Way back in 1999, the venerable George Lucas, through the lens of his iconic Jedi Master, Qui-Gon, introduced the enigmatic concept of midi-chlorians in 'Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace'. These microscopic beings, residing abundantly in certain individuals, were said to be the source of an unusually strong connection to "the Force." This revelation left many loyal fans perplexed, feeling as if the once mysterious and universally attainable power had been reduced to a mere genetic trait. Others argued that midi-chlorians were merely one facet of Force-sensitivity, but that's not the crux of my argument. What if Qui-Gon's understanding of the Force was flawed? What if the Jedi's prequel obsession with science and order overshadowed their true comprehension of this cosmic energy?
Let's travel a century back in galactic time (or 25 years in ours). In this week's episode of 'The Acolyte,' titled "Destiny," we are transported to the childhood of Osha and Mae, played by Leah and Lauren Brady. Their lives on the planet Brendok were filled with exploration and harmony, under the guidance of a coven of Witches led by Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith), the one who "created" them, and Koril (Margarita Levieva), who "carried" them. At a pivotal moment, Aniseya explained the Force to her charges as a cosmic thread that anyone who knows how can tug upon. The more hands pulling, the stronger the pull.
Once again, murmurs of discontent echoed in certain corners of the Star Wars fanbase, challenging this portrayal of the Force as a collective force rather than an individual mastery. To those dissenters, I pose a question: What if even the Witches are misguided? What if, in this vast universe, no one truly understands the Force?
"Destiny" doesn't provide a definitive answer to the nature of the Force. Instead, it serves as a backdrop for a power struggle between two factions, each determined to shape the future of two promising acolytes. The Jedi have detected Osha and Mae's exceptional Force-sensitivity and, wary of any Witch with distant Jedi ties, they wish to test the sisters. If they pass, the Jedi intend to recruit them into their ranks, shaping them in their image. However, the Witches urge the younglings to deceive the Jedi and fail intentionally, keeping them on Brendok to strengthen the coven's power.
When it comes to Osha and Mae, their desires diverge like two paths in a forest. Mae, the brilliant apprentice who seemingly grasps the essence of "the Thread" with a deeper understanding than Osha, eagerly anticipates the approaching Ascension ceremony, where she and her sister will be inducted into the coven. However, Osha yearns for freedom from a life she never chose, a destiny imposed upon her. She triumphs in the Jedi trials and declares her intention to journey to Coruscant, aware that she may never again see her family's faces. In a fit of rage, Mae retaliates by setting fire to one of Osha's notebooks, a spark that ignites a blaze that engulfs the coven's stronghold, claiming nearly all lives within. (Such is what we witness, yet given Mae's relentless quest for vengeance against the Jedi, I sense a more profound narrative beneath the surface.)
The Acolyte's creator, Leslye Headland, hails from the realm of American independent cinema, where screenwriters often tease out their characters' backstories for extended periods, dangling dark, life-altering secrets before the audience, only revealing the details in the third act. Therefore, I appreciate that she and her writing partners, Jasmyne Flournoy and Eileen Shim, do not leave us dangling in suspense, revealing the events of 16 years ago that splintered Osha and Mae's bond.
Origin stories such as these can be a challenging feat, especially when intertwined with mysticism and childhood, often relying on child actors to convey gravitas. Ask any Lost fan about "Across the Sea," the sixth season's "secret of the Island" episode, which grounded the entire series in a pair of quarreling brothers and a mysterious glowing cave. Some adore it, I among them. Yet, its stiffness and inherent corniness left other fans with a sense of disillusionment regarding Lost's ability to deliver a satisfying conclusion.
I cannot deny that "Destiny" shares a similar air of clunkiness, filled with scenes of the sisters being lectured by their rigidly ideological Witch mothers and numerous scenes of the sisters arguing vociferously. Many moments in this episode are a slog to watch.
However, after three episodes of The Acolyte, I remain fascinated by its portrayal of the Jedi as bureaucratic and overbearing, to the point of being disrespectful towards other cultures and their norms. These Witches and others like them were banished long ago for failing to conform to Jedi standards. (This episode implies that one such deviation involves homosexuality.) It's understandable why some might seek to defy the Jedi and craft their own, more personally meaningful interpretations of the great power that binds all life.
This episode also offers crucial insights into Osha and Mae and the world that shaped them. We first encounter them playing beneath a bunta tree, admiring its gorgeous yet deadly poisonous leaves. As Osha plays with a bird using the Thread, Mae employs it herself to snatch the bird out of her sister's grasp, her actions revealing a darkness that the Witches' sermons about the common good have been unable to extinguish. The story does not hinge on the reason why Mae is powerful; rather, it hinges on how she chooses to wield that power. This is where a skilled storyteller can truly excel.
