'The Acolyte' Finale's Darth Plagueis Reveal Paves A Path Straight ...

Darth Plagueis

While The Acolyte did in fact have a “last minute” big cameo in the form of Master Yoda, before that, it slid in an arguably bigger reveal right in the middle of the episode: our first live-action look at the infamous Darth Plagueis, creeping in the shadows on the mystery island, obviously as Qimir’s master who molded him in the ways of the Sith, the way he’s now molding his new acolyte, Osha.

Who is Darth Plagueis? Well, as a refresher, let’s hear it straight from Palpatine himself in the prequels, as he explains it to Anakin:

"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis The Wise? I thought not. It’s not a story the Jedi would tell you. It’s a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create life… He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying. The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural. He became so powerful… the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. Ironic. He could save others from death, but not himself."

Fans had theorized that Plagueis might show up in The Acolyte, given that Qimir likely needed some sort of master. Plus, everyone believed the planet Qimir was on was Bal’demnic, home to a bunch of cortosis and controlled by Darth Tenebrous and Darth Plagueis. At least in the EU, which The Acolyte is now making canon, as it has with other bits and pieces of those old stories.

The apprentice who kills Plagueis that story is referring to is meant to be Palpatine, Darth Sidious. But before Sidious, the idea appears to be that during his artificially extended life, he had another apprentice in the form of Qimir, a new character who’s future fate is now unknown, given his introduction in the show.

The Acolyte

But what I believe The Acolyte is doing is setting Plagueis up to do arguably the most important thing in Star Wars history, create life out of the force, and it appears the storyline of Osha and Mae is the key to that, along with the vergence on their planet. That creation by their mother went…a bit wrong, given that it split their consciousness into two people. But I feel like the idea is probably that Plagueis eventually learned or acquired the power to do the same thing with Anakin, a “pure” vergence birth where he would eventually become the most important Jedi/Sith ever.

Right now that’s just a theory, but the combination of confirmation that Plagueis is lurking around and knowing, at least to some extent, how the twins were created sets up the situation perfectly for this to happen.

Anakin

But…will it? It remains to be seen if the hyper-expensive, little-watched will be renewed for season 2. I don’t think Disney cares about YouTuber/Twitter drama surrounding the show, but it’s a tall order given the reported $180 million budget and the apparent fact it might be its least-watched Disney Plus Star Wars show to date.

I hope we see it continue. There is too much interesting stuff going on to just end the story now. We know creator Leslye Headland has distinct plans for season 2. I hope she gets to realize them.

Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.