As Mae is hunting down four Jedi Masters, one of her first kills in The Acolyte doesn't make sense. Considering that Torbin wasn't moving from his meditative state, did Jedi Master Torbin really poison himself in The Acolyte?
After successfully killing Jedi Master Indara in the premiere episode, Mae's next target wasn't as cooperative as she had hoped. Despite challenging him to a deadly fight, Torbin remains unmoved from his spot.
However, by Mae's second visit to the Jedi Master, Torbin willingly puts off his forcefield and faces Sol's former Padawan.
CONTENT SPOILERS: This article contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Acolyte, so proceed with caution.
Mae Finds An Alternative Way To Kill Off This Jedi Master
Episode 2 titled Revenge / Justice introduces Jedi Master Torbin, a relatively new character especially made for The Acolyte who was in a meditation state when Mae went to the local Jedi temple.
Mae knew taking Torbin's life would have to take more than challenging him to a deadly fight. So, she retreated that night to ask Qimir, a former smuggler-turned-trader, for help.
Qimir suggested that perhaps the only way to kill Torbin is by having him willingly do so.
He claimed that Torbin is just like every other Jedi out there, convinced that he's found peace when in reality, "What he really needs is something only you can give him — absolution."
Then Qimir handed over a vial of poison that Torbin could consume. However, who really killed Torbin? Was Mae successful in her mission? What really happened?
Did Torbin Poison Himself? Why Didn't He Resist Mae?
The Acolyte hasn't fully confirmed the reason behind Torbin's willingness to die, but we can play off the few clues the second episode showed.
Keep in mind that Qimir's reminder to Mae also holds weight in terms of the Jedi Master's personal journey: "Torbin is not the serene and, as you say, impenetrable meditator," Qimir said. "Like every Jedi, he only thinks he's found peace."
As Mae approaches Torbin for the second time, she mentions she knows why Torbin took the Barash Vow.
Those who took the Barash Vow are forced to pull away from being involved in the Jedi Order. These oath-takers must then focus their mind and energy on the will of the Force itself.
However, this also implies another hidden truth about Torbin: he's trying to atone for his sins after straying from the Jedi Path.
Instead of fighting back, Torbin takes one of Mae's offers: to drink the poison rather than confess what he knew to the Jedi Council.
That said, Torbin removes his forcefield and tells her, "I've been waiting for you," "Forgive me," and that he "thought we were doing the right thing" as he willingly drank the poison himself.
It remains to be seen what sort of sin Torbin has committed in the past, but nonetheless, The Acolyte shows a horrifying feature of just how Mae could easily dance their fates in the palm of her hand.
Meanwhile, Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 3 airs on Disney+ on June 11, 2024.
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