‘The Acolyte’ Season 1 Finale Recap & Review: Ever Hear the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?

Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Acolyte Season 1 Finale, “The Acolyte.”

Prior to the finale, many very reasonable questions were raised about how The Acolyte Episode 8 could possibly answer all the untied plot points with only one episode remaining. However, despite leaving plenty of teases of a potential second season, the finale successfully ties up the first season’s story in an exciting and unexpected fashion.

While the series would have definitely been even stronger with more time spent with these wonderful characters, that can be chalked up to the typical format of Disney+ series being only six to eight episodes — ranging from 30 to 45 minutes — not a specific decision showrunner Leslye Headland made. Luckily, even though the series could’ve benefited from more episodes, the first season concludes impressively. Check out all the details in our recap of The Acolyte Episode 8, “The Acolyte,” below!

All Paths Converge on Brendok in ‘The Acolyte’ Season 1 Finale

Mae and Osha (Amandla Stenberg) are separated from each other once again, playing parent trap with each other’s former Masters. However, while both claim to have no interest in joining the other’s side, Osha is growing closer and closer to Qimir (Manny Jacinto) and the dark side of the Force. She denies Qimir’s request to join him, but when she has a vision of Mae murdering her former master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) on her homeworld of Brendok, the two voyage to the planet together to intervene.

Back on Sol’s ship, he attempts to reveal to Mae the Jedi’s true purpose on Brendok 16 years earlier. However, she is understandably intent on getting him to apologize for causing the death of her coven. Despite Mae’s pleas, Sol maintains that he did nothing wrong and refuses to apologize for his deeds.

While on the surface, Sol is a kindhearted and gentle man, his actions resemble a baby-boomer parent who refuses to go to therapy and can’t admit to how their actions may have affected their children growing up. Before they can hash things out, Mae escapes and takes an escape pod to Brendok, where Sol immediately follows in The Acolyte Season 1 finale.

‘The Acolyte’ Episode 8 Continues To Deliver Formidable Action-Sequences

Prior to Osha and Qimir’s departure, a peek behind a dark corner reveals none other than Darth Plagueis hiding in the shadows. It’s unclear whether or not he’s working directly with Qimir, but the presence of Darth Sidious’ (Ian McDiarmid) former Master teases exciting prospects for a potential second season.

The Acolyte Episode 8 features an exciting flight sequence through the rings of Brendok between Mae and Sol that immediately transitions into thrilling lightsaber battles on the planet’s surface. Qimir and Sol are the first to interact, and the two are evenly matched in combat.

Mae and Osha are the next to reunite, and while they’re also a balanced fight, Mae is clearly holding back trying to convince Osha of Sol’s guilt. Osha on the other hand, is attacking in full frenzy and admits the reason she failed to become a Jedi was due to her hatred of her sister. The transitions between the two scenes are done with incredible cinematography, bouncing back and forth seamlessly at perfect times.

Osha Finally Completes Her Turn to the Dark Side in “The Acolyte”

As Mae exits the cave from her battle with Osha, she intervenes in Sol and Qimir’s battle. Both sides attempt to sway her to their own sides, but all Mae desires is for Sol to reveal the truth about what happened on Brendok. While he refuses to apologize for killing their mother, he admits it happened, and in his mind, he was doing it to protect Mae and Osha. Sol doesn’t realize that Osha is present and hears the conversation, and this betrayal begins the final phase of her turn to the dark side of the Force in The Acolyte Season 1 finale.

For the first time in live-action, The Acolyte features a chilling scene of a Kyber crystal bleeding, turning from blue to red. Osha clutches Sol’s lightsaber as she confronts him and her anger grows to new heights. The series begins with Mae’s quest to kill a Jedi without a weapon, and it concludes with Osha doing just that, killing her former Master Sol with a Force choke that would make Darth Vader so, so proud.

The Jedi Face the Consequences of Their Actions in ‘The Acolyte’ Episode 8

Although Sol’s actions on Brendok 16 years prior are bad enough on their own, he could’ve made things better if he had admitted the truth to Osha before The Acolyte Episode 8. While he many years with Osha, his arrogance and refusal to admit the fault in his own actions eventually help push her to the dark side.

Before his death, he reveals the Jedi’s true purpose on Brendok. He explains how Osha and Mae are not twins, not even sisters, but their mother somehow split their being into two separate people while harnessing the power of the vergence on the planet. Despite most of the season finale being quite thrilling, the reveal of Osha and Mae’s origin falls quite flat.

Osha Becomes the Acolyte Qimir Always Hoped for in the Season 1 Finale

With Sol gone, Mae and Osha finally make up and share a beautiful and emotional moment together. Now that Osha has fully turned to the dark side, Qimir offers once again to train her to be his acolyte. Mae pushes her to join him and agrees to Qimir wiping her mind so the Jedi can’t use her to find them. Mae is ready to start a new life, free of baggage, and Osha is primed to embrace her destiny as a force user on the dark side in The Acolyte Episode 8.

Unfortunately, Darth Plagueis is still looming and could have a problem with her presence if Qimir is truly his current apprentice. However, if they should turn away from the ways of the Sith, this could open the door for Sheev Palpatine to become Plagueis’ new apprentice.

Whether their paths cross remains to be seen, but if a second season is coming, one character Qimir will surely cross paths with is Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson). Eagle-eyed fans pointed out in past episodes that the scars on Qimir’s back could have come from a lightsaber whip, a weapon wielded by Vernestra. Although she arrives at Brendok too late to capture Qimir or Osha, Vernestra reveals to the audience she senses Qimir’s presence and that he was once her apprentice.

‘The Acolyte’ Sets Up a Second Season in a Major Way

Vernestra brings Mae, now without a memory, back to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where it initially looks like she is finally confessing the Jedi’s sins. However, while she admits to what happened on Brendok, she blames Sol for everything and refers to him as a rogue Jedi. She attempts to recruit Mae to find her former apprentice, but she tells the senate the matter has been resolved. Despite her pleas, one particular senator, Rayencourt (David Harewood), vows to create a group that will provide oversite to the Jedi Order.

Before The Acolyte Episode 8 concludes, Vernestra ascends the Jedi Temple, seeking counsel for everything that has transpired. The scene pans to the back of Jedi Master Yoda’s head before the credits roll. Although the central mystery of how Mae and Osha were conceived falls flat, the series’ highs greatly surpass the lows. The Acolyte sets up more mysterious storylines going into a second season, so fans can only hope Disney will renew the series so the story can continue.

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