THE ACOLYTE's Latest Episode Connects The Master To Unexpected STAR WARS Sequel Trilogy Villain - SPOILERS

A newly discovered Easter Egg in the latest episode of The Acolyte has seemingly connected The Master to a group of villains from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Find more details on that after the jump...

By JoshWilding - Jun 27, 2024 04:06 PM EST

Filed Under: Star Wars

This article was originally published on SFFGazette.com. Head there now for more on Star Wars and The Acolyte.

In yesterday's episode of The Acolyte, The Master was unmasked and revealed to be the mild-mannered Qimir. That was all just an act, of course, and it quickly became apparent the Jedi assembled on Khofar were no match for him.

Claiming to have no name, the villain told Master Sol he's what the Jedi "might" call a Sith. The fact he's searching for an Acolyte rather than an apprentice could be telling and it's entirely possible Qimir has no ties to the Sith lineage that eventually leads to Emperor Palpatine.

After all, The Acolyte has already made it clear more than just the Jedi use the Force, so he may be just a powerful Dark Side Force user.

Today, we have a theory which could tie The Master to the Star Wars sequel trilogy. We still have a long list of unanswered questions about those movies, including what the deal was with the Knights of Ren.

Fans have noticed Kylo Ren's theme playing during The Master's final scene in "Night," with the prevailing opinion now being he could be the one who forms that off-shoot of the Sith. "Ren" was just a title taken by whoever led the group, so The Acolyte may well end with Qimir taking on the moniker.

While this reveal wouldn't be quite as seismic as the introduction of Darth Plagueis, for example, it would still fill a big gap in our knowledge of the Star Wars franchise and show just how expansive the use of the Force is in the Galaxy beyond just the Jedi and Sith.

The Acolytle showrunner Leslye Headland has said the series could be treated as a standalone story, but has left the door open to a second season...presumably revolving around the Knights of Ren?!

We'll see, but the presence of Kylo's theme can't be accidental...

Kylo Ren’s theme…are they setting up Qimir to be the first Knight of Ren?? pic.twitter.com/gTwhHMSNIK
— Palpamemes (@PalpamemesYT) June 26, 2024

In The Acolyte, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems.

The series stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss.

The next Star Wars TV series comes from creator and showrunner Leslye Headland (Russian Doll), who also serves as executive producer alongside Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King, and Jason Micallef. Charmaine DeGraté and Kor Adana are the co-executive producers, and Rayne Roberts and Damian Anderson are producing.

Five episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+.

THE ACOLYTE Star Amandla Stenberg On Episode 5's Twin Twist And What's Next For Mae And Osha - SPOILERS

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47 Comments

1 2

Origame - 6/27/2024, 4:16 PM

"He may not be tied to the sith lineage that leads to palpatine"

It has to because of the rule of 2.

"This may just be a really powerful dark side user"

He literally called himself a sith.

"The kylo Ren theme implies he starts the Ren line"

That was literally Palpatine through snoke.

RedFury - 6/27/2024, 4:42 PM

@Origame - to be clear, he never called himself a sith. He said that Jedi might call him a sith. He's categorizing something close to what he is, as a way for Sol to understand the depths of his power and being. He's not saying that he IS a sith though. Whether he turns out to be one or not is something I'm sure we'll find out as the series comes to a close.

Itwasme - 6/27/2024, 4:44 PM

@Origame - can you elaborate on part one? The Rens have followers, which is what he's looking for. Does he state he only wants one? I don't recall. I think he just wants more people to take on the Jedi.

Origame - 6/27/2024, 5:12 PM

@RedFury - I think you're giving the writers too much credit. They mentioned in interviews the premise is a story from the sith perspective.

Origame - 6/27/2024, 5:14 PM

@Itwasme - it's in reference to the comment about him maybe not being in the same lineage that leads to the sith. This can't be the case because the rule of 2 prevents the possibility of different lineages of sith. Only two sith can exist.

RedFury - 6/27/2024, 5:15 PM

@Origame - I can't deny that he may indeed turn out to be a sith. But within the info we know atm, he's not calling himself one. I get the feeling that he's in the ballpark, but not what we'd consider to be a full blown Sith. We shall see though!

Origame - 6/27/2024, 5:37 PM

@RedFury - I mean, being a sith isn't really a spectrum thing. You either are or aren't. Closest thing is if he's like an early apprentice, but then he's way too powerful for that.

whoknows - 6/27/2024, 6:32 PM

@Origame - one thing I’ll say is when I saw his arms being burnt, my first thought was the Master of Ren Kylo had to defeat in the comics. But I didn’t think much of it cuz the timelines are so far apart. But maybe they took inspo from that comic villain cuz he did also have a mask with no eyes similar to qimir, if you aren’t familiar with that comic you can look up ren origin if interested

whoknows - 6/27/2024, 6:32 PM

@Origame -

this dude

whoknows - 6/27/2024, 6:35 PM

Although, in that comic, Ren and all his followers refered to the force as The Shadow. So if we hear Winnie mention the Shadow before seasons over. That would be a clear connection. For now though, I only see visual influence

Origame - 6/27/2024, 6:37 PM

@whoknows - I can get the inspiration from an out of universe creative decision. But that doesn't mean he created the knights of Ren. In fact, considering kylo Ren wore an outfit and mask inspired by the sith lord vader, it's possible this guy also just took inspiration from a past sith lord, which would still mean qimir is sith.

whoknows - 6/27/2024, 6:44 PM

@Origame - no argument there. the only thing that has been brought up so far for darkside users in this show is what he said, Sith. So until he says other wise, he’s seemingly a Sith, at minimum, a wannabe.

