In Review: Star Wars: The Acolyte (S1 – EP8) The Acolyte

Synopsis: In the season finale of The Acolyte Master Sol must answer for his mistakes and confronts Qimir AKA The Stranger.

The following contains spoilers.

The Story

Having just revealed to Mae his role in the deaths of the Jedi Witch Cult that raised her and Osha. Master Sol tries to justify his part in things by claiming to Mae that he was concerned for her and her sister. While Sol attempts to explain Mae manages to break free of her restraints and escapes. Sol gives chase and they both head back to Brendock because Sol believes that the Vergence in the force is still in play there.

Meanwhile on Coruscant. Vernestra Rwoh gets a visit from Senator Rayencourt who is suspicious and not trusting of the Jedi. Rayencourt asks Rhow why she has kept the murder investigation she has been pursuing in-house and has not informed the Senate. Rhoh tells him that it is because the victims were Jedi and had nothing to do with the Senate. Rayencourt begrudgingly lets the issue go and leaves. At this point Rhoh gets news that Master Sol has returned to Brendock and leaves with as many Jedi as she can muster to try and resolve the situation.

Sith Lord Darth Plagueis watches on from the shadows as Osha Force Chokes Master Sol

Back on Brendock things come to a head when Sol and Qimir have a spectacular lightsaber battle. As their fight concludes Mae and Osha arrive. When Qimir tells Mae to strike Sol down and complete her journey to the dark side Mae refuses and for the first time seems to have found inner calm. Osha however is fuming having just learned the truth about how her mother died and proceeds to force choke Sol while  Sith Lord Darth Plagueis watches on from the shadows.

As events conclude the two sisters part ways as Osha chooses to be an apprentice under Qimir. However, to prevent Osha from revealing where they have gone to the Jedi, Qimir wipes her memory.

As the episode draws to a close. Vernestra Rwoh reports everything that happened to the Senate and visits Master Yoda to let him know that the Sith have returned.

The Acting

Lee Jung-jae puts in an amazing performance as Master Sol, which is even better when you realize that the actor learned English so he could play the role. We also get a fun performance from David Harewood as Senator Rayencourt who isn’t too keen on the Jedi and their secretive ways. 

Overall

A fantastic season finale that opens up the story for future seasons and also features a brief cameo from Darth Plagueis who we first heard about in the Star Wars Prequel trilogy. I was sad to see Master Sol go, but at the end of the day it didn’t really make a great deal of sense for them to keep him around. The introduction of Senator Rayencourt will make for some interesting conflicts between him and the Jedi Council in future seasons should the series get renewed.