Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 5
Summary
The Acolyteepisode 5 features some of the most impressive and brutal lightsaber combat in live-action since the prequels. However, it also features some pretty exciting Easter eggs and references to the greaterStar Warscanon. To that end, there are several major reveals in the episode, both for individual characters as well as teases for the future of the new show.
As seen inThe Acolyteepisode 5,theStar Warsshow finally reveals the identity of the show’s new Sith Lord, a lethal dark side user who takes on an entire team of Jedi Knights single-handedly after slaying Kelnacca, the Wookiee Jedi Master who’d been living in exile on the forest world of Khofar. However, there are still a good number of noteworthy references and parallels to other parts of theStar Warscanon throughout the action-heavy episode.Here are 17 of the biggest and best Easter eggs and references fromThe Acolyteepisode 5.
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17Kelnacca’s Saber
Mae Attempted To Claim
Finding Kelnacca’s lightsaber during the carnage outside his remote forest home,Mae claims the Wookie Jedi’s lightsaber. It looks to be rather large in her hands, which makes sense considering it was forged for the much larger Jedi Master. Not only does claiming the weapon connect to Mae’s past attempts to claim sabers inThe Acolyte,but the saber also provides Padawan Jecki with a momentary advantage against the new Sith Lord after she takes the Jedi weapon back.
16Cortosis
A Rare Star Wars Metal
Seen taking on several Jedi Knights at once, Mae’s master is seen headbutting incoming lightsaber strikes with his helmet.This temporarily deactivates the Jedi’s lightsabers upon contact, and the same is true for strikes that he blocks with his gauntlet. As such,both look to be made from the same material known as cortosis, a rare metal ore in theStar Warscanon that can temporarily disable sabers. As such, it provides Mae’s master with a lethal advantage.
15“You Are No Jedi”
Mirrors To Ahsoka
Master Sol concedes that Mae’s master wields the weapon of a Jedi.However, Sol also states the somewhat obvious: “You are no Jedi.“To that end, it does bring to mind Ahsoka Tano’s classic and most iconic line first heard inStar Wars Rebelsand beyond following her decision inThe Clone Warsto leave the Jedi Order behind:“I am no Jedi”. Thankfully, Ahsoka didn’t embrace the dark side and has even reconciled with her Jedi path as seen in the live-actionAhsokaseries.
14Star Wars Reveals New Cortosis Ability
Blocking Jedi Mind Reading
Not only doesThe Acolyteepisode 5 debut cortosis in live-action for the first time, but alsoa new cortosis power has seemingly been revealed with this dark new Sith helmet. When Sol tells Mae’s master to remove his helmet,the dark side user refuses, claiming that Sol would be able to read his mind if he were to take it off. As such, it seems as though cortosis can block the mind-reading abilities of the Jedi through the Force, not unlike Magneto’s helmet in Marvel Comics which he wore to block his thoughts from psychics such as Professor Xavier.
13The Power Of A Master And Apprentice
Master Sol and Padawan Jecki
Having already killed five Jedi, the best defense the Jedi Knights could muster against Mae’s master was when Master Sol and his Padawan Jecki Lon finally got together.Combining their powers and skills as master and apprentice, they were able to hold this apparent Sith Lord back for longer than most.As such, it’s certainly a testament to the power of a strong bond that can be found between Jedi Masters and their Padawans, even though they were still overpowered by Mae’s master by the episode’s end.
12New Lightsaber Function
The Sith Lord’s Hidden Saber
Serving as a lethal deception inThe Acolyteepisode 5,Mae’s master reveals a second shoto lightsaber hidden within his original lightsaber hilt, pulling it out and stabbing Jecki three times in rapid succession while they were locked in a clash. As such,Jecki had no time to react to this brutal new lightsaber function. While similar to Jedi Knight Cal Kestis' double-bladed lightsaber and its ability to be split in half, this new Sith saber is more like a hidden blade, one that when unsheathed reduces the length of the first saber as it’s now powered by a single kyber crystal rather than two.
11Qimir Revealed As Mae’s Master
Not Just A Mere Trader
Having broken his mask before she was killed,Mae’s master is revealed to be Qimir, the trader who helped her poison Master Torbin inThe Acolyteepisode 2 and was leading her to Kelnacca in episode 4. As a result, it now makes sense how he knew where Kelnacca was, as well as why he was evasive when Mae asked how he got connected with her master. Additionally, it looks as thoughQimir had grand plans for Mae to become his new pupil and acolyte, though his plans have seemingly changed after she exposed him to the Jedi Order, seeking to kill not only Mae but also the Jedi.
10“She Was A Child”
Criticisms Of Jedi Recruitment
In Sol’s despair over Jecki’s death, he tells Qimir that"she was just a child”. However, Qimir simply responds that Sol was the one who brought her on such a dangerous mission. As such,it’s a clear indictment of the Jedi Order’s recruitment and training of children, a criticism that only grows and gets worse by the time of The Clone Wars when Padawans literally became child soldiers helping command clone troopers into battle.
9Tràkata Lightsaber Form
A Forbidden Technique
Having been confirmed by Star Wars.com,Qimir employs a lightsaber technique known as Tràkata, as seen by the deactivating and reigniting of his lightsaber mid-battle. Having debuted 30 years ago in theStar Wars: Dark Empireaudio-drama,Trákata is largely seen as a forbidden lightsaber formin the eyes of the Jedi, making it perfect for the Sith as it’s all about deceiving one’s opponent. As such, this ties into Yord’s comment about “The Stranger” ignoring the rules of combat. It also brutally pairs well with Qimir’s use of Jar’Kai (wielding dual lightsabers).
8Lightsaber To The Head
A Dark Anakin/Kylo Move
Grabbing Mae,Qimir threatens to kill Mae by placing his lightsaber right at her temple. An incredibly dark move, it’s also one that has been seen before in the Star Wars canon. Anakin Skywalker did it first during moments of strong darkness duringThe Clone Wars, most notably with a Zyggerian slaver. However, Kylo Ren followed through with his move, turning on his lightsaber to impale a Praetorian guard as seen inThe Last Jedi.
