The Acolyte: could [SPOILER] be Mae's Sith Master?

The galaxy far, far away is no stranger to secrets, especially those shrouded in the mysterious ways of the Force.

Just as I sat down to enjoy the latest Star Wars series, The Acolyte, my partner turned his head towards me faster than I've ever seen him do and quickly said a few words that have been living in my head rent-free ever since: "I think Qimir is the Sith Master."

Yep - Qimir, played by the ever-charming Manny Jacinto, the rogue smuggler with a devil-may-care attitude, might be the dark force behind the shadows as he could very well be hiding a dark secret - there are a lot of signs pointing to the fact that he could be Mae's Sith Master.

Let’s dive into this mind-boggling theory and see if Qimir is truly the puppet master behind Mae's dark journey.

Friendly neighborhood SPOILER WARNING - please read at your own risk.

Is Qimir Mae's Sith Master?

The short yet true answer here is: nobody knows yet.

One tantalizing possibility is that Qimir is not just an accomplice but the Sith Master himself. Despite his carefree façade, Qimir clearly has a purpose: he aims to expose the Jedi’s vulnerabilities and shatter the dream they live in - a goal shared by Mae’s Master. His knowledge, combat skills, and strategic mind all point to a figure far more formidable than a mere smuggler. Plus, Star Wars lore is rich with examples of Sith Lords hiding their true identities. Palpatine concealed his Sith identity from the Jedi for years while working closely with them. Could Qimir be pulling off a similar deception?

If Qimir is indeed Mae’s Sith Master, his story would echo that of Palpatine, who rose to power by manipulating those around him while keeping his true nature hidden. Just like Palpatine, Qimir’s knowledge of the Jedi and his ability to outmaneuver them suggest a deep connection to the dark side. His role in Mae’s journey, his strategic mind, and his combat prowess all point to someone with Sith training. If Qimir is Mae’s Sith Master, it would simultaneously be incredibly storytelling yet a bit predictable, blending intrigue, deception, and the rich history of the Star Wars universe. It would also add a delicious layer of complexity to Qimir’s character, transforming him from a charming rogue to a central figure in the dark side’s resurgence during the High Republic era.

Reasons why Qimir fits the bill as the Sith Master

From the get-go, Qimir's character description paints him as a carefree drifter who’s more interested in his own amusement than galactic politics. He’s a former smuggler turned trader, known to frequent some of the shadier starports around. But when he made his debut in episode two, it was clear there was more to him than just a charming rogue. Qimir showed a deep understanding of the Jedi, their weaknesses, and vulnerabilities. He even guided Mae in her deadly exploits, proving there’s more to his insights than meets the eye.

Qimir’s knowledge of the Jedi is nothing short of extraordinary. He’s not just aware of their existence - he understands their inner workings, their flaws, and their deepest fears. When he tells Mae, “Everyone has a weakness,” it’s not just a throwaway line. It’s a profound observation that proves true when Mae manages to take down two Jedi. His insight into Master Torbin’s psychological state during his Barash Vow - a Jedi vow of silence and reflection - was particularly striking. How did Qimir know that the past still haunted Torbin, driving him to self-poison?

Another clue to Qimir’s hidden depth is his ability to navigate dangerous situations with ease. He managed to evade Jedi capture, smuggle Mae off a planet, and overpower her in hand-to-hand combat - all feats that seem beyond the capabilities of a mere smuggler. Remember Han Solo? As skilled as he was, he couldn’t best a Force user in combat. Yet Qimir, with his seemingly mundane background, does so effortlessly. This raises the question: could Qimir have received training similar to Mae’s from her Sith Master if he isn't it?

Mae’s Master, the mysterious figure with the creepiest helmet in the entire Star Wars franchise and the iconic red lightsaber, is a shadowy presence in the series. Qimir claims to serve this Master, albeit in a different capacity than Mae. While Mae is the warrior, Qimir seems to be an accomplice. However, this arrangement raises several questions. The Sith traditionally follow the Rule of Two - one Master and one Apprentice. If Mae is the Apprentice, how does Qimir fit into this dynamic?

So, is he the Sith Master? He very well could be at this point - there are a lot of subtle details that point to "yes" - but nobody knows for sure.

Keep your lightsabers ready and your eyes peeled as The Acolyte continues to unfold. Whether Qimir is the Sith Master or not, one thing is clear - he’s more than meets the eye, and his secrets could change the fate of the galaxy.

Don't forget to tune in to Disney+ next Tuesday, June 11th for the next episode of Star Wars: The Acolyte.