Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte, episode 8
Summary
Following the first season ofThe Acolyte,Star Warsfinally has the chance to tell the story I’ve been waiting 19 years to see in live-action. As seen inThe Acolyte’sfinale episode, none other than Darth Plagueis made a cameo appearance 100 years before the events ofThe Phantom Menace. Now, an exciting opportunity exists to reveal the canonical history of Palpatine’s Sith master, one that hopefully takes inspiration from Legends.
Not much is canonically known aboutDarth Plagueis, the alien Muun Sith Lord who trained Darth Sidious aka Palpatine. However, Legends stories from before the Disney continuity purge depict a captivating arc and journey for the Dark Lord, revealing the murder of his own master and origins before his eventual discovery of Palpatine, the bulk of which can be found in theDarth Plagueisnovel by James Luceno. To that end,I really do want a second season ofThe Acolyte, if only to see more of Plagueis and hopefully, portions of his legacy as they were shown in Legends.
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Star Wars Teased Darth Plagueis 19 Years Ago, & He’s Finally Here
“The Tragedy Of Darth Plagueis The Wise”
Darth Plagueis was first introduced and referenced in theStar Warscanon 19 years ago in 2005’sRevenge of the Sith. The final film in George Lucas' prequel trilogy, Palpatine’s attempts to seduce Anakin Skywalker to the dark side were in full swing. This included “The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise”, a tale about Palpatine’s Sith master and his legendary power to create life by manipulating the Force and the ability to prevent the ones he cared about from dying. However,Palpatine eventually killed Plagueis in his sleep, in accordance with the traditions of the Sith’s Rule of Two.
Now,The Acolytehas not only revealed the Witches of Brendok who created new life by manipulating the Force, but also Plagueis himself who’s seen hiding and observing from the shadowson the remote ocean world which the dark side user Qimir (Manny Jacinto) calls home. By the end of this first season, it’s not yet clear what Plagueis' connection is with Qimir. However, it’s likely that Plagueis holds a particular interest in Osha (Amandla Stenberg) one of the beings created by the aforementioned witches (along with her twin sister Mae).
Dark Force Powers, Palpatine Origins, And More
The chance to see Palgueis in canon and live-action is truly exciting. According to Legends and Luceno’s novel,Plagueis had immense power over theStar Warsgalaxy, both as a Sith Lord and as the Muun financier Hego Damask. He used his influence to shape the galaxy and weaken the Republic, all while operating in the shadows and conducting all sorts of Force experiments, many of which were intended to prolong his life and achieve true immortality. To that end,the journey of Plagueis in canon could take key inspiration from Legends, while also answering major mysteries.
A new Plagueis story in the official canon can answer much about Palpatine, perhaps explaining his own canonical desire to cheat death as seen with Project Necromancer and his eventual resurrection in the sequels. Likewise,Plagueis' activities beforeThe Phantom Menace(and his own demise) can help establish just how much he was able to control and manipulate the Force, perhaps even going beyond what Palpatine shared with Anakin inRevenge of the Sith. Furthermore, the power to create life originating with theWitches of Brendoksuggests that future seasons could see Plagueis attempting to learn and claim this power for himself.
If Only To Get More Live-Action Plagueis
There are so many possibilities to expand the dark side and Sith history with new Plagueis stories in the officialStar Warscanon. Honestly, anything would make me happy so long as more elements about Plagueis' power and legacy are revealed, even if they contradict what’s been seen before in Legends.That said, Plagueis being depicted as an alien Muun inThe Acolyteis a great sign, a fact that had only ever been established in Legends.Darth Plagueis remaining a Muun in the newStar Warscanondoes make me confident thatAcolyteshowrunner Leslye Headland will at least pay homage to what’s come before, even if Palpatine’s master is taken in another direction. After all, the Sith Lord will likely receive new stories/arcs with future seasons of the newStar Warsshow, and it’d be silly to expect a perfect replica of Legends considering the events ofThe Acolyte. At any rate,I’m desperately hoping that a second season ofThe Acolyteis greenlit by Lucasfilm sooner rather than later, if only to get more live-action Darth Plagueis.All episodes ofThe Acolyteare now streaming on Disney+.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
