WARNING: Spoilers for the fifth episode of The Acolyte.
Fallen Jedi. Sith revealed. Lightsaber’s are in full effect. The Acolyte returns this week and reveals the identity of the Sith in the mask whilst showcasing their combat skills. The majority of the episode had a major focus on action coupled with bits of exposition that shed some light on certain events that have been looming the entire season. Osha and Mae also reunite and share a tender moment by the end of the episode, and Master Sol is shaken by the revelations of these events.
By far, one of the highlights of this episode was the action choreography. The episode begins with Jedi falling in battle left and right at the hands of the helmet-wearing Sith. They quickly make work of the knights before squaring off with Master Sol, leading to one of the best fights Star Wars has seen since the final duel between Rey and Kylo Ren on the moon of Endor in The Rise of Skywalker. It was intense, engaging, easy to follow, and just all-around worth the build-up to witness a single Sith lay waste to a small order of Jedi.
The Sith Revealed In The Acolyte Season 1
As for the man in the iron mask, it is indeed revealed to be Qimir. This comes as a bit of a disappointment due to the very obvious setup throughout previous episodes. While there is still a mystery in how Qimir came into his force abilities and why he refutes the ways of the Jedi, the initial reveal still feels underwhelming. Despite that, Qimir proves he is a force to be reckoned with by taking out most of the Jedi accompanying Sol and Osha on their mission to bring Mae in.
Where do things go from here? The episode ends with things looking quite grim for Master Sol and Osha. Yord, Jecki, and the rest of the Jedi who accompany them are all dead. After a somber moment of reuniting with each other, Mae stuns Osha with a blaster and takes her place, leading Sol to believe Osha is the one following him back to the ship to reconvene with the Jedi in the wake of these events.
Meanwhile, Qimir finds an unconscious Osha, believing her to (presumably) be Mae, only to sheet her in his robe upon finding her injured. Will Osha switch sides and become the new Acolyte? Is Mae going to finish her mission and take down Master Sol? Can Sol find some reconciliation with what happened here and on Brendock sixteen years prior? Is Bazil going to be sad that Yord is dead? With only three episodes left, it will be interesting to see how this series culminates in its conclusion.
The Acolyte season 1 drops new episodes on Tuesdays on Disney+.