Star Wars: The Acolyte has been a lightning rod because the first trailers for the present dropped – and that damaging commentary surrounding the present by no means abated whereas it was on.
That is all to say: The Acolyte‘s Season Finale episode had rather a lot to perform: answering lingering mysteries of the storyline, offering a satisfying ultimate showdown between the principal participant, and in some way making all of it match inside the Star Wars canon. It should not be a shock that The Acolyte could not meet all these challenges, however regardless, Episode 8 positively had some standout moments followers will probably be buzzing about…
The Acolyte Episode 8 Recap (Finale Spoilers)
Breathe In, Breathe Out – The episode opens with The Stranger/Qimir (Manny Jacinto) discovering Osha (Amandla Stenberg) in his cavern dwelling together with his Cortosis helmet on her head. When Osha begins gasping for air, Qimir tries to strategy her and take away the helmet, solely to seek out his thoughts being taken over by Osha the best way Mom Aniseya as soon as took maintain of Torbin’s thoughts. Qimir should push by the darkness that Osha plunges him into – in addition to battle again the Power-hold on his bodily physique, so as to get to the helmet and eventually pull it off of Osha. Osha is left rattled, saying that she sees a imaginative and prescient of her twin sister Mae, killing Jedi Grasp Sol (Lee Jung-jae) whereas holding a lightsaber however not really utilizing the weapon to complete him. Qimir acknowledges the imaginative and prescient as a attainable imminent future, during which Mae completes her coaching as his acolyte. Osha counters that this future is not but fastened in place, and she will nonetheless cease Mae. Qimir asks how she will cease Mae when he has the one ship to get them to her, making it clear he intends to hunt her down. Osha proposes an alliance, with Qimir agreeing that they will journey collectively to seek out Mae, and see which one among them she chooses to hearken to.
Escape Plan – Mae continues to be being held in restraints on Sol’s ship after he recounted to her what actually occurred on her residence planet Brendok sixteen years earlier. Sol reveals he is introduced them again to Brendok, the place he’ll name Grasp Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) to come back and see proof of the Power Vergence that supposedly exists on Brendok, having Mae and Osha be irrefutable proof of how the Power could be tapped to artificially create life. Mae counters that Sol’s “proof” would not justify his killing of Mom Aniseya, beginning an argument whereas secretly utilizing PIP the droid’s head as a lockpick on her restraints. Mae calls for to know why Sol did not ever inform Osha the reality if he is so certain he is justified in all this, and Sol defends himself by saying killing Aniseya was an accident, and that Mae is the one answerable for beginning the fireplace that finally destroyed the coven. Mae is unwavering in her view that the Jedi’s “invasion” of her residence brought about its downfall, and Sol is the one who set all of it in movement. Sol will get emotional, saying his actual guilt is over not saving each Mae and Osha when he had the possibility. He tries to elucidate to Mae that Osha is not actually her twin or her sister – however Mae will get free and makes use of PIP as a taser, zapping Sol and leaving him shocked. Mae flees by the ship (with Bazil monitoring her) as Sol recovers and offers pursuit. PIP leads Mae to an escape pod, with Mae telling Sol “See you in hell, Jedi,” earlier than she straps in, places a pilot helmet on, and flies away towards Brendok’s floor.
[The Acolyte Title Logo Plays]
Again to Brendok – Sol runs into the cockpit of his ship and pursues Mae all the way down to Brendok’s floor. Mae weapons the throttle and takes Sol on a chase into the icy ring round one among Brendok’s moons, considering Sol’s ship is just too large to comply with. Sol offers chase anyway, with Bazil wanting involved as icy crystals start hitting the ship. When Sol tries to speed up, Bazil pulls some wires free within the ship, disabling the accelerator. Sol’s ship stalls out, whereas Mae’s ship loses its bearings and comes spinning out of the ice ring to make a tough touchdown on the floor of Brendok.
