Summary
The Acolyteepisode 7 introduced a newForce power, with the witches of Brendok proving capable of transforming into ethereal black smoke. It’s long been clear that thewitches of Brendokpossess abilities beyond the experience of either Jedi or Sith. The point was proven inThe Acolyteepisode 7, whenthe witches demonstrated the ability to transform into black smokein an effect visually reminiscent of Death Eater disapparation inHarry Potter.
Speaking toNerdist,The Acolyteshowrunner Leslye Headland has explained what’s really going on with this mysterious new Force power. “What she is doing is what Jecki says in episode four, thatit’s an honor to see anyone transform into the Force. I believe that Aniseya is transforming herself and Mae into the Force in a way that doesn’t kill them,” she explains. Conceptually, it seems to be similar to Force Ghosts, although the black smoke seems to indicate it is of the dark side.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode Guide - Cast Members, Biggest Takeaways & Easter Eggs
Here’s everything you need to follow along with Star Wars: The Acolyte, from references and trivia to main takeaways from each new episode.
The Acolyte’s Force Witches May Be Responsible For Brendok’s Restoration
This Force power may be an important clue to what’s happening on Brendok. As seen inThe Acolyteepisode 7, the Jedi traveled to Brendok because it was recovering from a hyperspace disaster at an unusually fast rate. They believed this was tied to avergence in the Force; while there is such a vergence on Brendok, it appears to be tied to the dark side, meaning it’s unlikely this is the reason for the planet’s rejuvenation. The witches, however, may be the true explanation.
Timothy Zahn’s canon novelThrawn Ascendancy: Greater Goodhints that Force Ghosts can influence the physical world from what they call “the Beyond.” In fact, the book introduces a mysterious cult whose world has been ravaged, and who seek to die purely so they can help their planet heal from a devastating disaster. If the witches are becoming (albeit briefly) one with the Force in a manner analogous to Force Ghosts, thenthey could be having the same effect.
It’s A Good Job Palpatine Didn’t Possess This Force Power
As powerful as the Sith may be, they never mastered every dark side technique. In this case, it’s certainly a good job Palpatine never learned to become one with the Force in this way; imagine him teleporting out of the reactor shaft inReturn of the Jedi. Fortunately, there’s no reason to believe any Sith ever learned this trick, or even discovered it was possible. It remains the province of Force witches such as the cultists of Brendok and the Nightsisters.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
