The Acolyte

So far I think everyone that was shitting on this show is insane, or stupid, or both. The Acolyte is a well written show that seems to explore parts of the Star Wars universe that are underutilized. We are getting to see and talk about what the flaws in the Jedi order are. We are getting to see how revenge and trauma don’t always have to lead to the Dark side. Also how it isn’t always about Dark vs Light. I think this show is adding a lot more substance and nuance to the Star Wars canon then it had before.

The episodes are also paced out incredibly well, they feel so short yet so much gets done without it feeling crammed or underdeveloped. Saving the flashback for the top of the third episode was a great decision. We are properly invested in Osha and May’s story now and we clearly want to know more. Holding your cards a little bit closer makes the reveal so much better.

So May was definitely always crazy. And Osha seemed to be her balance. Coven? As in witches? Force sensitive witches? Yup, force sensitive witches. Very interesting.

So they couldn’t hire just one child to be both of these little girls? Aren’t they twins? So they looked different when they were younger and magically became identical? That is in fact now my biggest issue with the show.

So Osha points out that they are the only children in this coven. Which causes the women doing their hair to share a look. So why are they the only children here? More, very well crafted questions.

So the witches were ostracized by the Jedi because they have power. And we all know that the Jedi can not allow other powerful groups to exist, that would defeat their purpose.

May looks happy and excited for this ceremony and Osha looks terrified. May ascended, Osha didn’t…they’ve really always been opposites, even before their traumatic childhood event. Osha wants something different, she doesn’t feel connected to her sister or the Coven the way that May does. Osha wants to be with other kids and lead her own life. May is very hot headed and probably one of the reasons that these witches are branded “dark”.

Momma created these girls out of some definitely illegal magic.

Really this is a story of Jedi overreach. They want to impose their will on planets outside of their jurisdiction.

As much as I have a problem with these little girls clearly not being twins, they are really good actresses. There is so much emotion in their little faces. And they do a lot of it in the silences between dialogue.

I love that her mother reassures her that she is allowed to make this decision on her own. And that fear and no other person can make it for her. She really loves her little girl and wants what's best for her. On the flipside of that this coven seems to draw their strength and power from numbers. And without Osha they are undercutting their power and their legacy so she also has to make her decision based on what's best for the coven.

May is actually insane, she locks her sister in her room and sets shit on fire. This girl was willing to kill her sister just so that she couldn’t leave. Insane behavior.

The show is moving at a good pace. As soon as I get answers the show gives me more questions. I love that we got a whole flashback episode and I think the placement of it was perfect. We got all the information we needed to still be intrigued by the characters and the story and still have questions about how it is going to continue. As this story evolves it becomes less about how one handles grief and anger and more about being born either good or evil. May was clearly born batshit crazy and Osha was born good. Then we see how trauma influences one's natural state.