Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte finale.
Summary
The Acolytefinale was jam-packed with revelations and twists, including Jedi MasterVernestra Rwoh’sshocking decision to conceal the truth from the Senate and the Jedi by falsely blaming Master Sol for the Jedi murders. ThisStar Warsshow was truly like nothing else ever seen inStar Warsmovies and TV shows, in part because it was set up as a mystery. However,The Acolytewent far beyond a standard whodunit, instead revealing the cracks and fissures that would eventually lead to the Jedi’s demise.
This was certainly the case when it came to Vernestra Rwoh’s decision to lie to the Senate and the Jedi. Although she explainedwhat happened on Brendok, she stated that it was Sol who killed the other Jedi who had been stationed on the planet with him to protect the secret of what he’d done. She also concealed any information about Qimir/the Stranger and the fact that he’d taken Osha with him yet again. However,Vernestra’s decision to lie seems to have plenty to do with the future of the Jedi.
The Acolyte’s Surprise Cameo Fixes A 25-Year-Old Phantom Menace Problem
This shocking cameo at the end of The Acolyte’s final episode has massive implications for The Phantom Menace and for the entire prequel trilogy.
Vernestra Rwoh
As many had suspected based on Qimir’s scar and Vernestra’s lightwhip,Qimir and Vernestra had previous history. In fact, the two had the closest personal relationship permissible in the Jedi Order: master and apprentice. This theory had circulated online quite a bit because Qimir implied that his former Jedi master had given him his scar, and the scar seemed to so clearly match with the lightwhip Vernestra wields. While the episode didn’t confirm that such a battle transpired, leaving Qimir with his scar,The Acolytefinale confirmed that Qimir was once Vernestra’s apprentice before he fell to the dark side.
The Acolytefinale confirmed that Qimir was once Vernestra’s apprentice before he fell to the dark side.
This history is undoubtedly why Vernestra wanted to conceal the emergence of her former Padawan, although it isn’t the same thing as Obi-Wan seeking Anakin on Mustafar or even confronting him later inObi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan still harbored guilt and shame over Anakin’s fate, and it’s clear that he was conflicted about having once loved him as a brother.Vernestra does not seem conflicted or guilt-ridden about Qimir at all; rather, she seems to want to deal with him herself.
There are a number of reasons why Vernestra would want to handle this independently (or, perhaps, with Master Yoda and Mae’s help), none of them having to do with lingering sentimentality. For one, Vernestra worked hard throughout the finale to cover the Jedi’s tracks and ensure the Senate didn’t further investigate them to protect the future of the Jedi. For another, perhaps Vernestra has a few secrets of her own.
Maybe the fate of her Padawan is under wraps. That would certainly explain why the Jedi hadn’t actively been pursuing tracking down this dark side Force-user. After all, presumably, such a person would pose a massive threat not only to the Jedi but also to the larger galaxy. And,Vernestra has proven she’s willing to engage in a bit of deception to protect the Jedi and the Order.
Sol
In truth,the Jedi made a number of grave errors throughoutThe Acolyte, not only back on Brendok 16 years prior but also throughout the hunt for Osha and Mae. Sol, in particular, had several missteps. Sadly, it does seem to be true that most (if not all) of the Jedi really did have the best intentions, but their flaws and weaknesses—such as Sol’s unwarranted belief that he must kill Mother Aniseya to save the girls—caused things to go south multiple times.
Why Did Sol Kill Mae & Osha’s Mother
The Acolyte episode 7 finally revealed what really happened on Brendok 16 years ago, including that Sol killed Mother Aniseya for complex reasons.
It makes sense that Vernestra would want to keep the truth hidden from the Senate and even from the other Jedi. Clearly, some senators were also sniffing around, and Senator Rayencourt in particular had it out for the Jedi. In fact, Rayencourt repeated a lot of the rhetoric that would eventually be used by the Empire to justify the eradication of the Jedi, expressing trepidation and even disdain for the power the Jedi wielded and the beliefs they upheld.
Presumably, Vernestra believed that if the Senate and the citizens of the Republic discovered that four Jedi had massacredthe witches of Brendok16 years ago and then taken one of the coven’s children to be trained as a Jedi (only for her to be kicked out later), they might turn against the Jedi. In fact,she may have even feared that some Jedi within the Order would begin to doubt the Jedi. This has proven extremely dangerous in the franchise, not only with Anakin Skywalker but also with characters like Barriss Offee.
Vern’s True Motives Have To Be Explained In The Acolyte Season 2
For better or worse,The Acolytewas written with a season 2 clearly in mind. Even the finale ended with multiple cliffhangers, from the appearance of a mysterious figure who seems to be the Sith Lord Darth Plagueis to the cameo of Master Yoda himself in the show’s final scene. Therefore,Vernestra Rwoh’s intentions will undoubtedly be revealed in season 2if the show is picked up for a second season.
At present, no second season has been confirmed. It will be a shame if the show does not get renewed, asThe Acolytedoes leave a number of questions on the table, making the events preceding the prequel trilogy a bit unclear. However, it’s clear enough that Vernestra feared the Senate and the Jedi discovering the truth inThe Acolyte, suggesting that so much more was at stake.
