Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Acolyte episode 4.
Summary
The Acolyteepisode 4 changes its character dynamics in a big way, presenting a potential link toStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s Force Dyad. Undoubtedly the highlight ofThe Acolyteepisode 4 was the Sith introduction, which saw the mysterious, masked figure reveal himself to the Jedi in an astonishing cliffhanger ending. That said, the character arcs depicted throughout the episode before this ending were equally interesting, tied toThe Acolyte’s potential Force Dyad.
SinceThe Acolyte’s premiere, many have theorized that Mae and Osha make up one ofStar Wars’Force Dyads.The concept of a Force Dyad, two beings that exist as one within the Force, was introduced inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerthrough Ben Solo and Rey Skywalker. Ever since Mae and Osha unveiled their childhood motto,“Always one, but born as two,“the label of Force Dyad has been pinned on them byStar Warsfans. AfterThe Acolyteepisode 4, this theory gains more credence and even connects to their would-be successors fromThe Rise of Skywalker.
All 18 Star Wars Easter Eggs In The Acolyte Episode 4
The Acolyte episode 4 features several exciting new Easter eggs and references as all points converge on Kelnacca, the first live-action Jedi Wookiee.
Firstly, it is worth exploring one of the elements of a Force Dyad that seems to be canon. Little about Force Dyads is known, given the lateness in which the concept was introduced into thechronologicalStar Warsmovie timeline. Regardless,The Rise of Skywalker- and nowThe Acolyte,should the theories be true - revealed enough about the concept to hint that it strikes a balance of light and dark. This was evident by the two characters joined by the Force, Rey and Kylo.
TheStar Warssequels - especiallyThe Last Jedi -showed that Rey and Kylo have both light and dark inside them…
Throughout the sequels, Rey was positioned as the hero, or light, of the story, while Kylo was positioned as the villain, the dark. Interestingly though, theStar Warssequels - especiallyThe Last Jedi -showed that Rey and Kylo have both light and dark inside them. Kylo was once Ben Solo, a Jedi in training, and Rey was drawn to the dark side powers of Ahch-To. The reveal that Rey was a Palpatine only furthered her connection to the dark side, while Kylo’s redemption saw him reinstate himself as an agent of the light, proving the Dyad to require both sides.
The Acolyte Episode 4 Seems To Be Showing A Force Dyad
Mae & Osha’s Development In The Acolyte Episode 4 Follows These Themes
Concerning how this connects toThe Acolyte,Mae and Osha have been shown as two sides of the potential Dyad, like Rey and Kylo. Mae is undoubtedly the dark side of the Dyad, being drawn to dark deeds as seen inThe Acolyteepisodes 1, 2, and 3. Conversely, Osha is definitely swayed toward the light side of the Force, from her dreams of being a Jedi to her connections to those around her. However,The Acolyteepisode 4 continued the trend ofThe Rise of Skywalkerby blurring the lines between light and dark for both Mae and Osha.
The Acolyteepisode 4 saw Mae waver in her quest to kill Jedi. Knowing that Osha is now alive, Mae begins to question whether her loyalties remain with the Sith or with her sister. She intended to turn herself over to the Jedi and the Republic, showcasing how she may be being pulled back toward the light. Meanwhile, Osha was shown grappling with the darkness of revenge against her sister. Osha revealed inThe Acolyteepisode 4 that she left the Jedi as she could not overcome her anger at Mae, nor her desire for vengeance.
Like Rey and Kylo, the potential Force Dyad ofThe Acolyteis showing an equal amount of both light and dark…
InThe Acolyteepisode 4’s ending, the Sith Lord reveals himself to the Jedi. Intriguingly, he stalks towards Osha before anyone else, seemingly drawn to her. This is likely due to his connection to Mae, her sister, but is interesting nonetheless. Osha ends the episode shrouded in darkness after being hung up on getting revenge against her sister, while Mae realizes the error of her ways and attempts to turn herself in. Like Rey and Kylo, the potential Force Dyad ofThe Acolyteis showing an equal amount of both light and dark.
A series of the biggest debates aboutThe Acolytesince the show’s premiere have surrounded how the show fits intoStar Warscanon. Some of these arguments are valid, and some are nonsense, butThe Acolyteepisode 4 having a Force Dyad is a lore decision that perfectly fits into theStar Warstimeline. InStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, it is established by Palpatine that Force Dyads have been known to exist in the galaxy before.
Other aspects of The Acolyte that have been claimed to break canon are Mae and Osha’s immaculate conception and the Jedi-Sith conflict happening before The Phantom Menace.
Palpatine states that the connection shared by Rey and Kylo has not been seen for generations, implying that others have shared this bond. However, this dialog proves a Dyad has not been seen for generations, which fits withThe Acolyte’s timeline.The AcolyteandThe Rise of Skywalkerare separated by around 160 years, meaning at least two generations have passed between the two stories. As such, Mae and Osha’s potential Dyad connection inThe Acolytefits perfectly withThe Rise of Skywalkerboth concerning theStar Warstimeline and the lore elements of the concept that the latter established.
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.
