Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 7.
Summary
Star Warshas long since established that cloning Force powers is hard, butStar Wars: The Acolytehas finally given the real reason behind this difficulty. Ever since Palpatine’s infamous return inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, variousStar Warsproperties - most notablyThe MandalorianandStar Wars: The Bad Batch- have been doing the work to explain how Force cloning works. It’s a very tedious process that requires both high midi-chlorian counts and individuals whose blood doesn’t degrade the original M-count specimen.
Yet the mystery of why exactly this process is so difficult has remained, until now.The Acolyteepisode 7touches on M-counts, but it also introduces a newer concept behind Force cloning to theStar Warsgalaxy. This is something that has yet to be mentioned in relation to Force sensitivity, but it at long last explains why exactly Force cloning isn’t as easy as it seems, not even for the famed Kaminoan cloners.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode Guide - Cast Members, Biggest Takeaways & Easter Eggs
Here’s everything you need to follow along with Star Wars: The Acolyte, from references and trivia to main takeaways from each new episode.
Every Person Has Unique Symbionts
Midi-Chlorians Aren’t The Only Factor
When analyzing the blood samples taken fromMae and Oshaon Brendok, Padawan Torbin brings up the twins' symbionts toMaster Indara,Master Sol, andMaster Kelnaccaand says they’re identical - something that is not typically possible, even in identical twins like themselves. It’s briefly explained that every person has their own unique symbionts, whichfacilitate the connection between a person and their midi-chlorians, and thus their connection to the Force. With such symbiotic relationships being inherent to the flow and function of the world, it makes sense that each person has a unique way to tap into that potential.
The Symbionts Won’t Bond Properly To A New Host
These Relationships Are Unique & Non-Transferable
This symbiotic relationship is why Force cloning is so difficult. Trying to artificially recreate a unique relationship between a host and their symbionts with a brand-new host would no doubt be confusing for their symbionts, which were made to bond specifically with their original host. This is why midi-chlorians cannot be the simple answer to Force cloning;even if an M-count transfer is successful and doesn’t degrade the specimen, the lack of a relationship between the symbionts and the host would not allow that connection to last.
Seeing as most Force-users have their own unique bonds to the Force and see it manifest in different ways, having these unique symbionts makes even more sense.
This is a nice layerStar Warshas added to the process of Force cloning. While before, it seemed as if all it required was knowledge of M-counts and finding a way to transfer them from one person to another, the establishment of unique symbionts complicates this process in a perfect way. Seeing as most Force-users have their own unique bonds to the Force and see it manifest in different ways, having these unique symbionts makes even more sense. Now thatThe Acolytehas established this, it will hopefully be seen and mentioned more throughoutStar Wars.
The Acolyteepisode 7 is now streaming. The final episode releases Tuesday at 9 PM ET on Disney+.
The Acolyte
Cast
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.
