The Acolyte‘s penultimate episode, Choice, is the second flashback episode of the season. It shows the events from episode three on the planet Brendok from the Jedi perspective.
The fight scenes continue to carry The Acolyte with a triple threat Jedi fight measuring up to episode five’s brilliance.
Using Osha’s perspective in episode 3, it’s easy to assume that we’d return to Brendok and see the events from another point of view. Choice does show a different physical viewpoint through Sol’s eyes, but otherwise, Mae’s version of events is accurate. The only mystery tackled is why the Jedi overreacted like they did. The answers aren’t particularly compelling.
There are some cool concepts. The twins being a “vergence” in the Force, seeing Aniseya’s mind trick from Torbin’s perspective and Indara’s brutal method of curing Kelnacca are intriguing stories that are unsatisfying in execution.
The Jedi once again proves it’s their incompetence that’s their undoing. Two of the Jedi, Sol and Torbin, make rash decisions, again demonstrating the Jedi’s lack of foresight. Sol puts his feelings for Osha above all reason. Torbin just wants to go home to Coruscant. The Wookie Jedi Kelnacca is only on the show because he’s big, can fight, and knows how to use a metal detector.
Indara spends most of the episode as the voice of reason. Then, she convinces everyone to cover up the events on Brendok and uses a little girl, Mae, as the scapegoat. Whether the Jedis’ aims are malicious or not, their actions are deplorable and go way beyond imperfection.
After the overview and ranking Choice 4 out of 10 (Below Average), let’s explore poor Jedi choices, different teaching styles, and culture clashes. The Acolyte is streaming on Disney Plus.
Culture Clash
Choice begins with Indara, Sol, Kelnacca and Torbin on Brendok investigating the strong presence of the Force. Indara is the leader of this Jedi group and Torbin is her Padawan. The group has spent the last seven weeks looking for evidence. Their search is shown by Kelnacca using a metal detector to discover force energy.
Torbin is homesick and wants to return to Coruscant. Meanwhile, Sol takes a walk and oversees Osha and Mae’s use of the Force. He continues to follow them out of the forest into their compound. Sol oversees Aniseya, who is training the girls and fears for their safety.
He reports his findings to Indara. She wants to inform the council, but insists Indara go with him to see what he’s seen. Initially, Indara wants to go alone to talk to the witches. She doesn’t want to come across as threatening. Unfortunately, Sol convinces Indara to stick together as a team. The witches view this move as an act of aggression.
Anesaya responds by invading Torbin’s mind to show they won’t be intimidated. Sol offers to test the girls.
Poor Choice
Torbin, Sol and Indara all make poor choices in the penultimate episode.
After Anesaya invades his brain, Torbin is even more antsy about leaving the planet. Anesaya’s attack also leaves Torbin worried about Mae and Osha. Following the council rejecting Indara’s request to take the twins back to Coruscant, Torbin hops on a speeder bike and races back to the compound.
Sol chases after Torbin. When Sol and Torbin arrive, they find the fire is already starting. Mae, disguised as Osha, calls out for Anesaya’s help by turning herself and Mae into a mist-like form. Sol views this gesture as an attack and responds by igniting his lightsaber and killing Anesaya in front of Mae.
A grief-stricken Koril attacks Sol. He is still horrified about killing Anesaya and refuses to draw his lightsaber. Even without a weapon, his skill far outclasses Koril. With 50 other witches helping, Koril invades Kelnacca’s mind and a great fight occurs between three Jedi. Indara can clear Kelnacca’s mind but, in doing so, appears to kill the other witches using the Forces.
After saving Osha, a guilt-ridden Sol plans to report his actions to the council, which is the right thing to do. Unfortunately, Indara comes up with a more horrific plan. Not only does she pursuade Sol not to tell the council of his action, she also convinces them to put all of the deaths on Mae.
Teaching Styles
One of the exciting stories in Choice is the different approaches to teaching between Indara and Sol.
Indara is more level-headed and believes in letting her pupils find the answers. Sol lets his emotions dictate his actions. The best example of this is how Indara and Sol deal with Torbin’s irritability.
Indara wants Torbin to figure out why it’s so essential for them to keep searching. Sol comes right out and tells Torbin they’re searching for the vergence. The differing approaches clash once again when it comes to Osha.
Sol wants to take Osha on as his Padawan. He has a feeling Osha is meant to be his apprentice. Indara warns him not to confuse his desire for a Padawan with what is best for Osha.
On the surface, Sol’s connection to Osha is a compelling story. Unfortunately, The Acolyte never justifies Sol’s deep affection for Osha on screen. If Sol had been shown to have a similar upbringing to Osha, then this could have worked. Sol’s affection for Osha begins on-screen before he speaks to her. When he does speak to her during the test, she responds by lying to him.
Lee Jae does an excellent job of conveying his attachment to Osha, but the series doesn’t do enough to justify Sol’s actions.
Choice Final Thoughts
The Acolyte returns to Brendok and sadly uncovers information that adds very little to the story. The fight sequence is terrific, but the Jedis’ heinous actions make it easy to side with Mae’s decision to kill the Jedi.
