Russell T. Davies wasn’t joking when he said Doctor Who would soon be turning into a cinematic universe of its own. During the show’s Comic-Con panel at San Diego yesterday, it was announced that a brand new spinoff, titled The War Between the Land and the Sea, is making its way to Disney Plus.

The new spinoff will be a miniseries centering around a new threat that emerges from the sea. With the Doctor away on shenanigans of his own, it is up to the UNIT gang, including Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and Colonel Ibrahim, to save the Earth.

Here’s everything we already know about The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Who is cast in The War Between the Land and the Sea? Which actors are reprising their roles?

As already mentioned, the new series will be spearheaded by none other than Jemma Redgrave, whom Whovians know as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart. Kate took over UNIT after the death of his father, and she’s been a recurring character in Who ever since, appearing for the adventures of Matt Smith’s Eleventh, Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth, and even Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor. 

Kate’s most recent appearance was in Ncuti Gatwa’s first two-part finale, where she helped the TARDIS crew battle Sutekh, the God of Death.

Alexander Devrient, portraying UNIT’s Colonel Ibrahim, is also making a comeback in The War Between the Land and the Sea.

New cast members include Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Russell Tovey. Mbatha-Raw previously portrayed Martha Jones’ sister in season 3, while Tovey is potentially reprising Alonso Frame, the midshipman who first appeared in Voyage of the Damned and then caught Captain Jack Harkness’ eye in The End of Time.

What is the plot of The War Between the Land and the Sea?

Russell T. Davies is serving as executive producer and writer, joined by Pete McTighe, best known for his contributions to both Doctor Who and A Discovery of Witches.

The plot apparently revolves around the emergence of a dangerous and fearsome ocean species that make themselves known to humanity, triggering an international crisis with the UNIT at its forefront. Not much else is known about The War Between the Land and the Sea, but Davies is hyping it up to be a special addition to the ever-growing Whoniverse.

“I’m so lucky to work with such a magnificent cast,” he said. “And this is a huge, muscular, thrilling drama which will shake The Whoniverse to its foundations. When the Doctor’s not in town, the whole of humanity is in trouble.”

When is The War Between the Land and the Sea coming out?

Filming is expected to begin next month, and since Ncuti Gatwa’s second Doctor Who season is predicted to be released in early 2025, we can expect The War Between the Land and the Sea to arrive on iPlayer and Disney Plus no sooner than late 2025.

Like the proverbial Bat Signal, all types of creatives have been drawn to the Star Wars universe. Disney Plus’ influx of television has made it easy for many actors to venture to a galaxy far, far away.

The newest venture is the 8-episode first season of The Acolyte. Canonically set a century before the events of The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte features a crop of Jedi and their trials during the High Republic. Amandla Stenberg stars as a nefarious character who seeks to destroy the Jedi, as well as her twin sister, Osha. Also in attendance is Squid Game’s own Lee Jung-jae as a Jedi master and youngling teacher. But perhaps the most exciting for sci-fi fans is the addition of Carrie-Anne Moss to the cast. Her role as Jedi master Indara brings back memories of her days as leather-toting hacker Trinity in The Matrix in the best way possible.

Who is Carrie-Anne Moss in The Acolyte?

While Indara is tragically killed in the first moments of the series, that’s almost a red herring. She recurs throughout the first season in a series of flashbacks that slowly reveal the plot of the Jedi. After a formidable sequence where she fights — mainly without the use of a lightsaber — Indara is in the thick of events that show how insidious the Jedi are in their own way. The very code that the Jedi live by is ultimately to their detriment. Clinging to the ways of the Order that indoctrinate young children and squirrel away feelings is the direct cause of the creation of Mae, the titular first acolyte to Manny Jacinto’s The Stranger.

Entertainment Weekly states that Mae is not necessarily a Sith, but has a morally gray character alignment. This state of affairs is highlighted by showrunner Leslye Headland’s interest in telling a different kind of Jedi story, which she shared with the outlet.

“That was kind of my dream Star Wars idea. But it felt like the time period to do that in would be something pre-Phantom Menace. That seemed to be the most interesting trajectory for the Sith: How did the Sith go from the Rule of Two and being quote-unquote ‘extinct’ to Palpatine coming into power without the Jedi knowing about it?”