Origame - 6/27/2024, 7:09 PM

@whoknows - even a wannabe is stretching it. Dude is showing Palpatine levels by taking on all those knights and a master.

TheVisionary25 - 6/27/2024, 4:22 PM

That’s my current theory aswell.

I know Leslye Headland has said this series will be more standalone then others but she has said she has plans for potential future seasons aswell so if “The Stranger” survives , we could see him form the Knights of Ren in the future

He’s not someone who seems to have any grand ambitions for power but rather just wants the freedom to use The Force in the way he wants and not under the rigid rules of The Jedi so I don’t think he is a full Sith but someone close to it or one that leans moreso to the dark side of the force…

Hence I could see him creating this group that are essentially this order of marauders that use the Force as they wish (as was their original purpose).

bkmeijer1 - 6/27/2024, 6:00 PM

@TheVisionary25 - immediately thought of your theory when reading the article. Guess you weren't the only one noticing the Kylo theme.

Even as a standalone show though it can't get away with having no ties at all though. It's Star Wars for a reason.

whoknows - 6/27/2024, 6:39 PM

@TheVisionary25 - I thought of this comic when I saw his arms as well. But the timelines wouldn’t line up for qimir to be this specific Ren, I do think they borrowed some inspo from his design. I think we’d have some real proof if we hear Qimir refer to the force as The Shadow, I remember all the knights of ten would call it the shadow

TheVisionary25 - 6/27/2024, 7:15 PM

@whoknows - that would be cool

It would also tie into this show and others having explored how different people perceive the Force and call it something different like the Brendock Witches called it “ The Thread”

Forthas - 6/27/2024, 4:22 PM

One problem with this theory...it was NEVER established that the Knights of Ren used the force other than Kylo.

Vigor - 6/27/2024, 4:24 PM

@Forthas - I chalk that up to a "this is why the sequels underwhelm" problem

SonOfAGif - 6/27/2024, 5:35 PM

@Forthas - Isn't that why they are called Knights of Ren? They are Knights who are ruled by Ren. So Kylo just happened to be the current Ren Force User during the sequel trilogy. That doesn't negate Qimir becoming the first Ren or Qimir Ren and him establishing his Knights full of warriors who have killed Jedi without a lightsaber.

Apophis71 - 6/27/2024, 5:51 PM

@Forthas - Even if most don't use the force, how is that any different to most those under the two Sith Lords not using the force at the end of the day?

I mean I get the point but a small number, or only one, at the top using the force with a whole gang or entire armies under them that mostly don't doesn't negate the possibility that this could be the start of the formation of the Knights of Ren or a reveal of an order that goes back further than that.

Also things can change over time, a group could all start out being one thing (such as all dark force users) and evolve into something else. As in following the ideology and laws of the order established by force users but non remaining using the force until one comes along who does and becomes the new leader.

Apophis71 - 6/27/2024, 5:59 PM

@Apophis71 - Anyways, not that knowledgeable about all details of all aspects of Star Wars lore, esp after some ceased to be canon anyway making it less clear what is or isn't so I'll just leave this link here...

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Knights_of_Ren

Apophis71 - 6/27/2024, 6:32 PM

Quick scan the Ancient Knights of Ren existed for centuries before the modern version we got in the sequels (to repeat, some lore was ditched from canon ages ago so unclear which bits still are or are not).

The Knights of Ren were active during the Galactic Civil War between the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the Galactic Empire. They were one of the few remaining Force-sensitive groups by the time of the Imperial Era, the Empire having purged the galaxy of the Jedi Order and other Force-based organizations.
.
.
.
.

The Knights of Ren were marauders who pillaged worlds, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Their exploits were legendary by the time of the New Republic, particularly among the disparate settlements of the Unknown Regions where the Knights became >mythologized over the centuries.

By the time of the Imperial Era, a group of masked warriors emerged claiming to be the fabled Knights of Ren, a name that became synonymous with fear. Like their ancient namesakes, the modern Knights of Ren were marauders who acquired their possessions through force, including a prison ship that they confiscated during the raid on Osseriton. The Knights had been hired to attack the penal world of Osseriton; they released the prisoners and claimed one of the transports as their own. The ship was modified and christened as the Night Buzzard.

