The events that happened on Brendok just got more interesting.
Getting multiple points of view for the same events should always be a storyline that’s given, whether it’s in the same season or a spin-off. Yes, it could be seen as repetitive, but The Acolyte Episode 7, “Choice,” changes scenes fans have already seen to make it feel new. Viewers don’t get the same moments played out the way it’s been seen already, but the same moments in a new light. They only see snippets here and there to let viewers align the timeline of “Choice” with “Destiny.” Having this overlay makes the episode feel like fans are watching that comfort show they’ve seen 10 times but rewatch to spot the moments they’ve missed to finally get the full picture.
It goes to show the Jedi’s point of view and makes it more difficult to choose a side: the witches or the Jedi — it also goes to show that fire is not the reason the witches died. Seeing the Jedi’s side on the matter doesn’t tear a fan away from agreeing with the witches, but it makes one lean closer to the Jedi.
This episode reveals why Sol (Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game) and Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman, Games of Thrones) have so much guilt. The fact that everything bad unfolds because Torbin simply can’t listen to Master Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss, The Matrix) and needs to act instead of think shows the reason behind the vow of silence and drinking the poison. If Torbin stayed back at camp and listened to Master Indara, the coven of witches would be alive, and everyone would’ve gone their peaceful separate ways.
But let’s just say a thank you to Torbin because that opened the door for Sol to attack the unarmed — even though she uses The Force. For some reason, Sol feels a special bond with young Osha (Lauren Brady) and basically ignores everything the Jedi stand for to bring Osha back with him. That bond feels a tad too quick to have formed over a very short interaction between him and Osha. But that bond paired with Torbin wanting proof of the Vergence, shows more of the Sol who almost killed Qimir (Manny Jacinto, The Good Place).
It shows Sol being in touch with the Dark Side, as someone who acts on their emotions. Killing Mother Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith, Queen & Silm), as tragic as it is, is an amazing turn of events to see Sol’s character growth — even though that took place in the past.
Sol and Qimir are the strongest characters of the show and while Qimir is missed in “Choice,” Sol carries the episode to still make it a good watch. The moment Sol thought Osha was in trouble, he dropped all of his morals and didn’t hesitate to sacrifice her mother or young Mae (Leah Brady). Seeing him as a morally gray character only strengthens the show to not be a straightforward predictable series.
However, if there’s one thing this episode proved, is that a movie, not weekly releases the way The Acolyte should be released. In the Episode 6 review, it was said The Acolyte should’ve been a movie to remove the filler. But Episode 7 shows why there’s some filler and there’s no doubt Episode 8 will further prove why it’s a show. Everything will come together and make sense (at least that’s the hope).
Breaking the eight episodes up weekly allows viewers to see the cracks and point out more negative aspects. If The Acolyte was released all at once and people were able to binge the show, it would feel cohesive and whole. Breaking the show up allows viewers to see the lows not be followed by any high points immediately, causing episodes like “Day,” to feel like nothing but filler and pointless. Then “Night,” is nothing but greatness, but fans can’t get that without the filler build-up. So, if it’s released all at once, there would be more balance in the Force.
Even with the episodes being released weekly, The Acolyte holds up to give fans strong moments that show why we need more. “Choice” delivers on the fight scenes to bring that wanted level of intensity while enhancing the storyline.
The Acolyte finale is expected and hoped to end this season with significance where it brings everything together and the quality keeps rising.
The Acolyte Episode 7, ‘Choice’ is now streaming on Disney+