Political Animals – Within the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Rwoh is approached by Jedi Mog (Harry Trevaldwyn) who informs her that Senator Rayencourt (David Harewood) is on-site to talk along with her. Rwoh is each stunned and irritated that Rayencourt has come (and was admitted by Jedi safety) so as to sandbag her. Rayencourt is ready inside Rwoh’s chambers, eager to know the way she’s doing after her hyperspace travels, which he is aware of makes her unwell. Rwoh corrects the senator’s fear about her abdomen, saying it is her head that will get troubled by hyperspace journey, and that she’s superb. Rwoh presses to know why Rayencourt has come personally, and he reveals that he is caught wind that Rwoh is conducting a Jedi homicide investigation with out reporting it to the senate or Jedi Council; Rwoh counters that it’s an inside matter she’s dealing with internally, inside her delegated authority to take action, and inside authorized bounds to solely report bigger threats. When Rayencourt presses to know why that is no bigger menace at work, Rwoh slips up by revealing there have been a number of Jedi murders when stating she’s near apprehending the killer. Rayencourt needs to know if the suspect is a Jedi, however Rwoh will not reply and begins to take her go away. Rayencourt will get private, saying he is aware of she would not like him or his requires a evaluation of the Jedi Order, which he sees as a large unchecked energy posing as a faith, false and self-deluded in its assertions of Jedi being higher-minded Zen grasp monks. Rayencourt feels it is only a matter of time and numbers earlier than a Jedi snaps and goes rogue, creating a large menace that even different Jedi might not be capable to cease. Rayencourt thinks views of the Jedi should be introduced down from the heights of them being legendary heroes to seeing the flawed group they really are. Rwoh listens earlier than utilizing her Power skills to open the door and present the senator out. Rayencourt leaves, letting Rwoh know an official tribunal is being conveyed to evaluation the homicide investigation.
Darth Plageuis the Creepy – Osha, and Qimir dress in darkish cloaks and head to the strip of land the place Qimir’s ship is docked. Alongside the best way, Qimir asks the place they’re going, however Osha will not reveal it for worry of dropping her leverage. Qimir tries to behave powerful, however Osha calls out his sense of equity in making offers along with her and Mae and honoring his facet of these offers. Qimir as soon as once more tries to seduce Osha into turning into his pupil, however she reminds him that she’s not Mae, and Qimir agrees since Mae accepted his provide with no hesitation. As the 2 board the ship and take off, a mysterious and freaky-looking creature hiding in Qimir’s cavern lair steps out to observe them go. [Note: It’s widely speculated that this creature is “Darth Plagueis the Wise,” the secret Sith Lord who was obsessed with manipulating life through the Force, and became the master Sheev Palpatine/Darth Sidious.]
Name In The Calvary – Sol lastly lands on Brendok and stares longfully for a second earlier than re-activating his ship’s transponder. He goes exterior and makes use of his Power sense to find Mae and comply with her. On the ship, Bazil watches Sol go. On Coruscant, Rwoh is making an attempt to make a secret name to an unknown social gathering, hinting that she is aware of he is unavailable however wants to talk to him anyway, because it’s an emergency. She’s informed by the spokesperson on the telephone that her request will probably be taken to the one that wants to listen to it. Mog enters and reviews Sol’s ship being discovered on Brendok. Rwoh has her ship ready, and a squad of Jedi Knights gathered quietly to lastly pressure a “decision” to the battle. In the meantime, Qimir and Osha arrive on Brendok and notice that Mae and Sol have already overwhelmed them there.
Coven of Ghosts – Sol sees Qimir’s ship flying in as he returns to the rubble of the coven, listening to echoes of that tragic night time he killed Aniseya. Osha and Qimir get to the door of the coven stronghold, with Osha claiming that hacking the door controls is the one means in; Qimir asks if that is right, and when Osha turns round he is vanished. Sol walks by the rubble to the catwalk the place he saved Osha and let Mae fall; when he walks away, Mae climbs up from the place she fell from the catwalk and infiltrates the stronghold. Mae hears Sol calling her identify and avoids him, ending up flooded with recollections when she enters the quarters she as soon as shared along with her mom and sister. Exterior, Osha will get the door controls working and enters.
Let Them Battle! – Sol will get ambushed by Qimir whereas strolling down a darkish hallway. Qimir thanks Sol for serving to him discover Mae, saying they make a “nice staff.” The 2 warriors start to duel; after a number of rounds of martial arts fight, they find yourself again within the courtyard the place Sol killed Aniseya, Sol declares he’ll destroy Qimir if he should, and Qimir counters that Mae should kill Sol earlier than that. They fought some extra, and Qimir tries throwing each his lightsaber and saber-dagger at Sol and utilizing Power-holds to chop him down with helicopter swords; Sol turns off his saber and makes use of a particular Power-fu method to knock the swords and The Stranger again, however Qimir rapidly recovers his blades, slaps them again right into a longsword, and assaults once more.