The Acolyte accomplishes this in an interesting fashion, showing the different perspectives of one harrowing event. Master Sol sins terribly while many of his fellow Jedi are complicit, after discovering the existence of a coven of Force-using witches. They storm the community which has devastating consequences. The only one truly absolved of wrongdoing is Indara.

The equivocal leader of the group investigating a Force vergence on the planet, she urges patience in her fellow Jedi. After Sol discovers the existence of Mae and Osha, he rushes to quote-unquote save them from their evil coven. While at first, it seems that Indara is just as guilty as Sol, her support of restraint proves that if Sol wasn’t there, these events would have been very different. She tells Sol that the girls are too old to train and they shouldn’t be taken from their community. She doesn’t want to be perceived as a threat but Sol’s impulsiveness causes the destruction of the coven.

Indara is the exception to the rule that many Jedi are corrupted by bureaucracy. Should The Acolyte get a second season, it is unlikely we will see a recurrence of the character. A real shame since Moss was an asset to the unique series. Fans can revisit these differing perspectives by streaming The Acolyte on Disney Plus.

Space documentaries are all about breathtaking visuals and fascinating insights into the cosmos. These projects provide an awe-inspiring glimpse into the wonders of the universe. From exploring distant galaxies to understanding the mysteries of our own solar system, these films take you on a journey through the universe. Here are the 10 best space documentaries for a trip into the world above us.

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014)

Hosted by the charismatic astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey is a follow-up to Carl Sagan’s groundbreaking series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. The series journeys into the wonders of the universe, from the Big Bang theory, to the present day. Using state-of-the-art CGI and compelling storytelling to explain complex scientific concepts in an accessible way, it is an intellectually stimulating journey through space and time, and perfect for both newcomers to astronomy and seasoned enthusiasts. This visually stunning series is available on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi TV.

Apollo 11 (2019)

Apollo 11 offers an extraordinary look at the historic 1969 mission that landed the first humans on the Moon. Using archival footage and over 11,000 hours of uncatalogued audio recordings, this documentary provides a front-row seat to the events as they unfolded, from the astronauts’ preparations to their triumphant return. The use of original footage and audio creates an immersive experience, bringing one of humanity’s greatest achievements to life in unprecedented detail. Apollo 11 is available on Prime Video and Apple TV.

The Farthest: Voyager in Space (2017)

The Farthest: Voyager in Space celebrates the incredible journey of the Voyager spacecraft, which were launched in 1977 to explore the outer planets and continue to send data back to Earth from interstellar space. The film features interviews with the scientists and engineers who worked on the mission, providing personal insights and reflections on this monumental achievement. It is available on Netflix, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

Hubble’s Cosmic Journey (2015)

Celebrating the Hubble Space Telescope’s 25th year in operation, this documentary chronicles the history and achievements of the Space Telescope, from its launch in 1990 to its most significant discoveries. Featuring stunning imagery and insights from the scientists who have worked with Hubble, it showcases the telescope’s profound impact on our understanding of the universe. Available on Nat Geo TV and Disney Plus, Hubble’s Cosmic Journey offers both educational content and breathtaking visuals. 

The Last Man on the Moon (2014)

The Last Man on the Moon tells the story of Gene Cernan, the last astronaut to walk on the moon during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Through interviews and archival footage, Cernan reflects on his career, the space race, and the personal cost of being part of a historic endeavor like space exploration. It offers a poignant and personal look at the life of an astronaut. It also provides a different perspective on the space race and its impact on those involved. The Last Man on the Moon is available to watch on Peacock, Tubi TV, and Apple TV.

Wonders of the Solar System (2010)

Hosted by physicist Brian Cox, this documentary takes viewers on an awe-inspiring tour of our solar system. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the solar system, from the power of the sun to the beauty of Saturn’s rings.  Brian Cox’s enthusiasm and clear explanations make complex topics digestible, and the series’ visuals are nothing short of spectacular. You can find this series on BBC, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking (2010)

Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking takes viewers on a journey through the cosmos, exploring topics such as the origins of the universe, black holes, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The series uses CGI and Hawking’s insightful commentary to make complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging. Hawking’s unique ability to explain difficult concepts in an understandable way, combined with stunning visuals, makes this a fascinating watch. Available on Discovery Plus and Amazon Prime Video.

Life Beyond Earth (1999)

Life Beyond Earth explores the possibility of extraterrestrial life, examining the conditions that might support life beyond our planet. It features interviews with scientists, astrobiologists, and researchers who are at the forefront of the search for life in the universe. This helps provide a comprehensive look at the search for alien life, as well as the implications of such a discovery. You can watch this on Amazon Prime Video.

