedi withdraw their lightsabers to fight, but the Master swiftly Force pushes Osha away and then the entire group of Jedi, with one swift movement as the screen fades to black.
Entertainment Interviews
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Entertainment Interviews ●
A Recap of ‘The Acolyte’ Episodes 1 & 2
Written by Michael Lee
*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. & Disney
Cast & Crew Interviews: ‘The Acolyte’
Photo via Lucasfilm Ltd. & Disney
‘The Acolyte’ - Official Trailer
Video via Disney
The ‘Acolyte’ Episode 1 Recap: “Lost / Found”
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It is the New Republic; an era of time previously unseen by any Star Wars live-action media. The galaxy knows peace and peace alone. The Jedi believe the Sith to be extinct. The Galactic Republic has not seen war. The Jedi have prospered as peacekeepers for ages without malignant foes. It is one hundred years before the rise of the Empire. A time well before the likes of Anakin, Obi-Wan, Rey or even Cassian Andor. But in the dark corners of the galaxy, a powerful mysterious few are learning the powers of the Force in secret.
The episode begins on the planet Ueda as a masked vigilante assassin threatens a Jedi Master named Indara in a local bar. Indara is a powerful Jedi warrior proficient in what is called “Force-fu” combat. Indara denies the vigilante, but she persists, disrupting the peace in a local bar until Indara takes the bait and the two engage in a Force combat. Indara then commlinks to the Jedi Order, informing them she is about to battle with someone who is Force sensitive. The assassin has only blades and The Force as her weapons, but she wields them powerfully. Indara draws her lightsaber, only for the assassin to call on her to withdraw her blade, to which Indara agrees. The assassin makes quick haste of the situation, distracting Indara by threatening an alien citizen. When Indara’s defenses are down, the assassin deals a killing blow as Indara crumples to the ground, dead.
We then cut to a woman named Osha, a meknek on a Trade Federation ship far from the galaxy’s capital, Coruscant. Her sleep is interrupted by some breathless nightmare. Her droid, Pip, and her friend Fillik are then called to a meknek job on the ship's surface. A fire erupts on the surface of the ship and Osha loses her attention, as she begins to hear sinister voices and wrenching screams coming up from the flames. The Nemodians of the Trade Federation then welcome two Jedi on board. One is Yord Fandar, a Jedi Knight and his padawan, Tasi Lowa. They are looking for a former Jedi, Osha Aniseya, the very same Osha working as a meknek aboard the ship. Yord informs Osha that Jedi Master Indara has been killed on Ueda, with descriptions matching Osha. The two question Osha, believing her to be the suspect in question. This is confirmed by the bar owner, who too is aboard the ship, and informs the Jedi she is the woman in question. We learn that Osha has left the Jedi Order and it was not an easy decision for her to make, but she needed a job in which to pay her debts. The Jedi order Osha to board a prison ship to Coruscant, where she will wait by trial by the Jedi Council.
On Coruscant, Jedi Master Sol is teaching a group of Jedi younglings about the power of the Force and how the Force moves through every living thing. This teaching is soon interrupted by Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh, who informs Sol that Osha is a suspect for the death of Indara and she is being transferred here by prison ship. Sol disbelieves Rwoh, who still sees his former Padawan Osha as a friend of the Force. The two exchange further words about the circumstances, as Rwoh and Sol agree to keep this death quiet, as it threatens the Jedi politically.
Back on the prison ship, Osha is behind bars where she meets the other prisoners, a hodge-podge group of men, aliens, and creatures. They inform Osha that they mean to escape, to which Osha laughs. Eventually though, with a small, seemingly Jedi mind trick, one of the prisoners manages to override the droids, pulling the ship out of hyperspace. The group breaks free but does not free Osha, as they refer to her as “Jedi Killer”. The group launches an escape pod as the ship stumbles through an asteroid field. Osha attempts to use the Force, but is unsuccessful. Osha braces for landing as the ship lands on a mysterious Ice planet.
Back at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Sol is reminiscing about Osha. We meet his new Padawan, ayoung Jedi named Jecki Lon. Jecki inquires about why Sol keeps his former Padawans in such high regard, as Jecki informs her Master Sol that attachment is forbidden in the Jedi Order. The two make their way to the detention level as Rwoh has captured the prisoner group that escaped from the prison ship with Osha aboard. They blame everything on Osha, the “Jedi Killer”. Sol wishes to travel to the Ice planet to investigate Osha, but Rwoh thinks Osha is dead. Rwoh grants Sol permission, but urges him to travel with Jecki and Jedi Knight Yord Fandar to investigate. We cut quickly to Osha as she escapes the ship to explore the new planet.
Osha begins having flashbacks or, quite possibly, hallucinations, in which we learn she was a twin. Her twin, Mae, appears to her as a youngling, and Mae tells Osha “Always one, but born as two”. Mae’s voice cracks to reveal a much deeper voice as the two reconcile old lullabies the two shared as children. Osha asks Mae if she is still alive,as she presumed her dead, to which she replies “Yes”. Osha again asks “Did you kill Indara?” to which Mae replies. “Yes. I will kill them all”. Osha awakens, clearly rattled.
Sol, Jecki, and Yord are aboard their ship, heading to find Osha, as the three discuss Osha and her past. Sol reveals that sixteen years ago, he was enlisted to Osha’s home planet. He reveals that Mae set their childhood home ablaze, killing everyone but Osha. Sol took Osha as his Padawan. We cut to scenes of a younger Sol and Osha, as his attention is diverted when Osha begins to describe the Force as a ‘great fire’, which concerns Sol greatly, though he does not speak on it further. They eventually land and find Osha quickly as the two reconnect, though Osha is at the head of a cliff, looking to fall. She slips, but Sol uses the Force to bring her back to land. Osha tells Sol she didn’t kill Indarra, but the three escort Osha back to their ship to detain her.
