‘The Acolyte’ Recap: ‘Destiny’

6/12/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘The Acolyte’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.

Often times in television, the grand reveal regarding a mysterious origin story, is saved for late in the season. In part, to give the audience a grand payoff for sticking with the story and the mystery from the get-go, but also… to properly bring the season to a close. For such a reveal is often tied to events in the season finale and having that reveal so close to it, allows for everything to come together in a wondrous and organic manner that leaves the audience satisfied and neatly wraps up everything. All so the show can introduce a new mystery or a new story for people to enjoy when it returns for its next season. One that audiences will tune into since they were treated to such an engaging story.

Which is why, this week’s episode of The Acolyte on Disney+ is of note. Because ‘Destiny’ happened to be a story that defied this particular convention by outright… giving us the grand reveal of what happened to May and Osha all those years ago and how their lives took the sorrowful paths they have taken. Which as it turned out, involved the reality that they were descendants of a Coven of Witches that were Force Sensitive but did not believe the Force, or the Thread as they called it, should be used in the manner the Jedi did. It should be used as anyone saw fit. Which of course, made them Pariahs and forced them to practice in secret and lose numbers. Until Mother Aniseya, Force conjured the twins to carry on the line. But of course, there were problems with such a move.

In that the Jedi knew, and the very four Jedi that were being hunted in the premiere made their way to Mae and Osha’s world to try and understand this Coven and of course, see if there was a chance to save Force sensitive children from a path that did not follow Republic law and that… brought about great conflict. For Osha was eager to learn more about the Jedi arts while her sister was not, and the fact that Osha embraced the Jedi order so eagerly, led to amazing conflict in the temple. The kind that forced Mae to use violence and fire in an effort to keep her sister home through intimidation. But that of course… led to disaster and death and a separation of the two, and a story that outright left the audience stunned and reeling with revelation.

After all the fact that this duo was created through the Force/Thread, a la Anakin Skywalker, is a big deal. In fact, it may imply that the events that happened here, shaped the future. Since Darth Plagueis and Darth Sidious may have studied this and used it to find success in creating Anakin. All of which has serious implications for the fleshing out of canon in this universe and perhaps may lead to a Plagueis cameo when all is said and done. But above all, what truly makes this story so shocking, is that it was indeed put forth now. For that likely means everything that happened here will have great impact upon the rest of the story and that there are more revelations and reveals to be had that lead up to the finale. Giving rise to big moments ahead and an unconventional story for certain.

But before we ponder upon all of that, we can celebrate one brilliant move on the show’s part. Because it was indeed bold to offer answers now and it was also bold to imply foundations of the future lie here, and it was also amazing… to see that other Force sensitive species a la the Nightsisters exist in this galaxy, far, far away that also have no desire to deal with the Jedi and their teachings. Since it adds a diversity to this story that is sorely needed and adds new conflicts and wonders to the mythos. But above all, this particular tale leaves us hungry for more. Because now, we must know where this story is headed and we must know what other surprises await us, now that Mae and Osha’s past has been exposed. Until next time.

Watch ‘The Acolyte’

0 Comments