Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Acolytes Episodes 1 and 2.
The big picture
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the acolyte
Explores Sith Lore and Dogmas, challenging Jedi ideals with quotes like “an acolyte kills the dream.” - Mae's master references Sith connections with teachings such as “peace is a lie”, indicating that Mae may be training to become a Sith.
- The plan of the villain a
the acolyte
It suggests a network of specialized followers, possibly defying the rule of two and posing a threat to Mae.
Anyone who has seen Star Wars can easily tell you one truth about the Jedi: they are a little dramatic. now, the acolyte it reminds us that it's not just the Jedi, but also those who like to use platitudes like mantras for dramatic effect. In the first two episodes of the New Disney+ Show, two particular quotes demand attention. First, at the end of episode 1, Mae (Amandla Stenberg) talks about how “an acolyte kills the dream.” Then, in episode 2, Mae and Qimir (Manny Jacinto) Both mention that “peace is a lie”, which is tied to the core of the Sith Creed. Both quotes are also tied to Sith Dogmasand spell trouble for the Jedi.
What does “an acolyte kill the dream” mean?
A good surprise revealed by the first two episodes of the acolyte is that they contain most of the footage revealed in teasers and trailers. That means there's a lot more we haven't seen, but at the end of episode 1, a key scene from the trailers is expanded upon. Mae arrives on an ocean planet to find her master, the main villain of the series. He praises her for her success in killing Master Inara (Carrie-Anne Moss), and then talks about how Jedi can be immune to weapons, but that “an acolyte kills the dream”.
Of course, Jedi are not immune to any kind of weapon – if you hit them, they die like anyone else. But their power with the force and their skill with the lightsaber lead most people to believe that they are unbeatable. Young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) even mentions a The Phantom Menace, saying “No one can kill a Jedi.” So Master Mae doesn't mean it literally, but that the Jedi know how to deal with almost anything except challenges to their philosophy. When something like this happens, like if there's a Force user openly targeting Jedi in assassination attempts, their faith in themselves is shattered, because, like the dominant Force-based order and religion, they are not used to being challenged or to dealing with different points of view. They're supposed to be right about everything they are, so does anyone hate them to the point of becoming a Jedi serial killer? The dream that dies, then, is the Jedi's idea of bringing peace and justice to the galaxy, because they are wrong.
The fact that Mae's master speaks of “an acolyte” also implies a master-student relationship. In episode 2, MAE and Qimir are involved in working for the villain, so he apparently has more than one student. This goes against the rule of two, according to which only two Sith can exist at a time: a master and an apprentice. This is pretty much the only dogma that follows, but assuming the villain is, in fact, a Sith Lord, the same no it is said about Mae and Qimir. Mae struggles with her use of the force and Qimir has shown no sensitivity so far. So who is “the acolyte” in the villain's speech? Is he Mae's master, and is Mae just a pawn in his game? This sounds more likely and more Sith-like than Mae herself being the acolyte.
What does “peace is a lie” mean?
In episode 2, Mae goes to the planet Olega, where she intends to kill Jedi Master Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman), but fails spectacularly. Locked in a meditative state, Torbin blocks all of her attacks without even moving, forcing her to change her focus. He then seeks help from Qimir, asking him to make poison from Bunta's plant, which he then convinces Torbin to take. Qimir likes the idea and starts talking about the arrogance of the Jedi and how they think they are at peace. And then Mae cuts him off, saying, “I know, peace is a lie!” She says this like she's heard it countless times beforemeaning he probably heard it from his master.
It just so happens that “peace is a lie” is the first line of the Qotsisajak, the Code of the Sith. It first appeared in the fan favorite game Knights of the old Republicpreaching, “Peace is a lie. There is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The force will set me free.” It was created by the original Sith acolytes and was taught by Darth Bane millennia before the events of the acolyteand it's finally been brought into canon in a way, even if it's just that first line as a repeated lesson (unfortunately, the game itself isn't considered canon).
The code itself is basically an inversion of the verses in the Jedi code, and it all confirms that Mae is working for the Sith and maybe even training to become one. It also confirms that his master is at least aware of Sith Canon, if not a full-fledged Darth himself. While the words themselves are not meant to be taken literally, it seems that at least Mae needs to be freed from the burden of her past, as well as her desire for revenge against the Jedi.
What do these two quotes about the Sith in “The Acolyte” mean?
They may have appeared many times before in Star Wars, though the acolyte It promises a first deep dive into ancient Sith Lore. Although the first two episodes focus on the Jedi investigating a case involving them, they are clearly part of a plot concocted by dark side acolytes and, by the looks of things, Mae's master is indeed connected to the Sith. He may be a dark side user who simply resents the Jedi, but his line about “killing the dream” and the fact that he taught his followers about the Sith code goes beyond that.
The questions that remain are about his plan. He has gone to great lengths to hide his identity even from his followers and seems to have built an entire network with various power sets. Mae is an assassin, and Qimir is a versatile apothecary, meaning the villain probably has more disciples with other abilities. Still, if he is indeed a Sith, his practices thus far have doubled the rule of two. Keeping this in mind is important because they are known to have followed him at least until the end of the empire Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. So if the villain is indeed a Sith, he has to fulfill it, which means he has a vacant spot for an apprentice, or he's the apprentice himself, the acolyte, if you will. Anyway, Mae's position is in jeopardyso I better watch out.
The first two episodes of the acolyte are available on Disney+. New episodes will air weekly on Wednesdays.
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