Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 6.
Summary
The Acolyteepisode 6 gave audiences a lot of answers, but also left them with more questions aboutManny Jacinto’s Sith Lord. Jacinto’s character, Qimir, was revealed to be the mysterious Sith Lord inThe Acolyteepisode 5, but many questions remained about his origins and ultimate goals. WhileThe Acolyteepisode 6filled in some holes about Qimir, it’s also led to many different theories.
The Acolyteepisode 6 sees Osha (Amandla Stenberg) waking up on an unknown planet and trying to kill Qimir for most of the episode. It’s clear that Qimir is trying to recruit Osha to be hisSith Acolyte, and by the end of the episode, it seems like he might’ve been successful. With only two episodes remaining, it’s unclear how much more backstory audiences will get about Qimir, and how his actions as a Sith will affect the Jedi Order and the events of the Skywalker saga. Here are all the theories surrounding Qimir afterThe Acolyteepisode 6.
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9Osha Will Become Qimir’s Acolyte
BeforeThe Acolytepremiered, it seemed obvious thatMae (Amandla Stenberg)was the Acolyte the show was named after. However, after seeing Mae so quick to betray her master and Qimir’s new interest in Osha, it’s possible that Osha was the real Acolyte all along. ThroughoutThe Acolyteepisode 6, Qimir makes Osha feel comfortable, which then allows him to explain the dark side and how it differs from the Jedi’s teachings.
The Acolyteepisode 6 ends withOsha putting on Qimir’s helmet, which acts as a sensory deprivation headpiece. This means that Qimir’scortosishelmet allows Osha to connect more deeply with the Force than she likely ever has. This seemingly confirms the path Osha will continue down, thoughit’s unclear if she will be fully swayed and turn into a Sith herself.Considering her strong connection toMaster Sol (Lee Jung-jae)and Mae, Osha may harbor loyalties to them and betray Qimir.
8Qimir Was Master Vernestra’s Jedi Padawan
And It Didn’t End Well
Qimir revealed inThe Acolyteepisode 6 that he used to be a Jedi and that he had been thrown away by them. This is one of the ways he attempts to connect with Osha, but he also shows off scars on his back.While Qimir doesn’t confirm that the lashing scars came from his Jedi Master, it was heavily impliedthat was what happened.The Acolyteepisode 6 also focused onMaster Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson)as she found the remnants of the Jedi massacre fromThe Acolyteepisode 5.
While on Khofar, Master Vernestra takes out her lightsaber to kill an umbramoth that threatened to attack the Jedi. It cannot be a coincidence that the first and only time audiences have seenMaster Vernestra’s lightsaber whipis the same episode where Qimir showcases the scars on his back that look like whip lashings. This has led many to believe thatVernestra was Qimir’s Jedi Master, but she threw him away. This doubled with Vernestra seemingly hiding something at the end ofThe Acolyteepisode 6, which makes this theory seem very plausible.
Vernestra Rwoh
A prodigy among the Jedi of the High Republic, Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh was one of the youngest Jedi ever to achieve the rank of Knight. She served at a time of crisis for the Republic, battling on the front lines against the Nihil, the Nameless, and the Drengir, and proving herself wise beyond her years. Vern will appear in live-action in The Acolyte, set over a hundred years after she became a Master, at the tail end of the High Republic Era.
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7Darth Plagueis Is The One Who Recruited & Trained Qimir
Retconning the Events From Legends
It’s been speculated for a while that Qimir isn’t the Sith Master, but instead an apprentice looking for a pupil to help overthrow his master. Based on the now non-canon Legends,Darth Tenebrouswould likely be the Sith Master of the time. However, there have been multiple hints at the appearance of Darth Plagueis. If Qimir’s master really is Plageuis, this would retcon the events of James Luceno’sDarth Plageuisnovel.If nothing else, it would adjust the timeline that was established in the novel, as Plagueis murders his master, Darth Tenebrous, around 67 BBY.
It’s possible that Plagueis trained Qimir and, upon learning of his mistakes in recruiting Mae, kills him and begins looking for a new apprentice, eventually finding Palpatine.
BecauseThe Acolytetakes place about 100 years beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, this timeline would be altered. It’s worth noting that throughout the first part of Luceno’s novel, Plagueis looks for multiple potential apprentices before meeting and recruiting Sheev Palpatine. It’s possible that Plagueis trained Qimir and, upon learning of his mistakes in recruiting Mae, kills him and begins looking for a new apprentice, eventually finding Palpatine. It would certainly be interesting to see the Muun Sith Lord in live-action, especially ifThe Acolytehas another Sith to show.
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6Qimir’s Story Will Set Up Kylo Ren’s In The Sequel Era
This Would Explain the Use of Kylo’s Theme Music
In the final moments ofThe Acolyteepisode 5, sharp-eared viewers noticed Kylo Ren’s theme playing while Qimir placed his cloak over Osha. It’s still not clear why Kylo Ren’s theme played, but it might hint that there’s a parallel between the two dark side users. Audiences now know that both Qimir and Kylo were former Jedi before falling to the dark side.
Additionally,Star Wars: The Last Jedishowed Kylo Ren being betrayed by his master, Luke Skywalker, in a moment of weakness, and fromThe Acolyteepisode 6, it’s clear Qimir also believes he was betrayed and thrown away from his Jedi Master.With parallels already being made between the two characters' backstories, it’s possible their futures may mirror each other as well. It doesn’t seem likely that Qimir will return to the light side of the Force, but it’s not entirely off the table, especially since audiences don’t know his whole backstory yet.
