Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 5.
Summary
The Sith Lord ofStar Wars: The Acolytehas at last been revealed, and his reception is certainly warmer than what many may have expected. After a brutal Jedi massacre, the Sith Lord’s mask is heavily damaged before he killsJecki Lon (Dafne Keen), unveiling Qimir’s (Manny Jacinto) face. While Qimir has long since been the obvious choice for theidentity of the mysterious new Sith Lord, the official reveal of his identity is still a shock, particularly because of one unexpected factor: the attractiveness that has many viewers crushing on him already.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode Guide - Cast Members, Biggest Takeaways & Easter Eggs
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Even amidst the darkness ofThe Acolyteepisode 5, audiences are confessing how they feel about Jacinto’s Sith Lord. Known for his role of Jason Mendoza inThe Good Place, this role is quite different from anything Jacinto’s done before, and it’s taken viewers by pleasant surprise.Qimir may be ruthless as a Sith Lord, but audiences are willing to look past thatin light of Jacinto’s performance.
The obviousness of the Sith Lord reveal doesn’t matter toitsthenatv, thanks to the fact Jacinto is “hot” in the role. Presumably, neither does the murder of several Jedi, but the collective crush on Anakin Skywalker has already proven that this is something audiences can get past.
Thoughlyviescottis openly confessing the constant increase of Qimir’s attractiveness, they’re also acknowledging the price viewers have had to pay for it. The pain of the Jedi’s deaths proves this was quite a high price, but… maybe it wasall worth it for Manny Jacinto.
A fuller review has been shared bymichaelrxs, though the clear highlight is their appreciation for “Manny Jacinto’s biceps and beautiful face” - and “a bunch of Jedi getting slaughter.” Apparently, the Sith Lord’s costume showing off Jacinto’s bicepswasworth the pain of that slaughter.
According tostoneydubb, the murders don’t have to stop with the Jedi. They have become an eager volunteer to be split in half, much like the Sith Lord’s unique lightsaber.
Most importantly,ahsokasgogglesis proposing the question that allStar Warsenthusiasts must ask themselves: how should Jacinto’s Sith Lord be ranked amongst the others, in terms of hotness? They have answered that question already, and they’re absolutely correct. He certainly deserves to be in the running for the top spot (sorry, Anakin).
Was Manny Jacinto’s Sith Lord Reveal Too Obvious?
Perhaps, But Jacinto’s Performance Makes Up For It
Star Warsaudiences may now be crushing on Jacinto’s Sith Lord, but that still doesn’t erase the fact that this reveal was utterly obvious. Many thought Qimir would be a red herring, but instead,The Acolytehas taken the same path thatStar Warsdid with Palpatine in theStar Warsprequel trilogy. The obvious choice became the right choice, and while that may be unsatisfying for some viewers,Jacinto’s performance makes it worth it.
The actor’s eerie shift from the playful Qimir to the terrifying Sith Lord proves he’s an expert at his craft, makingThe Acolyteepisode 5 one ofStar Wars’most horrifying additions - if not its more horrifying. With three episodes left inThe Acolyteseason 1, Jacinto will have plenty more time to shine, especially since his Sith Lord has survived. Qimir’s reveal as the Sith Lord may have been obvious, but ifThe Acolytehas proven one thing, it’s that viewers should be prepared for any and all kinds of twists in the future.
The Acolyteepisode 5 is now streaming. New episodes release Tuesdays 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.
