Acolyte Theory: Is [Spoiler] the former Jedi master of Qimir?

This article contains spoilers for The Acolyte through Episode 6: Teach/Corrupt.

After the devastating losses from Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 5, "Night," the Jedi are on a mission to figure out what happened on Khofar. Resolutely on the trail, Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh attempts to piece together the events at the crime scene, but she may have more of a connection to this tragedy than meets the eye.

From the beginning, Vernestra appeared afraid of The Stranger, AKA Qimir, worrying about his plan as if she had an idea of what it could be. She has twice mentioned that he is searching for "something to tip the scales." However, despite her worries, Vernestra was the first to suggest concealing Mae's attacks on the Jedi from the Council. To prevent a scandal, she has attempted to quiet any discussion on Mae's Master reaching Jedi leadership.

When Sol's entire team was killed in their battle with Qimir, Vernestra did not seem surprised. She invites herself on the mission to investigate the Khofar mission and braves her hyperspace travel difficulties to "handle this personally." She continues to conceal the team's intentions, even from the rescue party attempting to locate Sol. Throughout their mission, she is distracted and appears haunted, even prompting Mog to ask her if she is alright.

From this evidence, it seems that Vernestra knows The Stranger's identity. The most likely connection a Jedi Master could have with him is through a Master/Padawan relationship. During episode 6, "Teach/Corrupt," Qimir confirms that he was once a member of the Jedi and that it was his Master who gave him the large scar on his back. It seems unlikely that it is a mere coincidence that in the same episode where Qimir reveals his scar, we also see a weapon that could have inflicted it.

Vernestra's lightsaber whip is a unique weapon, and Qimir's scar is equally strange—the wound curves in a manner that is atypical of the average lightsaber stab wound. However, if Vernestra's attack on the umbramoth is any indication, her lightsaber's movements correspond well with his injury.

If Vernestra is Qimir's former Master, it would also explain why he was so surprised when Sol did not recognize him. Sol and Vernestra appear to have a close relationship, so her Padawan would have seen Sol often. Sol thought something was familiar about Qimir in earlier episodes but could not recognize him. If he believes Vernestra's former Padawan is dead, it may be creating a mental block, stopping Sol from realizing the Qimir's identity. This would not be the first time that someone he believed to be dead has come back to haunt him.

In the show's final episodes, we may discover which Jedi was Qimir's Master. At the moment, the strongest candidate seems to be Vernestra Rwoh. Senator Chuwant told Vernestra that the Jedi were "always transparent with the Senate," but clearly, this is far from true. Vernestra herself may well be a living example of the ways the Jedi have concealed aspects of themselves from the outside world and even from those within their ranks.