‘The Acolyte’ Ending Axed a Kiss Between Osha and Qimir/The Stranger

In ‘The Acolyte,’ available for streaming on Disney+, the Sith seize a dramatic win by the season’s close. The show features Manny Jacinto as the Stranger, also known as Qimir before revealing his Sith identity. He finally persuades Osha, played by Amandla Stenberg, to join him. Osha’s journey from her initial ties to the Jedi to becoming a Sith apprentice marks her dramatic shift, especially after she kills her mentor, Sol, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, in a fit of anger upon learning he was responsible for her mother’s death.

Manny Jacinto shared with Vulture that an alternate ending had been filmed where Osha and the Stranger share a kiss, but it was ultimately discarded. The decision was made because the moment felt unearned, particularly after the Stranger had killed several of Osha’s friends and she had just killed a father figure. Instead, the season ends with the two characters touching hands, hinting at their complicated relationship as they stand on the Stranger’s home island, leaving their future together open to interpretation.

This isn’t the first time ‘Star Wars’ ventured into romantic territory that sparked debate among us. The kiss between Rey and Kylo Ren in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ stirred similar conversations. Daisy Ridley, in a ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast, explained that for her, the kiss was a farewell gesture, an emotional goodbye to Kylo and to her role. Director J.J. Abrams also commented on the scene shortly after the film’s release in December 2019, noting that while there was a romantic element, it also reflected a profound, almost spiritual connection between the characters.

‘The Acolyte’ leaves the possibility of a second season open, with Disney yet to confirm its return. Jacinto’s suggestion that instead of a kiss, a simple hand-hold might suffice indicates a potential direction for deepening the bond between Osha and the Stranger in future episodes, should they continue to explore the dark side together. This approach may pave the way for more nuanced developments in their relationship, aligning with what some of us hope to see.

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