Recent artwork for The Acolyte has shown the Star Wars show getting progressively darker, but it may also hide a clue that the show’s Sith Lord will soon be defeated. The Stranger, better known as Qimir, revealed himself in The Acolyte episode 5 by attacking a group of Jedi on Khofar. His reveal and subsequent massacre of the Jedi was one of the darkest moments in any Star Wars movie or show, but it now seems that hope isn’t completely lost. New artwork hints that the Stranger will be defeated by one of the remaining Jedi of The Acolyte.
A post by directedbyrian compiled the official artwork for The Acolyte done by Marko Manev, and seeing them all put together revealed a possible hint about the future of the show. Manev has created four pieces of artwork for The Acolyte so far, and each piece featured progressive phases of a lunar eclipse.
The eclipse in Manev’s artwork was fully realized in The Acolyte episode 5. That was by far the darkest moment in the show so far, as it showed the Stranger slaughtering seven of the eight Jedi sent to Khofar. However, the fact that the eclipse has fully happened in The Acolyte episode 5 indicates that it should soon be over. Eclipses are temporary, and the artwork may be hinting that the light will soon return to The Acolyte as it does in a real life eclipse. That may even be a hint that the Stranger will meet his end before the show is over.
Who Will Ultimately Defeat The Acolyte’s Sith Lord?
If Manev’s artwork is a hint that the Stranger will be defeated by the end of The Acolyte, the only thing left to reveal is who could take down such a powerful Sith Lord. The Acolyte has already shown that the Stranger is a force to be reckoned with. He has a trick lightsaber, his cortosis helmet and gauntlet, which can shut off his opponents’ lightsabers, and a deceptive lightsaber combat form at his disposal. Whoever defeats him in combat will have to be even more powerful than him, which only leaves a few of The Acolyte’s characters as possibilities.
Perhaps most likely to defeat the Stranger is Vernestra Rwoh. Vernestra has a few advantages at her disposal that make her one of the most competent Jedi in The Acolyte, and one of the few who could realistically defeat the Stranger. Vernestra used the lightwhip, a unique lightsaber that had its own tricks, and she also had over a century of combat experience as a Jedi. On top of that, trailer footage for The Acolyte included scenes of Vernestra using her lightwhip that haven’t yet been shown, indicating she still has a big role to play before the show is over.
If Vernestra doesn’t ultimately defeat the Stranger herself, there are still a few options available. Master Sol seems like a top contender, given how well he has fought against the Stranger already. He would also be a thematically poignant Jedi to finish the job, as The Acolyte episode 5 hinted that Sol is more connected to the Stranger than he seemed. Mae could also turn on the Stranger and complete her redemption story, now that she’s traveling with Sol. In any case, this artwork heavily implies that the Stranger will be defeated before The Acolyte is over, no matter who delivers the final blow.