The fifth episode of The Acolyte has arrived, bringing thrilling action, shocking moments, and a plethora of possibilities for what happens next. Let’s break it all down.
The follow-up to last week’s episode (Day), appropriately titled “Night,” and directed by Alex Garcia Lopez is here…And it RULES. Picking up from one hell of a cliffhanger last week, Night manages to kick the series’ impressive fight scenes to an all new level. Even better we get some big reveals and shocking moments I don’t think any of us were really expecting. The result is an ending that leaves the door wide open for the series, with no telling what might come next.
There’s much to discuss and, as always, I’ll be deep into spoilers. So come back after you’ve watched. Also, be sure to check out my previous recaps for Episode 1 & 2, Episode 3, and Episode 4.
Action Galore
“Day” ended with the promise of something epic. We’d seen glimpses of the Jedi vs. the Masked Sith (referred to as ‘the Stranger’) in various trailers/promo material, and it appeared Episode 5 would finally bring it to us.
Holy shit, did it ever.
By and large, “Night” is essentially an episode long fight scene that features multiple facets (and rounds you could say) and just enough dialog to move the plot into some interesting directions. I loved it. However badass the fight scenes were in the first two episodes were little more than an appetizer for the action we see on display here.
Each part of the battle bring something different to the table. While they share visual similarities, the type of action delivered was distinct. While Sol is twirling blades with the Stranger, Jecki and having a knock down brawl with Mae. As the Stranger whittles down their numbers and begins toying with them individually, you can see a shift to a more animalistic, brute force nature to his attacks.
More so, it was easy to see how each combatant brought their own distinct fighting style to the fray. Yord and Jecki have very different approaches from one another, just like Sol’s is unique from both of theirs. You can see how their skill levels differ and how their own movements become more desperate as the fights continue.
The result has two main effects for audiences. One, it shows a level of care and attention to detail to these characters that gives the fights more impact/investment. Secondly, it makes the fights feel varied throughout the episode; ensuring the constant barrage of action doesn’t end up repetitive or boring.
It’s no easy feat, but Alex Garcia Lopez pulls it off effortlessly.
Pour One Out for the Yorde Horde
…And everyone else. Holy crap. I can’t believe how many characters died in this episode. Don’t get me wrong, I knew a few deaths were coming, especially as we had a number of non-named Jedi characters on the mission who seemed primed for a “red shirt” fate. But this is Star Wars!
Even as The Acolyte has dipped into darker bits (murder, Jedi suicide, etc), I figured we’d be sticking with the main characters live trope. I suspected at least one of the main characters would bite the dust, but almost ALL of them? Never would have guessed Sol would be the only Jedi walking out of that forest alive.
It made for some seriously shocking moments that had me literally on my feet when they happened. Not only because I wasn’t expecting them, but they were handled in ways that only added to the ferocity of the villain.
More importantly, it pretty much wipes the board clean for the remainder of the season. There’s no telling what might come next in the last three episodes, and obviously NO ONE is safe. Considering how things end, I would be highly surprised if Sol ends up making it through.
Who’s Qimir Really?
“Night” gives us the big reveal of who’s behind the masked Sith. Surprise (not really), it’s Qimir! On one hand, I really love that we got this reveal now and it wasn’t saved for the finale. On the other hand, I’m kind of bummed it’s Qimir.
As I mentioned in my previous recaps (and even initial review), so much about Manny Jacinto’s character felt like it was too obvious the show wanted us to believe he was the Sith. So obvious in fact, I was sure it was a red herring. Considering how much the show has been built around being a mystery and messing with expectations, Qimir’s reveal felt…like the most obvious choice.
I’m sure I’ll get over it, but I almost wish they hadn’t overplayed him as the bumbling sidekick and a little more subtle. That said, with his true nature now out in the open, there are still quite a few interesting things to note about the character.
