WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 8.

Summary

  • Master Sol takes advantage of a lightsaber weakness in his duel with The Stranger - the hilt.
  • Sol essentially disarms Qimir in their epic lightsaber duel by targeting his lightsaber hilt.
  • Targeting a lightsaber hilt is a risky but effective move in combat, and it managed to work for Sol in this instance.

Brendok. The lightsaber fight between the two characters was incredibly well crafted and showcased the strengths of both, leading to an incredibly even-keeled duel. Both Sol and Qimir used every trick they had up their sleeve, and either one could’ve won the duel.

Qimir first approached and challenged the Jedi Master in Osha (Amandla Stenberg) had arrived on Brendok following Osha's Force vision about Sol and Mae’s whereabouts. Qimir’s goal on the twin’s home planet was to kill Mae for her betrayal of him back in The Acolyte episodes 4 and 5, but instead, he ran face-first into Master Sol. He and the Jedi Master then engaged in an epic duel, one that Sol ended up winning by using a risky move that targeted a huge lightsaber weakness.

A blurred poster for The Acolyte behind an image of Star Wars' Darth Vader
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The Acolyte episode 8 wraps up season 1 of the High Republic show by casting the shadow of the dark side, and Darth Vader, over the Jedi Order.

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Master Sol Used A Major Lightsaber Weakness - The Hilt

Sol Was Able to Disarm Qimir

The lightsaber duel between Sol and Qimir showcased that the two were pretty equally matched, and in some ways, luck would lead to one of their victories. Sol was ultimately able to exploit one weakness all lightsaber wielders have: the hilt. It’s known that Qimir’s lightsaber actually breaks apart and forms two different red blades, something that led to Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen)’s death in The Acolyte episode 5. However, in an incredible move, Sol was able to strike the top of Qimir’s lightsaber and render the Sith's weapon useless.

The move by Sol to essentially disarm Qimir was a risky one, but one that ultimately paid off for him.

This blow exposed his red kyber crystal and meant that his blade couldn’t ignite, and therefore ended their duel. Qimir likely would’ve been killed by Sol if Mae hadn’t intervened. The move by Sol to essentially disarm Qimir was a risky one, but one that ultimately paid off for him. In samurai combat, the move is called a "ing strike" or a "single-stroke battle," which is an appropriate name considering that is what his lightsaber duel came down to. While Sol would still be killed by Osha later in the episode, his form of lightsaber combat was superb.

This Is The Easiest Way To End A Lightsaber Duel

And Hasn’t Been Used Often

Destroying an opponent's lightsaber by cutting its hilt is a risky move, as it could leave the attacker open to a counterstrike if missed, but there’s no doubt that if successful, the risk is worth the reward. In Star Wars, there haven’t been too many times when a lightsaber hilt has been targeted, though Ahsoka Tano’s white lightsaber hilts was destroyed, but she could still duel since she wields two blades.

Sol essentially ends the duel between him and Qimir, leading directly into Sol’s final confrontation with Osha, where he was Force choked to death by his former apprentice. Even though Sol’s lightsaber hilt made it out of the duel relatively fine, Osha did bleed Sol’s blue kyber crystal, making the lightsaber blade turn red. While The Acolyte season 1 has concluded, it will be interesting if Star Wars embraces more of these risky lightsaber moves.

All episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+.

The Acolyte Poster Showing Jedi Order, Mae, and a Sith Lord Holding Lightsabers

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The Acolyte
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
7/10
130
6.3/10
Release Date
2024 - 2024-00-00
Showrunner
Leslye Headland
Directors
Leslye Headland, Alex Garcia Lopez

Cast

See All

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

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.

Writers
Leslye Headland, Charmaine De Grate, Kor Adana
Seasons
1
Streaming Service(s)
Dis