‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ Introduces Significant Sith Lord in Live-Action
‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ wrapped up today with its eighth and final episode, marking the end of a turbulent journey. The series has seen its share of controversies, death threats, review manipulation, and everything in between.
Initial responses to the finale were varied, with opinions ranging from positive to lukewarm. The conclusion of Osha’s storyline was particularly unconventional, and while the episode may have lacked depth, it did feature two significant cameo appearances that left an impact.
At the start of the episode, Qimir and Osha embark towards Brendok, aiming to intercept Mae before she can assassinate Master Sol. Inside a cave, a mysterious figure looms in shadows, observing them — none other than Darth Plagueis the Wise, Palpatine’s Sith master.
In live-action, details about Plagueis are scarce beyond Palpatine’s accounts. His obsession with immortality drove him to experiment with science, midi-chlorians, and the Force, seeking to create life and evade death.
Plagueis ultimately failed in his quest, falling victim to his Sith apprentice as dictated by the Rule of Two. Nonetheless, his teachings persisted through Palpatine, influencing pivotal moments such as the temptation of Anakin Skywalker to the Dark Side with promises of preventing death.
Now we understand that the situation is much more intricate, with even Palpatine himself managing only a technical prolongation of his life through a series of imperfect clones that could not restore him to his former glory.
What implications does the introduction of Darth Plagueis have for live-action Star Wars? The series tantalizingly hints at several possibilities. While the exact moment Plagueis chose Palpatine as his apprentice remains unknown, the show prompts us to speculate whether he had a previous apprentice before Sheev.
Moreover, it raises questions about Plagueis’s potential involvement in the creation of Osha and Mae, and whether he had any contact with the Witches of Brendok. Given his experiments with midi-chlorians and their influence on life creation, such connections seem highly plausible.
The show left much ambiguity regarding whether Qimir was aware of the Sith Lord. However, given Qimir’s knowledge of the Power of Two and his understanding of Mae and Osha’s true nature, it suggests he may have been trained by the Sith Lord and tasked with finding the sisters.
Alternatively, it’s possible that Plagueis had no hand in creating Osha and Mae but stumbled upon them accidentally. His interest in the power wielded by Mother Aniseya led him to observe the sisters closely.
Headland has hinted at a plan to intertwine ‘The Acolyte’ with the stories of Plagueis and Palpatine, acknowledging the complexity and potential messiness of such a task. If subsequent seasons are produced, fans hope she can deliver on her promise.
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