Warning! This post contains spoilers for The Acolyte finale.
Summary
The Acolyte’sfinale promised to be full of shocking revelations, but few could have guessed that theStar Warsshow would also offer the first glimpse of the inside of a lightsaber inStar Warsmovies and TV shows.The Acolyte’sfinal episode had a remarkable amount of ground to cover. While the penultimate episode, episode 7, may have revealedwhat really happened on Brendok, the show still needed to address Mae’s quest to kill Master Sol, Osha’s possible fall to the dark side, and Vernestra Rwoh’s search for the truth.
For the most part,The Acolytedelivered. The main characters' major arcs were resolved, and several unanswered questions remained, leaving room for theyet-unannouncedAcolyteseason 2thatThe Acolyte’sshowrunner Leslye Headland and many fans online have voiced a strong interest in. However,The Acolytealso revealed some aspects of theStar Warsuniverse that weren’t expected, including what the chamber inside a lightsaber truly looks like.
How The Blue Lightsaber Was Turned Red In The Acolyte
The final episode of The Acolyte season 1 shows a blue lightsaber turning red, but how was this done and does it align with Star Wars canon?
The Acolyte Finally Showed The Inside Of A Lightsaber
During a confrontation between Qimir/the Stranger, Master Sol, and Mae inThe Acolytefinale, Mae gets her hands on Sol’s lightsaber and throws it against a rock, breaking the hilt open. The camera then lingers on the inside of the lightsaber, revealing the kyber crystal nestled inside. In part, this was a bit of foreshadowing; ultimately, Osha would go on to pick up the broken saber, and, with the crystal exposed, bleed it, turning the saber from blue to red (in what is arguably the coolest shot in the entire show).
With this shot,The Acolytegave a more direct look into the chamber of a functioning lightsaber.
However,this moment was also significant because it was a first forStar Wars. With this shot,The Acolytegave a more direct look into the chamber of a functioning lightsaber. Yes,Star Warshas shown lightsaber hilts being cut in half or torn apart—multiple times, actually—andStar Wars: The Clone Warseven showed the creation of a lightsaber. This glimpse into the internal workings of a lightsaber, though, was new.
How Does A Lightsaber Really Work?
Lightsabers have, obviously, been a staple ofStar Warsfrom the very beginning, but the weapons have managed to remain somewhat mysterious in the franchise nevertheless. While the actual parts of a lightsaber—from kyber crystals to blade emitters and a number of other elements in between—might be easy enough to identify,the act of creating a lightsaber remains an almost mystical practice, wherein the Jedi taps into the Force, which guides them through the process of bringing the pieces together.
The kyber crystal is an absolutely essential part of the saber.
However, other aspects of the lightsaber’s function have also been clearly defined—namely, that the kyber crystal is an absolutely essential part of the saber. In essence, it is what makes the lightsaber work, in addition to giving it its color. Kyber crystals, too, remain a nearly fantastical element of lightsabers, asthey form an actual ‘bond’ with the Jedi.
How Lightsabers Work In Star Wars
The lightsaber is easily the most iconic weapon in all of Star Wars, and here’s how the Jedi and Sith make their unforgettable laser swords.
The Acolyteoffered something new, though, by showing such a direct image of the inside of Master Sol’s broken saber. Arguably the most surprising aspect of this moment in the finale was that it still worked when Osha picked it up and turned it on, allowing her to turn the blade red (and, thrillingly, seemingly take it as her own dark side lightsaber). This image really was an exciting one, and it proves how muchThe Acolyteworked to bring something new toStar Warseven while staying true to the franchise’s traditions.
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.
