The Acolyte episode 6 shocked audiences by doubling down on Star Wars' newest Sith being a heartthrob, making good on one key line from A New Hope—and I couldn't be more delighted. The Acolyte episode 5 was absolutely brutal; in fact, several of episode 5's Jedi deaths were downright difficult to watch. However, the episode also revealed the true identity of the masked villain presumed to be Star Wars' next Sith Lord, sending the internet into a tizzy for an entirely different reason.

The masked figure, officially called the Stranger, was revealed to be Manny Jacinto's previously quirky character, Qimir. After episode 5, there was no longer anything quirky about him; rather, he had become a terrifying, seemingly bloodthirsty murderer. Despite that change (or perhaps because of it), many viewers fell hard for the Sith, and that's entirely by design. The Acolyte is taking one key line from A New Hope quite literally, and it's all to do with the impact Qimir is having not only on the audience but also on the show's protagonist, Osha.

We're Finally Seeing Someone "Seduced By The Dark Side Of The Force"

In A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi explained that "Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force." Although that language was compelling enough at the time, as it implied (accurately) that the dark side is full of temptation, Obi-Wan obviously didn't mean seduction in the conventional sense. However, The Acolyte has decided to adopt that definition, crafting a narrative in which a light side Force-user is literally seduced by a dark side Force-user.

The Acolyte has decided to adopt that definition, crafting a narrative in which a light side Force-user is literally seduced by a dark side Force-user.

In episode 5, the romantic tension between Osha and Qimir was there but subtle; in fact, it was difficult to tell whether audiences were reading too much into their interactions, particularly at the episode's end when Qimir covered Osha with a robe and rubbed her arm. Thankfully, episode 6 made the answer crystal clear by having Qimir completely strip down in front of Osha and even tease her about not joining him. While Star Wars hasn't often been a franchise with sexual undertones (even including Anakin and Padmé's relationship), The Acolyte isn't shying away from exactly that.

Why Has It Taken Star Wars So Long To Tell This Story?!?

If anything, I'm shocked it's taken Star Wars so long to take the dark side 'seducing' light side Force-users literally, but I'm delighted it's happening now. For one thing, this take on the dark side makes complete sense. Sith and other dark side Force-users would of course weaponize anything in their arsenal to obtain the apprentice (or the acolyte) they seek. It follows, then, that literal seduction would be an effective strategy.

While, yes, Anakin clearly worked very hard to seduce Padmé in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, that wasn't about the dark side whatsoever. The closest Star Wars had come prior to The Acolyte was Kylo Ren and Rey's relationship in the sequel trilogy. Even now, though, the nature of their relationship remains highly debated. Osha and Qimir's relationship couldn't be further from that ambiguity, and The Acolyte's showrunner Leslye Headland has already explicitly confirmed that things are headed in a romantic direction for the two.

Star Wars will finally show what being 'seduced' by the dark side really means.

Thrillingly, this means Star Wars will finally show what being 'seduced' by the dark side really means. Hopefully, this also means that Osha and Qimir's relationship will follow a different path than Rey's and Kylo Ren's. While their bond was fascinating, in the end, it was Kylo Ren who turned. It would be so much more compelling if The Acolyte really took a leap and had Osha embrace the dark side, agreeing to join her love interest rather than turn him back to the light.

New episodes of The Acolyte release on Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+.