Key Takeaways:
– The season finale of ‘The Acolyte' stirred controversy over Osha's Kyber crystal transformation.
– Fans debated whether the Kyber crystal “bleeding” scene was consistent with Star Wars lore.
– Despite some criticisms, a number of Star Wars fans defended the interpretation.
– The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland refuted criticism about impacting the prophecy of the Chosen One.
– The bleeding Kyber crystal represents a significant moment in Star Wars live-action media.
Covering Canonical Controversies
‘Acolyte,' the riveting Star Wars series, witnessed a storm of opinions as it wrapped up its first season. The final episode seemed to have triggered a wave of mixed reactions, especially over the handling of Star Wars lore. The eye of the storm was the surprising twist of Osha harnessing the power of a red Kyber crystal-powered lightsaber, indicating her shift to the dark side.
Questioning the Kyber Crystal Transformation
Fans felt the show collided with the Star Wars lore due to the transformation of Osha's Kyber crystal. Osha (Amandla Stenberg) discovers her mother's death truth and Sol's direct involvement, leading her to use the Force to choke Sol. She held an already damaged lightsaber with a broken Kyber crystal – a result of Sol's dueling with Qimir.
As Sol's life ebbs away, Osha's anger and sorrow bleed into the Kyber crystal, turning it red. This red glow mirrors Osha's fall into the dark side. Interestingly, this is the first time a Kyber crystal bleeding red is portrayed in live-action Star Wars media. This sparked much debate in the fanbase.
Krystal Controversy Debated by Fans
The whole ‘bleeding' Kyber crystal scene drew controversy within the fanbase. Critics argued that it didn't align with the lore as Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber did not turn red when he slew the Jedi younglings in Revenge of the Sith.
Differing Opinions
Some fans, however, rose in defense of the show's interpretation of the Kyber crystal bleeding technique. As one Reddit user, @ViciousSquirrelz, pointed out, the official Star Wars fandom wiki confirms that a red lightsaber Kyber crystal must come from a vanquished enemy's lightsaber.
User @itsyagirlrey noted how Sol's crystal was already damaged when Osha retrieved it, unlike Anakin's intact one. This paved the way for two methods to create a Sith lightsaber, which they argued as being entirely plausible in canon.
The Darth Vader comics provide an instance of a similar process. Anakin, as Vader, is asked to defeat a hidden Jedi and bleed into the retrieved Kyber crystal to get his first red lightsaber.
A Lesson in Lore
‘Bleeding' signifies embedding the crystal with a Force user's anger, sorrow, and hatred. Given these emotions, Sol's lightsaber turns red as Osha's grief over her mother's demise bleeds into it. Therefore, it seems ‘The Acolyte' did not actually stray from the lore with its portrayal of the ‘bleeding' scene. This scene, albeit controversial, was arguably the highlight of the finale.
Final Word
‘The Acolyte' is currently streaming on Disney+. Despite some backlash, fans continue to express passionate opinions and engage in energetic debates. Established lore, canon, and fresh interpretations all contribute to the dynamism that is Star Wars fandom.
