Why it's finally time for 'The Acolyte' to answer its biggest question

Master Sol is still alive having seen the presence of a Sith in Qimir in 'The Acolyte'

UPDATED JUN 27, 2024

In 'The Acolyte', Jedi learn about the existence of the Sith but mistakenly believe that Qimir, the only Sith they are aware of, is dead (@lucasfilm)

Contains spoilers 'The Acolyte'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Acolyte' Episode 5 started streaming on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, featuring a stunning revelation that has ignited discussions among 'Star Wars' fans worldwide.

The gripping episode finally unveiled the identity of the masked Sith that had been teased over the past few episodes.

In 'The Acolyte' Episode 5, it's revealed that Qimir (Manny Jacinto) is the masked master who was commanding Mae (Amandla Stenberg) to kill the Jedi.

He declares himself a Sith and explains his motive for seeking to wield power without the constraints of Jedi rules.

Viewers familiar with the 'Star Wars' universe are puzzled by the existence of a Sith character a century before the events depicted in 'Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace,' where the Jedi first discover the Sith.

Qimir wants to kill anyone who knows about him

Fans think Mae's accomplice Qimir is the masked Sith Lord (@lucasfilm) — Mae's accomplice Qimir is the masked Sith Lord (@lucasfilm)

While talking to Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae), Qimir warns that he will kill anyone who has seen him to protect his secret identity. Despite successfully killing most of the Jedi, he fails to keep his identity hidden.

Master Sol and Mae, disguised as Osha, are still alive. They believe Qimir is dead after an attack by the umber-moths, during which Osha places the pip on Qimir.

Qimir's plans remain incomplete, and Master Sol is aware of both him and the Sith. Upon their return to Coruscant, they may need to inform Master Vernestra (Rebecca Henderson) about the Sith's existence.

Explaining the Jedi deaths

A still from the series 'The Acolyte' (@disney+) — A still from the series 'The Acolyte' (@lucasfilm)

An argument could be made that Master Sol, having witnessed Qimir being taken by the umber-moths, decided to keep the Sith's identity secret, no longer perceiving the Sith as a threat.

However, this decision would create a significant gap in the storytelling, as it would be unrealistic for Master Vernestra not to inquire about the Jedi deaths in Khofar.

Apart from Master Indara (Carie-Anne Moss), Torbin ( Dean-Charles Chapman), and Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo), several Jedi padawans and warriors died in the battles against Qimir.

Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) died from a lightsaber wound, and Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) had his neck snapped by Qimir. Their absence cannot be overlooked, and an explanation must be provided.

'The Acolyte' has been heavily criticized for its plotholes. If the show's creators fail to justify the presence of a Sith character 100 years before 'The Phantom Menace', it could lead to even greater dissatisfaction among fans.

How to stream 'The Acolyte'?

'The Acolyte' Episode 3 is likely to shed light on the backstory of Mae and Osha (@lucasfilm) — A still from the series 'The Acolyte' (@lucasfilm)

'The Acolyte' Episodes 1-5 are streaming on Disney+ with new episodes expected to drop every Tuesday.

To watch the show, you will need a Disney+ Subscription. To stream 'The Acolyte', you'll need a subscription to Disney+.

The basic membership plan with ads costs $7.99/month while the premium plan (with no ads) comes at $13.99/month or $139.99/year.

'The Acolyte' Trailer

'The Acolyte' Episodes 1-5 are streaming on Disney+.