‘The Acolyte’ Episode 6 Recap & Review: The Power of Two

Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Acolyte Episode 6, “Teach/Corrupt.”

It’s a tough task to keep the momentum going after such an incredible fifth episode, but The Acolyte is up to the challenge. The previous week’s episode shocked viewers, killing off fan favorites like Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) and Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) while delivering some of the best action sequences in Star Wars history. However, despite slowing down the pace, showrunner Leslye Headland continues to knock it out of the park with the sixth episode, “Teach/Corrupt.”

While Osha and Mae (Amandla Stenberg) are stuck playing parent trap, their diverging paths don’t have much time left to develop as the series’ first season comes to a close. Although the twins’ journeys are intriguing, it’s tough not to worry that their stories won’t conclude satisfyingly, with only three episodes left in the season.

Despite these worries, the creative team has earned the benefit of the doubt as the mystery grows more interesting by the minute. Ensure you catch all the details in our recap of The Acolyte Episode 6 below!

Osha and Mae Embark on Two Unique Paths in ‘The Acolyte’ Episode 6

Although Mae chooses to disguise herself as Osha, her sister doesn’t get the same autonomy. Osha begins the episode on the unknown planet where Qimir trained Mae, with no recollection of how she got there. She has no idea where she is, but it doesn’t take long for her to locate Qimir (Manny Jacinto), the man who just murdered all of her friends. Osha finds Qimir’s lightsaber and contemplates using it on him as he bathes, but she is also clearly intrigued as to why he brought her to this strange planet.

While the planet bears resemblance to Ach-To, where Rey first met Luke Skywalker at the end of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, editor-in-chief of Cinelinx, Jordan Maison, pointed out on Twitter/X that the planet could actually be Bal’demnic, which is known for its rich deposits of Cortosis that fell into the hands of Darth Tenebrous and Darth Plagueis.

Master Sol Struggles With His Grief and Attachment in ‘The Acolyte’ Episode 6

Meanwhile, Mae continues her charade pretending to be Osha, as Sol (Lee Jung-jae) attempts to communicate with the Jedi Council and call for reinforcements. One would think that a Jedi Knight as well trained as Sol would be able to sense that this isn’t his former apprentice, but he’s clearly clouded by grief from his entire team having recently perished.

As Mae tries to fix the ship while attempting her best Osha impression, she restores Osha’s Pip droid to help with the process. Pip immediately recognizes that it isn’t Osha, so Mae resets his memory and gets him to restore communication. However, as she returns to Sol, Mae hesiates instead of attacking, similarly to how Osha does with Qimir. Although this has been her enemy up to this point, she is curious about what he has to say about their past.

Qimir Opens Up to Osha About His Past in “Teach/Corrupt”

At this point, it’s important to stop and recognize that the next scene in The Acolyte Episode 6 with Osha and Qimir is maybe the horniest moment in Star Wars history. At the very least, it rivals the deepest, most sensual times shared by Anakin and Padme throughout the prequels and Clone Wars series.

Not only is Qimir fully naked as he emerges from the sea, but Osha is clearly checking him out from head-to-toe, as Qimir asks “Do you like how it feels?” while she holds his lightsaber. This isn’t a complaint, it’s just important to acknowledge. Way to go Leslye Headland!

It’s an interesting change for a character strong with the dark side to lure an apprentice via sexual temptation, but it fits with the character. Qimir shares that he used to be a Jedi, and hints that he is far older than he appears. He has been betrayed by former masters, and claims he shares pain similar to Osha.

He loves, like she loves, something the Jedi don’t understand. While Osha struggles to get past the fact that he murdered her friends, it’s clear she is tempted by his charm.

‘The Acolyte’ Episode 6 Begins Osha’s Journey to the Dark Side

While Osha has been depicted as a protagonist since the debut of The Acolyte, she has actually been a strong candidate to be swayed by the dark side from the beginning. She has had an anger and desire to separate from her sister since childhood, and could be considered selfish as those desires endangered her coven. Osha also reveals she has always struggled with fear, as she didn’t feel worthy of becoming a Jedi Knight when she trained at with the order.

Qimir continues to foster these negative thoughts, as he claims the Jedi threw her away. He desperately wants a new apprentice, revealing he searches for the “power of two.” Despite Osha’s affiliation with the Jedi, she can’t help but grow closer and closer to the Dark Side in The Acolyte Episode 6.

Vernestra Rwoh Reveals Her Lightsaber Whip on a Mission To Find Sol and Osha

Although her screen time has been limited so far, Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) makes her presence felt each time she appears. The Jedi makes her debut in the field searching for Sol and any survivors on Khofar, while also premiering her purple lightsaber whip for the first time in live-action. While on the surface, this appears to be a fun, new style of action in the Star Wars universe, there may be more to the moment than meets the eye.

It seems far too coincedental that the same episode that Vernestra debuts her whip, Qimir’s back is revealed to have what appear to be wounds from a whip-like weapon. Throughout The Acolyte Episode 6, Vernestra is unsettled in her search, as if she can sense something far more sinister afoot. Perhaps, Qimir was once her apprentice during his time as a Jedi.

‘The Acolyte’ Episode 6 Teases Sol’s Dark Past

While Sol doesn’t realize Mae is pertending to be Osha at first, it doesn’t take him long to figure her ruse out. As soon as Mae starts pressing him about his time on her home planet, he deduces that he isn’t speaking with his former Padawan. He knocks Mae unconscious as she goes to send a distress signal and when she awakes, she finds herself strapped down and unable to move.

Sol has teased throughout the series that there is more to the destruction of Mae and Osha’s coven than he has led on, but he can’t seem to find the words to tell the truth. However, The Acolyte Episode 6 is the first time he has given off an incredibly dark vibe.

When he is fighting Qimir in the fifth episode, he frequently shuts down Qimir’s attempt to talk about Sol’s dark past. It’s entirely possible this is an attempt by the creators to throw off viewers and he will continue to be the Jedi fans have grown to love. But at this point, it seems like the calm Jedi Master has some skeletons in his closet.

‘The Acolyte’ Episode 6 “Teach/Corrupt” Review: The Mystery Keeps Growing

Mae’s story isn’t the only one that ends in a cliffhanger, as the finale to The Acolyte Episode 6 features Osha in Qimir’s mask with a breathtaking POV shot from the inside. As she continues to grow closer to the dark side, she tries on the sensory deprivation mask as Qimir suggests. While the design is entirely unique, Osha’s breathing rings similarly to Darth Vader himself, signifying her turn to the dark.

Although the newest installment to the series slows down the pace from the action-packed fifth episode, it’s still an exciting and mysterious addition. There are only three episodes left to tie up character arcs and unravel the mystery, but the Leslye Headland-helmed series has exceeded expectations so far, and there’s no reason to think it won’t continue.

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