The Acolyte fans 'speechless' over episode 4's dramatic Sith encounter

The Acolyte has returned with another new episode, and the dramatic events of the final 10 minutes has shocked viewers and even left some feeling "speechless".

Disney+'s latest Star Wars series is set in the High Republic era and it explores a period when the Jedi Order was at its peak, but whose power is threatened by the emergence of a dark force. A mysterious Sith, whose name is yet to be revealed, has been pulling the strings of Mae (Amandla Stenberg) who is on a path of revenge against the Jedi who wronged her and her family.

Read more: The Acolyte cast hail Amandla Stenberg as a 'rare talent'

In episode 4 the character's twin sister Osha (also played by Stenberg) chased Mae down to the planet of Khofar, where she intends to kill Wookie Jedi Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo). There, Osha, Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) and others encounter the Sith, who threatens Osha and then prepares an attack on the Jedi Order.

It was this sequence, and its dramatic, unclear conclusion, that viewers were particularly shocked by, with a number of audience members sharing their thoughts on X.

One viewer wrote: "Episode 4 ending. I’m speechless.", while another person commented on the closing moments of the episode by writing: "Yo NGL the last 10 minutes or so of #TheAcolyte [is lit]".

There was one viewer who said it was "another great episode", and another viewer who was drawn into the mystery of the Sith who said: "Omg what an ending WHO ARE THEY?!?????"

Reflecting on how much they enjoyed the way things were developing on the show, another viewer shared: "Ya they cooked with #TheAcolyte EP4 By far the best after 2. Things are about to pick up HARD & this was very much the 'all the pieces are in place' turning point for the plot We've seen nearly every shot from the promos now so we're entering uncharted territory next week."

While there was also one person who wrote: "man today’s #TheAcolyte episode was so damn good! it’s been such a long time to experience creepy chills in [Star Wars] tv".

Read more: Every Star Wars movie in development

The Acolyte will have eight episodes in total, with the story likely to explore the Sith that has been hiding in the shadows and a clash between twins Mae and Osha. Whether the series will also set the stage for the rise of the Sith as an order unto themselves is yet to be seen, but it seems highly possible.

The Acolyte continues Wednesdays on Disney+.