Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 5
Summary
The Acolyte’snew “Sith” shares parallels and connections with both Darth Maul and Kylo Ren. Despite being unmasked inThe Acolyteepisode 5, there are still plenty of questions about this new dark side user and his origins. However, it’s been fascinating to see how he already mirrors two of the biggestStar Warsvillains of all time.
InThe Acolyteepisode 5, Mae’s dark master is revealed to be Qimir, also known as “The Stranger”. However, there’s more to this new dark side user than meets the eye, and the odds are quite high that he’s not a traditional Dark Lord of the Sith. That said,here are 5 ways in whichThe Acolyte’snew “Sith” mirrors Darth Maul, and 5 ways he mirrors Kylo Ren.
Star Wars Movies In Order: How To Watch Release Order, Chronologically & With The TV Shows
What’s the best way to watch Star Wars? Here’s everything you need to know to watch in release or timeline order, and how to include the TV shows.
10Qimir’s New Lightsaber Mirrors Darth Maul’s
Hidden Saber Is Just As Surprising As Doubled-Bladed
As seen inThe Phantom Menace,one of the movie’s most iconic moments is whenDarth Maul ignites the second blade of his double-bladed lightsaberfor the very first time. Likewise, the reveal is made even better considering he’d already fought Qui-Gon Jinn alone on Tatooine, albeit with only a single blade. The reveal of such a unique lightsaber for its time was quite exciting in the first prequel film.
To that end,Qimir’s hidden shoto blade which splits off from his original saber inThe Acolyteepisode 5 carries the same effect. He similarly doesn’t unveil it until the end of his duel with multiple Jedi, thus surprising and murdering Master Sol’s Padawan Jecki Lon. He effectively pulled out a hidden dagger from his primary blade, a unique lightsaber feature serving as a true act of dark deception.
9The Stranger Could Pose A Threat To The True Sith
Just Like Maul Became A Rival To Palpatine
InThe Acolyteepisode 5,Qimir says that the Jedi may call him a Sith Lord, though he doesn’t reveal what he calls himself. As such, it stands to reason that he could very well be a completely different kind of dark-side user, perhaps being a rogue Sith who doesn’t follow the established Rule of Two as the Baneite Sith Lords do. As such,this would likely make Qimir a rival in the eyes of the true Sith, something Maul himself became as seen inThe Clone Warsanimated seriesfollowing his survival from his defeat inThe Phantom Menaceand rejection by his master.
8Qimir Faced Both A Master And An Apprentice
Maul Dueled Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan
InThe Acolyteepisode 5, Qimir slays multiple Jedi with ease. However, the biggest challenge he faced was against Master Sol and Jecki, who even managed to unmask him (though it did cost Jecki her life). Regardless, the duel highlights the true power of awell-bonded Jedi master and apprentice in theStar Warscanon.
As such,Qimir simultaneously dueling Sol and Jecki mirrors Maul’s duel with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi inThe Phantom Menace. Known as the “Duel of the Fates”, Maul was only successful after Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were split up. Similarly, Jecki jumping to engage this new “Sith” ahead of Sol to unmask Qimir results in her death (his hidden lightsaber function also being a contributor).
7A Burning Hatred of The Jedi
True Dark Side Berserkers
In theStar Warscanon, Palpatine stoked a burning rage and hatred for the Jedi within his apprentice.Long before Maul had even killed his first Jedi, he was taught to hate all that they stood for. He deeply desired to spill Jedi blood at the first opportunity his master allowed him to do so (and sometimes even in supposed secret).
In the same vein,it seems as though Qimir also carries a deep hatred for the Jedi. As she claimed inThe Acolyteepisode 5, Qimir seeks to wield his dark powers as he wishes. As such, his decision to massacre all the Jedi on Khofar was an easy choice to make, one The Stranger also seemed to similarly relish.