Household Reunion – Osha finds Mae of their previous quarters, seething at her sister over all of the loss of life and chaos she brought about. Mae pleads with Osha that Sol lied to her about blaming Mae for the coven’s loss of life, however Osha takes accountability, saying that Sol by no means blamed MaeL he tried to make Osha reconcile that you would be able to love somebody who did a foul factor. It was Osha’s personal mixture of rage and grief that haunted her and finally saved her from embracing the methods of the Jedi – similar to Mae needed. Mae drops the reveal that Sol killed Aniseya, saying that it was all the time unattainable for Osha to be a Jedi if the person who killed her mom was her trainer. Osha loses it and assaults Mae and the 2 have a critical martial arts battle, with Mae holding her personal. Osha will get further mad with she sees that Mae has hacked PIP, who squirts Osha within the face with oil.
Duels of the Fates – Sol notices Vernestra Rwoh’s ship coming in for a touchdown, and smugly tells The Stranger that he’ll quickly face justice; Qimir confidently responds that the Jedi should not there for him. We get alternating cuts of Mae vs. Osha and Sol vs. The Stranger, with Osha and Mae additionally noticing the Jedi ship arriving – a possibility Mae makes use of to fade from the room. Sol and Qimir lock sabers, earlier than Sol lastly will get in a decisive strike, slicing Qimir’s hilt in half. Sol holds Qimir on the tip of his saber, considering ending him, because the villain removes his helmet to face Sol eye to eye. Mae all of the sudden arrives and surprises Sol, disarming him of his saber, which she tosses away onto a close-by rock, breaking it open to reveal the blue kyber crystal inside.
Confess! – Qimir begins to speak Mae by the ultimate check of hanging down Sol (utilizing no weapon), however Mae refuses, selecting to see Sol confess to the Jedi Council and Senate, and face justice for killing her mom. Sol doubles down on his justifications, lastly revealing that Osha and Mae are one soul, cut up into two our bodies by Aniseya’s distinctive harnessing of the Power vergence on Brendok. Sol tries to get Mae to see how her existence and the vergence on Brendok are proof of better Power energy that may be tapped into – particulars that Qimir listens to, intently. Mae concludes that seeing Mom Aniseya’s stage of energy made Sol panic and kill her, and Sol lastly, closely, lets out the admission that he certainly murdered Aniseya. Osha comes strolling out of the shadows and picks up Sol’s lightsaber, having heard his confession. Osha asks if it is true and why she was lied to, and Sol goes by the rationalizations that they lined issues up on Brendok as a result of they wanted each Mae and Osha to show the ability of the vergence; that exposing Osha’s true origin would’ve marked her as a lab rat to be studied by the Jedi and Republic, and that he needed to assist her attain her unattainable dream of being a Jedi. Osha lastly snaps, Power-choking Sol mid-sentence when he tries to say he loves her. Osha instructions Sol to cease speaking earlier than Power-choking him even more durable, making Sol’s blue kyber crystal begin to bleed purple in her hand; Sol falls to his knees, shedding a tear, hoarsely telling Osha “It is okay…” earlier than she finishes him off.
Rise of the Acolyte – Osha falls to her knees, traumatized, and Qimir tries to place his hand on her shoulder for consolation. Osha screams and ignites Sol’s saber, swinging it wildly at Qimir, who doges her blows effortlessly. Instantly, the saber’s blue mild glints and explodes right into a wild purple coloration. Each Mae and Osha stare on the saber, in shock and awe. In the meantime, Vernestra Rwoh and her Jedi squad exit the ship, and Rwoh instantly Power-senses Qimir (who isn’t carrying his cortosis helmet to protect his ideas) and acknowledges him as the previous padawan she thought useless. Qimir feels Rwoh sensing him, and rapidly re-dons his helmet, disappearing from Osha and Mae’s facet. Rwoh tells Morg and the opposite Jedi that she is aware of the place to go and to comply with her, as Bazil runs out of Sol’s ship to hitch them.