Aside from the Sith, the Knights of Ren were one of the few groups of "dark side practitioners" during the Imperial Era. While the dark side gave them strength, their ability to harness its power was severely limited in comparison to the Sith, largely due to their lack of training or knowledge unlike the more established orders of the Sith or Jedi.

TLDR Doesn't seem THAT much is documented about the Ancient Knights of Ren, but the modern ones were dark force users even if most not at the level of Jedi or Sith but that doesn't negate the possiility that prior to the purge of force users by the Sith an older order of the Knights of Ren could have been as well trained and powefull as Jedi with the leader close or comparible to a Sith Lord.

I only skim read it however, but yes, the modern ones were supposed to be dark force users but there was also an Ancient order of the Knights of Ren prior to episode one less seems to be known about.

Mrnorth1921 - 6/27/2024, 6:33 PM

@Apophis71 - maybe Mae is what the Knights were in the films. Used the force to only augment themselves for battle but forbidden to use any actual abilities save for the leader. The previous Ren had shown some force abilities. I mean, he went toe to toe with Vader and lived to tell the tale. Lived about 30 years. Eventually was killed by a Padawan Ben.

whoknows - 6/27/2024, 6:41 PM

@Forthas - in the comics they spoke about the knights of ren and there wanna be apprentices spoke of the force a lot, they just referred to it as The Shadow

Vigor - 6/27/2024, 4:23 PM

I really like the idea of him being the first "Ren"
He is powerful like a Sith, but doesn't have grand ambitions like Plagues or Sidious. He's just a brolic evil dude who wants no laws!

TheVisionary25 - 6/27/2024, 4:34 PM

@Vigor - I have a feeling now that Mae & Osha have traded places that we can see both of their perspectives change…

So much of the show plays with that or POV that it makes sense that if Mae (disguised as Osha) now finds out what actually happened on Brendock that her negative opinion of Sol and The Jedi might change and Osha (disguised as Mae) might start to agree with some things “Qimir” says leading to a double turn.

She could become his Acolyte.

DSAC294 - 6/27/2024, 4:33 PM

I know it’s nitpicking, but SOL didn’t even think to take his helmet after seeing its effects on their lightsabers. On top of that just leaves all the fallen Jedis light sabers laying with their dead bodies. That lack of attention to detail in the film, Just made the Jedi look incompetent.

philinterrupted - 6/27/2024, 5:35 PM

@DSAC294 - generally, I’ve found the Jedi as a whole to be incompetent throughout Star Wars.

Mrnorth1921 - 6/27/2024, 6:02 PM

@DSAC294 - or he is calling for back up and clean up of their bodies. Has to make a an official compliant to the green girl.

DSAC294 - 6/27/2024, 6:02 PM

@philinterrupted - very true

DSAC294 - 6/27/2024, 6:10 PM

@Mrnorth1921 - except it was OSHA (MAE) who said to Sol “we must get to the ship” and it ends with him walking with no expediency. The helmet was right there. Seems like a good idea to take it even if going to call for back up.

Mrnorth1921 - 6/27/2024, 6:29 PM

@DSAC294 - he’s probably suffering from some ptsd and disorientation. He was knocked out by that laser thing and just saw all those Jedi, including his pupil, being massacred in front of his eyes. He’s still coming to grip about what had occurred.

DSAC294 - 6/27/2024, 6:39 PM

@Mrnorth1921 - it would have added more character and competence to him if he at least checked on his fellow Jedi or picked up his pupil’s saber out of reverence or thought to take the villain’s helmet that just shockingly shorted out their light sabers.

Mrnorth1921 - 6/27/2024, 7:01 PM

@DSAC294 - again, I think he is disoriented and still putting two and two together. Honestly after being shot by a knock out gun after fighting a dark side user who massacred everyone there. I’d be a little shaken and confused by the situation. The next episode will probably clarify what happened afterwards.

Itwasme - 6/27/2024, 4:41 PM

Sounds good to me, and that might potentially negate a lot of the criticisms of cannon stuff.

narrow290 - 6/27/2024, 4:43 PM

I really tried to like this show..

theFUZZ008 - 6/27/2024, 5:21 PM

BassMan - 6/27/2024, 5:54 PM

These new ads really [frick]ing suck. Got sent to Amazon numerous times trying to close them. Also, the little heart and save icon really interfere with reading. If you’re in a laptop it’s probably not a problem, but most casual readers are on their phone. I love this site, but it operates like something from the 00’s. Not trying to be a dick, just expressing my feelings about the site @markcassidy

bkmeijer1 - 6/27/2024, 5:58 PM

Kinda was my expectation the Master was gonna be a Ren. Sure this show supposedly has little ties to the greater saga, but they can't get away with having none. Why else make it Star Wars

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THE ACOLYTE's Latest Episode Connects The Master To Unexpected STAR WARS Sequel Trilogy Villain - SPOILERS

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