Journey to the Edge of the Universe (2008)

Narrated by Alec Baldwin (in the US version), Journey to the Edge of the Universe takes viewers on a CGI-powered journey from Earth to the edge of the observable universe. It offers a detailed and visually spectacular tour of the cosmos, stopping at planets, stars, and galaxies along the way. The documentary’s ambitious scope and high-quality visuals make it a breathtaking watch. It is available to watch on National Geographic and Prime Video.

Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know (2020)

Available on Netflix, this documentary delves into the mysteries of black holes, featuring interviews with leading scientists and researchers who are at the forefront of black hole research. It covers recent discoveries, the challenges of studying black holes, and the groundbreaking work being done to understand these enigmatic objects. Overall, it’s a deep dive into one of the most intriguing and least understood phenomena in the universe, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in cutting-edge science.

The success of The Acolyte’s finale has shone a light on Sith culture more than ever. Though the series had a shaky start, Osha’s (Amandla Stenberg) acceptance of the Dark Side has put a human face on the faction of Star Wars lore.

The last episode of season 1 also had the surprising benefit of seeing a famous Sith Lord who has been often referred to in the past 20 years but never seen. Darth Plagueis the Wise, infamously introduced in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is briefly shown lurking around Osha and The Stranger (Manny Jacinto). But while famous with fans, is he the most powerful Sith Lord in the history of Star Wars? In the face of the well-known Rogues Gallery of Sith Lords, it’s a hard title to win.

Is Plagueis the most powerful Sith Lord?

Out of all the Sith Lords — both canon and not — there are three that come to mind. Revan, Bane, and Plagueis arguably have boasted the most contributions to Sith culture. Be it through combat prowess, knowledge of the Force, or legacy, each of these Dark Force users has their own claim to fame, and that is the issue with trying to find the most powerful Sith. At least with this trio, they are all so different. Each has their own unique story and skill sets and it’s almost impossible to find a clear winner. In fact, it is easier to find a clear loser.

Sorry, Plagueis. When it comes to brute strength, the most powerful you are not. That isn’t to say the Munn doesn’t have his attributes. He of course is the main manipulation that brings Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) to the Dark, but this has less to do with outright Force abilities and more to do with his work as a scientist. As Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) tells Anakin in Revenge of the Sith, Plagueis had the power over life and death. It just didn’t work in his favor at the end of it all. Plagueis could manipulate midi-chlorians to stop those he cared about from dying. However, it couldn’t save himself. Ironically, his apprentice murdered him once he had decided he learned everything he could from his master. This ending is one of the less impressive ones, especially compared to Plagueis’ betters.

What about Revan or Bane?

To get to the heart of the Sith MVPs, we need to go back a thousand years or so. That is when Sith Lords did not mess around and had long lives full of twists and turns where they proved their worth. The first to be born was Darth Revan. The character initially appeared in the turn-based video game Knights of the Old Republic.

Revan has a much-admired legacy, specifically because of how many hats he wore. First trained as a Jedi, Revan was immediately spotted as a prodigy. From a young age, he could master almost any Force power that came his way. So much so that the Jedi Council became concerned about how elevated he was. He later proved himself as a more than capable battle commander in the conflict against the Mandalorians where he defeated their leader in one-on-one combat. And that was only his resume with the Jedi.

He would later join the Dark Side with his associate, Malak, and prove to be an even more formidable force. And again, his story doesn’t end there. After Malak betrays him, the Jedi rescue Revan only to wipe his memories and train him as a Jedi to destroy Malak. They understand that Revan’s talent cannot be wasted and he is the only one who can defeat his former friend. And again, Revan stands apart because he has even another twist. Later, he starts to regain his memories of the Dark side of his life and goes on a journey to recover what he has lost. This results in him splitting his personas in two — one Light and one Dark. Even in death, his Dark side is so powerful he wills himself back to life for the sole purpose of vengeance. When it comes to Force ability alone, it is hard to count anyone against Revan.

However, as everyone must in the end, Revan succumbs to death. Even so, his legacy is so significant that while redeemed by the Jedi, he remains a hero to many Sith. First and foremost among those who revered him is Bane. Darth Bane is most famous because he is the Sith Lord who implements the Rule of Two. Before his time, the Sith were so bloodthirsty that infighting resulted in the dissolution of the sect. Bane was the sole survivor of the destruction of the Sith and decided that in order for them to survive, there could be no more than two of them. A master and an apprentice. This way they could live in secret and destroy the Jedi from the inside out.

