Finally, “The Acolyte” takes off.
You can’t judge a “Star Wars” show by its first episode, which is why I think the overwhelming backlash to this one was disingenuous. In fact, many great shows — “The Clone Wars” and “Rebels,” for instance — started out bad.
In Episode 5, we finally discover who Mae’s (Amandla Stenberg) master is. And it’s … (spoilers).
… her pal, Qimir (Manny Jacinto).
Some people were not surprised by this, especially those who theorized extensively. I didn’t see it coming and I like how it gives some more dimension to his character.
However, the show does drop the ball when he reveals that he’s a Sith (or claims to be one). He didn’t need to say this; the Sith have been in hiding for a millennia and him blurting this out puts him at high risk of exposure.
While we’re on Qimir, I also don’t believe for a second that he’s a Sith master. He acts like an apprentice, which Jeremy Jahns pointed out. He’s reckless, youthful and irresponsible — far from the cool-headed and calculating nature of almost every other Sith master we’ve seen in canon and Legends.
The show now has two paths it can go. In order to not break canon, either all the Jedi who fought Qimir has to die, or there has to be some sort of a cover up. It seems like the show is leaning towards the former, as Qimir kills off every single Jedi except for Sol (Lee Jung-jae).
That’s the best part of the episode. The fight choreography is on point when you can see it, with Sol’s apprentice, Jecki Lon (Dafne Keene) holding her own with dual lightsabers in an Ahsoka-style fight until Qimir kills her with a dirty trick. Yord (Charlie Barnett), you will not be missed.
I think it’s clear that many of these Jedi were written to be unlikeable on purpose, especially the arrogant Yord, who gets his neck snapped. It feels like their comeuppance, and it’s clear that Sol and company did something horrible to Mae and Osha’s (Stenberg) family when they visited their home.
Speaking of them, they switch places when Osha rejects Mae despite her change of heart. This means that Mae is now with Sol, whereas Qimir tries to recruit Osha as a new apprentice. Mae is capable of killing Sol, which I think will happen, but I don’t think Osha can take on Qimir.
Unfortunately, this episode is held back by incompetent cinematography, writing and direction. But its concept and twists makes it enjoyable regardless, even if the whole thing comes off as a bit clunky.
“Star Wars: The Acolyte” Episode 5 gets a 7/10
InReview 
Leave a comment