Star Wars: The Acolyte Introduced a Fan-Favorite Villain in the Finale

Star Wars: The Acolyte Introduced a Fan-Favorite Villain in the Finale

Summary

  • The Acolyte
    finale confirms the long-awaited appearance of Darth Plagueis, setting up a potentially dark and intriguing second season.
  • Plagueis’ history with Palpatine and the Sith Rule of Two hints at a power struggle between Qimir, Osha, and their mysterious master.
  • With Plagueis’ interest in Osha’s unique origins, Season 2 of
    The Acolyte
    , should it be renewed, promises a complex journey into the dark side of the Force.

As a long-time Star Wars fan with a deep appreciation for the rich history of the galaxy far, far away, I can’t help but feel excited and intrigued by the recent developments surrounding Plagueis in Disney+’s The Acolyte. Having grown up devouring every novel, comic book, and expanded universe tale that delved into the darker corners of the Force, I’ve become intimately familiar with the Sith Master who supposedly discovered the secret to creating life through the power of the Dark Side.


In this piece, a warning: the finale of Disney+’s debut “The Acolyte” season for “Star Wars” may reveal surprises better experienced unspoiled. Amid varied fan responses, some acclaim it as an exceptional original addition to the “Star Wars” legacy, while others criticize it as a disappointing creation under Disney-owned Lucasfilm. The majority of viewers find themselves somewhere in between.

Despite personal opinions on “The Acolyte” storyline, it’s indisputable that the series significantly expanded the “Star Wars” universe on-screen. In its final episode, a hint was dropped for potential future seasons – the confirmation of the elusive Sith Lord, Darth Plagueis. Fans have longed to see this character on-screen since the prequels, and their wish has been granted. Therefore, let’s delve into the background of Darth Plagueis and explore how he might influence the next season of “The Acolyte.”

Darth Plagueis the Wise Makes a Brief Appearance in The Acolyte

Star Wars: The Acolyte Introduced a Fan-Favorite Villain in the FinaleStar Wars: The Acolyte Introduced a Fan-Favorite Villain in the FinaleStar Wars: The Acolyte Introduced a Fan-Favorite Villain in the Finale

As a dedicated Star Wars gamer, I can tell you that I first heard about the enigmatic character of Darth Plagueis in 2005. This revelation came during the final chapter of Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, which marked the end of the prequel trilogy. In this pivotal scene, Chancellor Palpatine shared the chilling tale of Plagueis with Anakin Skywalker. The way Palpatine narrated “The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise” left a lasting impression on me and countless other fans. He spoke of this ancient Sith Lord’s insatiable thirst for immortality, which ultimately led to his own downfall.

In this intriguing scene, there are numerous complex levels at play. One of the most significant is the hidden truth that Palpatine was once Plagueis’ apprentice, and it was he who murdered the revered Sith Lord in his sleep. Palpatine then employs this story to lure Anakin towards the Dark Side, igniting Anakin’s desire to harness the same powers Plagueis had used to save his wife, Padmé Amidala. Eventually, Palpatine’s scheme proves successful, as Anakin succumbs completely to the Dark Side and transforms into Darth Vader, the new Sith apprentice under Palpatine’s guidance.

Darth Plagueis” by James Luceno, these stories became non-canon after Disney bought Lucasfilm. References to him have been made in recent novels like “Tarkin” and “Shadow of the Sith,” but they didn’t delve deeply into his story. The upcoming series “The Acolyte” guarantees an exploration of Plagueis’ story within Star Wars canon, and there are several possibilities for how this could be done.

The Sith Rule of Two in Star Wars

Star Wars: The Acolyte Introduced a Fan-Favorite Villain in the FinaleStar Wars: The Acolyte Introduced a Fan-Favorite Villain in the FinaleStar Wars: The Acolyte Introduced a Fan-Favorite Villain in the Finale

In the final scenes of “The Acolyte,” Plagueis makes an appearance, but it’s still unclear what exact part he plays in the story. Fans are left guessing, with many believing that Plagueis is the master to Qimir, or The Stranger, who is portrayed as the main antagonist. This theory adheres to the Sith doctrine of “The Rule of Two,” which states that only two Sith can coexist – a master and an apprentice. Since Qimir hadn’t formally taken Mae Aniseya under his wing at the start of the series, it’s likely he has a different master. The emergence of Plagueis in the finale fits well with this hypothesis.

In Star Wars lore, the Rule of Two usually unfolds in two distinct manners: either the apprentice eliminates their master and assumes the role of master, subsequently selecting a new apprentice; or the master ends the life of their apprentice and replaces them with a stronger one. At times, a Sith apprentice might secretly train a disciple to ultimately betray and eliminate their own master. An illustrative instance is Count Dooku, who was once Darth Sidious’s apprentice and covertly mentored Asajj Ventress as part of this sinister scheme. It is believed that Sidious may have adopted similar tactics when training Darth Maul before eliminating Plagueis.

As a long-time fan of Star Wars lore, I’ve spent countless hours delving into the intricacies of the Sith Order and its enigmatic members. Based on my extensive research and understanding of the storyline presented in “The Acolyte,” I believe there are two possible scenarios that could unfold.

The Road to Tragedy in The Acolyte

In any path chosen by Lucasfilm for the character of Plagueis in the second installment of “The Acolyte,” it’s unlikely that Qimir and Osha will meet favorable ends. This prediction arises from the fact that, according to Star Wars canon, Plagueis eventually becomes Palpatine’s master, who subsequently kills him. The tales of Qimir and Osha are original creations set approximately a century prior to Palpatine’s apprenticeship with Darth Maul in “Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” which marked the start of Plagueis’ demise.

In the course of the “Star Wars” saga, it has been established that Palpatine, aka Darth Sidious, had a habit of setting his apprentices against formidable force-users. His intention was to foster fierce competition and ultimately identify the strongest new Sith contender. He initiated this pattern by instructing Anakin Skywalker to eliminate Count Dooku in “Revenge of the Sith,” and subsequently put Darth Vader through rigorous tests against other powerful Jedi and Sith, such as Luke Skywalker at the conclusion of “Return of the Jedi.” In “The Acolyte,” Plagueis may follow suit by inciting Qimir and Osha to clash, with the intention of mentoring the more capable victor.

As a longtime fan of Star Wars lore, I can’t help but be intrigued by the potential developments in “The Acolyte” Season 2, given the rich backstory of Plagueis and Osha’s unique origins. Having followed the saga for decades, I believe that Plagueis will be drawn to Osha like a moth to a flame, fueled by his obsession with immortality and the power to create life through the Force.

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2024-07-19 04:01