Bane is powerful in his own right, though quite different from Revan. His intelligence and cunning allow him to survive the destruction of his people and his teachings become the instrument that many Sith follow until the time of Palpatine and Vader. But it isn’t a stretch to say that without Revan, there would be no Bane. Bane idolized his predecessor, so much so that he sought Revan’s Holocron to further understand his philosophies. Both Bane and Revan are paramount to Sith culture, but Revan started a chain of events that would continue for thousands of years.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, best known simply as Miraculous Ladybug, is currently one of the most popular children’s animation TV series out there. The story follows Marinette and Adrien, a pair of Parisian superheroes who must keep their identities a secret for the sake of protecting themselves and their Miraculous, the magical objects that give them powers. If the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous fall into the wrong hands — i.e. the supervillain Hawk Moth’s — the world as we know it could be in serious peril.

Despite its French origin, the show premiered in South Korea, in 2015, before making its way to screens around the globe. Now with five seasons, two special movie-length episodes, and one full-length movie, Miraculous Ladybug continues gathering new viewers, curious to see what all the fuss is about and what makes this such a beloved series. Watching Miraculous Ladybug isn’t as easy as starting at episode one and binge-watching from there; fans of the show frequently debate whether new viewers should watch the show in release order or in chronological order. There’s merits to both but if you’d like to see it for yourself, here’s both watch methods as well as what we think is the is the best order in which to enjoy the show.

Miraculous Ladybug watch order by release date

The most obvious way to watch Miraculous Ladybug is by order of release date. While you can definitely watch it this way, the show doesn’t necessarily air according to the chronological event timeline. For example, both Marinette and Adrien already have their Miraculous and are familiar with their powers in the first episode. 

• Season 1, episodes 1-26
• Season 2, episodes 1-26 
• Season 3, episodes 1-26 
• Special episode “Miraculous World: New York — United Heros”
• Special episode “Miraculous World: Shanghai — The Legend of Lady Dragon”
• Season 4, episodes 1-26
• Season 5, episode 1-27 
• Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie 

If you’re okay with being thrown right into the action, then this might be the right watch order for you. That being said, we recommend a slightly different approach if you want to watch the show in chronological order. 

The best Miraculous Ladybug watch order

With some TV series, watching episodes by order of release works just fine, but that’s not always the case. Taking into account the canonical timeline of the show, Miraculous Ladybug should be watched in its chronological order of events.

• Season 1, episode 25: “Ladybug & Cat Noir – Origins, Part 1”
• Season 1, episode 26: “Stoneheart – Origins, Part 2”
• Season 1, episodes 1–24
• Season 2, episodes 1–26
• Season 3, episodes 1–26
• Special episode “Miraculous World: New York – United Heroes”
• Special episode “Miraculous World: Shanghai – The Legend of Lady Dragon”
• Season 4, episodes 1–26
• Season 5, episodes 1–27
• Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie

While we recommend watching Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie after watching season 5, it doesn’t fit perfectly into the canon. The film offers a simplistic take on the two heroes and their origin story from the show but some plot points differ. In our opinion, it’s best to enjoy it as its own thing separately from Miraculous Ladybug. 

Miraculous Ladybug is a simple yet compelling series, full of interesting and diverse characters that draw its audience in. The show is available for streaming on Netflix and Disney Plus.

Often times the most unbelievable stories are all around us. The best documentaries can be just as thrilling as fiction, and all the more fascinating for their truth.

National Geographic has produced some of the most visionary and ambitious documentary films and series over the years, covering a wide range of topics with one thing in common: understanding, exploring, and questioning the world we live in. In 2017, the network launched its Documentary Films banner, expanding its feature-length film production and giving us gripping movies like the Academy Award-winning Free Solo, described as one of the greatest documentaries ever made.

Fellow non-fiction nerds, this one is for you!

1. Free Solo (2018)

Free Solo follows rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to cross off a particularly insane item from his bucket list — free solo climbing the El Capitan rock wall in Yosemite National Park, meaning no ropes or other protective equipment. Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin do a fantastic job of capturing Honnold’s unprecedented endeavor, creating some of the 21st century’s most striking cinematic images.