5Qimir’s “Unknown Planet” Is Meant To Be Like Ahch-To
Ahch-To Was Originally Seen in The Last Jedi
The Acolyteepisode 6 made a point of not revealing the name or location of the planet where Qimir is based. This has led to a lot of speculation about what this planet actually is. Many have pointed out the similarities between this unknown planet and Ahch-To, the planet Luke Skywalker exiles himself. Ahch-To is said to be where the Jedi Order was founded, but as shown inStar Wars: The Last Jedi,the planet has deep connections with both the light and dark sides of the Force.However, showrunnerLeslye Headland has confirmed this planet is not Ahch-To.
Despite the similarities, some theories indicate that this planet may be the planet Bal’demnic, which also appeared in James Luceno’sDarth Plagueisnovel. On Bal’demnic, Plagueis and his master, Darth Tenebrous, seek out deposits of cortosis, which is what Qimir’s mask is made of inThe Acolyte. While the planet of Bal’demnic is now part of Legends,it would be easy to re-canonize the planet and have it still be rich with cortosis.
4Qimir Isn’t A Real Sith, But Is Another Type Of Dark Side User
Could He Be The First Knight of Ren?
AfterThe Acolyteepisode 5, there’s no doubt that Qimir is extremely strong in the Force. However, it’s still unclear if he’s actually a Sith or just a dark side user. Many have begun to theorize that Qimir is actually the first Knight of Ren. Considering the fact that Qimir’s helmet is cracked and that the Kylo Ren theme played again inThe Acolyteepisode 6, this theory may have some merit.
When the Kylo Ren theme played inThe Acolyteepisode 6, it had little to do with Qimir but instead played while Osha was gazing at the cortosis helmet after Qimir had left. This theory would also make sense ifThe Acolytewanted to keep the Sith in the shadows. One of the biggest criticisms inThe Acolytewas that MasterKi-Adi-Mundisaid that the Sith had been extinct for nearly 1000 years inThe Phantom Menace.This theory allows Ki-Adi-Mundi’s statement to still hold true for the Jediwhile still giving audiences a compelling dark side user.
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3Qimir Knows What Happened On Brendok
Could He Reveal the Truth to Osha?
AfterThe Acolyteepisode 5, it seemed that Qimir knew more about the events that happened on Brendok than Osha did. While audiences are still missing many pieces of the story like Osha is, it would be interesting to see Osha get the full story from Qimir instead of someone she’s trusted most of her life, like Master Sol. It’s unclear how Qimir got this information, though it’s possible that he got this information from Mae, or he could even have been a witness to the events between the Jedi andthe witches of Brendok.
It seems likeThe Acolyteepisode 7 is setting up Master Sol to reveal the truth about what happened on Brendok instead of Mae, which may give new and interesting perspectives. From trailer footage, it’s known thatWookiee Jedi Master Kelnaccawill have his lightsaber ignited while leaping towards someone, most likely Master Torbin. Audiences can expect to get these gaps filled in the next episode, butit would be interesting to see it conclude with Osha’s reaction to these events after Qimir relays the information.
Of the four Jedi stationed on Brendok sixteen years ago–Master Indara, Master Torbin, Master Kelnacca, and Master Sol–only Sol is still alive.
2Qimir Doesn’t Want A Pupil, He NEEDS One
And Is Desperate For Things To Work With Osha
Qimir’s ultimate goal isn’t clear, as he’s been very vague about what he wants; however, one thing is clear: he wants a pupil. Whether he needs an Acolyte to help him overthrow his own Sith Master, or something else, he requires the power of two to achieve his ultimate goal. Qimir admits that he made mistakes with Mae, and it’s clear from his actions that he aims to course-correct with Osha.
With Mae, Qimir never revealed his identity to him and scared her into submission. However, with Osha, Qimir is laying everything on the table for her and is trying to seduce her to the dark side. Instead of leaning into just one emotion that leads to the dark side, Qimir aims to have Osha feel a cacophony of emotions that will further cement her in the dark side.He may be moving fast trying to recruit her, but he may also be desperate for this arrangement to work out, especially if he’s on a time crunch for something.
1Osha Will Help Qimir Defeat His Sith Master
Could We See a New Sith Lord?
If it is true that Qimir is a true Sith, it stands to reason that he aims to recruit Osha’s help in overthrowing his master. While Qimir is obviously strong in the Force, whatever he has planned for his master may require the power of two. It’s unclear who Qimir’s Sith Master will be, but theories have suggested that it will likely be either Darth Plagueis or Darth Tenebrous.
The Acolytemay conclude with Osha officially falling to the dark side, with the Sith master and apprentice taking on their enemies together. It’s not confirmed whetherThe Acolytewill have more than one season, but this could potentially be a huge setup for the future of Qimir and Osha. With so many theories floating around, it’s likely that some of these won’t come to fruition; however, it’s amazing thatThe Acolyteand Qimir are spawning such interesting and diverse thoughts about whereStar Warswill go next.
The Acolyteepisode 6 is now streaming. New episodes premiere on Tuesdays at 9PM EST on Disney+.
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.