On what looks to be the planet Ahch-To, (the planet Luke Skywalker exiled himself to, which also happens to be the planet that housed the first Jedi Temple), we see the assassin, now presumed to be Mae, as she meets with a dark figure. The figures waxes that the “Jedi live in a dream. A dreamthey believe everyone shares..”. as he withdraws a red Sith saber and calls Mae “The Acolyte”.
The ‘Acolyte’ Episode 2 Recap: “Revenge / Justice”
The episode begins with Mae on the planet Olega, attempting to make her way into the local Jedi Temple there. She seeks a Jedi Master Torbin, who she finds meditating idly, surrounded by a Force barrier so strong that Mae cannot possibly break it. Torbin has been in a Force meditation for over a decade, remaining silent and taking no visitors. Mae bribes a small local girl to splice the droid security at the Jedi Temple, which allows her easy access. She finds Torbin, but she cannot break his focus. She leaves, albeit angrily.
Osha is awoken by Jeckie attempting to repair a small technological blip on the ship's mainframe computer as Osha instructs Jeckie how to fix it. Sol and Yord argue over Osha’s innocence, with Yord still suspicious of Osha and her intentions. They are then informed by Jedi Master Vernestra that there was an attempted attack on Master Torbin’s life, with descriptions again matching Osha. Sol and Vernestra agree that it is not Osha, but Mae, who is responsible for the death of Indara and the attack on Torbin. Verenestra advises Sol to bring the whole crew to Olega, which includes Osha, as she could be a valuable asset.
We cut to Mae wandering around Olega, stopping at a local apothecary shop, which is strewn about with several potions, liquids, and brews. We meet Qimir, a former smuggler. He doesn’t work at the apothecary shop, but is masquerading as if he does. Qimir asks if Mae managed to kill the Jedi Torbin, but Mae expresses her failure, claiming she needs a weapon, a poison. She asks Qimir to concoct her one, to which Qimir hesitantly agrees. It is here we learn of Mae’s plan to kill four Jedi, including a Wookie Jedi named Kelnacca. Indara, Torbin, Kelnacca and Sol are revealed to have been stationed at Osha and Mae’s home planet of Brendok at the the time of the fire, and Mae wishes to kill the four, for reasons still unclear. Qimir too speaks ill of the Jedi, saying they justify their galactic dominance in the name of peace, yet they do not know true peace. Peace is a lie and Jedi only think they have found peace. He also informs her that her Master still requires to kill one Jedi without the use of a weapon. With her poison potion in hand, Osha leaves.
Sol and Osha reconnect aboard the ship, reminiscing about their shared past and the traumas they both endured, hinting at the reason Osha was exiled from the Jedi Order. The two attempt to figure out how Mae is still alive, but cannot comprehend the reason. They both try to reckon with accepting peace, but they are clearly still troubled by the past. The group then arrives at Olega and connects with the overseeing Jedi Master of the Temple. Sol informs him that they are investigating the attempt on Torbin’s life and the death of Indara, assuming the two crimes are related. Mae has made her way back to Torbin, who breaks his meditation which we learn is called the Barash Vow. Mae reckons with Torbin about his haunted past. She offers him a choice of confessing his crimes to the Jedi Council or take the forgiveness he seeks from Mae. Torbin awakes, informing Mae he has been waiting for her. Mae offers the poison to Torbin as absolution for his past. He stops meditating and willingly takes it, dying just as the others arrive.
Osha finds Tobirn’s dead body before the others, and the crime scene implicates her as the murderer, though Yord steps forward and vouches for her innocence, as he has secretly followed her, still distrusting Osha. The group comes up with a plan to apprehend Mae, with Jeckie devising a plan to bug Osha while she disguises herself as Mae in front of Qimir, hoping he gives some implication or confession of the crime. Osha agrees, and the group ponder their approach. Osha makes her way to the apothecary shop and engages with Qimir, with Qimir referencing a shared master; “He will be so pleased”. Qimir catches on to Osha, claiming she looks exactly like Mae. Sol, Jeckie, and Yord then apprehend Qimr, who questions his relationship to Mae. He reveals he used to be employed by the Hutts. Sol asks who “He” is but Qimir dodges the question, attempting to claim his innocence. He reveals the existence of Mae's master and her overall plan.
Sol and Osha argue over who will confront Mae, as they disagree wholeheartedly as to who will apprehend her. The two of them bicker, referencing their past fraught relationship as Master and Padawan. Osha inforrms Sol that Mae wishes to kill him, too. But ultimately, Sol is the one to confront Mae, and he does. The two of them engage in a highly-stylized but weaponless fight with Sol attempting to figure out who Mae’s Master is. But Mae doesn’t know, as her Master has taken great lengths to protect himself and his identity. We come to find out that Mae believes Osha to be dead and Sol informs her Osha is alive, but she doesn’t believe them. Yord joins in the duel as Jeckie attempts to arrest Mae, but Mae escapes in a cloud of dust. As she escapes, Osha and Mae meet again. Osha attempts to stun Mae, but Mae escapes.
Later, Mae comes back for Qimir and threatens him over talking to the Jedi, but he convinces her to leave him alive because he has learned that Kelnacca is living on the planet Khofar. We cut to Khofar and meet two rogue explorers speaking Huttese. The two are apprehended by Kelnacca, the Wookie Jedi, as the screen fades to black.