Summary
The Acolyteexplores the era of the High Republic, with one character potentially giving Mace Windu’s purple lightsaber more meaning.Star Wars' High Republic erabegan around 500 years beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.ConcerningThe Acolyte, the show is set in 132 BBY, just over 100 years before thefirst chronologicalStar Warsmovie. Given that the latest Disney+ show is a prequel to the prequel trilogy, it is naturally bridging the gap between the High Republic and the version of the Republic established by George Lucas in 1999.
From introducing Mae asStar Wars’Sith Acolyteto showcasing how the Jedi Order is beginning to lose its way,The Acolyteexplores various elements that feed into the prequel trilogy. By the time ofThe Acolytepremiere’s ending, this becomes clear thanks to the mysterious story of the Sith secretly orchestrating things behind the scenes. One other way the show recontextualizes the prequels is through the introduction of a specific character - and oneEaster egg fromTheAcolyteassociated with them - who adds deeper meaning to Mace Windu’s purple lightsaber.
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A Character From The Acolyte May Be The Predecessor To Mace Windu
The character in question isThe Acolyte’s Vernestra Rwoh. Vernestra, or Vern, is the only character inThe Acolyteto have been a prominent part of the various High Republic books. InThe Acolyte, Vern is much older than she was in the books and comics, with the first two episodes of the show proving she has a much higher status within the ranks of the Jedi Order. In Vern’s first book appearances, she was only a Jedi Knight, yet was described as one of the youngest Jedi in history to have progressed beyond the rank of Padawan.
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The highest rank of the Jedi Order is that of Grand Master, a position held by Yoda for centuries before the rise of the Empire in the prequels. However,Star Warscanon has another, fairly similar role within the Jedi. This role is titled the Master of the Order and is usually attributed to the Grand Master. That said,theStar Warsprequels revealed that Mace Windu was the Master of the Order, while Yoda was the Grand Master. This is why both characters are shown sitting at the head of the Council making decisions together inThe Phantom Menace.
Interestingly, Vern is shown in a similar role inThe Acolyte. During the High Republic, there were three Grand Masters of the Jedi Order: Yoda, Lahru, and Pra-tre Veter. The Grand Masters took a less active role in the will of the Council during this era, meaning having a Master of the Order to run day-to-day business makes sense. Based on how Vern was acting and how she was being treated by the likes ofLee Jung-jae’s Master Sol duringThe Acolyte,it seems she holds the same role that Mace Windu holds at the beginning of the prequels.
Two Major Purple Lightsabers Have Been Wielded By Masters Of The Order
Purple Lightsabers May Also Signify A Specific Rank
What makes this connection between Windu and Vern even more interesting is their weapons. As is now iconic within theStar Warsfandom, Mace Windu wielded a purple lightsaber. For a long while, Windu was the only character inStar Warscanon to wield this lightsaber color. As such,the purple saber likely signified his role as the Master of the Order, as it proved to be less common during the prequel era. This concept could be explored further inThe Acolytethanks to Vernestra Rwoh’s inclusion.
Vernestra Rwoh’s purple lightsaber has been modified to be a lightwhip, which will be shown in The Acolyte season 1.
While she did not brandish her lightsaber inThe Acolyte’s premiere, it is known that Vern has a purple lightsaber too. This has been shown at length in the High Republic books and even hinted at inThe Acolyte’s marketing. Given that Vern was shown to have a great deal of power, even over Masters like Sol, it would make sense that she is the Master of the Order, signified by her purple saber. Although purple lightsabers were more common in the High Republic books,The Acolyteis set 100 years later, making Vern’s as uncommon as Windu’s.
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How Does The Purple Lightsaber Relate To This Rank?
Star Wars Canon Links Purple Lightsabers To Masters Of The Order
While this may seem to be an unfounded link between Vernestra and Mace, elements ofStar Warscanon support this. For one, the meaning of purple lightsabers in canon could indicate their connection to being Master of the Order. Originally, purple lightsabers were created simply because Samuel L. Jackson asked George Lucas for one. Since then, though, various canon explanations for the color have been written. One is that purple is a blend of blue and red, meaning it denotes a hint of the dark side in the Jedi who wields it.
This links to Mace Windu, a practitioner ofStar Wars’lightsaber combat formknown as Vaapad, or Form VII. This form allowed Jedi to be more in touch with their opponent’s darkness in a duel, not being afraid to let emotions drive them in battle; The Jedi frowned upon this technique as it links to the dark side. This means Windu is not afraid to touch darkness and conquer it, a trait synonymous with Masters of the Order. InStar Warscanon, one can only be appointed as a Master of the Order if they have faced their own darkness.
Given these elements of Windu’s character, it is safe to say he qualifies as a Master of the Order, with the purple saber signifying this. Similarly, Vern has had several stories in the High Republic that indicate the same, such as when she explained to her Padawan Imri that the temptation of the dark side will always be prevalent and that Jedi should be strong enough to overcome it. By acknowledging this, Vern may also have faced her darkness and become Master of the Order, as typified by her purple lightsaber inThe Acolyte.
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.