It’s clear that the story they were working with provided rare dramatic potential, but it takes non-fiction filmmakers as skilled as the couple to retain the very human core present in Free Solo when faced with the sheer magnitude of its context. A must-watch for documentary enthusiasts.

2. The Rescue (2021)

From the makers of Free Solo, comes a similarly impossible story with an even bigger emotional impact. The 2021 documentary film The Rescue documents in fine detail the rescue operation of the twelve teenage football players and their 25-year-old coach from the flooded Tham Luang cave in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province.

While National Geographic was only able to obtain the rights to the divers’ story, leaving the testimony of the thirteen rescuees to Netflix and its The Trapped 13 documentary, The Rescue is still every bit a complete film, much to the merit of directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chi. The suspense and improbability of every feat achieved throughout those 18 days in the monsoon season of 2018 will have this docu stuck in your head for weeks after you watch it.

3. Fire of Love (2022)

This entry is a bit of a cheat, since National Geographic was only in charge of distributing this film and not producing it, but Fire of Love needed to be on this list. Husband and wife Maurice and Katia Krafft spent their lives studying, filming, and photographing volcanoes, so fascinated by the pulsating formations that they would frequently risk their lives to get as close as possible. And they did it all together.

This 2022 film was directed by Sara Dosa and nominated for the Academy Award. It’s mostly made up of the Kraffts’ fascinating archive footage which, through their shared love of volcanoes, inadvertently captured their love for each other.

4. One Strange Rock (2018)

There’s nothing quite as humbling as a detached view of this enormous planet we’re such a minute part of. That is the beauty of the 2018 National Geographic docu-series One Strange Rock, which explores the exceptional, mostly ungraspable conditions that have led us to the life we know today, through the perspective of eight astronauts who have been privileged enough to see the Earth from space.

The 10-part docu-series is hosted by Will Smith, and co-produced by Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky. One Strange Rock‘s overview of Earth’s history has become a fan-favorite from Nat Geo’s large catalog.

5. Europe From Above (2019-)

If you’re in the mood for something a little more extensive or that will last you for a good few weeks, then Europe from Above might be just what you’re looking for. This crowd-pleaser is already on its sixth season and showing no signs of slowing down.

Each episode is dedicated to a different European region, quite literally filmed from above with magnificent cinematography as the narrator delves into whatever extraordinary occurrences from past and present have defined that particular place’s history. It’s soul-feeding television without the jumps some other more intense entries in this list will inflict upon your cardiovascular and nervous systems.

6. Playing with Sharks (2021)

Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is considered partly responsible for the fearsome, almost mythical reputation sharks have acquired through the years, and some of the most terrifying real shark footage in that film was shot by the woman at the center of Disney Plus and National Geographic’s Playing with Sharks, Valerie Taylor, who spent the rest of her life trying to undo the damage Spielberg’s movie had caused.

This reinvigorating documentary trails the life of the pioneering Australian diver, filmmaker, and conservationist while trying to demystify some of the common misconceptions about one of the most feared animals on planet Earth. A remarkable woman and a remarkable animal paired together to make a remarkable film.

7. The Mission (2023)

Divisive but necessary, this 2023 documentary film about John Allen Chau is a gripping look at religion, society, and the way the two intercept and affect one another. Chau was a missionary on a quest to introduce the legally protected Sentinelese Indigenous people to the Christian faith, ultimately getting killed in the process.

Although the film has been criticized by religious folk who feel the subject was borderline ridiculed by filmmakers Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, most viewers agree that The Mission provides an earnest attempt at objectivity (as impossible as that is to achieve), with great empathy for all parties involved. It’s yet another incredible story of one person used to explore much deeper and layered themes.

8. Science Fair (2019)

Science Fair is another light watch to make you simultaneously feel hopeful for the future, and a bit funky about your own life. The Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster-directed documentary follows nine gifted teenagers from around the world competing in the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. They might all be brilliant, but they’re teens nonetheless, delivering a combination that makes for a delightful 91 minutes of documentary filmmaking.

9. Sea of Shadows (2019)

Gillnets, used to catch totoaba fish in order to harvest their swim bladder to make culinary delicacies, are killing vaquita whales in the Gulf of California. There are plenty of documentaries about endangered species out there but the illegal, smuggling nature of this particular threat (the totoaba swim bladder is often called the “cocaine of the sea”) turns Sea of Shadows into a nail-biting action film as marine conservation activism organization Sea Shepherd squares up against Mexican cartels and the Chinese mafia in an attempt to destroy as many of their murderous gillnets as they can.

