The Acolyte Recap: The Seizin’ of the Witch

As a devoted fan of “The Acolyte,” I’ve been eagerly following the twists and turns of this intricate storyline since the first episode. And this week’s installment, titled “Choice,” was no exception. Having witnessed the previous episodes, I was particularly interested in how the events on Brendok unfolded from the perspective of the Jedi.

In the third episode of this season of “The Acolyte,” we traveled to Brendok’s planet for the first time, 16 years ago, to see the fateful day when Mae and Osha were separated, each thinking the other had perished. However, it was evident by the end of that episode that there was more to the story. For instance, significant parts of what we had learned about the events of that day, such as how the Jedi allegedly killed Mae and Osha’s mothers and how Mae supposedly torched the mountaintop fortress where their coven resided, were not shown on screen, leaving room for doubt regarding important details that may still be hidden. Additionally, unlike most other “The Acolyte” episodes with dual-meaning titles, episode three was simply named “Destiny.”

Around three weeks ago, I made a light-hearted proposal for the title of the companion episode to “Destiny.” I wasn’t entirely serious with my suggestion of “Happenstance,” but it could have worked. Now, the second part of Mae and Osha’s origin story unfolds in this week’s episode, titled “Choice.” In contrast to “Destiny,” which primarily focused on the girls and their mothers, Aniseya and Koril, this installment offers the Jedi perspective. Essentially, they perceive a string of errors and miscalculations. To phrase it in the Star Wars vernacular: A lot can go wrong.

Title “Choice” is fitting as these events weren’t mere accidents. From the start, Sol was drawn to Osha, playing with the Force under a bunta tree alongside Mae (as depicted in “Destiny’s” opening scene). Despite Indara aiming for a straightforward mission – locating the origin of the detected Force energy “vergence” and reporting back to the Council – Sol persistently strays from the plan, monitoring Osha. He scales the fortress walls and spies on the girls quarreling before their mothers and undergoing their Ascension ceremony. Unable to let Indara manage this situation independently, Sol is resolute in saving this child.

Regarding the coven, once they become aware of the Jedi’s presence, they focus on exploiting their enemies’ weaknesses. During Indara’s formal entry into the fortress with her group to ask for the twins’ Force sensitivity assessment, Aniseya swiftly identifies Torbin as a potential vulnerability. Torbin, Indara’s padawan, harbors deep resentment towards being stationed on an insignificant planet instead of being part of the action on Coruscant. In a captivating scene, Aniseya invades Torbin’s mind and manipulates his resentments and insecurities, ultimately defeating him, sending a clear message to the Jedi that cannot be ignored.

As a devoted fan, I’d express it this way: This is some Dark Side business we’re dealing with here. Just like the Sith lord Qimir, these Witches of the Force don’t shy away from manipulating raw emotions – anger and fear. We witness this pattern recurring later in the episode when Koril advises Mae that if she wishes to prevent Osha from leaving with the Jedi, she must “get enraged.” With a flick of a switch, Koril ignites Mae’s rage, ultimately leading to the downfall of their coven.

As a film enthusiast, I could say: In “Choice,” there were moments that truly captured my attention and made me feel like I was watching something extraordinary, akin to an episode of “Acolyte.” The scene where Aniseya uses her psychic abilities to shatter Torbin was masterfully directed by Kogonada and powerfully acted by Jodie Turner-Smith and Dean-Charles Chapman. This brief, chilling psychodrama left a lasting impression on me. Later in the episode, there’s an electrifying lightsaber battle that is both thrilling and well-executed. What made this episode even more appealing was the fact that it focused less on the kids and allowed us to delve deeper into the Jedi’s world, filled with danger and unfamiliarity.

Although this episode has some merit, there are a few obstacles preventing it from reaching its full potential. The excessive exposition starts to feel forced after a while, giving the impression that the writers are merely ticking off items on a list instead of creating their own narrative. This installment also raises some questions, particularly regarding what transpires on Coruscant. We’re left in the dark about the Jedi Council’s reaction to Indara’s reports concerning Osha and Mae’s unusual characteristics, including their high M-Counts and identical symbionts, which hint at the possibility that they might be one consciousness inhabiting two bodies. Moreover, while we were led to believe that this episode would provide Sol’s perspective on events at Brendok, several scenes unfold that he could not have directly experienced.

Despite this, the main conflict and its intricate portrayal remain outstanding achievements of “The Acolyte” this season. The series has primarily explored how fanaticism can obstruct logic and empathy, as demonstrated by the tragic endings for both the Jedi and the witches on Brendok.

Aniseya faces a challenging dilemma: her loyalty to her witch coven versus her longing for Osha’s happiness. Despite her sisters’ disappointment, she decides to prioritize motherhood. In an attempt to prevent conflict with the Jedi, Aniseya transforms into smoke, causing alarm among them, including Sol. Unintentionally, Sol strikes and kills Aniseya in the confusion. Later, Koril turns into smoke as well, allowing the coven to take control of Kelnacca, instigating a fight amongst the Jedi. As the fortress blazes, Sol rushes in to save the twins, but his abilities falter or possibly influenced by biases. Ultimately, he decides to rescue Osha instead, leaving Mae behind.

I find these intricate sequences of events and responses quite intriguing, as they defy simple labeling of who is right or wrong. But when Osha asks me, her groggy self awakening on the Jedi spacecraft, about what transpired, I repeat a fabricated explanation given by Indara. With a brusque tone, I answer, “Mae inadvertently started a fire.” The episode then concludes, leaving the viewers pondering the complexities of the situation.

As a passionate advocate for a cause, I’ve learned that captivating stories are essential to attracting followers. However, it’s important to remember that transparency is key to keeping them engaged. Sadly, when the complexities and uncertainties of truth come to light, even the most dedicated disciples may be swayed elsewhere. In Aniseya’s cautionary words to Sol, we are reminded of the potential consequences of noble intentions: “One day, those pure intentions you hold could bring ruin to every Jedi in the galaxy.”

Force Ghosts

As a movie lover, I’ve noticed that Indara seems to bear some responsibility for the chaos that unfolds on Brendok. She comes across as a wise and cautious influence on Sol, who is eager to train a padawan (much like Qimir!) but overlooks the importance of allowing his student to grow independently. Indra advises Sol not to jeopardize their mission due to a sudden impulse, warning him not to confuse Osha’s desires with his own. However, I can’t help but wonder if Indara truly reported their findings from Brendok to the Jedi Council. Perhaps she attempted to quell Sol’s quest for Osha without involving the council? Maybe she’s just another weary Jedi bureaucrat more focused on minimizing bureaucracy than ensuring justice is served.

2024-07-22 18:17

The Acolyte Recap: The Seizin’ of the Witch

Force Ghosts

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