Summary
One definingStar Warsscene inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menacejust became much more confusing afterThe Acolyteepisode 7.The Acolyteis set 100 years beforeThe Phantom MenaceintheStar Warstimeline, which made it more than likely that the show would have major implications not only for allStar Warsmovies and TV showsbut also for the prequel trilogy in particular. This has certainly proven true, asThe Acolytehas both set the stage forThe Phantom Menaceand thrown certain aspects of the prequels into question.
In episode 7 specifically,The Acolytefinally confirmedwhat really happened on Brendok, and with that came a whole host of revelations. In fact,The Acolyteepisode 7 revealed newshocking details about Mae and Osha’s origins. One of those details in particular has made a key scene inThe Phantom Menacesuddenly make much less sense.
Mae & Osha’s Origin Reveal Explains Why They Aren’t The Chosen One
The Acolyte episode 7 confirmed brand-new details about Mae and Osha’s backstory, thereby solidifying that they are not the Chosen One.
Sol
InThe Acolyteepisode 7, the four Jedi stationed on Brendok—Indara, Kelnacca, Sol, and Torbin—are actively looking fora vergence in the Force, a concept which refers to a concentration of the Force that centers on a location, object, or person and has the power to create life. This assignment, presumably sent down from the Jedi Council itself, is so critical that Master Sol goes so far as to say"Nothing could be more important to the Jedi"than identifying such a vergence. This is precisely why the Jedi react so strongly to Osha and Mae.
The Jedi are suspicious that Mae and Osha may either be or have been born from a vergence in the Force.
Because the twins are seemingly born without a father and on a planet that was believed to have no life on it, the Jedi are suspicious that Mae and Osha may either be or have been born from a vergence in the Force. This is reinforced later on in episode 7 when the Jedi discover that Mae and Osha’s symbionts are identical to one another. In light of that, Master Indara concludes that the twins must really be one consciousness split into two bodies, and Master Sol believes this is a power only a vergence in the Force could produce.
Star Wars: Midi-Chlorians, Symbionts, & M-Counts Explained
The Star Wars movies and TV shows have often referenced midi-chlorians and “M-counts”, but what are they and how do they connect to the Force?
Following this discovery, Torbin jumps into action, believing that the possibility of a Force vergence may be significant enough that the Jedi Order will finally call them back to Coruscant. While this has devastating consequences inThe Acolyte(including the death of the entire coven), it also has fascinating implications forThe Phantom Menace. Specifically,if a Force vergence was so important, why did the Jedi initially reject Anakin?
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
InThe Acolyteepisode 7, Sol insists that identifying, studying, and protecting a vergence in the Force is the top priority for the Jedi. Either he overstated this importance, or, more likely, he was specifically told this by the Jedi Council before he was sent on this mission. Given that prioritization,it makes little sense that the Jedi Council inThe Phantom Menacewouldn’t have jumped to recruit Anakin.
Qui-Gon Jinn identified Anakin as a vergence in the Force, which, based on Master Sol’s statement, should have made the Jedi immediately interested in Anakin. Instead, they turned him away. This raises serious questions about what could have possibly transpired betweenThe AcolyteandThe Phantom Menacethat would have caused the Jedi to go so sharply from sending out Jedi just to try and find a vergence to rejecting a boy who seemed to be a vergence himself.
Of course, some may argue that this is an oversight or even a retcon inThe Acolyte. However, based on Osha’s seeming dark side trajectory and the loose ends still remaining in the show, the truth could be much more sinister.The Acolyte’supcoming final episode may just reveal why the Jedi inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceweren’t willing to accept Anakin as a vergence in the Force.
The final episode of The Acolyte will release on Tuesday, July 16th, at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Cast
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a galaxy facing political turmoil, as Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi seek peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker, a slave with great potential in the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith begin their resurgence, threatening the stability of the Republic.
The Acolyte
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.
