One year after the release ofThe Acolyte, I still think there’s a chance forStar Warsto pay off the show’sDarth Plagueisreveal, even if it happens in a way nobody expected. Making his on-screen debut in the recent live-action series, Darth Plagueis made a quick cameo at the end ofThe Acolyte,teasing a future arc that will most likely never come to pass thanks to the show’s cancellation. However, that doesn’t mean that otherStar Warsprojects couldn’t finish what the show started, at least concerning new canon Darth Plagueis details.
As seen in the live-action High Republic series, select members of the Jedi Order are shown encountering a Sith Lord a hundred years beforeThe Phantom Menace. While his true name is never revealed, it was ultimately confirmed that"The Stranger" has connections to Darth Plagueishimself.Now, I have a hunch thatStar Warsmay still be able to provide new insights into Darth Plagueis and his enigmatic history in the official canon, despiteThe Acolyte’scancellation after its first season.
The Acolyte Gave Darth Plagueis His On-Screen Debut
Palpatine’s Powerful Sith Master
InThe Acolyte,Manny Jacinto’s Qimir aka The Strangeris revealed to be a Sith in search of a new pupil or “acolyte”.While he originally chose Mae Aniseya to be his new student, the series ultimately saw The Stranger pivoting to her equally powerful twin sister, Osha, who’d once been a Jedi apprentice before she left the Jedi Order. This was much like Qimir himself, as the series heavily implied he was once trained by the Jedi too, before leaving to learn the ways of the dark side.
Likewise, it’s been confirmed thatDarth Plagueis the Wise became The Stranger’s master, the very same Sith Lord who trained Palpatine/Darth Sidious. To that end, Plagueis himself was shown lurking in the caves Qimir called home, observing both The Stranger and his new apprentice at the end ofThe Acolyte. As such,Darth Plagueis presumably would have played a role in future seasons ofThe Acolyte, had Lucasfilm not ended the show due to viewership numbers reportedly not justifying the expense.
We May Still Get New Darth Plagueis Details In 2025
Thanks To An Upcoming Darth Vader & Palpatine Novel
That being said, the upcomingMaster of Evilnovel by Adam Christopher has me very intrigued. A newStar Warsnovel set to be published in November of this year,Master of Evilwill be focused on Darth Vader during the days of the early Empire, shortly after bleeding his Sith kyber crystal.Seeking to unlock powers over life and death which Palpatine had promised Vader inRevenge of the Sith, the book’s synopsis confirms Darth Sidious has only ever hinted at this power, though he’ll be “suspiciously” supportive of his apprentice’s goals.
Keeping that in mind, it’s worth remembering Palpatine’s words to the newly corrupted Anakin when he pledged his service to Sidious with the “promise” he’d help Skywalker save Padmé’s life:
“To cheat death is an ability only one has achieved, but together we can work to unlock the secret.”
The “only one” in question is Darth Plagueis, whose ability to generate the creation of life and prevent death was a key part in Palpatine successfully seducing Anakin to the dark side.To that end, I’m very hopeful that the upcomingMaster of Evilnovel will feature some new insights about Palpatine’s master, perhaps even some details adapted from 2012’sDarthPlagueisnovel, which was rendered non-canonical following Disney’s Lucasfilm purchase. Even simply re-canonizing elements from that original book would be exciting, especially considering how little is known about the Sith Lord in the official continuity.
Lucasfilm Needs To Consider A High Republic Sith Lord Spin-Off
Continuing Plagueis and The Stranger’s Story
DespiteThe Acolyte’slow viewership numbers, there’s something to be said for a newStar Warsproject set during theHigh Republic Era, one focused more on the Sith hiding in the shadows and a smaller cast.A theoretical spin-off or prequel starring Darth Plagueis and/or The Stranger does sound compelling, as they’re both arguably the most spin-off worthy characters with the most widespread appeal. Likewise, perhaps a spin-off could get even closer to the prequels starring Plagueis and a younger Palpatine, revealing more of their dynamics and the origins of the Sith who would become Emperor.
