Movies News Talk
Not to be missed: The Acolyte episode 4 spoilers are found in this page. Star Wars just squandered its first live-action Wookiee Jedi in The Acolyte's fourth episode. Having been extensively included in the program's whole marketing approach and even present at several press events, Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo) was touted as one of the most interesting new characters on the show and a big lure for The Acolyte. Still, The Acolyte episode 4 lost Kelnacca already.
George Lucas wasn't interested in at the start of building the galaxy far, far away, hence the Star Wars canon features just a small number of known Jedi Wookiees. But he finally returned during the creation of the The Clone Wars animated series, which resulted in a tiny number of Force-sensitive Wookiees showing up in the canon in subsequent years, including Kelnacca as the first to show up in Live-action in The Acolyte. It thus makes losing Kelnacca much more sad as it occurs so early.
Amazingly, despite Kelannca's relatively little screen time, The Acolyte episode 4 ends with his unexpected demise. As the new episode shows, Kelnacca was living on the planet Khofar on his own in a far-off forest. Likewise, Mae Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg) was looking on her hit list for the Wookiee, the next Jedi Master, an apparently test from her enigmatic Sith master.
To be reunited with her twin sister Osha, Mae finally chooses to transform herself into Master Kelnacca, therefore renouncing her master. Osha and Master Sol's gathered squad of Jedi was also looking for Kelnacca concurrently. Sadly, Mae discovers Kelnacca dead in her house, having been killed by her master shortly before the rest of the Jedi Knights show up and personally confront this new Sith Lord.
Previous The Acolyte episodes did show that Master Kelnacca was in danger, exactly as the rest of the Jedi stationed on Brendock when they found Mae and Osha as minors. Ultimately, Mae had already slain two of the four Jedi at the start of The Acolyte episode 4; left with Kelnacca and Jedi Master Sol as the last two she must kill to prove her value to her master. Still, it's startling that Kelncaca is already dead since next to nothing has been known about his background with the Jedi, personality, or overall character in general.
Though there is an official Marvel Comics book about Kelnacca in the works that will highlight more about his Jedi past, it's difficult not to perceive his short screen time and role as a great lost opportunity for Star Wars' first live-action Wookiee Jedi. Though there will presumably be a few more scenes of Kelnacca via flashbacks in next episodes of The Acolyte, his untimely death at the end of episode 4 is still pretty sad, especially given the fact that his murder happened off-screen prior to Mae ever arriving.
Given Kelnacca was already seen by many The High Republic book readers as a consolation figure, his untimely death is much more frustrating. Though The Acolyte is set roughly 100 years after the present events detailed in the books, the novels and comics have already introduced the Wookiee Jedi Burryaga to this same era, one who would theoretically still be alive courtesy of long Wookiee life spans. Burryaga was right there for Lucasfilm to employ for The Acolyte; he has had all types of character development with an interesting background throughout several stories.
With the emotional component of losing a character that many pre-existing High Republic supporters knew and loved, Burryaga's murder would have drastically increased the stakes and made the dark forces at work in The Acolyte even more terrifying. Rather, a brand-new Wookiee Jedi was decided upon. Still, presenting Kelnacca over bringing Burryaga to life wouldn't have been nearly as much of a concern had this new Wookiee been completely developed and filled out as a character before his unexpected murder.
Set in the Star Wars world toward the end of The High Republic Era, the Acolyte features both the Galactic Empire and the Jedi at their most influential point. Investigating various crimes, this sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they uncover events all pointing to darkness bursting from beneath the surface and ready to bring about the death of the High Republic.
Added to the always growing Star Wars universe is the Acolyte. Examining fresh individuals and narratives, it provides a window into another era on the chronology. Although some fans are choosing to criticize the Acolyte instead of interact with it in a healthy and productive way, it has great potential to be a fascinating and provocative addition to the franchise. The dedication to invention and discovery will determine Star Wars' course forward. Campaigns of review-bombing merely help to suppress originality and deter filmmakers from daring. Fans should interact with the property in a polite and encouraging manner, so appreciating the complexity and diversity Star Wars presents.