Early on, however, a seemingly innocuous scene suddenly and jarringly hits you like a ton of bricks. There isn’t a single moment of gratuitous melodrama, nor is there an unexpected twist that would significantly alter our understanding of the narrative as it progresses. While appearing to bear almost no relation to any other aspect of the conclusion. However, it’s a moment that undoubtedly holds significant implications for current continuity.
In the penultimate episode of “The Acolyte,” Episode Eight, Osha takes a calculated risk by aligning herself with the enigmatic and ominous Stranger. As the vision of her twin, Mae, loomed large with deadly intent on Osha’s former Jedi Master Sol, she and the Stranger hastily prepared to depart their isolated island sanctuary. As we soar away in the Stranger’s vessel, the pair slips unnoticed from view. As a substitute, I’m drawn back to the darkness surrounding , where I behold the vessel disappearing into the distance… before my gaze falls upon a withered, skeletal hand emerging from the shadows, followed by a gaunt face that seems to be watching me.
What if the visage of an extraterrestrial being eerily resembled one of history’s most infamous villains, never before brought to life in a live-action setting? Perhaps none other than Darth Plagueis the Clever himself would make for a chillingly plausible alien countenance.
Is It Truly Darth Plagueis?
It seems that you’re attempting to describe the aura surrounding someone who resembles Darth Plagueis, possibly hinting at an air of mystique and power. Here’s a rewritten version:
If one were to appear as enigmatic as Darth Plagueis, they would likely possess an aura of mystery and unyielding power. Though the episode itself does not explicitly identify the determine as Plagueis, subtle hints remain – the crimson eyes reminiscent of a Sith lord and the elongated face characteristic of Muun, Plagueis’ species – suggesting Leslye Headland has intentionally left breadcrumbs for future exploration. The showrunner has explicitly confirmed that the character intended to be Plagueis. The showrunner revealed to us that Plagueis was always intended to reach its climax within each episode, offering a sense of resolution and finality for viewers. As the director sought to conclude Osha and the Stranger’s narrative arc, they were mindful of avoiding a clichéd twist that would undermine their carefully crafted storytelling. By bringing the cameo forward, they aimed to create a more satisfying resolution for these characters, rather than relying on an overly familiar plot device like the “it was all part of the plan” trope.
The myth surrounding Darth Plagueis has long been a topic of fascination for fans of the Star Wars saga. While we may never know the entirety of his story, there are certain facts that have been established through official canon. These revelations come from the novel “Star Wars: Tarkin” by James Luceno and the film “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”
First mentioned in a conversation between Chancellor Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker, where Palpatine recounts the “Tragedy” of the traditional Sith Lord’s alleged ability to cheat death itself until his own apprentice killed him; however, little is explicitly known about Plagueis’ backstory within the rebooted continuity. As Palpatine’s apprentice, he had secretly mentored a young Naboo previously unknown to the galaxy, prior to the events that unfolded, and together they worked tirelessly to uncover the long-sought secrets of immortality, building upon the groundbreaking research of Plagueis. Plagueis and Palpatine focused on several fronts: scrutinizing midi-chlorian activity, attempting to directly influence the Force-sensitive molecules inherent in all living beings; exploring the concept of pressure potential transfer, enabling someone to occupy another’s physical vessel while retaining their own consciousness; and striving to harness the power of their apprentice, seeking to establish a dyad within the Force itself, a bond that predated even the traditional Sith understanding of the Rule of Two.
As Palpatine’s senatorial mentor for Chommell, Plagueis facilitated his protégé’s ascension to galactic prominence, joining the Republic Senate in 52 BBY – approximately eight decades following their first appearance – and tutored him in the intricacies of politics with the same dedication he devoted to instructing the dark side of the Force. Despite the initial success of their partnership, their alliance ultimately proved fleeting. Palpatine confides in Anakin that he was treacherously slain in his slumber by his own apprentice, deprived of the opportunity to utilize the darkside’s subtleties he had dedicated his existence to mastering in order to defy mortality.
Plagueis’ training of Palpatine is depicted in greater detail within the expanded universe, specifically in James Luceno’s 2012 novel, which provides a comprehensive account of their tumultuous relationship. That eBook also briefly delves into Plagueis’ apprenticeship under Darth Tenebrous, a Bith master whose largely unexplored character is hinted at in current continuity only through fleeting references, and his eventual assassination of Tenebrous on Bal’demnic, the site of cortosis deposits rich in potent, lightsaber-shorting power dissipation? A remarkable moment in which ‘s screen presence made a compelling entrance amidst the rich hues of the ore.
What implications might Darth Plagueis’s legacy hold for Anakin Skywalker’s future?
Future seasons of the series are yet to be officially confirmed by Lucasfilm, but showrunner Leslye Headland has consistently planned to delve deeper into the character of Plagueis, recently stating that if she continues telling this story, she envisions how Plagueis’ rise would unfold. Given Anakin’s eventual descent into darkness and his subsequent ties to Palpatine, one might argue that it’s challenging and messy to explore the Sith Lord’s character without considering the far-reaching implications this has on the Skywalker Saga across multiple eras and generations of storytelling following his return.
While some may dismiss the connection, there remains a strong desire to link Plagueis directly to ‘s central narrative surrounding Osha and her twin sister Mae. Given his exploration of forging a powerful dyad within the Force with Palpatine, it’s likely that Plagueis would be intrigued by Osha’s newfound connection to the Stranger—and her twin’s simultaneous development under the guidance of a master, creating a nexus of power that could potentially cleave Osha and Mae as two facets of the same, formidable whole—there can be little doubt that someone like Plagueis wouldn’t be interested in seeing her uncover her powers and utilize the dark side. Following this, there’s the intriguing concept known as the “Rule of Two”. While Plagueis’s fate is well-documented, the parallel destinies of Osha and the Stranger remain shrouded in mystery, leaving their potential ascension to powerful titles unclear? In reality, four is indeed a greater number than two.
“While Osha and the Stranger stand together, gazing out at the sunset with a sense of determination to conquer the world, it’s a tragic reality that we’re all aware they ultimately fail.” There can only be two: the dominant force that has shaped our understanding of the world. Whether you’ve delved into the mysteries of the Force or simply heard whispers in the dark alleys of Coruscant, one name strikes fear into the hearts of those who dare to defy the order: Plagueis. Their fates are inextricably linked, forever bound by the threads of circumstance. While the impending conclusion may evoke a mixture of emotions, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the character of Plagueis will undoubtedly play a significant role in unraveling the complexities of its shadowy aspect until the final curtain call, marked by a poignant culmination.
