While Master Vernestra Rwoh is a well-established character in The High Republic universe, she remains an enigma for others. In episode 8 of The Acolyte, we finally learn exactly where Vernestra stands in the grand scheme of Jedi affairs and the extraordinary lengths she will go to safeguard herself and the institution she serves. The season ended with her approaching Master Yoda after she met with the Chancellor. While we don't know what she says, Vernestra should lie to the old Jedi Master.
Why Vernestra shouldn't tell Yoda the truth
Is she ready to lie to Master Yoda for the Jedi Order? Will she tell him everything and leave it in his tiny green hands to decide the appropriate course of action? In this situation, I believe lying would be the lesser of two evils. If Vernestra confesses the truth to Yoda and keeps it hidden, it could damage Master Yoda's iconic status and permanently change how we feel about him as a character.
Vernestra has been shown to act in her own best interest
We know from Star Wars media that Yoda isn't perfect and has made mistakes that he has admitted to. However, I hope a potential Season 2 won't give us a completely corrupt Yoda who helps cover up certain Jedi crimes and blames a dead man who can't defend himself anymore.
Master Sol is dead, and his part in the story is over. Vernestra's apology for his dead body doesn't change the fact that he's been done dirty in episode 8. I was livid at Sol after the last episode, but at the end of the day, he admitted that he killed Mother Aniseya and tried to protect the children from what he believed were witches who created life using dark force powers.
For better or for worse, Vernestra was fully aware of his crimes and the guilt he carried with him for decades. She believes that guilt "twisted his mind," but that's not enough to justify how she covers up her failings. Regardless, the show has already established Vernestra as a shady figure, ready to lie to the Senate, so lying to Yoda won't make her look any worse.
Why it's best not to show Master Yoda as the bad guy in this story
Another huge revelation from episode 8 is that Vernestra was Qimir's Jedi Master. With the truth about Sol, we have to wait and see whether she'll tell Yoda that Qimir is still alive and has taken Osha as his apprentice. If she lies and hides everything, it makes her the bad guy, but if she reveals everything, it absolves her of some guilt, apart from the cover-up before the Senate tribunal. Vernestra may be determined to protect the Jedi as an institution, but for now, it seems like she's protecting no one but herself. She failed as Qimir's master, leading him to the dark side. Instead of owning up to her mistakes, she's doing everything she can to hide the truth.
Unfortunately, a worse outcome would be if Yoda learns the truth and spends the next few decades trying to conceal it. It would be far worse if Yoda suspects that the Sith are alive and kicking, turning a blind eye to events on Brendok and Khofar, allowing a dead Jedi Master to be forever disgraced for crimes he didn't commit. Of course, he may be honest about what's been happening, leading to an inconclusive investigation. In that case, Yoda may believe Sol snapped because his mind was twisted by guilt.
It may be years before we see the conversation teased between Vernestra and Yoda come to fruition. For now, I hope Yoda's involvement remains minimal. If a second season happens, I hope Yoda emerges from it as a respected figure, unlike most of the Jedi in The Acolyte, who have been disappointing.
The Acolyte is streaming on Disney+.