Everything The Acolyte Just Revealed About Its New Sith Lord

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 6.

The Acolyte has once again revealed brand-new information about Star Wars’ newest Sith, Qimir/the Stranger, in its most recent episode—here’s everything the show has revealed about the Sith so far. The Acolyte episode 6 focused heavily on Qimir’s interactions with Osha, whom he had just taken prisoner at the end of episode 5, following the absolute bloodbath he created with the Jedi. With those interactions came fascinating insights into Qimir’s past, although many mysteries remain.

In fact, Qimir’s past has the potential to thoroughly shake up Star Wars’ movies and TV shows, as he heavily implies the Jedi treated him with cruelty and cast him out. While it remains to be seen to what extent Qimir is telling the truth and to what extent he is manipulating Osha to the dark side, Qimir does bear physical proof of his complex past with the scar all across his back. Despite these lingering uncertainties, The Acolyte episode 6 did include many significant details, contributing to all that is known about the Sith so far.

8 The Stranger Used To Be A Jedi

Qimir Confirmed To Osha That He Was Trained As A Jedi

In episode 5, Master Sol commented on Qimir carrying a Jedi weapon. At first, this seemed to simply be a commentary on Qimir having a lightsaber and, possibly, Sol’s limited knowledge of the Sith or others who might possess lightsabers. However, episode 6 revealed that Qimir’s background actually was as a Jedi. Although it isn’t clear exactly when and to what level Qimir trained as a Jedi, he did in fact used to be one.

This is interesting particularly because Qimir’s background is still entirely shrouded in mystery. In fact, Qimir is arguably one of the fastest-developing characters on the show, moving quickly from a somewhat goofy accomplice to a vicious murderer to, now, a complex character with a Jedi past. It will be interesting to see how this story becomes more fleshed out, particularly because he seems to be both physically and emotionally scarred by whatever his experience with the Jedi was.

7 Qimir Is Much Older Than He Seems

Qimir’s Exact Age Hasn’t Been Revealed, But He’s Clearly Much Older Than He Looks

When Qimir reveals to Osha that he used to be a Jedi, he tells her that it was a long time ago. However, when she expresses surprise because she’s never heard of him, he emphasizes that it was “a very long time ago.” Although he puts no exact timestamp on it, Osha’s lack of awareness of him and his emphasis on the amount of time suggest he’s quite old.

This is interesting in part because it means his appearance almost certainly does not match his age; Qimir actor Manny Jacinto is only 36, after all. This could mean some specific use of the Force to preserve his youth and almost certainly means more intriguing mysteries on the way. Qimir being much older than he seems also means the possibilities are endless when it comes to what his history truly is, including who his Sith or Jedi master may have been.

6 Qimir’s Master Threw Him Out And Left Him Scarred

Qimir Is Sporting A Brutal Scar On His Back That Seems To Have A Dark Story

In a shocking scene in The Acolyte episode 6, Qimir completely strips down and gets into the water on the unknown planet where he’s brought Osha. While that act was surprising enough, more important for the plot, Qimir revealed a nasty scar spanning the length of his back. Later, Osha inquires about the scar, and Qimir explains that he received it from someone who threw him out.

Osha believes this to be Qimir’s former Jedi master, and while he doesn’t confirm that, he certainly allows her to believe it. However, it’s likely the truth is a bit more complicated. While he may have received the scar from a former master, it may have been a Sith or dark side master. Alternatively, although he’s representing the event as one in which his former master attacked him, it’s more likely that, if it was a Jedi master, he had attacked them or spurred on such a violent response in some way.

5 Qimir Is Seeking The Power Of Two

Qimir Wants An Acolyte Above All Else

As made clear in The Acolyte episode 5, Qimir is really seeking a pupil. While he initially believed that person to be Mae, when she betrayed him, he changed directions, taking Osha with him to this new island. Now, it’s apparent that he hopes Osha will join him and the dark side of the Force and become the pupil he so clearly needs.

If Qimir is a Sith, although there is plenty of speculation that he is something else entirely (perhaps a Knight of Ren, or even the very first Knight of Ren), then this is all in an effort to fulfill the Sith Rule of Two, wherein both a Sith master and a Sith apprentice must co-exist. Currently, Qimir seems to be entirely alone, breaking this rule and perhaps preventing him from becoming a Sith at all. It will be interesting to see how effective Qimir’s efforts are; at present, Osha seems surprisingly drawn to the dark, suggesting a true sister swap.

4 Qimir Seems To Have Unknown Ties To Brendok – the Power of Two

Qimir Repeats The Exact Language Of The Witches Of Brendok

When Qimir was explaining his desire for a pupil to Osha, he specifically said he was seeking “the power of two.” This language precisely matches the language in the chant spoken by the witches of Brendok, Osha and Mae’s coven of origin. This could mean that Qimir has a direct connection to the Brendok coven, which could also explain his specific interest in Mae and Osha.

Interestingly, The Acolyte had already dropped other hints that Qimir has some degree of connection to the witches of Brendok and to their cruel fate. Thus far, the massacre of the witches has been pinned on Mae, who started a fire the same night the entire coven fell. However, the bodies of the witches curiously did not exhibit any burns.

