WARNING: Spoilers included for the third episode of The Acolyte.
“Always one, born as two.” – Mother Aniseya
The origins of Mae and Osha are revealed in the third episode of The Acolyte, and it’s very clear Leslye Headland was inspired in some way by the prequel trilogy. We recount Mae and Osha as children, their upbringing by the Witches of Brendok, and the flame that ignited the tragedy that sent Mae on her Jedi hunt. One surprise was seeing Jodie Turner-Smith debut as the head of the coven of the witches on Brendok, Mother Aniseya. Together with Mother Koril, they not only protect their coven but also bring up the twins. How the twins came to share a surprising connection to the prequel trilogy in a number of ways. Mae and Osha’s upbringing is very reminiscent of someone who also showed great promise.
That’s right, the twins were conceived and created in the same exact way Anakin Skywalker was. Mae and Osha had been conceived and created by way of the force, just like the chosen one to come. Mother Aniseya (Turner-Smith) and Mother Koril (played by Margarita Levieva) revealed themselves as the mothers of these two force-sensitive twins currently driving the narrative of The Acolyte. However, both Mae and Osha display very different personalities and desires from what they want out of life, which is very indicative of how they are in the present. Osha wants to pursue a life of freedom and explore the galaxy, while Mae clings to her roots as a dark side force user. Both also parallel Anakin Skywalker at different points during his time with the Jedi. Osha displays the eagerness to explore the galaxy and find her own path, while Mae’s dark tendencies take shape at an early age mirroring Anakin’s descent into the dark side.
The coven also showcases their prowess with the force, or as they refer to it, as, the thread. In which they hold a ceremony for the twins called the ascension which would see them fully embracing the coven. However, the very presence of the twins entices the Jedi that Mae is hunting in the present day. We get some more time with Master Indara (Carrie Anne-Moss), Sol (Lee Jung-Jae), Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman), and of course, the famed Wookie Jedi, Kelnacca (played by Joonas Suotomo), Who is on Brendok to test the twins to see if they can be trained in the ways of the force. After a calm and tense confrontation between the witches of Brendok and the Jedi led by Indara, the twins are ultimately tested. Osha chose to be a Jedi, while Mae refused to leave her coven. So much so, Mae insists her sister stays by any means necessary.
Overall, the episode showcased some genuine, somber moments between the twins and Jodie Turner-Smith’s Aniseya, as well as some emotional performances from Lee Jung-Jae’s Master Sol that, personally, left me feeling a little misty-eyed. While origin episodes in the middle of the season tend to drag and delay a story, this felt appropriate and perfectly place in the story being told as it gives a much larger frame of reference for why Osha and Mae are on their current paths as The Acolyte continues to expand on the High Republic era of Star Wars.
The Acolyte season 1 drops new episodes on Tuesdays on Disney+.