I Can't Take It Anymore

I can't take it anymore

Osha is desperately in need of connection and understanding. The Stranger is kind of the first person to provide that for her in a truly authentic way, without trying to make her be anything else [...] I think that kind of understanding has a lot of romantic tension in it. And so, it's sort of born out of those characters, the points they are in their life.

--Amandla Stenberg - Star Wars Needs The Acolyte Season 2 (And So Do I) (IGN)

Manny Jacinto aka Qimir/The Stranger talks about the difference between Maemir and Oshamir.

“Did you give the same pitch to my sister?”

There’s so much complexity in this very loaded question. I keep thinking about it. What might’ve happened had Qimir confirmed her suspicions, reinforcing her internalized belief that no one saw her as special or different to Mae? That this stunningly handsome man, full of his own contradictions, gave the same tending to her twin?

Time and again she reiterates, “I’m not my sister”, and this is purposeful. Osha craves to have things that are hers and hers alone, as her insecurities are most prevalent when Mae is brought up. Obvious (and legitimate) cautions aside, I think Osha feels that all Qimir wants is someone who functions as a more docile, physically identical Mae. Initially Mae was more gifted in the Force, a better fighter, held more confidence, had longer hair, and strutted like she commanded any room. She served her Master for years until recently, so all these factors are considerations in Osha’s mind. And this is on top of everything else that makes her attraction to Qimir forbidden as it is.

I also don’t think Osha sees herself as all that beautiful, much less as beautiful as Mae. Because of this, his obsession fascination with her comes off as insincere at best and humiliating at worst (in her mind). As if to toy with her hesitant desire - play with her fragile emotions. She can’t imagine him choosing her, or wanting her for who she is.

I hope Osha’s inner monologue is explored more next season.

The Jedi teach there's only one way to access the Force, and if you don't do it their way, it fades. But there is another way. Below the surface of consciousness are powerful emotions. Anger. Fear. Loss... Desire. That's the path to the dark side. Semantics. The Acolyte (2024)

edit: added some ep.8 ones cuz I'm going insane

The way they’re subtly eyef*cking checking out each other with bedroom eyes is crazyyyyyy. They’re NOT beating the desperate for each other allegations.