The Acolyte Sith Lord Identity: Notes and Interpretive Strategies
Living one century before the events of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte presents an enigmatic new Sith Apprentice. A thousand years before the prequels, the conflict between the Jedi and the Sith concluded; the Jedi thought the Sith had become extinct. Actually, based on the Rule of Two, Darth Bane had changed the Sith such that there should only ever be two Sith at any one moment and that they should operate in the shadows to subvert the Jedi.
Set 100 years before the prequels, The Acolyte boasts a mystery new Sith. Although trailers have shown him in conflict with the Jedi, therefore proving himself a force to be reckoned with, it is yet unknown whether this is the Sith Lord or the Apprentice. What hints have been provided thus far on this enigmatic Sith?
The Sith Seeking an Apprentice
One first has to grasp The Acolyte's storyline. Mae is practically doing an audition for the post of Apprentice, and this enigmatic Sith seems to be looking for one. As told in Charles Soule and Giuseppe Camuncoli's 2017 #1, a would-be apprentice must prove themselves by killing a Jedi and capturing their kyber crystal - which they subsequently bleed red utilizing the dark side, using it for their own red Lightsaber. The Acolyte has likely added still another wrinkle: either the Acolyte must triumph unarmed or employ the lightsaber of their victim.
This background clarifies the function of the Sith at this stage. This could perhaps be a Sith Lord who has lost his pupil, but more likely it is a Sith pupil getting ready to challenge his Master. That might help to explain why Leslye Headland, the showrunner for The Acolyte, has eliminated so many Rule of Two cues. Strangely, Mae does not fit the recognized line of Baneite Sith, which suggests that she will most likely be headed in a quite strange and deadly way.
The Sith Lord of the Acolyte could be dark tenebrous.
But whomever might this Sith be? The first contender is Star Wars Legend villain Darth Tenebrous, who would have been around during this junctur in the chronology. Once mentioned once in Star Wars canon, Build the Millennium Falcon #44 exposed he's quite similar to his Legends form. " Said to be one of the fruits of the creative genius of Raith Sienar, the renowned designer's involvement in the project was later disputed, and the ship is thought to have actually been designed by Darth Tenebrous, the Sith Master of Darth Plagueis," notes that magazine on describing Darth Maul's Sith Interceptor.
Under Legends, Darth Tenebrous was a Bith wearing a respirator. There are some parallels between features of the Sith helmet in The Acolyte and Darth Tenebrous's respirator, which suggests this is most likely the canon version of Tenebrous. Though that prospect is fascinating, there is one other choice as well.
Sith Lord of the Acolyte Could be Darth Plagueis Himself
The second choice is Sith Lord destined to become Palpatine's lord, Darth Plagueis. Plagueis, a member of the long-lived Muuns, has only been seen in shadow in canon; so, there is no actual visual source to let one compare him to. Star Wars: Timelines claims that Plagueis hired an Apprentice in 65BBY who was 19-year-old Palpatine. By now Plagueis was fixated on the mystery of immortality and concentrated on teaching Midi-chlorian manipulation to produce life.
If this is truly DHCP, then at this moment in The Acolyte he is most likely only an Apprentice himself, getting ready to kill his Master. Mae is his first Apprentice; she does not survive the experience, hence Plagueis is compelled to search elsewhere and finally makes it to Palpatine. Should this be actually Plagueis, the Sith Lord of The Acolyte could have Force powers hitherto unseen by the Jedi.
Is This an Actual Sith at All?
Some have hypothesised that the helmet's design is purposefully evocative of those used by the Knights of Ren, not at all a Sith. First presented in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, the Knights of Ren are said to have lived for millennia. Particularly active on the Outer Rim, far from the impact of the Jedi Order, they respect the dark side, sometimes referred to as "the Shadow." Kylo Ren's modulated speech does sound somewhat similar to the twisted voice of the enigmatic being in The Acolyte.
Though this is a fascinating idea, it is not likely. Leslye Headland has spent much time talking about the Sith and her wish to remove their mask and expose their true motivations. Therefore, it is improbable that The Acolyte would highlight such a strong and influential non-Sith. This most likely is a Sith, a well-known dark figure from Star Wars history who will undoubtedly be always influential.
The Acolyte: Further Examining the Sith
Set in the Star Wars world toward the conclusion of the High Republic Era, the television series The Acolyte follows the Jedi and the Galactic Empire while they were most influential. Investigating many crimes—all leading to darkness bursting from under the surface and ready to bring about the death of the High Republic—this sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunited with her old Jedi Master.
The introduction of a mystery Sith figure by The Acolyte starts an intriguing new chapter in Star Wars mythology. Before the events of the Skywalker Saga, the series offers a special chance to investigate the Sith's beginnings, reasons, and evolution of power. Through exploring this age, The Acolyte hopes to provide fresh understanding of the forces of evil that have always molded the galaxy, so illuminating the complex and changing link between the Jedi and the Sith.