What does exhibit burns, however, is Qimir’s body. His arms in particular seem to reveal burn scars, suggesting that he may have even been there that night. This is especially interesting, as the true murderer behind the deaths of the witches is yet to be revealed. It seems incredibly unlikely it truly was Mae who killed them, leaving only the Jedi or another unidentified figure—perhaps Qimir himself.

3 The Stranger’s Helmet Uses Sensory Deprivation—Like A Youngling’s Training Helmet

Qimir’s Helmet Is Reminiscent Of Kylo Ren’s But It Has Another Star Wars Connection As Well

Qimir’s helmet may have earned him the nickname “Smilo Ren” with Star Wars audiences because of its similarity to Kylo Ren’s, but there’s much more to Qimir’s unique helmet than there was to Kylo’s. For one, Qimir’s helmet is built with cortosis, a special metal that has the ability to short out lightsabers. In addition, though, Qimir revealed in episode 6 that the helmet shares a connection to the younglings’ training helmets in the Jedi Order.

Qimir explains to Osha that the helmet utilizes sensory deprivation, just as the younglings’ helmets do. For the younglings, this may be about training and learning to use senses other than sight when using the Force, but for Qimir, it’s about bringing him even closer to the Force. In fact, he tells Osha that the perk of the helmet is that it makes it just the wearer and the Force. This conversation continued to build on the complexity of Qimir’s character; while he may be evil, he is fascinatingly dialed into the Force and other notions such as balance.

This helmet design may also suggest something like sentimentality about the Jedi for Qimir. After all, making a design specifically connected to the youngling experience seems heavily tied to nostalgia. This wouldn’t be the first time Star Wars has depicted this type of sentimentality in a dark side Force-user, either. Baylan Skoll had a similar sentimentality and even reverence for the Jedi in the Ahsoka show.

2 Qimir “Lost Everything”

Although He Doesn’t Elaborate, There Is Clearly Pain In Qimir’s Past

It’s almost certainly a manipulation tactic, but throughout The Acolyte episode 6, Qimir tells Osha of the pain he has experienced, both mentally and seemingly physically, because of the Jedi. Of course, this information being used to manipulate Osha doesn’t automatically mean it’s untrue. On the contrary, Qimir seems fairly genuine about the suffering he has experienced in his past.

Qimir even specifically tells Osha that he “lost everything.” Although he doesn’t elaborate about what he lost and who specifically caused him to lose it, this likely means a compelling backstory is coming. Moreover, as Osha also lost everything when her entire coven was wiped out, including her mothers and, she thought, her sister, this will likely be an effective way to tempt her to the dark side.

1 If A Lightsaber Made Qimir’s Scar, It Wasn’t One Shaped In A Straight Line

One Lightsaber Perfectly Fits The Scar Qimir Reveals In Episode 6

Currently, Qimir has heavily implied that it was a Jedi who gave him the vicious scar across his back. If that’s the case, it would have required a unique lightsaber; that scar certainly isn’t in a straight line, nor is it a stab wound. Instead, the scar is curved—a very unique scar that would require an equally unique weapon. So far, Vernestra Rwoh’s iconic lightwhip seems to be the only lightsaber that fits the scar.

This would be an absolutely fascinating twist in The Acolyte, as it would mean Jedi Master Rwoh and Qimir had encountered one another before. Given Qimir’s assertion that he was a Jedi a very long time ago, it’s unlikely Master Rwoh was Qimir’s Jedi master or even a Padawan with him. Even so, all signs currently point to an old battle between Vernestra Rwoh and Qimir, which will be fascinating to see. It’s clear that The Acolyte will be revealing much more about Star Wars’ newest Sith, with brand-new mysteries revealed about him in each episode.

New episodes of The Acolyte premiere at 9 PM EST/6 PM EST on Tuesdays on Disney+.

The Acolyte

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.

Cast

Amandla Stenberg , Lee Jung-jae , Joonas Suotamo , Charlie Barnett , Dafne Keen , Leah Brady , Manny Jacinto , Rebecca Henderson , Carrie-Anne Moss , Jodie Turner-Smith , Dean-Charles Chapman , Lauren Brady , Anthony J. Abraham , Thara Shöön , Danielle Xin Yao Waterman , Sienna Khiroya , Jeramiah Evans , Dan Milne , Thomas Coombes , Archie Singh Swali , Nick Court , Ed Kear , Jumayn Hunter , Scroobius Pip , Abigail Thorn , Margarita Levieva , Amy Tsang , Saskia Allen , Deborah Rosan , Tabitha Alege , Paul Bullion , Indra Ové , Derek Arnold , Lewis Young

Character(s)

Mae , Master Sol , Kelnacca , Yord Fandar , Jecki Lon , Little Mae , Qimir , Master Vernestra Rwoh , Master Indara , Mother Aniseya , Master Torbin , Padawan Torbin , Little Osha , Fillik , Tasi Lowa , Youngling , Restrained Convict , Convict , Olega Urchin , Olega Master , Olega Padawan , Scavenger , Ensign Eurus , Mother Koril , Ensign Rane , Scout Sarria , Ensign Shima , Elder Jaalyn , Master Lakshay , Master Holden , Master Ki-Adi-Mundi , Jedi Knight

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

Disney+

Writers

Leslye Headland , Charmaine De Grate , Kor Adana

Directors

Leslye Headland , Alex Garcia Lopez

Showrunner

Leslye Headland

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