Dude knows an awful lot about what happened at Brendok than he should. Ostensibly, only the Jedi and the Witches were present during the events of that night, but Qimir seems to be more knowledgable about those events (even allusions to knowing Osha survived that night) than even Mae.
Plus, he’s far more familiar with Master Sol than he should be. From the show’s perspective, Sol’s interactions with Qimir are limited to the brief encounter on Olega (in Episode 2). I don’t think that was nearly enough to merit Qimir’s “You…don’t remember me?” comment early on. Not to mention his continual prodding of the Jedi Master throughout their battle. No, Qimir seems to know Sol on a more personal level.
Between those two elements, it feels like there’s only one conclusion. Somehow, Qimir was on Brendok around that time as well. Crazy right, especially as the Coven were all women, and the only other outsiders were the Jedi themselves. Even so there’s some sort of connection we haven’t seen just yet.
Which leads me to a new, admittedly wild, theory that’s popped into my head…
Of Sith and Witches
Buckle up friends, as we’re heading into Speculation Station! Seriously, this is pure theory at this point and I could be way off base.
What if Qimir, when he was younger, was also on Brendok around that period of time…with his Sith Master? Perhaps, hearing about a rogue coven of exiled witches, the Sith headed to Brendok in an effort to partner up with them and their magicks.
The Sith have a long history of dealing with witchcraft/sorcery in both Legends material and Canon. We see Palpatine himself use sorcery of some kind in both The Clone Wars (the “Lost Missions”) and Star Wars Rebels. Obviously it’s something he would have learned from his Master…a skill that may date back to The Acolyte and the Sith meeting up with these witches.
There are some hints even in ‘Night.” When Osha and Yord are discussing how “he gets in your head” and she mentions how her Mother had that power as well. Maybe Qimir and his Master (I’m assuming he’s not old enough to be the Master during the Brendok affair) trained with the Coven for a period of time in exchange for something else…
In Episode 3 when Mother Aniseya and Koril are arguing about letting the Jedi test the girls, we learn that Osha and Mae were created. More specifically, remember how Koril says, “And what happens if the Jedi discover how you created them?”
It’s a line of dialog that opened the door to a lot of big questions, but what if the Sith are how Mother Aniseya learned how to make them? Could it be that in exchange for deeper knowledge of dark sorcery/witchcraft, the Sith gave the Coven the knowledge of how to potentially create life? Which leads to the next part of this theory.
Is Qimir’s Master have been none other than Darth Plagueis? After all, when Palpatine recounts the “Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise” to Anakin, he opens by saying:
“Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create life…”
Hoo boy, wouldn’t that be nuts! Considering Plagueis has no canonical backstory yet, the door is pretty wide open to the possibility. Not to mention, I’m still not convinced Qimir is the Master in the show. I think he might still be the Sith apprentice and looking for an acolyte in order to ensure succession after taking down his Master. If that’s the case, we may still end up seeing Plagueis in action for the first time!
Again, this is all speculation, but it would tie together a few things in interesting ways. With the mask off on Qimir and three more episodes to go, let’s hope that means more answers are on the near horizon.
Where We Go From Here
As I mentioned earlier, the doors for what comes next in the season are pretty much wide open. All I really have are some theories about characters/events, but no idea how things might wrap up. Especially considering the ‘ol twin-swap Mae pulls with Osha at the end.
We know from trailers, there’s at least one more flashback coming our way which will (hopefully) show the full events on Brendok. I’m not sure it’ll be a full flashback episode like we got with Episode 3, but maybe just some scenes as Qimir recounts the facts to Osha. Or maybe it’ll be Sol, believing he’s talking with Osha (Mae in disguise) who “confesses” to the truth of that night.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if the facts of that night end up putting Osha and Mae back on opposite sides again? Mae’s already been wavering in his commitment to the dark side, while Osha, realizing she’s been lied to her whole life, might be pushed over the edge. Something I’ve thought about from early on, but I’d be interested to see it pulled off.
