Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 8.
Summary
Leslye Headland, the showrunner ofThe Acolyte, spoke about Darth Plagueis' momentous cameo in the season finale and teased what he might be up to in the future. The season finale ofThe Acolyterevealed that Darth Plagueis, the Sith Lord who took Sheev Palpatine as his apprentice, was the show’s true Sith Lord. Though it was only a small cameo, it served as Plagueis' live-action debut, and it brought one ofthe most powerful Sith inStar Warsinto the spotlight. His appearance was a huge moment, and it could define the future ofThe Acolyte.
In an interview withCollider, Headland hinted that she might already have an idea of what Darth Plagueis would be up to inThe Acolyteseason 2, and that it will involve the same Force power that created Osha and Mae Aniseya.
What I think is going on with Plagueis is that he also knows this has happened. He also is aware, or will quickly become aware of this aspect of the Force existing. This is why I gotta say I disagree with the criticism of, “Well, so and so didn’t have it, and Palpatine… Why do these women have it?” First of all, we’re in a completely different part of the timeline. Second of all, if I’m going to tell the story of Plagueis, which I would love to do, like, absolutely love to do, him pursuing that power is so much more interesting as a storyline than him already having it.
OutsideThe Acolyte, one of the things Darth Plagueis was most known for was his obsession with eternal life. His first mention inStar Warscame during Palpatine’s speech to Anakin Skywalker inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, where he revealed that Plagueis had discovered how to live forever just before he was killed. The fact that Mother Aniseya andthe Witches of Brendokcreated life through the Force could be exactly what Plagueis needs to develop his own Force technique, and it seems that Headland wants to tell that story inThe Acolyteseason 2.
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Darth Plagueis Is Undoubtedly Moving In The Shadows
Osha seems to be the key to Darth Plagueis' search for eternal life, but there are still a few problems standing between him and his ultimate goal. For one, the finale ofThe Acolytesaw Osha joining the Stranger as his apprentice. Fighting them both at the same time might be too great a risk, even for a Sith Lord. On top of that, Plagueis still needs to discover more details about how Osha was created. The best way to get that information would be through simply watching her, not fighting and potentially killing her.For these reasons, it seems Darth Plagueis will remain in the shadows.
The Stranger also suggests that Darth Plagueis will act from the shadows inThe Acolyteseason 2. It’s still not clear how the Stranger fits into the Sith Rule of Two, or if he’s even a Sith at all. In either case, Darth Plagueis is almost certainly not his ally, and the Stranger likely doesn’t know the Sith Lord is there.Headland herself seemed to suggest this: earlier in the same interview, she refused to admit whether the Stranger was aware of Plagueis' presence. If he is still going unnoticed, Darth Plagueis will likely want to keep his element of surprise for as long as possible.
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Based on Darth Plagueis' ultimate goal of unlocking eternal life and the fact that he’ll likely be operating in secret, he could have a very subtle role inThe Acolyteseason 2. The Stranger has already shown what a powerful dark side user looks like when they reveal themselves fully, and Darth Plagueis could show how a Sith Lord operates in secret. If the Stranger is a symbol of the raw power of the dark side, Darth Plagueis could easily be the more conniving, manipulative side. No matter how he shows up next, Darth Plagueis is one of the most exciting elements ofThe Acolyteseason 2.
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.
