Ace Surprise Guest Makes Stunning Appearance in The Acolyte's Final Scene
In the final episode of The Acolyte, a shocking revelation lurks just beneath the surface. This unexpected twist may significantly influence the future of the Star Wars universe.
The pivotal moment arrives within the first act of "The Acolyte's" eighth episode. Osha enters a tenuous alliance with the mysterious dark sider known as the Stranger. After receiving a vision in the Force about her twin, Mae, seeming to plot against their former Jedi Master Sol, they prepare to leave their secluded island. Instead of following Osha and the Stranger, The Acolyte cuts to a nearby cave, revealing the eerie visage of a dark, alien figure.
This unsettling character bears an uncanny resemblance to one of Star Wars' most notorious villains: Darth Plagueis the Wise. Although the show never explicitly names the figure, Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland has confirmed that this is indeed intended to be Plagueis. "Plagueis was always in the finale, in every version," Headland told IndieWire. "I was okay with having the cameo come so early if it meant I could wrap up these characters in a way that [Osha and the Stranger's] final shot was not a, 'And he's been pulling the strings the whole time.'"
Darth Plagueis in Star Wars Canon
Speaking of Palpatine's master, little is known about Plagueis in the current Star Wars continuity. He recruited Palpatine prior to the events of The Phantom Menace and worked with him to unlock the secrets to immortality. Their methods included scientific research, manipulation of the living Force, the practice of transference, and utilizing a dyad in the Force. Plagueis also aided Palpatine in his political rise within the Republic Senate. However, their relationship ended tragically, as Palpatine betrayed and killed Plagueis in his sleep, a tale he later retold to Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith.
There is more known about Plagueis in the Expanded Universe, such as his apprenticeship to Darth Tenebrous, his betrayal of Tenebrous on Bal'demnic, and the origin of cortosis. But much of this has not been included in the rebooted continuity.
Darth Plagueis and The Acolyte's Future
Though no future seasons of The Acolyte have been confirmed, showrunner Leslye Headland intends to delve deeper into the character of Plagueis if given the opportunity. "If I continue to get to tell this story, I know how I would like [Plagueis' rise] to play out. And I would say I think it's pretty complicated and messy," Headland told Nerdist. Her desire to explore Plagueis continues due to his eventual role in Palpatine's rise and the potential connections to Osha and her twin sister Mae. With the Stranger guiding Osha and Mae's powers and the mysterious intervention of Plagueis, the foundation for a dark, tangled web of intrigue is set.
"Even though [Osha and the Stranger] are standing there, sort of looking out at the sunset, ready to conquer the world, the tragedy is we know they don't," Headland said. "We know there can only be two. We know Plagueis is there. We know that these two are doomed in some way. So to me it's a bittersweet tragedy, this foreboding ending." Should The Acolyte continue, Plagueis will remain a pivotal figure in its dark side mysteries, leading to a riveting exploration of the Rule of Two.
Stay tuned for updates on future Star Wars projects and the potential continuation of The Acolyte.
- In an interview with IndieWire, showrunner Leslye Headland confirmed that the dark, alien figure in The Acolyte's finale bears a resemblance to the infamous Star Wars villain, Darth Plagueis the Wise.
- Despite little known about Plagueis in the current Star Wars continuity, Headland intends to delve deeper into his character if given the opportunity for future seasons of The Acolyte.
- Osha's and Mae's final shots in the finale of The Acolyte were not a simple conquer-the-world moment, as Headland explained; their tragic end is foreshadowed by the presence of Plagueis and the Rule of Two.
- In the Star Wars universe, Darth Plagueis was known for his significant influence on Palpatine's rise, and Headland sees potential connections between Plagueis, Osha, and Mae, setting the stage for a complex and intriguing exploration of the dark side's mysteries in future seasons of The Acolyte.
