The Acolyte episode 8: season finale disappoints fans with flop ending and anti climatic cameos

The Acolyte faced challenges throughout its production, and the chaotic season finale on Tuesday reinforces the view that the series needed several more revisions before being aired.

Every aspect of the show appeared rough and disorganized, and even the enjoyable cameos in the finale (which will be detailed below) cannot redeem its flaws.

It's not unexpected that Osha turns to the Dark Side in this episode, while Mae, having lost her memory, aligns with the good guys. Osha's attire in black and Mae's in white at this point foreshadowed their respective paths.

It's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between the heroes and villains in The Acolyte, given its intense and provocative tone. It's like Star Wars aimed at a mature audience, or something like that.

Honestly, the trend of subverting expectations and deconstructing the Jedi feels a bit dated, reminiscent of 2017.

The Acolyte is determined to depict the Jedi in a negative light, which could perhaps be understandable this if it were just the coverup at the end, where Vernestra oddly blames all the killings on Sol during the Senate tribunal. However, the series strongly pushes the narrative that the Jedi's actions on Brendok constitute a grave wrongdoing, despite Sol's perspective that he was protecting children from what seemed like a frightening Dark Side cult.

When Osha and Mae confront Sol after his duel with The Stranger, they don't seek his perspective, and he only vaguely asserts, “I did the right thing. I was trying to protect you.”

There's no opportunity in the script for Osha to inquire, "Why?" and for him to explain, "She transformed into a strange smoke creature and began to harm your sister, so I acted in self-defense."

It was unexpected when Osha used Force choke on Sol, reminiscent of Vader's style, but the scene felt so unexpected that it seemed more comical than unsettling. Viewers might have been frustrated earlier when the Sith and Mae exchanged dialogue lifted directly from Return of the Jedi.

“Feel your anger,” Qimir urges, sounding less menacing and intimidating compared to Palpatine. “This is the source of your pain. Strike him down and your journey will be complete.”

"The hate is swelling within you now," the Emperor tells Luke. "Take your Jedi weapon. Use it. I am unarmed. Strike me down with it. Give in to your anger."

The issue here isn't just the lack of originality, though that's a big part of what is wrong with the series.

Disney and the show's creators promised innovation and uniqueness—a new, different narrative set in the High Republic, a century before the Skywalker saga. Yet, we're seeing the same old Jedi themes, even echoing famous lines, while portraying the Sith sympathetically and painting the Jedi as deceitful and negative.

Vernestra now seems like true villain material. Last week, everyone speculated that she was the Sith's Jedi Master, and it turns out they were right. She detects his presence on Brendok, and he senses hers, promptly donning his helmet to resist mind control.

She proceeds to cover up the incident, likely to conceal her own misdeeds or shortcomings, though the details remain unclear. With many loose ends by the episode's end, it appears a Season 2 would be needed for any resolution, but fans remain skeptical about whether another season would benefit Star Wars overall.