Who knows, maybe Mae finally exacts her final revenge on Sol and the two sister reunite to run off to leave the machinations of the Sith and Jedi behind for good. Leaving the Sith in search of a new Acolyte. No matter how you slice it, seems like we’re in for a lot more devastating revelations.
Tidbits
Great Villain – Much as I may not like Qimir ending up being the Masked Sith, he makes a DAMN FINE villain. He manages to bring a sense of menace and threat to every single aspect of the character. From the cutting dialog, to the almost feral fighting style, everything about him is terrifying in all the right ways. Can’t wait to learn more about the real Qimir.
🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/9IRFUmL7ia
— Jordan Maison (@JordanMaison) June 26, 2024
Brainwashing Jedi – When Mae and Osha confront each other at the end of the episode, Mae mentions how Osha has been “brainwashed” by the Jedi. While this could be about general propaganda issues, I’m starting to wonder if it might not be something literal as well.
There are some hints that Osha’s recollection of the events surrounding the fire are skewed. Not just in how she didn’t see certain things, but in a literal sense of being different from how they played out even from her perspective. Earlier, when Sol is poised to strike Qimir down, the Sith asks Osha, “You trust him, even after everything he did to you?”
Did Sol, and possibly the other Jedi on Brendok, wipe Osha’s mind? It’s a power that’s popped up multiple times in Star Wars lore. Most notably, however, it was used in Knights of the Old Republic to wipe Darth Revan’s mind and give them a fresh start. Showrunner Leslye Headland has discussed in interviews how big of an influence the KOTOR games/era were, so I could see a connection here.
It’s morally dubious (at best), and could even be a factor in Osha’s Force abilities fading when she left the Order previously.
Merging Episodes – Much as I have enjoyed these last two episodes of The Acolyte, it really feels like they should have been a single episode. The pacing of the series has been a little up and down (as has been the case with most Disney+ shows), but this one particularly feels like they were designed to flow into one another.
Easter Eggs
Cortosis – One of the coolest aspects of how Qimir fought, was the utilization of his armored bracer and helmet. It makes the Lightsabers fizzle out and not work for a period of time…just like Cortosis ore! The material originated in Star Wars Legends and its unique ability to short out Lightsabers made it a prominent element in Sith armor during the Old Republic days.
While Cortosis has made the jump to Canon (literally in the first new Canon novel) and has been featured a few times in comics, it’s beyond neat to finally see it used on screen.
Dialog Callbacks – Mae’s declaration to Osha that, “They turned you against me,” is a pretty clear mirror/reference to Anakin’s line to Padmé in Revenge of the Sith.
Force Healing? – Sure looks like Qimir uses the Force to help heal Osha’s wounds at the end of the episode. It’s a power we’ve seen a few times now (in both The Mandalorian and The Rise of Skywalker), but was limited to only Light Side users. Not something you’d expect a Sith to use or be knowledgeable of.
Low Tech Dejarik – Looks like the alien dudes at the end of the episode are playing a more rudimentary (i.e. non-hologram) form of Dejarik.
Familiar Themes – As many eagle-eyed (eared?) fans noticed, the musical theme playing during Qimir’s final line of dialog is VERY similar to Kylo Ren’s theme. No idea what the implication of that might be. Maybe it’s another clue pointing to Osha and Mae being a Dyad in the Force.
As many have pointed out—even during trailers—the masked Sith gives off very distinct Knights of Ren vibes. Perhaps something happens (a falling out with his actual master) and Qimir ends up being the first ‘Ren.’ Thanks to appearances in the comics, we know it’s a name passed down, and that Ren got his name and lightsaber from another before him. Who knows, but something to ponder.
All in all, The Acolyte‘s fifth episode is thrilling and changes the game for what’s to come. I’ve already watched it three times and the action never gets old. Somehow, the wait for the next episode has become even more difficult.