Directed by Richard Ladkani, Sea of Shadows is an eye-opening, frankly revolting piece of filmmaking.

10. Before the Flood (2016)

While Before the Flood‘s point is far from being the fact that it stars Leonard DiCaprio, the Hollywood star’s involvement and seemingly genuine interest and dedication to the climate change cause gave this National Geographic documentary a platform many others would love to have. It’s a great thing, then, that the film earns every bit of the attention that its mega-famous celebrity host earned it with hard-hitting, well-crafted storytelling and filmmaking.

The 2016 documentary, directed by Succession actor Fisher Stevens and featuring an all-star score by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Mogwai, and Gustavo Santaolalla, is a thorough, nearly comprehensive look at the impacts of global warming on our precarious environment. It should be mandatory viewing.

After all the heated discourse, Disney Plus’ The Acolyte won out in the end, with the season finale of the Star Wars series proving that it’s a top contender for fan appreciation.

The murder mystery driving the characters reaches a fever pitch in episode 8. Osha finally learns that Mae wasn’t solely responsible for what happened to their coven as children. After the fire rages in their community, Sol (Lee Jung-jae) kills Mae and Osha’s mother with a single lightsaber stroke. But that isn’t the only surprise the final episode has in store. Osha sees firsthand the hypocrisy of the Jedi Order and how her passions were never quelled. Driven to the Dark Side, she agrees to train with Qimir (Manny Jacinto). All in all, it puts a perfect cap on a compelling season, whether the show gets a second one or not.

Fans have come to an agreement that the storytelling was equally as significant as another element. It is after all not a classic Jedi story without fight sequences. And with the introduction of Qimir’s role as The Stranger came fight scenes rarely seen in the franchise before.

Fans love the fight sequences in The Acolyte

The Acolyte does the impossible and holds its own against the fight choreography even from the prequel films. Per Entertainment Weekly, Dafne Keen teased that the show would challenge “The Duel of the Fates” when it comes to high-stakes fighting. And though a high bar to clear, she wasn’t exactly wrong. The reveal of The Stranger’s identity came with an episode-long fight sequence that took the lives of many Jedi and made Qimir legitimately terrifying. Fans took to social media to celebrate.

These fight scenes work so well because of how foreign Qimir seems to the other characters. In this era, the Sith are a rumor long since past and the Jedi do not have much context for Dark Force users. Jedi describe Qimir’s fighting as chaotic and unpredictable, which adds to these impressive scenes. Many fans agree that Qimir added to the intensity of the series.

In the finale, these scenes were stepped up even further. The duel between Sol and Qimir shows breathtaking saber work that wowed audiences.

If there is one thing that tends to unite the historically divisive Star Wars fandom, it’s fight choreography. It may not stop all of the toxic dynamics in the franchise, but has turned the tide for the reputation of the series. We can only hope the show will progress into a sophomore season for more Qimir representation.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Acolyte finale in 3, 2, 1…

Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? I thought so. Anyone watching The Acolyte is bound to know all about the heinous horse-faced Sith lord, which is why there have been a bunch of theories about how the unseen evil one could be connected to events behind the scenes.

Theorize no more, however, as The Acolyte‘s season finale went ahead and unleashed a major Star Wars first: the very first appearance of Plagueis in live-action! Well, all right, it didn’t spell it out, but the evidence doesn’t exactly leave much room for error. Near the beginning of the episode, we see a shadowy being watching Osha and Qimir from the mouth of a cave on Brendok. A pale, elongated face with red eyes and creepy long fingers shrouded in a black cloak? Come on, it’s not going to be Jar-Jar, is it?

As you would expect, this milestone moment in Star Wars canon is sending fans wild, especially as it promises a prominent role for Plagueis come season 2. It’s fair to say that, while it had much to love and many plus points, season 1 was a bit of a mixed bag, so with Plagueis in position the stage is set for The Acolyte to “become the Dark Sith show it definitely has the potential to be,” as one tweeter put it.

Those who review-bombed and boycotted The Acolyte are actually the exact people who would love a Plagueis cameo. As Palpatine would say… “ironic.”

Let the hate flow away from you.

Rumors have pointed to Supergirl actor David Harewood having been cast as Plagueis. It’s too early to tell officially, but maybe this is the plan for season 2!

