Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 8.
Summary
Star Wars: The Acolytejust gave Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh a rare, Clone Wars-era Force power.The Acolyteportrays the Jedi as they’ve never been seen before. Though theHigh Republic era, during which the show takes place, is a time of peace and prosperity for the Jedi, it’s clear that the Order is coming apart at the seams. Wrongful killings, cover-ups, and massacres abound, as the dark side once again makes itself known in the galaxy. At the center of it all isJedi Master Vernestra Rwoh, a prodigious Jedi first introduced in theHigh Republicnovels.
Vernestra is no ordinary Jedi – she was first knighted at the age of 15, she wields a unique lightsaber whip, and she experiences prophetic albeit uncomfortable visions while traveling through hyperspace.Now, duringThe Acolyte, she’s also presumably been elected as Master of the Order, leading the Jedi Council and heading up important investigations. She was already a remarkable Jedi Master, butThe Acolyte’s finale has made her list of skills and achievements even more extensive.
The Acolyte Ending Explained: The Shadow Of Darth Vader Descends In The High Republic Era
The Acolyte episode 8 wraps up season 1 of the High Republic show by casting the shadow of the dark side, and Darth Vader, over the Jedi Order.
Vernestra Rwoh Uses “Psychometry” To Experience The Past
InThe Acolyteepisode 8, aptly titled “The Acolyte,” Vernestra follows her friend and fellow Jedi Master Sol to the planet Brendok. Years ago, Sol and a few other Jedi were involved in the deaths of an entire coven, and Sol himself was responsible for the wrongful death of Osha and Mae’s mother, Aniseya. Though Vernestra only arrives once Sol has already tragically been killed, she can sense what happened in the past – she can feel the violence that took place on Brendok and the guilt that was involved. It’s more than that, though.
Vernestra can actually hear the moment Sol killed Mae and Osha’s mother, and she can sense exactly where it happened within the witches’ fortress. This is a rareForce ability called psychometry, one which was first introduced canonically inStar Wars: The Clone Wars. Broadly,psychometry allows the wielder to re-experience events of the past by touching an object or even just by entering a certain setting.Psychometry was originally linked to roguish Jedi Quinlan Voss inThe Clone Wars, though more Jedi have proven to have this ability since then, including Ahsoka Tano, Cal Kestis, Rey Skywalker, and now, of course, Vernestra Rwoh.
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.
Did The Jedi Frown On Psychometry During The High Republic Era?
Normally speaking, a Jedi is born with this psychometry ability. It is not a gift that can be taught or enhanced through training, like the Jedi mind trick or the power to commune with certain creatures. It’s not necessarily odd that Vernestra wields this ability, though, as she also experiences painful visions while traveling through hyperspace, so this could simply be an extension of that skill. It is a powerful and potentially dangerous ability, however.Without proper instruction, Jedi with this ability could technically become susceptible to the dark side.
The Jedi aren’t taught to process emotion – if anything, they are taught to suppress it – and may be tempted to lose their way the more they practice psychometry, influenced by the heightened emotions of others.
Psychometry doesn’t provide an unbiased view of the past. An object becomes imbued with strong emotions, leaving behind a Force echo for the psychometrists to interact with. The Jedi aren’t taught to process emotion – if anything, they are taught to suppress it – and may be tempted to lose their way the more they use this ability, influenced by the heightened emotions of others. The Jedi may not have frowned upon this ability, as such, but they were likely wary of it, given the hypothetical consequences. IfStar Wars: The Acolyteis renewed, Vernestra may end up wielding this power once more.
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.
