The Jedi Cover-Up on Malachor
Six years ago, the Star Wars universe introduced a major Jedi Order conspiracy that’s even bigger than what’s currently being depicted in The Acolyte. The Sith Planet Malachor is central to the story, and its events took place thousands of years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
What Happened on Malachor
The Sith Planet Malachor was the site of the Great Scourge of Malachor. This battle pitted the Sith against the Jedi Order, and a Sith Lord Darth Tanis had a powerful Force-powered weapon hidden within a Sith temple. During the battle, the weapon was activated, killing all life on the planet. It’s believed the Jedi removed all records of the planet, creating a cover-up to prevent potential exploration. This conspiracy echoes another, as Count Dooku removed all records of the planet Kamino.
The Acolyte's Jedi Conspiracy
While The Acolyte explores the High Republic era and also focuses on a Jedi cover-up, it pales in comparison to the Great Scourge of Malachor. The events of The Acolyte revolve around Vernestra Rwoh’s involvement in a cover-up on the planet Brendok regarding the death of four Jedi masters, which sets the stage for a dark side story that might have consequences.
The Significance of Malachor
The story of Malachor plays a key role in shaping the Jedi Order's reputation in the Star Wars universe. The Jedi's actions to remove all references to Malachor in their Jedi Archives reflect a potential flaw in their moral system. Their attempts to erase history may show the Jedi Order to be less pure than originally assumed.
Star Wars: Rebels & Malachor
Malachor was also featured in Star Wars: Rebels, and serves as the location where Ahsoka Tano faces her former master, Darth Vader, in an emotional and epic confrontation. While the rebels visited the planet during its later stages, they were able to experience some of the lasting impact of the weapon used in the Great Scourge of Malachor. The planet is now seen as a world filled with a history of darkness and conflict.
Star Wars Jedi
The Jedi, who serve as the light side force wielders in the Star Wars galaxy, face a constant threat from the Sith, who embrace the dark side. The Jedi have historically been depicted as a symbol of peace, but as these stories demonstrate, there have been times where their actions have caused great destruction.
