Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 7.
Summary
The penultimate episode ofThe Acolyteshows a Wookiee Jedi in action for the first time in live-action, proving just how dangerous they are. TheStar Warsfranchise’s first and most famous Wookiee character – Chewbacca – immediately established that Wookiees are formidable warriors, possessing strength far beyond that of a human, and later works would note that Wookiees are highly intelligent and build advanced weaponry, such as thebowcaster. Wookiee Jedi are rare in bothStar Warscontinuities and extremely powerful, combining the might of their natural strength and the power of the Force.
EarlyStar Warsproperties – particularly Marvel’s classicStar Warscomics – made a point to emphasize how feared Wookiees are, with Chewbacca often making quick work of powerful enemies, even defeating beings with similarly fearsome reputations, such as the catuman bodyguards of theSith acolyteKharys. Naturally, a Wookiee Jedi would be even more powerful, and while George Lucas limited the creation of Wookiee Jedi, there are several notable examples of them in canon and Legends, includingThe Acolyte’sKelnacca. Not only is Kelnacca the first live-action Wookiee Jedi, but he also exemplifies why they can be such dangerous foes.
TheStar Warsradio drama reveals that all Wookiees have a naturally strong connection to the Force, even though most do not become Jedi.
The Acolyte Episode 7’s Ending Finally Shows What Would Turn Jedi Into Liars
The Acolyte episode 7 returns to the planet Brendok to answer questions, culminating in an explosive ending filled with mystery and answers.
Kelnacca Is Unbeatable, Even Against More Than One Jedi
After several appearances with no action scenes,The Acolyteepisode 7 “Choice” sees Kelnacca horrifyingly possessed by thewitches of Brendok. No longer in control of his actions,the possessed Kelnacca attacksJedi Master Soland Padawan Torbin, leaving the latter with ghastly facial scars and an eye injury and nearly strangling the former to death. Sol had been well-established as an extremely formidable combatant beforehand, but even he could not defeat Kelnacca, whose brutal physical attacks notably smashed the walls of the coven’s Brendok fortress.
Ultimately,the Jedi are unable to subdue Kelnacca by outfighting him, and he returns to his right mind thanks to the timely intervention and Force-assistance ofJedi Master Indara. “Choice” proves that a Wookiee’s legendary strength, combined with the training, discipline, and Force-abilities of a Jedi, are a nearly unbeatable combination. Ominously, the Sith Lord known as “The Stranger” managed to murder Kelnacca on his own, likely indicating that he is far more powerful than even a Wookiee Jedi Master.
All 10 Wookiee Jedi In Star Wars Canon & Legends
Joonas Suotamo’s Kelnacca is the first live-action Wookiee Jedi in Star Wars history, but there have been many others over the years too.
If Only We Could See More Wookiee Jedi In Action
Other Wookiee Jedi – such as Lowbacca and Tyvokka in the Legends continuity and Gungi and Burryaga in the modern canon – do demonstrate their formidable skills as warriors in their respective properties, but Kelnacca was the first to do so in live-action. With Wookiee Jedi being such a rarity in the franchise,it may be unlikely that anotherStar Warsproperty will feature another one in action. If Kelnacca and his unwilling battle with the other Jedi inThe Acolyteproves popular enough, however, perhaps there will be more live-action instances of Wookiee Jedi in action in the future.
The Acolyteepisode 7 is now streaming. New episodes release Tuesdays 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.
