The Acolyte finale features numerous surprising turns of events, several Easter eggs, and significant references to the broader Star Wars canon.
The show has finally unraveled the mystery surrounding twin sisters Mae and Osha, though it still leaves a few unanswered questions that may be resolved if it’s renewed for a second season.
[Warning: Major spoilers ahead.]
The final episode of The Acolyte shows the rematch between Master Sol and Qimir.
Although Qimir’s desire to kill all four Jedi stationed on Brendok when Mother Aniseya and her coven of witches died is fulfilled with the death of Sol, it’s surprisingly carried out by Osha instead of Mae, completing the former’s turn to the dark side when the blue kyber crystal of Sol’s lightsaber turns red when she holds it.
The finale also features the touching reunion between Osha and Mae.
However, the two make a heartbreaking decision to part ways again and wipe Mae’s memory so that she can’t lead the Jedi to Qimir and Osha, who agrees to join the Stranger to be his acolyte and set her twin sister free.
Here are the five juicy Easter eggs fans may have missed in The Acolyte finale.
The Jedi Snap
David Harewood finally appears in The Acolyte finale as Senator Rayencourt, who meets Master Vernestra Rwoh to conduct an external review of the Jedi Order on behalf of the Republic Senate.
Rayencourt expresses concern over the unchecked power the Jedi have, as well as their intensely controlled emotions. He said:
"You project an image of goodness and restraint, but it's only a matter of time before one of you snaps. And when, not if, that happens, who will be strong enough to stop him?"
His statement foreshadows the prequel trilogy, where Anakin Skywalker snaps and becomes too powerful to be stopped.
“Strike Him Down and Your Journey Will be Complete”
When Mae takes Sol’s lightsaber, Qimir tells her to “strike him down and complete her journey to the dark side.”
It was the same thing Emperor Palpatine told Luke in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi when he encouraged him to strike Darth Vader down to turn him to the dark side if he killed his father due to anger and hate.
“A Pupil of Mine Before He Turned to Evil”
While interrogating Mae, Vernestra asks her for help finding someone. When Mae asks who, she says, “He was a pupil of mine before he turned to evil.”
Vernestra seems to be referencing Qimir, considering their reactions when they feel each other’s presence when the former arrives at Brendok.
“You! You’re alive,” Vernestra says when she feels Qimir.
This line resembles what Obi-Wan Kenbo says when he tells Luke about Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
Kyber Bleeding
Star Wars has finally debuted kyber crystal bleeding in live-action during The Acolyte finale.
The final episode shows how the blue kyber crystal turns red in Osha’s hands as she gives into her hate when she learns Sol killed her and Mae’s mother, Mother Aniseya, on that one fateful night on Brendok.
This bleeding of the crystal is standard Sith apprentices' practice, which explains why they have red lightsabers.
The Sith pour their rage, hate, and pain into a crystal, making it bleed and turn red.
Seeing Sol’s lightsaber turn blue to red confirms that Osha has embraced the dark side.
Darth Plagueis
The Acolyte finale has finally unveiled its Sith Lord.
True to fan theories, Darth Plagueis the Wise, the Munn Sith Master of Palpatine, is the series' Dark Lord, judging by his long fingers, flat nose, and yellow eyes.
The Sith Master appears, hiding behind the shadows, watching Qimir and Osha from afar when the two leave the Unknown Planet to search for Sol and Mae.
However, it remains to be seen if Plagueis is Qimir’s master, seeing he seems to be watching him.
There’s a possibility that he may be watching Qimir or wanting Osha for himself due to her unique Force abilities and powers.
These are just five Easter eggs and Star Wars references The Acolyte finale features. Now that the show has ended, fans are waiting to see if it will be renewed, considering it ends with a major cliffhanger.
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All episodes of The Acolyte are available on Disney+.
READ MORE: The Acolyte Season 1 Finale Reveals Vernestra's Connection to Qimir