Star Wars: The Acolyte Season 1 Episode 3 Review

Episode 3 of Star Wars: The Acolyte™, “Destiny,” offers more context into what transpired on Brendok™ all those years ago. It sheds light on the tension between Osha™ and Mae™ and the family dynamics in which they were raised. While we get much-needed answers, we still have a few loose narrative threads to pull on later, such as the mysterious manner of the coven’s death.

I love how The Acolyte delves into different interpretations of the Force. The Thread is such a unique perspective on the unseen element that links all beings in this galaxy far, far away.

(Check out the previous recap of The Acolyte if you need to catch up on last week’s episode 1 and 2 premiere.)

---

Destiny on Brendok

We open on Brendok, 16 years ago. A young Osha sits under a yellow Bunta™ tree. She tries to control what looks like a cross between a butterfly and a bird. However, it’s young Mae who masters control of the creature. Mae scolds Osha for running away. Osha reveals she’s nervous about the upcoming Ascension, a ritual in which both twins will participate.

While heading back to the coven compound, we see the identical twins recite the lines we heard in the premiere: “Always one but born as two. As above sits the stars and below lies the sea, I give you, you, and you give me, me.”

Next, Mother Koril™ finds the girls and reprimands them for straying so far away. As the trio leaves the forest, we see Master Sol™ observing them.

---

Let Them Have Spice Creams

Then, Osha and Mae reunite with their mom, Mother Aniseya™, the coven leader. We learn that Koril is her partner, and they created the twins together. After urging the girls to attend their training session, Aniseya and Koril chat about Osha running away from the compound and their visiting Jedi pals. The coven’s scouts believe the Jedi have moved their ship inland, but there’s still no sign of them.

Koril defers to Aniseya regarding childrearing, but she feels the latter should discipline the girls more and not be so lenient. Their safety as a coven depends on it.

---

Pull the Thread

Later, Mother Aniseya teaches Osha and Mae about the Thread — one that connects all living beings in existence. If you pull the Thread, you change everything. Aniseya adds that some refer to the Thread as the Force and that it’s a power you can use. However, the Thread isn’t meant to be wielded.

Aniseya demonstrates her abilities by pushing back two witches without touching them. She tries to impress the importance of teamwork on the twins. They’re bound together for life. Unfortunately, Osha and Mae are preoccupied during this lesson. Aniseya finally puts her foot down and goes into disciplinary mode, as Koril suggested earlier.

After the training session, everyone hears a distant creaking sound. Aniseya orders the girls to their room while Koril investigates.

---

Osha Has Doubts

Next, Osha, Mae, and Aniseya discuss the impending Ascension. Osha states she doesn’t want to do it. Mae doesn’t understand why; after all, ascending is how they become witches.

Osha expresses doubts, revealing she’s unsure if she wants to be a witch. Aniseya reminds them that the Thread bound them before they were born. She orders Mae and Osha to declare their love for each other while holding hands. Look at Star Wars™ coming in with parenting tips!

---

Preparing to Ascend

Later, the girls prepare for the Ascension. Osha admits she wants to have dreams separate from Mae. She longs to travel the galaxy. Mae remains steadfastly committed to being a witch. Elsewhere, Aniseya, Koril, and the coven begin their chants. Aniseya takes to the floor, delivering a speech about their kind’s persecution throughout history. Despite this, they choose to use their gifts.

Then, Osha and Mae arrive. Mae recites a vow to uphold the coven’s values and protect its secrets after Aniseya passes. Aniseya uses her powers to produce a white seal on Mae’s forehead. She turns to do the same for Osha, who wavers in her deliverance of the vow.

However, Aniseya doesn’t have time to complete the ceremony for Osha because the Jedi have arrived.

---

Indara, Sol, Kelnacca, and Torbin

The witches scramble to hide the twins as Masters Indara™, Sol, Kelnacca™, and Padawan Torbin™ make their entrance. Indara asks Aniseya if they’re training children. If so, this is against Republic law. Aniseya counters that Brendok is not part of the Republic. Koril insists there aren’t children here, but Kelnacca already senses the twins’ presence.

