Episode 2 of the new Star Wars series on Disney+, The Acolyte, deepened the mystery of the twins Mae and Osha, laying the groundwork for the rest of the series. This is after an action-packed first episode. This article will break down what we learned in "Revenge/Justice" and will explain the ending.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode 2 "Revenge/Justice" ending explained
Episode 2 begins with Mae, portrayed by Amandla Stenberg, attempting to kill another Jedi. She killed Master Indara in episode 1, but killing Master Torbin proves to be more difficult as he has taken the Barash Vow. It's essentially a vow of silence and deep meditation, and is strong enough in the Force that he can create a sort of impenetrable force field around himself that Mae cannot crack.
However, as we learn in the episode, Torbin and Mae have a connection. Just like Indara, Torbin was on duty on the planet of Brendok when, according to Master Sol and Osha, Mae started a fire that killed her family. Mae is searching for four particular Jedi to kill: Indara, Torbin, Kelnacca, and Sol.
Yet, it seems like there is much more to this story than is being led on. While Mae and Sol seem confident that Mae started the fire, they were just as confident that Mae had died that night. Remember Master Sol's words to the younglings in the first episode, "Your eyes can deceive you. We. must not trust them." These words seem like they will be very prescient throughout the series.
Plus, Master Torbin's final words to Mae before he willingly poisons himself are, "I've been waiting for you, Mae...Forgive me...We thought we were doing the right thing." These certainly sound like the words of someone who has a guilty conscience and who regrets whatever took place on Brendok.
Eventually, the Jedi are able to get information from Qimir, a man posing as an apothecary worker who supplies Mae with the poison that kills Torbin. He certainly seems like an accomplice that knows much more than he lets on when interrogated by the Jedi and is more than willing to sell Mae out to save himself.
But at the end of the episode, Mae tries to kill Qimir, who tells her that he has a way to get to the next Jedi that Mae seeks to kill. This is the Wookiee Jedi Kelnacca, who is on the planet of Khofar in the Outer Rim. Kelnacca, just like Indara and Torbin, was stationed on Brendok when the fire that killed the family of Mae and Osha occurred.
The episode ends with Kelnacca scaring off two scavengers from his hideout on Khofar. This sets up the next episode, which should see everyone racing to get to Kelnacca before Mae kills this Wookiee Jedi.
However, it is very important to keep in mind that there is a pattern to these Jedi Mae is targeting. They were all on Brendok. Aside from Master Sol, all of them have chosen a life off the grid away from the Jedi Order. Indara was in a simple noodle restaurant, commiserating with the common folk. Torbin took the Barash Vow, which is a sort of atonement or punishment for some sort of misdeed. And as far as we know, Kelnacca has chosen to remove himself from the Order by living on a remote planet.
Perhaps next week, we will learn more about what really happened on Brendok. Why is Sol the only one who has remained heavily involved in the Jedi Order? These are important things to keep in mind as the series moves forward.