The Acolyte proved extremely controversial in its first season and the season finale was no different. The final episode also received mixed reviews from critics and fans, especially regarding its handling of Star Wars lore. In the finale, Osha makes a surprising turn to the dark side, using a red Kyber crystal-powered lightsaber.
However, some viewers were unhappy with the transformation of Osha’s Kyber crystal. Fans argued that the depiction wasn’t consistent with the lore. However, many fans tried to dismiss these concerns and defended the depiction of a Kyber crystal turning red in The Acolyte finale. Here is what fans had to say about the controversial scene.
The Acolyte Finale Causes Stir Over Osha’s Kyber Crystal Transformation
The Acolyte has been heavily criticized by critics and fans, primarily for its handling of the Star Wars lore. The series received backlash for allegedly impacting the prophecy of the Chosen One, but creator Leslye Headland later refuted the sentiment.
In the season 1 finale, viewers see Osha (Amandla Stenberg) learn the truth about her mother’s death and Sol’s direct involvement in it. As a result, she uses the Force to choke Sol while holding on to his lightsaber which has a broken Kyber crystal thanks to Sol’s duel with Qimir.
While killing Sol, Osha lets her anger and grief bleed into the Kyber crystal turning it red, which is reflective of a Force user’s fall to the dark side. The incident also marks the first depiction of a Kyber crystal bleeding red in live-action Star Wars media, causing quite a lot of stir among the fanbase.
Star Wars Fans Debate The Acolyte Finale’s Kyber Crystal Revelation
The Kyber crystal bleeding scene in The Acolyte finale was controversial with the fanbase, with many calling it inconsistent with the lore. Some fans argued that Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber did not turn red when he killed the Jedi younglings in Revenge of the Sith.
In a Reddit post, user @ViciousSquirrelz defended the show’s depiction of the bleeding technique, citing a quote from the official Star Wars fandom wiki. The quote confirms that the Kyber crystal used to make a red lightsaber must come from the lightsaber of a vanquished foe.
User @itsyagirlrey pointed out how Sol’s Kyber crystal was already damaged when Osha retrieved it. As a result, the show’s interpretation required the crystal to be damaged while Anakin’s crystal wasn’t damaged. The user added:
I think it’s totally compatible with canon to have two methods for making a Sith lightsaber.
Similarly, the Darth Vader comics also depict how Anakin got his first red lightsaber. In the comics, Vader is sent on a quest to defeat a Jedi in hiding and retrieve his Kyber crystal, which he must then bleed into.
The term “bleeding” refers to bonding the crystal with a Force user’s anger, pain, and hatred, something that is seen when Sol’s lightsaber turns red when Osha’s anger over her mother’s death bleeds into it. Hence, it is safe to say that The Acolyte did not break lore with its Kyber crystal bleeding scene, which was arguably the highlight of the finale.
The Acolyte is streaming on Disney+.
