Movies News Talk
The season 1 finale of The Acolyte closes unresolved questions, generates fresh ones, and leaves the shadow of Darth Vader and the dark side hovering over the High Republic Era. The finale had to tie off the fates of Osha and Mae, explain Qimir's motivations, conclude the story of Master Sol, and expose Vernestra Rwoh's links to everything after the previous episode answered what happened on the planet Brendok.
The front and center characters of the Acolyte season one finale were Characters returned to the planet of Brendok in the episode resulted in major revelations, character transformations, and hints for possible next seasons. By means of several components, The Acolyte moved one step away from the High Republic to the prequel trilogy, guided by the shadow of the dark side, foreboding future of Darth Vader hangs over events.
Vernestra Rwoh talks with Rayencourt, a Senator mentioned throughout the show, in the finale. Given their developing cooperation, this Senator requests an outside Senate review of the Jedi. If not for himself, Rayencourt wants to know who the Jedi fight for and does not trust them.
Though Vernestra argues Rayencourt is incorrect, the ending of the finale with Master Sol shows otherwise. Rather than bringing Mae to justice, Vernestra solely holds Sol's untimely death at the hands of Osha responsible for the murders of Indara, Torbin, and Kelnacca. Absolving the wider Jedi Order of their involvement, Sol is used as a scapegoat; the Senate is informed of Sol's own selfish behavior creating these issues. This suggests Senator Rayencourt might have had some sense.
Common wisdom was that Osha and Mae would trade places since episode 6: Mae would visit the Jedi in a different perspective while Osha would turn to the darkness and accompany Qimir. This occurred in the finale. Osha totally turned against her former training and embraced the guilt, anger, and fear that drove her to fail as a Jedi after learning of Sol's involvement in Aniseya's murder.
Osha Force choked Sol and formally joined Qimir using his trademark power move. This was a momentous occasion highlighting a major component of Darth Vader's power and the shadow side's impact.
Many fans have questioned how Sith warriors get red lightsabers. Though books and comics have described this, The Acolyte is the first live-action Star Wars property to feature a Jedi's lightsaber "bled" into a red, Sith-like blade. With one hand Osha force-chokes Sol, her other holds his lightsaber with the Kyber crystal showing. The Kyber crystal bleeds as Osha explores her darkness, changing the once-meaning blue of the Jedi to the dark red of the Sith.
As hinted at, Vernestra Rwoh hides Sol's death under most likely Jedi Council direction. Sol's passing would mean the Jedi would have to own their actions on Brendok as well as the tragedies Indara, Torbin, and Kelnacca suffered. Accepting what happened would thus mean realizing that the Sith have tipped the balances in the galaxy toward the dark side.
Because of her unknown relationship to Qimir, Vern tells the Jedi to attribute Sol and Sol alone responsibility for what happened.
Two big Star Wars cameos will definitely be the main topic of discussion for the finale. Midway through the show, a robed figure is seen observing Qimir and Osha as they are shown leaving their enigmatic planet to intercept Mae and Sol. This figure is none other than the Sith Master of Emperor Palpatine, Darth Plagueis. Mae and Qimir's departure shows Plagueis's bony fingers, long face, and piercing yellow eyes, so really hanging the shadow of the dark side of the show.
On the other side of The Acolyte's good and evil spectrum is the cameo in the last shot of the show: Master Yoda. Vernestra Rwoh enters a room apologizing for upsetting Yoda and insisting they should talk after trying to hide the misdeeds of the Jedi Order. Looking more like a puppet than the CGI prequels, the camera pans down to show Yoda's rear. This connects to the future tales of the Skywalker Saga and suggests The Acolyte's much more expansive narrative of light and dark.