6Highly Skilled Acrobatic Warriors
Impressive Martial Arts And Movement
The level of fighting choreography on display inThe Acolyteepisode 5 is quite impressive. As Qimir goes from one Jedi to the next with his deadly crimson blade, his incredible speed and strength are on full display. There’s also some very exciting acrobatics as well.
As a result,it does bring to mind Darth Maul’s own impressive abilities inThe Phantom Menace. Having been played by stuntman Ray Park, Darth Maul is one of the most fearsome live-action Sith Lords due to his impressive physicality, and the same is true for Qimir. To that end, it’s lots of fun to see all the recentbehind-the-scenes stunts and combat training videos featuring Manny Jacintoas he was preparing for this brand-newStar Warsrole.
5Qimir’s New Lightsaber Also Mirrors Kylo Ren’s Unique Blade
Kylo’s Crossguard Saber
Qimir’s new lightsaber function and unique style also parallels Kylo Ren (Adam Driver)just as much as Darth Maul and his double-bladed saber. Having debuted his crossguard lightsaber as early as the very first teaser forThe Force Awakens,Kylo Ren’s particular lightsaber variation had never been seen before. As such, Qimir has certainly joined the ranks ofStar Warsvillains with unique saber functions and styles that are meant to shock and awe.
4Kylo Ren’s Theme Plays For Qimir
At The End Of The Acolyte Episode 5
As seen at the end ofThe Acolyteepisode 5, Kylo Ren’s recurring theme from the sequel trilogy can be heard. Seeing as how the scene is focused on Qimir following his victory against the vast majority of the Jedi who’d come to Khofar,it does seem as though a clear parallel is being drawn between this new dark side user who existed before the prequels and the primary villain of the sequels. That said, it’s not yet been revealed as to what that specific connection might be. Hopefully, it’s more than just a cool audio Easter egg.
3The Stranger Is Capable Of Force Healing
Just Like Ben Solo
At the end ofThe Acolyteepisode 5, Qimir is also seen using the Force to heal an unconscious Osha. Having been left by her sister Mae who’s currently with Master Sol (disguised as Osha herself), it remains to be seen what Qimir has planned for Osha after rejecting Mae as his acolyte.In any event, the act of Force healing is rather significant in and of itself.
Force healing was predominantly introduced on-screen in the sequels with Rey Skywalker and Kylo Ren inThe Rise of Skywalker. For example,Kylo Ren/Ben Solo notably used Force Healing to revive Rey(while sacrificing himself in the process). As such, it’s yet another parallel between the twoStar Warsvillains.
2Similar Helmet Styles
Knights of Ren Connection?
It’s also not hard to see the similarities between Qimir and Kylo Ren’s helmets. They share quite a bit of resemblance to each other, especially inThe Rise of Skywalkerwhen Kylo has his broken helmet repaired using Sith alchemy. While Qimir’s helmet is uniquely made using a rare cortosis weave, the similarity may suggest a shared connection between himself and Kylo. PerhapsQimir will be revealed as an early member of the Knights of Ren, or even the very first Ren who founded the order.
1Qimir and Kylo Are Both Set Apart From The Sith
Belonging To Adjacent Dark Side Groups
Although his legacy would eventually be tied to the Sith and Palpatine as was revealed inThe Rise of Skywalker, Kylo Ren was originally master of the Knights of Ren, a group of dark siders with a long history in theStar Warstimeline. Their history also predates their service to Palpatine in the sequels.
Even if Qimir isn’t revealed as an early Knight of Ren (or even a leading Ren as Ben Solo was),it does seem as though both “The Stranger” and Kylo Ren belong to separate sects outside the traditional Dark Lords of the Sith.
It will certainly be exciting to learn what group of dark sides Qimir might actually belong to, or if he’s a lone dark side user. It’s also possible that he could eventually form his own order in defiance of both the Sith and the Jedi asThe Acolytecontinues. Regardless, seeing all the ways in which Qimir mirrors both Maul and Kylo is fascinating, helping to make him feel connected to the greater Star Warsgalaxy at large.
New episodes of The Acolyte release on Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST 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.
