Title: The Acolyte
Directed by: Hanelle M. Culpepper
This is the season finale. Initially, this episode didn’t have an official title. The Disney+ app had it as “Episode 8” however other sources are calling it “Doom”. Only IMDB was showing it as “The Acolyte”. I wonder why the title was so elusive for so long. Regardless, let’s get on with the discussion.
Again, this will contain major spoilers so proceed with caution (or go watch it first).
I’ll start by saying this was a good episode and a pretty solid season finale. I wouldn’t say this is the best season finale (that still belongs to Season 2 of The Mandalorian). Not only does the episode end alluding to a second season but leaves you craving it!
Acting and Story Points
I still struggled to connect with Osha and Mae even during their big emotional moments. Perhaps Amandla Stenberg still needs some practice acting opposite herself. As I’ve said since the beginning, Lee Jung-jae’s and Manny Jacinto’s acting have been incredible!
I’m still trying to figure out why Bazil disabled the ship during Sol’s pursuit of Mae.
I’m sad about Sol’s demise especially given how tragic it was but I knew it was coming. Dying to a Force choke from the pupil he was trying to protect is Shakespearean. Then he is thrown under the proverbial bus by Vernestra Rowh; some “friend” she was.
This show does a good job of painting the Jedi in a negative light but that is the intent. This is the fall of the High Republic era. We have to get from the height of the Jedi to what they become by The Phantom Menace.
Always Better in Live Action
We got a couple of really awesome treats in this episode. Let’s start with Mae bleeding the kyber crystal. We have heard, many times, how the Sith bleed their crystal, to bend it to their will, thus turning it red but we have never seen this happen in live action. It was awesome.
Now let’s address the cameos. We knew Yoda had to be around somewhere since he’s barely a spry 800 years old. Just offering a glimpse is perfect but let’s be honest, that isn’t the cameo everyone is talking about.
The skulking figure we see lurking in the cave after the stranger and Osha leave is Darth Plagueis. Given the nature in which the twins are created, this guy has to show up. He is obsessed with creating life, as told to us by Palatine in Revenge of the Sith. Lucasfilm succeeded in making this guy look creepy and season two needs to happen so we get more. This is probably the most exciting thing, for me, in this season.
Now I need to go read the Plagueis book (I don’t care if it’s not canon).
I will try to do another post with some final thoughts on the season as a whole.
What did you think of the finale?
