Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 8.
Summary
The Acolyteseason 1 finale was packed full of shocking moments forStar Warsfans, which included a surprising scene where a blue lightsaber turned red. After eight episodes of following the stories of Osha Aniseya and Jedi Master Sol, and seeing the bond they shared, their final scene together was utterly heartbreaking. Mae Aniseya always hated Sol because she saw him kill her mother as a child, and she had time to come to her decision to turn him in. Osha, however, trusted Sol completely, leaving her unprepared for the anger and betrayal she felt after learning the truth.
Osha choosing to kill Sol while he pleaded with her was already a devastating moment, but it was accompanied by the blue kyber crystal inside Sol’s lightsaber slowly turning red. When Osha attacked Qimir, she was stunned to see the blade slowly turn red as well, symbolizing her embracing the dark side of the Force. This was a fitting moment for Osha’s arc, as it aligns with similar scenes for other characters in previousStar Warsstories. However, viewers who have only seen theStar Warsmovies and TV showsmay be unclear about why the blue lightsaber turned red.
All 15 Star Wars Easter Eggs In The Acolyte Finale
The Acolyte’s finale features a big collection of Easter eggs, references, and a couple of game-changing cameos for the Star Wars canon.
Osha “Bled” The Kyber Crystal In Sol’s Lightsaber
Her negative emotions changed the crystal in the Force
The kyber crystal inside a Jedi lightsaber focuses the energy blade and determines its color, with blue and green being the most common hues. Because the kyber crystals are attuned to the Force, their color can be changed, and this is what happened when Osha learned the truth about Sol killing her mother. Osha’s anger, pain, and hatred poured into the kyber crystal through the Force, causing it to “bleed” and turn a deep shade of red. Whilethis is the first time kyber crystal bleeding has appeared in a live-actionStar Warsproject, it has appeared in other media.
Every Sith Lightsaber Is Powered By A Corrupted Jedi Crystal
This is a rite of passage for a Sith apprentice
Kyber crystal bleeding is how all Sith Lords create red lightsabers and is considered a rite of passage. Immediately after the events ofStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine explained the process of bleeding a kyber crystal and tasked Darth Vader with finding a Jedi survivor and killing them to take their crystal. Upon killing Jedi Master Kirak Infil’a, Vader took his crystal to Mustafar and poured his pain into it to create his crimson lightsaber. While not a Sith Lord,Kylo Ren bled the crystals of the Jedi students he killed to make his unique lightsaber.
Inthe originalStar WarsExpanded Universe, now known as “Legends,” the Sith used synthetic red crystals for their lightsabers.
However, while this is usually done during a ritual,Star Warshas established that kyber crystal bleeding can happen in the heat of the moment. InStar Wars: Jedi Survivor, Dagan Gera was so angry while recounting his backstory to Cal Kestis that he didn’t realize the kyber crystal in his hand was beginning to turn red. This is similar to what happened with Osha inThe Acolyteepisode 8, with the crystal slowly turning red without her knowing. Intentional or not, it perfectly complements Osha’s commitment to the dark side, making her the new title character ofThe Acolyte.
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.