Escape! – Mae shakes Osha out of her stupor and tells her they should escape, rapidly, and she or he is aware of how one can get away. Because the Jedi get to the stronghold door, Rwoh pries it open along with her Power skills and “reads” all of the echoes across the scene as the opposite Jedi head inside. Mae takes Osha to the catwalk the place she fell and bids her sister to belief her. They climb down the cliff and enter a hidden tunnel within the rock wall, which had beforehand sucked Mae in whereas she was falling, permitting her to flee the coven’s fires sixteen years prior. Rwoh’s staff will get to the coven’s primary courtyard and Rwoh is ready to hear the echoes of all the things that occurred there along with her 4 Jedi colleagues (Sol, Torbin, Kelnacca, Indara) and the witches, on the night time the coven was destroyed. They discover Sol’s physique and Rwoh sends the Jedi knights and Bazil off to determine against the law scene perimeter and pursue the escaping assailant(s). The Stranger is there, watching Rwoh from a excessive perch over the courtyard, as Rwoh kneels over Sol’s physique and whispers one thing. Rwoh senses The Stranger’s presence and appears up, however he is already gone. Mae and Osha run out of the tunnel into the forest, with Osha asking Mae what her subsequent transfer had been all these years in the past. Bazil will get Mae’s scent and begins main the Jedi after her; Mae and Osha arrive on the Bunta tree they performed beneath as children, the place Mae reveals she waited for her sister for a while after the coven burned. The 2 sisters apologize to one another for all the things (together with the fireplace), falling to their knees in tears, and reciting their nursery rhyme about being two-in-one. Qimir sneaks up on them, Power-grabbing Osha’s lightsaber, and letting the ladies know that if he discovered them, the Jedi are about to, as nicely. Osha needs to admit to the Jedi, believing they’re going to should reconcile with what Sol did to Aniseya, however Mae and Qimir guarantee her that is naive, and that the Jedi will view her as an enemy – presumably one destroying her similar to Aniseya.
Sending Neglect-Me-Nots – Osha would not know what to do, so Mae asks her sister what she needs. Osha chooses to grow to be Qimir’s acolyte and prepare at midnight facet if Mae is free of her deal. Because the Jedi staff will get nearer, Qimir affords to make use of his Power skills to mind-wipe Mae, taking any reminiscence of him and Osha away, perpetually. Mae agrees, however Osha cannot do it – till Mae tells her sister to go comply with her future with out it being interrupted, this time. Osha extends her hand to Qimir, who returns her lightsaber and asks for a second to hug her sister a final time and pledge to seek out her once more at some point. They as soon as once more recite their nursery rhyme, however midway by Mae alerts to Qimir to wipe her thoughts, and he does. Mae cannot bear in mind how one can end the rhyme, and Osha smiles, figuring out the job is completed. The Jedi arrive on the bunta tree to discover a confused and disoriented Mae, on their lonesome.
The Cowl-Up – Mae is introduced earlier than Vernestra Rwoh on the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Rwoh interviews Mae, however Mae actually cannot recall something previous the night time of the fireplace on the coven, and Sol killing Aniseya. She is aware of the sensation of want to seek out somebody – however cannot bear in mind who. Rwoh confides in Mae that Sol is the person from her reminiscence and he was responsible of murdering Mae’s mother, regardless of being an in any other case type and noble Jedi. A set of interweaving montages sees Rwoh taking that testimonial about Sol to the tribunal Senator Rayencourt shaped. Rwoh paints Sol and his comrades as “dangerous apples,” who dedicated an atrocity on Brendok – and Sol because the murderer who killed the opposite three accomplices (and different Jedi) to cowl up his better crime. One other have a look at the scene the place Rwoh is kneeling over Sol’s physique on Brendok reveals that she whispered a heartfelt apology to him, figuring out what she was about to do to his identify and legacy. Rayencourt pushes for a full exterior evaluation of the Jedi Order, however Rwoh counters that the Excessive Council considers Sol one rogue Jedi whose guilt made him ultimately return to the scene of his crime and take his personal life. One other flashback exhibits Rwoh giving Sol a Jedi funeral pyre on a river, burning his physique to erase any proof of how he really died. The montages in the reduction of to Rwoh with Mae, with the Jedi Grasp convincing herself of the story as she’s telling, as she’s telling it. Rwoh slips up on one element when she tells Mae that Sol was twisted by a egocentric love of her sister – making Mae marvel what sister she even has. Rwoh asks Mae if listening to the identify Osha stirs something in her, however it would not. Rwoh tells Mae the Jedi failed her and must make it proper – if Mae can assist the order first. Mae needs to know what she has to do, and Rwoh reveals she needs her assist monitoring down one among her previous pupils, who turned evil…
The Rule of Two – Again on Qimir’s thriller planet hideout, he and Ohsa stand searching on the sea, at a solar that is setting between rocky islands within the distance, holding palms (and gripping the lightsaber) as a dramatic overture performs. The display screen cuts to black earlier than Vernestra Rwoh enters a non-public room within the Jedi temple, apologizing for interrupting. The digital camera pans all the way down to reveal the again of Grasp Yoda. Rwoh tells Yoda that there are issues they should focus on…
[End Credits Roll]
Star Wars: The Acolyte is streaming on Disney+.