Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Acolyte episode 4.
Summary
The Acolyteepisode 4’s major character death was not shown, with the episode’s writer detailing why this was the case. As ofThe Acolyteepisode 4’s ending, the Sith Lord working in the shadows revealed themself to the Jedi. This marked a major cliffhanger, withThe Acolyte’s Sith introductionpromised to be built upon in next week’s episode. The Sith reveal took place on Khofar, outside the hut ofThe Acolyte’s Wookiee Jedi Kelnaccawhose inclusion in the episode disappointed many. Upon reaching his house, Kelnacca is found dead by Mae, with his death taking place off-screen.
Despite this disappointment, one-half ofThe Acolyteepisode 4’s writing team -Claire Kiechel-took to social media to explain the choice surrounding Kelnacca’s death. Kiechel responded to an underwhelmed fan who wished to see a Wookiee Jedi fight, explaining that some elements of stories need to be removed to better serve the plot.Kiechel explained that Kelnacca’s fight scene and subsequent death were initially included in an earlier draft ofThe Acolyteepisode 4’s script, but were removed as the mystery better served the investigative point-of-view of the episode’s tone.
All 18 Star Wars Easter Eggs In The Acolyte Episode 4
The Acolyte episode 4 features several exciting new Easter eggs and references as all points converge on Kelnacca, the first live-action Jedi Wookiee.
The Acolyte Made The Right Choice With Kelnacca’s Death
The Mystery Of Kelnacca’s Death Better Served The Episode’s Masterful Ending
While the disappointment at not seeing Kelnacca square off with the Sith Lord is echoed by many, it ultimately was the better choice to remove the sequence. The fight scene would definitely have been great, but Kiechel is correct in saying it does not fit the overall tone of the episode. Much ofThe Acolyteepisode 4 centers around two groups racing to find Kelnacca, whose life is in danger. This investigative tone culminates in Kelnacca already being inexplicably dead, leading toThe Acolyteepisode 4’s brilliant cliffhanger sequence.
The Sith Lord’s terror-inducing appearance is great and would have been much less impactful if he had been seen earlier killing Kelnacca…
The Sith’s introduction to the show is perfectly foreboding. Kelnacca is already dead, the sun of Khofar sets, and darkness - figurative and literal - enters the scene. The Sith Lord’s terror-inducing appearance is great and would have been much less impactful if he had been seen earlier killing Kelnacca. Leaving his first appearance to be one with little action and a dreadful presence was a great choice by the writers ofThe Acolyte, regardless of how cool it would have been to see a Wookiee Jedi in action.
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.
