Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 3.
Summary
The third episode ofThe Acolytehas officially introduced a new point of view to the Force, andStar Warsas a whole. Since the very beginning of theStar Warssaga, the Force has been central to the stories of the episodic movies. From those episodic movies, various books, comics, video games, and more were all spawned, further expanding not onlytheStar Warstimeline, but also the Force itself.
In the originalStar Warstrilogy, audiences are introduced to the Jedi Order (or what’s left of it) and the Sith. These two groups have largely defined how viewers of theStar Warsmovies and showsunderstand the Force, and how one uses it – whether for good or evil.In expandedStar Warsstories, however, the Force is not just used by the Jedi and the Sith, but also by many other groupsthat interpret it in different ways - andThe Acolyteis bringing these interpretations to live-action.
What’s Going On With Osha & Mae? The Acolyte’s Twins & Backstory Explained
The Acolyte episode 3 reveals the key backstory and major history of Mae and her twin sister Osha, including the significance of their conception.
This Is The First Live-Action Force Story Not From A Jedi Or Sith POV
Witches & Other Force Cults Have Existed For Decades
WhileStar Warshas recently had live-action stories that feature theNightsisters of Dathomir, they have almost always served as antagonists of the story.The Acolyteis truly different, because two of the main characters, both protagonist and antagonist, are originally from a coven of witches viewers finally meet in episode 3 of the series. This new witch group views the Force in a very different way, something not new toStar Wars, but certainly new to the screen.
The Acolyteepisode 3 brings viewers to the planet Brendok, where a coven of witches has been living in order to avoid entanglements with the Republic and Jedi. These witches claim to be persecuted across the galaxy, and view the twinsMaeandOshaas a blessing to their coven, as they were created through the Force.The witches inThe Acolyte, however, do not actually call it “the Force.”
How The New Witches Compare To The Jedi & Sith
The Force Vs The Thread
The new witches introduced inThe Acolyteare very different from the Jedi and Sith. They don’t believe in the Force in the same way, as they instead believe it to be an energy field known as the Thread, which ties everything together. They use magical energy, much like the Nightsisters, but describe their abilities as somewhat unnatural - the same word Palpatine uses to describes the dark side. This indeed seems extremely unnatural, as at one point they even possess a Jedi.
They use magical energy, much like the Nightsisters, but describe their abilities as somewhat unnatural.
The witches view the Thread as a force that ties one to their own destiny, binding them to others in a spiritual and metaphysical way. They don’t describe it as using the Thread, but pulling it, and understand its consequences.This is not new toStar Wars –asStar WarsLegendsfeatured religions like the Fallanassi – but is new to live-actionStar Wars, and it’s fascinating to see this distinctly different view being introduced to the saga so prominently inThe Acolyte.
The Acolyteepisode 3 is now streaming. New episodes release Tuesdays 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.
