Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 6.
Summary
Star Wars: The Acolytemay be able to take the story set up for Rey and Kylo Ren inStar Wars: The Last Jedione step further. ThoughThe Acolyteepisode 5was the most action-packed, violent, and traumatic one yet,The Acolyteepisode 6, “Teach/Corrupt,” ended up being much more critical to the story despite being a quieter and slower installment. Osha (Amandla Stenberg) is in a dangerous position – now that she’s alone withQimir (Manny Jacinto), she’ll need to be on high alert if she wants to avoid her sister’s fate.
Worryingly, though, Osha doesn’t seem to mind Qimir’s company. Yes, she tries to steal his lightsaber and correctly reminds both Qimir and the audience that feelings of anger, fear, loss, and desire can lead to the dark side, but she seems to be intrigued by him, too. As it stands, it’s looking increasingly likely that Mae and Osha will be switching sides. Qimir wants a pupil and he has now chosen Osha. With every passing moment,Osha and Qimir’s roles in the narrative reflect Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren’s (Adam Driver) inThe Last Jedimore and more.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode Guide - Cast Members, Biggest Takeaways & Easter Eggs
Here’s everything you need to follow along with Star Wars: The Acolyte, from references and trivia to main takeaways from each new episode.
The Acolyte Has Already Established Qimir’s Parallels With Kylo Ren
The Acolytehas been hinting that Qimir’s role in the story is akin to Kylo Ren’s throughout the show. Qimir’s helmet, his obsession with the “power of two” (closely related to the power of the Force Dyad), and even the subtle use of Kylo’s musical theme have been incorporated into the storytelling. Additionally, bothKylo and Qimirare relentlessly violent and brutal when they want to be, yet unnervingly understanding when required. Underneath it all, they’re both lonely, and they know how to relate to their female counterparts.
Osha’s Character Mirrors Rey’s In Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Though Osha’s part in the story has been relatively innocent so far, it looks as though that’s all about to change. Thereferences toThe Last JediinThe Acolyteepisode 6 are striking – the setting is incredibly similar to Ahch-To, Osha’s outfit is reminiscent of Rey’s inThe Last Jedi, too, and much like Rey, Osha is – perhaps subconsciously – looking for companionship. Rey lost her parents, and Osha lost her coven. Rey was new to the Force, and Osha needs to reconnect with the Force. Kylo helped unlock Rey’s power, and Qimir wants to help Osha rediscover hers.
There’s one main difference between Osha and Rey, though.While both Qimir and Kylo attempt to bring them over to the dark side, Rey is much, much more reluctant inThe Last Jedithan Osha seems to be inThe Acolyte. Rey was convinced she could bring Kylo back to the light.Osha put on the Sith Lord’s helmet.
Are Osha and Qimir The Franchise’s New Reylo Pairing?
All these similarities have led to an obvious question: will Qimir and Osha have the romance that Kylo and Rey never got to explore? “Reylo,” as the pairing is more commonly known, is, by far, the most contentious dynamic in the entirety of the franchise. Kylo asks Rey to join him inThe Last Jedi– he holds out his hand and pleads with her, hoping that she can see their potential together, and she does hesitate. She believes in him, and there’s a moment where it seems like Rey might abandon the light and choose Kylo and the dark side instead.
She doesn’t, of course – Rey was set up as the sequel trilogy’s hero, and by the end ofStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,she’s managed to defy the darkness inside of her and help Kylo Ren find his old self again.Kylo’s redemption arc and Rey’s role in it is a clear and understandable mirror of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker’s story inReturn of the Jedi.There was interesting potential inThe Last Jedi, though – potential that Osha and Qimir can now deliver on.
Romance has been an integral part ofStar Warsstorytelling since the beginning. These stories wouldn’t exist without Princess Leia and Han Solo’s love story or Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala’s tragic romance. Plenty of Jedi romances have been explored, too; Obi-Wan Kenobi’s relationship with Mandalorian Duchess Satine Kryze inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla inStar Wars Rebels,Cal Kestis and Merrin inStar Wars Jedi: Survivor, and plenty ofHigh Republic eraromances exist in the books as well. What about a Sith romance, though?
A relationship between two Sith could be incredibly compelling. Those who use the dark side are driven by passion and desire, after all. How far would they be willing to go for the one they love?
A relationship between two Sith could be incredibly compelling. Those who use the dark side are driven by passion and desire, after all. How far would they be willing to go for the one they love? How easily would they be willing to betray them to gain more power? Character-wise and plot-wise, there are endless possibilities.The Jedi are taught to suppress their feelings. The Sith, and others who use the dark side, are empowered by them.
Showrunner and creatorLeslye Headland has confirmedthatThe Acolyteis setting up a dark side romance.
Audiences never got to see Kylo Ren and Rey give in to their desires. Rey is a Jedi through and through, and Kylo was always going to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Qimir and Osha can provide a brand-new and incredibly compelling type ofStar Warsstory, one in which those affiliated with the dark side can express some measure of vulnerability alongside their lust for power, manipulative nature, and toxicity. If Osha gives in to her desires, there’s no telling what may happen next inStar Wars: The Acolyte.
New episodes ofStar Wars: The Acolytepremiere on Tuesdays exclusively on Disney+.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
