[Ed. note: This post discusses events through episode 4 of The Acolyte.]
Males solely need to hear one factor, and it’s disgusting: Wookie Jedi. Based on my analysis, so do girls, and nonbinary people. In actual fact, “Wookie Jedi” is likely one of the most thrilling Star Wars-related phrases one can utter, a personality thought so dope it doesn’t appear authorized. Nicely, in Star Wars’ Excessive Republic period, it is: Burryaga, a younger Wookie Jedi, is outstanding within the many Excessive Republic novels you may learn, and The Acolyte lastly gave him an on-screen counterpart. That’s proper, I’m speaking about Kelnacca, the Wookie with a depraved topknot that the present has accomplished soiled. This can not stand.
To recap, the narrative backbone of The Acolyte so far has been Mae (Amandla Stenberg) and her mission to kill the Jedi current on the demise of the coven that raised her and her misplaced twin, Osha (additionally Stenberg). A kind of Jedi was Kelnacca, subsequent on Mae’s hit listing in The Acolyte’s fourth episode. Nonetheless, as an alternative of a sick Kelnacca/Mae combat that showcases the sheer prowess of a Drive-sensitive Wookie, we get anticlimax. There isn’t a Kelnacca showdown, as a result of Mae’s masked grasp has rudely overwhelmed her to him. He’s lifeless.
Hey Lucasfilm: How are you going to do Kelnacca like that? Wookies have been taking part in second fiddle to their comparatively hairless costars for many years now. Does Kelnacca even share a scene with one other Wookiee that’s not a few non-Wookie? I don’t suppose so. You failed the Wookiee Bechdel Take a look at, The Acolyte.
Method again in 2016, when Netflix’s Stranger Issues debuted, followers acquired all in a tizzy over the demise of minor character Barb, performed by Shannon Purser. “Justice for Barb,” the followers stated, rallying on-line. I didn’t actually get it then and I don’t get it now, however I suppose it’s good to really feel a part of one thing, to know that plenty of different folks appear to care about fringe TV characters you’ve got an affection for.
Such is the case with Kelnacca. I can’t be the one one out right here who desires my badass Wookie boy to have his day within the solar, wrecking… whoever the dangerous guys are at this level in Star Wars historical past. Tax evaders?
Anyway, justice for Kelnacca! If The Acolyte doesn’t give us a flashback episode starring him, I can be fairly cross. Don’t make me write one other weblog. I’ll do it.