Delving into The Acolyte's Perspective on the Force, Leslye Headland Reveals Insights
Take a peek at this week’s episode of The Acolyte as it delves back into planet Brendok, uncovering the truth about the night that forever altered Osha and Mae's lives. In doing so, it leaves us in the dark about more than just these characters and their motivations—it also questions the true essence of the powers in play. Striking a delicate balance, series creator Leslye Headland had a fine line to walk, communicating to the audience and connecting to the wider Star Wars universe.
"Choice," the penultimate episode of The Acolyte, transported us back to the night when the witch coven was torched. We discovered that the Jedi—Sol, Indara, Torbin, and Kelnacca—hadn’t been aware of the coven’s existence on Brendok; instead, the planet was a "vergence" in the Force. While this term was first mentioned in Star Wars during The Phantom Menace, it was explained in The Acolyte as a concentration of Force energy capable of creating life. However, unlike Anakin, who was a vergence himself in The Phantom Menace, the vergence in The Acolyte was a mysterious, planetary entity—not an individual or the source of Osha and Mae's creation.
In a wide-ranging interview with Nerdist, Headland discussed the careful planning behind this decision with Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni and Lucasfilm story group creative Pablo Hidalgo. They wanted to ensure that Osha and Mae were not considered a vergence in the Force. While the specifics of their creation are still unclear, it was crucial to establish that the vergence on Brendok would remain a mystery, potentially providing opportunities to explore more of its secrets in future tellings of the story.
Headland also addressed conversations around The Acolyte earlier in the season, specifically the third episode, which hinted at Osha and Mae’s conception being reminiscent of Anakin’s origin story. Headland clarified that Osha and Mae are not as powerful as Anakin, explaining their potential falls short of the Chosen One's, as they are "like the first round of an experiment." However, their strength lies in their unity—together, their full potential has yet to be realized.
Furthermore, Headland distinguished Osha and Mae's genesis by combining various spiritual aspects: amplification from the vergence, the Force, and a unique type of magic that resembles the sorcery practiced by the Star Wars Nightsisters. Headland envisioned her witches as a amalgamation of different energies, drawing power from the natural world, magic, and the Force, making them more unpredictable and complex to the Jedi.
To Headland, this distinction sets The Acolyte apart by showcasing characters with abilities the Jedi cannot easily classify or understand, challenging the Council and deepening the mystery around Osha and Mae. To learn more about Headland's thoughts on the penultimate episode, the finale, and possible future seasons of The Acolyte, head on over to Nerdist!
Don't miss out on the latest updates for Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek upcoming releases, and the future plans for the DC Universe in film and television, or the future of Doctor Who.
- In the interview with Nerdist, Leslye Headland discusses the future possibilities of exploring more secrets about the mysterious, planetary vergence on Brendok, hinting at potential expansion of The Acolyte storyline.
- Headland also highlights the unique combination of forces that power Osha and Mae, setting them apart from characters like Anakin and introducing unpredictable and complex elements into the Star Wars universe.
- As Headland walks the fine line between connecting to the wider Star Wars universe and communicating with the audience, she envisions technology in storytelling (io9) that pushes boundaries and challenges the understanding of the Jedi.
- The penultimate episode of The Acolyte brings attention to various upcoming releases and future plans, not just for Star Wars, but also for Marvel, Star Trek, DC Universe in film and television, and Doctor Who, positioning itself at the forefront of future powerhouses in science fiction and fantasy storytelling.
