Movies News Talk
Grandmaster Yoda's brief appearance in the season finale of The Acolyte delighted Star Wars universe fans. Showrunner Leslye Headland has hinted at a more major role for Yoda should The Acolyte be renewed for a second season, even though his involvement in the first season was limited to a quick meeting with Vernestra Rwoh. Headland underlined in an Entertainment Weekly interview the intentionality of Yoda's cameo, noting that it sets up next narratives.
The second Acolyte season is supposed to explore the riddle around the mysterious Stranger, the former pupil of Vernestra Rwoh. Though his identity is still unknown, it is established that The Stranger was formerly Padawan for Vernestra. Vernestra turned against her apprentice after he descended into the dark side, confronting him with her lightsaber whip, thus there are significant ramifications. The second season's central focus most likely will be Vernestra's search for the Stranger.
Vernestra's choice to answer Grandmaster Yoda following Stranger's presence on Brendok points to a close relationship between the two. It is reasonable that Vernestra travels in search of Yoda's wisdom and counsel. Reflecting Mace Windu's role in the prequels, she is hinted to be a major member of the Jedi Order, maybe in a capacity of Master. This points to a close working relationship between Yoda and Vernestra, so suggesting why Yoda's appearance in The Acolyte season 2 is probably more important.
The discovery of the Sith Rule of Two by the Jedi presents one of the main riddles The Acolyte seeks to answer. This discovery is important since it runs against the Jedi's earlier conviction that the Sith were extinct. Yoda will most likely learn the Rule of Two by Vernestra's search for The Stranger. Yoda must, however, not completely understand the truth regarding the Stranger's relationship to the Sith. He has to keep under the belief that the Sith Order is extinct and the Stranger was not a real Sith. This would uphold the accepted story of the prequels, whereby the Jedi remain ignorant of the Sith's presence.
It is yet unknown whether The Acolyte would be renewed for a second season. Although the show did enough for Disney+, its high production costs and negative reaction have begged problems about its future. Should a renewal decision be taken, it is most likely going to be revealed at the forthcoming D23 conference. Therefore, the future of The Acolyte determines Yoda's fate regarding his participation.