THE ACOLYTE Episode 3 Shakes Things Up With a Different Vision of The Force
I’ve been really trying to keep an open mind while watching The Acolyte. I was disappointed with the first two episodes, and while I hoped the series would get better as it went on, no… it’s just getting worse. Again, this poorly written-show just isn’t feeling like Star Wars for me. It’s frustrating.
Episode 3 is titled "Destiny," and in this article, I wanted to talk about the strange shift in the understanding of the Force that it gives us. None of this feels canon, based on everything I know about Star Wars, but I guess it is now.
This episode features a flashback that takes us 16 years into the past to unravel the events that separated the twin characters Osha and Mae, played by Amandla Stenberg, and decimated their home.
The episode introduces us to a coven of witches, overseen by the Mother Anisya, portrayed by Jodie Turner-Smith. This coven operates under a belief system centered around the "Thread," a spiritual conduit connecting individuals and governing their fates.
Mother Anisya's philosophy challenges the traditional Jedi concept of the Force, arguing that the power of the Force is not a tool to be manipulated on an impulse. Instead, she believes that using the power of the Thread can alter destinies.
Mother Anisya also shows off her Force-like abilities. She demonstrates a potent Force-push that is capable of subduing multiple adversaries. She also exerts mind control over the young character Torbin, showcasing her mastery over the Thread.
Speaking of Torbin, we learn that he literally did nothing wrong. There was absolutely no reason for him to take his own life. I assumed he did something horrendous in the past, but no. Torbin just showed up looking confused.
He ended up taking the Barash Vow to atone for his part in the incident on Brendok. As part of his vow, he entered a levitating meditation and did not speak for over ten years. Then Mae showed up and was like “Kill yourself”, and he did.
Anyway, Mother Anisya’s abilities suggest that while her understanding of the Force diverges from the Jedi and Sith, her access to its power is equally formidable.
But, the biggest revelation in the episode is that Mother Anisya has the ability to create life. It’s revealed that she miraculously births Osha and Mae without a father, a detail that has sent shockwaves through the Star Wars lore.
This revelation challenges the long-held belief that Anakin Skywalker was the first child conceived through the Force.
As you might imagine, the episode has ignited a flurry of complaints and theories among fans. Could it be that the series is hinting at a deeper connection between Mother Anisya’s coven and the dark intentions of Darth Plagueis and Emperor Palpatine?
If Palpatine and Plagueis discovered the secret of manipulating midi-chlorians to create life, it opens up so many questions. Mae and Osha might represent early examples of beings with immense Force potential, capable of altering the balance of the Force and influencing the course of destiny itself.
What do you think about the most recent episode of The Acolyte and what they are setting up here?