Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 3.
Summary
Star Warshas released the new pop song “Power of Two” by Grammy Award-winning artist Victoria Monét to celebrateStar Wars: The Acolyte, and its lyrics dive deep into one character’s inner conflict - and foretells their future. The title “Power of Two” derives directly fromThe Acolyteepisode 3, when Mother Aniseya and thewitches of Brendokuse this phrase as a part of a chant during the Ascension. It emphasizes the strong connection between the twinsMaeandOsha, with the two more than likely tied together in aForce Dyad.
Monét’s “Power of Two” focuses on this relationship between the two young women, with both of them thinking the other to be dead until the events ofThe Acolyte. Produced and co-written by Michael Abels (Get Out,Us,NOPE) and D’Mile, this song evokes the raw emotion of this bond and comes to terms with the connection between them that will always last, even beyond death. When diving even deeper into the lyrics, however, it becomes even more clear whose perspective this is - and what their future will be.
What’s Going On With Osha & Mae? The Acolyte’s Twins & Backstory Explained
The Acolyte episode 3 reveals the key backstory and major history of Mae and her twin sister Osha, including the significance of their conception.
“Power Of Two” Is From Mae’s Perspective
A Line In The Chorus Makes This Clear
The lyrics of “Power of Two” onGeniusmake it very clear that the story of this song is being told from Mae’s perspective. One line in the chorus specifically makes it even more evident, when it speaks of the two being mistaken for one another, particularly by name. It’s described that they feel “shame” whenever this happens, but especially in one specific scenario: when one of them is being blamed for something the other actually did. This more than likely refers toOsha being blamed for the murder of Master IndarainThe Acolyteepisode 1.
I feel the shame when they call me your name /And you feel the same when they say you’re to blame
A line in the pre-chorus also speaks to Mae’s feelings fromThe Acolyteepisode 3, after Osha reveals during their childhood flashback that she wants to be a Jedi rather than a witch. Mae’s reaction is nothing short of emotional, laced with pure betrayal at the thought of her sister leaving her and their life together behind. This line conveys that same feeling of betrayal, speaking of a tether that’s been cut with a “straight truth” -the truth that Osha would have rather left her sister forever as a Jedi than remain by her side as a witch.
While I was tethered to you, you cut it straight to the truth
The Song Conveys Mae’s Possessive Love For Her Twin Sister
She Often Describes Osha As Being Hers
The common thread throughout these lyrics is that Mae clearly feels a possessive kind of love for her twin sister, which matches up with how she acts inThe Acolyteepisode 3. It’s reminiscent of that which Anakin Skywalker felt for Padmé Amidala in theStar Warsprequel trilogy,something that stems from a genuine love but is twisted by fear and desperation. Mae insists that Osha’s soul, which is tethered to her own, isn’t just a “necklace” that can be taken on and off; she instead tells Osha that “you’re mine,” removing Osha’s own agency in the process.
You thought your soul was a necklace / That you could wear and take off / That you could rip and break off / That you could trade in the dark /But you’re mine
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The Last Line Teases Mae’s True Inner Conflict
Mae Is “At War With” Herself
The most fascinating part about the lyrics of this song is that they all culminate in the final line, where Mae confesses the true inner conflict she’s experiencing. As aSith acolyte, she’s no doubt taught to dwell on her emotions of anger, revenge, and more, butthere’s more that Mae is suppressing to dedicate herself to the dark side. The most prominent of these is the true, pure love she has for her sister and the light she sees inside her, and now that she knows Osha is alive, things are not as easy for Mae to figure out.
It’s not beyond reason to think Mae would change her current course if it meant being with Osha again.
This is why, in the final line, it’s written that “I’m at war with myself, it’s a losing game.” Things were, in a way, a lot easier and clearer for Mae when she thought Osha was dead, becauseall she had to focus on was using her power to get revenge for her sister’s death. This turmoil is evident within her whenMaster Soland Yord Fandar tell her about Osha. WhileThe Acolytehas yet to explore the fallout for Mae any further, it’s clear by the end of episode 2 that things won’t be the same for her anymore.
More importantly, it seems as if there’s even a potential path to redemption for Mae, something that is apparent at the core of this song. Mae is so focused on her sister and the bond they share, even referring to her as her “twin flame,” that it’s not beyond reason to think Mae would change her current course if it meant being with Osha again. This is why it’s a “losing game” for Mae; she either has to live her life without Osha, or risk the consequences of leaving her current path inThe Acolytebehind to be with her.
The Acolyte
Cast
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.