The Plagueis and Yoda cameos in the finale are a heck of a one-two punch.

Tragically, we were denied Plagueis’ reaction to Osha and Qimir becoming the new Reylo.

The most interesting thing about Plagueis’ debut in this episode, however, is that it draws a clear connection between the revelation that Osha and Mae were born out of the Force and Plagueis’ infamous ability to create life. If the show is allowed to continue, it seems we may learn that he actually stole this ability from the Brendok coven.

The big problem here, of course, is that Disney has yet to officially announce a second season for The Acolyte. Will all the backlash be enough to kill off what could be one of the most genuinely fan-pleasing plotlines of modern Star Wars? With any luck, Plagueis popping up like this and proving the great things to come will make it impossible for the plug to be pulled on it just yet.

The first season of The Acolyte has now drawn to a close, and to say that this has been quite a saga would be to undersell it.

Indeed, we can talk about how a strong start and intriguing finale ran counter to the show’s lackluster storytelling in the bridging episodes, but could just as easily talk about the influx of hate that’s been pointed at the show from self-proclaimed Star Wars fans. George forbid that a show casts actors who are humans in roles that were written for humans, right?

In any case, the finale has proven that vitriol is not the prevailing sentiment here, because #RenewTheAcolyte is now trending on X, and those who have eagerly tuned in every week are wasting no time elevating that hashtag with all the gumption in the world.

As for whether or not The Acolyte has earned that second season, that might just be the most interesting question of all. It’s clear that this season isn’t the main event of Osha and Mae’s story, and there’s something to be said about kicking off a show with a setup for events that promise to be a lot more interesting in latter seasons; it’s one thing to tell a story chronologically, but it’s quite another to tell one story chiefly for the sake of telling another. Why not start with the story that the writing team will hopefully prove to have been clearly more passionate about? It’s not like introducing prequels later is new territory for Star Wars, after all.

Still, the promise of a more complex dramatic web in a possible second season is one that many would gladly plunge into, and given what strengths The Acolyte has been able to show as a piece of Star Wars media, a second season just might be worth a shot on all fronts.

For now, season one is available to stream in full on Disney Plus.

Like all modern additions to the Star Wars franchise, The Acolyte has been quite divisive. Set in the time of the High Republic, the Disney Plus series has delved into the more obscure elements of Star Wars lore.

This is the catch-22 of television in the streaming era. Fans want more in-depth explorations of mythology not demonstrated before in live action but once they get it, they raise arms against it. The Acolyte has been daring in many ways that no one has given it credit for.

The show has introduced interesting new concepts in a franchise nearing 50 years old. In addition to showing other Force users besides the Jedi, it flips the script in ways never before seen. Showing the hypocritical elements of the Jedi Order, The Acolyte gives context to the way of the Sith and shows a truly complex Dark main character. But is this enough to ensure it gets a second season?

Will The Acolyte get a season 2?

The Acolyte discusses interesting concepts that are begging for further exploration. When the series originally aired, there were hints about the future of the series. In a conversation with Collider, showrunner Leslye Headland addressed her plans for the future.

“I would say that when I pitched it, I definitely pitched it as a multi-season show. There are a lot of things at the end of this season that I think are narrative threads that are not tied up, for sure. However, I am the type of writer that is not interested in an emotional cliffhanger. I want you to feel like you’ve had a particular type of catharsis, and an emotional experience in watching those eight episodes because I like rewarding the audience with that.”

This is a tricky way of not confirming if there is more to come. Unfortunately, there has been no official word on the subject. More vitriolic fans would have everyone believe that no one watches the series and there is no cause to further the story. However, that isn’t necessarily true. Whether beloved or maligned, The Acolyte has encouraged a media storm.

It encourages near-constant conversation, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Most likely, news of a season 2 will follow the season finale. Final episodes are typically good indicators of the future of these shows. And The Acolyte finale has ensured more discourse than the entire season combined. With the show coming to fruition in the final episode and including a few cameos, the season 1 finale is must-watch television. It is only a matter of time before we find the truth about The Acolyte’s fate.

And with that, The Acolyte has wrapped its inaugural season. It’s hard to tell at this point if round two is on the cards or not, but we already knew EP Leslye Headland had more story locked and loaded in the event of such a thing, and she telegraphed that tenfold with this season finale.