Osha steps forward. Sol crouches before her and introduces himself. With Aniseya’s permission, Osha ushers Mae forward. After a wave of tension ripples through the group (Sol makes it known he was spying on them), Sol hands Osha his Lightsaber™. He says she would make a great Jedi. Sol asks the young girl if she wants to be tested to be a Jedi. Osha is eager to get to it.

---

Pushback

Suddenly, Aniseya floods Torbin’s mind, turning his eyes black. He bends backward. She tells Indara that if the latter wants her Padawan returned to his right mind, she suggests they leave. However, before that, Aniseya gives the Jedi permission to administer their test to Osha and Mae. Then, she frees Torbin’s mind.

Next, Aniseya, Koril, and the council meet to formulate a game plan. What happens if the Jedi discover how Aniseya and Koril made the twins? Koril protests against Aniseya’s decision to let Osha specifically take the Jedi test. Aniseya insists that Osha is old enough to know what she wants.

An older woman on the council reveals the Jedi test is a pass or a fail. So, the girls simply need to fail it.

---

Test Day

Later, the twins approach the Jedi ship to take the test. Osha admits to Mae that she doesn’t want to lie — she wants to say what’s on her heart. Mae enters the vessel to take the test first, while Osha introduces herself to Kelnacca.

When it’s Osha’s turn, Torbin snags a blood sample from her. Then, Indara and Sol explain that Osha must divine what images appear on the testing screen. She attempts to lie about what she sees. However, the Jedi Masters call her out on it. Indara understands why. Osha’s family doesn’t want her to leave them.

Sol tells Osha that he was younger than her when he took the Jedi test. Osha then confesses her desire to be a Jedi and traverse the galaxy. Sol encourages Osha to speak her mind and say what she wants.

---

I Want to Be a Jedi

Then, Osha and Mae reunite with their parents. Osha reveals she told the Jedi the truth and longs to be one of them. Koril is incredulous. Mae is furious, and she takes that ire out on Osha. Koril scoops up Mae, and the pair leaves, giving Osha and Aniseya space to chat.

Aniseya encourages her daughter to “pull the Thread.” She supports Osha’s decision to be a Jedi. Osha realizes she’ll never see her mom again. This moment parallels young Anakin Skywalker™ asking Shmi Skywalker™ if he’ll ever see her again in The Phantom Menace™.

Aniseya and Osha embrace and exchange “I love you’s.” This scene is so beautiful, and Jodie Turner-Smith gives a tender, understated performance. Also, the girls who play the twins, Lauren and Leah Brady, are quite good. I expect their stars to rise in the coming years.

---

It’s Not Up to You

Mae storms into her and Osha’s bedroom while the latter packs her belongings. She refuses to let Osha leave. Osha fires back that it isn’t up to Mae — this is her life. So, Mae locks Osha in their room, threatening to kill her. This is when Mae sets the compound on fire.

Thankfully, Osha escapes the room through a window as the flames spread all too quickly. Osha and Mae reunite near the burning remains of the compound’s power source on a severed bridge. Sol runs toward them, screaming their names. Suddenly, Mae slips off the bridge and falls into the chasm below.

Sol grabs Osha and flees. They stumble upon the bodies of Aniseya, Koril, and the rest of the coven. Inexplicably, there’s no fire or debris around them. My guess is they took poison from the Bunta tree, but perhaps we’ll get more clarity down the line.

---

The Aftermath

Later, Osha wakes up on the Jedi ship with an oxygen mask on her face. Sol explains to her what happened and that they’re on their way to Coruscant™. If she wants, she can be his Padawan. Side note: In the opening seconds of this scene, Torbin has a fresh scar on his face.

Osha sobs as Sol embraces her. He promises it’ll all be okay, and she’ll never feel like this again.

Meanwhile, Mae, still on Brendok, walks toward the Bunta tree. She calls for Osha.

---

What did you think of The Acolyte episode 3? Join the conversation with other Star Wars™ fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!