The Acolyte Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Teach/Corrupt

The writers continue to push the boundaries of what we know to be true and what we imply about our knowledge. The Acolyte Season 1 Episode 6, “Teach/Corrupt,” asks the question, “Who and what can we trust?”

First and foremost, Master Sol continues to keep some secrets just under the surface. This creates an unease with him that only gets stronger with each passing episode.

Then, there is the situation with The Stranger/Qimir. Our automatic response is that he’s the villain; therefore, he can’t be trusted, but is he really? But overall, this episode fails to really capture our attention due to spending too much time on mundane situations that could’ve been broken down into smaller increments.

What are Master Sol’s True Motives

The further we dive into this mission to capture Mae, the more it feels as though the Jedi aren’t completely on the up-and-up. Especially where the twin sisters are concerned.

While this episode isn’t memorable overall, important details are revealed. For example, we find out that Master Sol hasn’t told Osha/Mae everything about what happened that night on Brendok. 

It isn’t much, especially considering the amount of runtime this episode has, but it still makes us pause and question everything about the Jedi Order. After all, why hasn’t Sol just come out with the information yet? Why hide it in the first place?

Also, the way Master Sol immediately goes into hyperdrive after stunning Mae makes us question whether or not he’s betraying his order. He recognizes that Mae is pretending to be her sister, which shows that he still has a strong enough bond with Osha to notice the most subtle differences. 

However, his actions afterward beg us to question what his real motives are. He’d just told Mae that he should turn himself in to the High Council with the truth about Brendok, but then he runs from the Jedi Order rescue team? Why?

Is the Whole Jedi Order Out Of Line?

In addition, Master Vernestra Rwoh is on edge for the whole episode. From the moment she is informed that Sol put out a distress call until they arrive in Khofar, she sees the deaths of the Jedi from the previous evening; there is a tenseness to her that raises some red flags.

Not only that, she doesn’t say what she is thinking when presented with the theory that Master Sol might’ve turned on his whole team. It makes us wonder if she’s already suspected he has that ability or if she’s throwing that out completely in favor of something closer to the truth.

The way that no one in the Order seems willing to share what they know with each other and the hushed vibe about Brendok leaves us wondering if they’re the right “side” to be trusting. In fact, by the end of “Teach/Corrupt,” the Jedi Order doesn’t look all that appealing.

There is a lot of shadiness within the Jedi Order, which has this viewer leaning more toward supporting Qimir and his mission. It doesn’t help matters that The Acolyte has once again run into a pacing problem, making the episode mediocre at best.

Is The Stranger/Qimir in the Right Despite Being a Murderer?

After the highly emotional The Acolyte Season 1 Episode 5, “Night,” it would be hard to look at The Stranger/Qimir with any level of compassion or admiration. However, when we see him in this vulnerable state conversing with Mae about how the Jedi Order is corrupt and weak, we find ourselves giving his point of view some credit.

At this point in the Star Wars universe, it’s a story as old as time. We’ve already seen a similar path for both Anakin Skywalker and Kylo Ren. All three of these characters started out as Jedi but then became disillusioned or were seen as not worthy enough by the Order.

What makes The Stranger/Qimir unique is that he has always been searching for another soul to share his life with. Underneath the surface of his rage beats the heart of someone who doesn’t want to walk the world alone.

Sure, he has plans to “help” the Jedi Order see what a mistake they made in rejecting him. However, a lot can be said about the relatability of his actions.

In its simplest forms, Qimir was bullied and looked down upon for just being his own emotionally aware self, and now he wants the world to see just how strong those emotions make him.

It’s one of the Jedi Order’s biggest shortcomings, their belief that strong emotions cloud your strength instead of enhancing it. While it’s still not apparent what exactly he’s looking for with Osha now that Mae has failed him, we are interested to find out.

 

What did you think of this episode of The Acolyte? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Acolyte airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Disney+.

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