Despite mid-season writing jitters, the bookend of The Acolyte‘s first season closed out in considerably strong fashion. In saying that, the finale is marked by the sense that the true bulk of The Acolyte‘s drama takes place in the events following this first season; a sense that perhaps explains but does not excuse the creaks in tese eight episodes, even if those creaks were ultimately non-fatal. The prospect of a second season, then, is well and truly intriguing.

But what exactly happened in the finale?

How does season 1 of The Acolyte end?

After Mae and Osha confront each other back on Brendok, Osha learns the truth about what happened to their coven all those years ago, causing her to murder Sol with a Force choke. The pair flee to the tree that they always frequented as children, a squadron of Jedi looming just overhead.

Vernestra, who leads this Jedi sect to Brendok in hopes of bringing in Sol for his crimes, arrives on Brendok, where she discovers Sol’s body (which she later burns). During this time, we learn that Vernestra was the former master of Qimir.

The sisters, now grasping the fact that they’re the result of a Force vergence and are therefore a single consciousness inhabiting two different bodies, forgive each other and embrace. Qimir finds them, warning them that, with Sol dead, the Jedi are likely to try and capture Mae next, which would in turn put Osha in danger. Osha, in turn, agrees to train under Qimir if the latter uses the Force to erase Mae’s memory, therefore shielding Osha from the Jedi’s interrogation of Mae. Mae agrees, and her memory gets erased.

Vernestra feeds a group of senators false information about the Brendok incident, feeding the same info to Mae—who has since been captured by the Jedi—and then explains that she’s going to need her help in finding a pupil of her’s (which we audiences now know is Qimir). Later, as Vernestra is contending with the revelation that Qimir is the Dark Force user, she pays a visit to none other than Grand Master Yoda to explain this new state of affairs to him. At the same time, Qimir and Osha join hands and gaze into the horizon after returning to Qimir’s ocean-covered home planet; before they left it at the beginning of the episode, Darth Plagueis watched them from the shadows, so now we know who Qimir’s Sith Master is.

Suffice to say that season 1 of The Acolyte can be aptly characterized as a setup for what’s hopefully a much more polished story the next time around. It’s demonstrated a great, if dark, joy about inhabiting the Star Wars mythos; all it needs is to also inhabit the part of its story that, in all likelihood, it’s more passionate about, which will hopefully in turn lead to better storytelling.

All episodes of The Acolyte‘s first season are available to stream on Disney Plus.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Acolyte episode 8.

Well, The Acolyte season 1 sure went to some unexpected places, huh? Disney Plus actually did a good job of keeping a lot about its first High Republic era series under wraps ahead of time, so much of what it had to offer — including its twin protagonists, the shocking deaths of halfway through, and its bold deconstructive take on the Jedi — came as pleasant surprises (well, except for the deaths part).

Another surprise? The “enemies-to-lovers” frisson between Osha (Amandla Stenberg) and Qimir (Manny Jacinto). The sequel trilogy proved that Star Wars fans can thirst with the best of them, and from the moment the hot Not-Sith formerly known as Darth Teeth started to seduce Osha over to the dark side, a certain subset of the fandom leaned forward in their seats like they haven’t done since the demise of Reylo.

A dark love affair between Rey and Kylo Ren was, of course, teased in 2017’s The Last Jedi before 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker somehow managed to offend both pro and anti-Reylos by killing Kylo off after Rey gave him a single chaste kiss. So imagine former Reylos’ shock when The Acolyte episode 8 ended with a distinct promise that these enemies are well on their way to becoming lovers.

After killing Sol, bleeding his lightsaber from blue to red, and keeping it as her own, Osha looks all set to embark on the Empress Rey arc that Daisy Ridley’s character never went on in the sequels. The finale’s final shot sees Osha committed to training in the ways of the dark side, with Qimir taking her hand as they watch the sunset — a clear inversion of Luke Skywalker’s famous moment in A New Hope.

For some people, this is like their middle-school fan fiction come to life so they need some time to process.

Victims of TROS don’t know how to cope with a win at last.

It’s so much more than they ever dared hope.

Is Star Wars… back?

For a show marketed as being about the users of the dark side of the Force for once, The Acolyte‘s first season often seemed to forget this, but it certainly looks like this is something showrunner Leslye Headland plans to fix if Disney Plus deigns to give it a second season. If not, there will definitely be a disturbance in the thirst — I mean, the Force.