Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 4.
Summary
- The Acolyte episode 4 features a Sith Lord using a Force power to levitate himself, similar to Count Dooku in the Clone Wars 2D micro-series.
- The Sith Lord's entrance demonstrates his power, using levitation to intimidate and showcase his abilities.
- This Force power raises anticipation for more Sith abilities in upcoming episodes.
The Acolyte continues to add new elements to the official Star Wars canon with each episode, but the latest brings back a Sith Force power that first appeared in Legends. While the end of the first episode showed a red lightsaber, The Acolyte didn't hint at what unique Force abilities this particular Sith Lord may have. That completely changed at the end of The Acolyte episode 4 "Day," where Mae Aniseya's master was revealed to Osha Aniseya, the Jedi, and the audience. It instantly showed how powerful this Sith Lord is and promised an exciting duel in episode 5.
However, while the Sith Lord was in full view when the lightsabers came out, his entrance was in the background and wrapped in shadow. This makes it easy to miss on first viewing, but once the viewer realizes what they're seeing, it's a chilling entrance that automatically conveys the Sith Lord's power. It also raises what other Force abilities the Sith Lord will demonstrate in the next episode. While it may seem like a new ability exclusive to canon, this particular Sith superpower first appeared in Legends, and in a very different story than The Acolyte.
Related
Here's everything you need to follow along with Star Wars: The Acolyte, from references and trivia to main takeaways from each new episode.
The Acolyte's Sith Lord Is Basically Flying
The dark side is indeed a pathway to many abilities
Not only did The Acolyte episode 4 have the new Sith Lord make his grand entrance, but he first appears hovering in the background, essentially using the Force to fly. Star Wars canon has certainly shown the Jedi and Sith coming close to this, from using the Force to leap great distances to Anakin Skywalker slowing his descent as he falls through the skies of Coruscant. However, using the Force to levitate slowly through the air effectively demonstrates power while trying to intimidate an enemy. The Acolyte's Sith Lord is only the second to use this ability with such ease.
This Sith Force Power Is Straight From The Original Clone Wars Show
Count Dooku could levitate himself
Count Dooku was the first Sith Lord to levitate himself with the Force in the Star Wars: Clone Wars 2D micro-series by Genndy Tartakovsky. After Asajj Ventress displays her combat ability, she claims to be a Sith, which Dooku finds humorous. To demonstrate his point, he slowly and effortlessly flies from the platform to land in front of Ventress in the arena. Dooku later used this ability in the Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the SIth novelization by Matthew Stover, floating down in front of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi instead of flipping as he does in the movie.
While the lighting and tone of The Acolyte and Clone Wars are different, the flying Force power and the camera angles are similar. The Sith Lord gets close to Osha before tossing her aside, while Dooku towers over Ventress before assailing her with Force lightning. Like Mae, Ventress is not a true Sith, which Dooku himself notes before she is later recruited to serve their cause. It will be fascinating to see what other Force powers the Sith Lord will use in the remaining episodes of The Acolyte, and whether any more will reference stories from Star Wars Legends.
The Acolyte episode 4 is now streaming. New episodes release Tuesdays on Disney+.
The Acolyte
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
- Cast
- Amandla Stenberg , Lee Jung-jae , Joonas Suotamo , Charlie Barnett , Dafne Keen , Leah Brady , Manny Jacinto , Rebecca Henderson , Carrie-Anne Moss , Jodie Turner-Smith , Dean-Charles Chapman , Lauren Brady , Anthony J. Abraham , Thara Shöön , Danielle Xin Yao Waterman , Sienna Khiroya , Jeramiah Evans , Dan Milne , Thomas Coombes , Archie Singh Swali , Nick Court , Ed Kear , Jumayn Hunter , Scroobius Pip , Abigail Thorn , Margarita Levieva , Amy Tsang , Saskia Allen , Deborah Rosan , Tabitha Alege , Paul Bullion , Indra Ové , Derek Arnold , Lewis Young
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Disney+
- Franchise(s)
- Star Wars
- Writers
- Leslye Headland , Charmaine De Grate , Kor Adana
- Directors
- Leslye Headland , Alex Garcia Lopez
- Showrunner
- Leslye Headland
