By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review contains spoilers.
This week’s episode takes us 16 years into the past on Brendok, where we reunite with our four exploring Jedi. Initially, the sight of a Wookie with a metal detector seemed odd, but we quickly learn the Jedi’s purpose: to search for a vergence in the Force. It was wonderful to spend time with these Jedi, most of whom have had little screen time in the series so far. The relationship between Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Sol (Lee Jung-jae) felt natural and fluid, making it unfortunate that we didn’t see more of it throughout the series.
The manipulation and possession scene between Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Mother Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith) was fascinating, especially seeing its lasting impact on Torbin. More intriguing was Sol’s desire to have Osha as a padawan, which is a deviation from Jedi norms. We’ve seen Sol as a measured character, but here his impulsive and reckless nature comes through, marking a natural evolution for him. Sol’s frustration grows when the Council rejects his request to take the twins into their stewardship, and blood test results reveal that Mae and Osha were manipulated from one being into two. Torbin sees this as proof of the vergence and his ticket back to the temple.
As the other Jedi pursue Torbin, who heads to the coven’s encampment, Mae, under Mother Koril’s (Margarita Levieva) orders, is pushed towards violence to prevent Osha from leaving with the Jedi. During an intense standoff, Sol misinterprets Mother Aniseya’s intentions and kills her, although blame can be shared among several parties for their motives for the conflict. Torbin’s lightsaber choreography, reminiscent of Hayden Christensen’s style, was impressive. The coven’s possession of Kelnacca’s (Joonas Suotamo) mind leads to an exciting live-action Wookie Jedi fight with powerful, two-handed strikes reminiscent of Darth Vader. The scale contrast between Wookie and Human was striking.
We then see the bridge scene from Sol’s perspective, where he tries to save both twins but is forced to choose one, a decision that haunts him. With the witches dead and Osha safe, Indara constructs a version of events for the Jedi Council, using the Obi-Wan approach of “truth from a certain point of view.”
Despite some anticipated criticism from certain Star Wars fans about the inclusion of vergences and midi-chlorians, I find the concept of a vergence more compelling than simply having twins. It adds depth to the story and aligns with the established mystery. While I supported the idea of “Rey being no one,” I sometimes enjoy a grander design in Star Wars mythos, and Mae and Osha fit into that nicely.
The full picture of what happened on Brendok is now clear, with all three parties playing a role in the events. While placing all the blame on the Jedi could have been a refreshing twist, the presence of positive characters makes this balanced story more intriguing, especially regarding Osha and Mae’s actions post-coven.
Lastly, Dean-Charles Chapman delivered an incredible performance as Torbin, despite his limited screen time, and deserves high praise. With the finale next week, there’s still much to unfold, promising an exciting and intriguing conclusion to this highly enjoyable Star Wars tale!
What did you think of the latest episode of Star Wars: The Acolyte? Let us know in the comments!
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