The Acolyte barely revealed the identity of its mysterious Sith in its episode 5 on Disney+, and a theory already links it to the postlogy Star Wars a… Kylo Ren. ATTENTION GROS SPOILERS !
Since its debut on Disney+, the latest Star Wars series, The Acolyte greatly divides fans of the saga. By exploring a period never before addressed by the universe, 100 years before the Phantom Menace, the series takes the risk of encroaching on the foundations of the films, or at least that is what it is criticized for. Even more so with its villain, perhaps linked to a cult Sith Lord.
In its episode 5, which resurrected the prelogy in almost all its aspects, The Acolyte has finally lifted the veil on the identity of its masked antagonist. It was clearly expected, but we were curious to know how he would present himself to the Jedi. And the answer to this question did not fail to unleash passions, even if The most intriguing mystery surrounding it seems to be a connection to… Kylo Ren.
To be or not to be a Sith
“I am what you might call… a Sith.”. This is how Qimir introduces himself to Jedi Master Sol in The Acolyte, when his mask finally falls. The confession seems clear, especially since actor Manny Jacinto confirmed in Entertainment Weekly that it was indeed a Sith Lord.
At the time of the series, only two Sith are supposed to coexista master (Darth Tenebrous or Darth Plagueis if we stick to the chronology) and an apprentice. We would tend to lean towards the latter option, but the wording remains ambiguous. The Acolyte must justify before its conclusion the fact that The Jedi still think the Sith are extinct at the time of the prequel.
Which logically implies that most of the characters in the series will pass away. But also that Qimir might not be a Sith per seand perhaps simply a dark side follower wanting to break away from the rule of two. Which brings us to a theory linking him to the origin of Kylo Rena century and a half later in the saga.
The first knight of Ren?
The postlogy Star Wars barely addressed the transformation of Ben Solo into Kylo Ren, and his alliance with the famous Knights of Ren, a sect of dark side followers historically opposed to the Sith (mostly remembered for their ridiculous presence in L’Ascension de Skywalker). But their recent history has been developed in several comics, including one which tells how Solo killed the leader of the Knights of Ren to take his place.
But what could this have to do with The Acolyte ? It was a simple musical note that alerted some people. Indeed, towards the end of episode 5, we hear the characteristic leitmotif of Kylo Rencomposed by John Williams for The force awakens. Qimir also wears a mask, similar to those of the Knights of Ren, and his reply about the Sith could imply that he has dissociated himself from the Order.
Trained by a Sith Lord, turned renegade, carrying an eccentric lightsaber and a very creepy mask, it would not be surprising if Qimir is indeed linked to the Knights of Ren. Which would be a way for the series to enrich another part of the lore of Star Warswithout damaging that which surrounds the prelogy.
Alongside the known Sith active at this time, he may have created his own Order, less dogmatic and eager to escape the anonymity imposed by the Rule of Two. A tenuous link with Kylo Ren, certainly, but this musical easter egg is possibly not there by chance, and could (finally) close the debate on the presence of the Sith in The Acolyte.
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