Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 4
Summary
The Acolyteepisode 4 continues the Jedi vendetta and murder spree of Mae Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg). Having been trained by what appears to be a Sith Lord, Mae has already killed Jedi Masters Indara and Torbin, and now has her sights set on Master Kelnacca. However, this new chapter is full of exciting twists, Easter eggs, and references along the way.
InThe Acolyteepisode 4, Mae and her ally Qimir (Manny Jacinto) arrive on the world of Khofar where theWookiee Jedi Kelneccais rumored to be in exile, living deep in the most remote part of a major forest. At the same time, a team of assembled Jedi led by Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) has come to Khofar as well, hoping to apprehend Mae and save Kelnacca in the process. To that end,here are 17 of the biggest Easter eggs and references to be found inThe Acolyteepisode 4.
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.
18Kelnacca’s Home On Khofar
Mirrors Yoda’s Dagobah Hut
The Acolyteepisode 4 begins by showing the interior of Kelnacca’s home in the remote forests of Khofar. Seemingly living a life of self-imposed exile,Kelnacca’s home very much resembles Yoda’s Dagobah hut as seen in the original trilogy. The accommodations are small and sparse, only providing enough for both Jedi to survive as respective hermits.
17Kelnacca’s Bowcaster
A Classic Wookiee Weapon
A bowcaster can be seen leaning against a crate in Kelnacaca’s home. While it’s more than likely used for hunting,the bowcaster is a classic weapon most notably used by the Wookiees of Kashyyyk. It’s also the signature weapon of Chewbacca,Star Wars’most famous Wookiee. That said, Han Solo very much enjoyed briefly using the powerful blaster as seen inThe Force Awakens.
16Spiral Designs
The Witches of Brendock
Spiral patterns can be seen all over the walls in Kelnacca’s home. These are the very same spirals that were seen tattooed on the Witches of Brendock inThe Acolyteepisode 3, the coven that created and raised Mae and Osha as children. As such, it seems as though Master Kelnacca is for some reason obsessed with the designs, likely being haunted by the night that led to the coven’s destruction, Mae’s assumed death, and Osha briefly joining the Jedi Order, an event that has yet to be fully revealed and likely explains Kelnacca’s exile (and Torbin’s Barash Vow).
15Jedi Training Sticks
Bokken
Padawan Jecki (Dafne Keen) is featured at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, participating in a lightsaber training exercise with other apprentices.However, the Padawans are seen using bokken sticks rather than actual sabers. Training with bokken was most recently seen in the live-actionAhsokashow whenAhsoka Tano was sparring with Sabine Wren. Kanan Jarrus also used bokken sticks with both Ezra Bridger and Sabine in the animated seriesStar WarsRebels.
14Mae’s Ship
An Old Sienar Design?
Although it’s been seen before in previous episodes ofThe Acolyte, episode 4 provides the best look yet at Mae’s ship. Featuring paneled wings not unlike a TIE Fighter’s,this new ship could very well be a design from Sienar Fleet Systems, the manufacturer in theStar Warsgalaxy that would also be responsible for creating the Empire’s classic starfighters. To that end, Mae’s ship also resembles theRogue ShadowfromThe Force Unleashedvideo games (which are now part of Legends).
13Ki-Adi-Mundi
A Surprising Prequel Trilogy Appearance
During Master Sol’s report to Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) and other gathered Jedi Masters,a Cerean is among their ranks who’s none other than a younger Ki-Adi-Mundi (confirmed in the episode credits).Ki-Adi-Mundi was a member of the Jedi Council in the prequel movies and The Clone Wars. He’s also best known for his claims inThe Phantom Menacethat the Sith had been extinct for a millennium. As such, it will be interesting to see howThe Acolyteaddresses this point of confusion going forward.
12Splinter Orders
Sith Were Not The Only Concern
The concern over splinter orders is raised when Sol confirms Mae’s dark training. As such,this supports the idea that there were plenty of other dark-side users and impostors beyond the true Sith. As such, perhaps Mae’s master will be revealed as something new, despite sharing a similar aesthetic as the Sith. However, it could also be that the Jedi are so proud that they’re not yet considering that their ancient rivals could have reemerged.
11Jedi High Council Is Unaware
Ignorance Can Be Claimed?
Vernestra makes the executive decision not to tell the High Council about Mae or her dark master. The reasoning provided is so that the Council wouldn’t be forced to report to the Senate and cause panic over Jedi murders. However, perhaps this could lead to a majorJedi cover-up that not even the Jedi Council was aware of, and those that did (like Mundi) lied and claimed ignorance (a wild way to solve the aforementioned plot confusion from his lien inThe Phantom Menace).
10No One Could Have Survived The Fall
But…It’s Star Wars
When Vernestra speaks with Sol about Mae, Sol reiterates that no one could have survived her fall as seen inThe Acolyteepisode 3. However…this isStar Wars.There are multiple instances in which the franchise has proven that falling down a chasm or pit is the least effective way to kill someone in this universe. Darth Maul, Palpatine, Luke Skywalker, and Boba Fett are merely some of the biggest examples, and Mae has seemingly just joined their ranks.
9A Shift To Tip The Scales
The Dark Side At Work
Jedi Master Vernestra Rwohalso confirms that she senses a shift in the Force, one that makes it difficult to foresee events and is likely tied to Mae’s master.This is not unlike the shroud of the dark side that was cast by Palpatine in the prequel trilogy. It allowed him to weaken the Jedi Order during the prequels while also keeping his identity hidden while operating right under their noses, all while the Jedi pridefully pretended they weren’t vulnerable in their hubris.
