Why Didn't Yoda Face The Sith In The Acolyte? (2024)

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 8.

There’s a reason Master Yoda didn’t face the Sith or have a bigger role in Star Wars: The Acolyte. The Acolyte is set near the end of the High Republic era, an era of relative peace and prosperity for the Jedi. By this time, Yoda was already a Grand Master, having been with the Jedi Order for centuries. He was instrumental in the fight against the Nihil – a dangerous group of marauders who sought to destroy the Republic – trained countless Jedi younglings, and sat on the Jedi Council. So why didn’t anyone go to him for advice?

Given the dangerous situation on Brendok and beyond, it would make sense for the Jedi involved to at least turn to Yoda for his counsel. And yet, Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh made the conscious decision not to approach him about the investigation until after it had been “resolved,” with Osha having joined Qimir, Sol's untimely death, and Mae's memory being wiped. Yoda does make a brief cameo in The Acolyte episode 8, “The Acolyte,” however, and while it can be argued his inclusion in the show could have overshadowed the narrative, his extended absence was still notable.

It's Important Yoda Fails To Realize The True Sith Threat

Though it clearly would have made sense for Yoda to be involved in this particular investigation, canon is better off without his inclusion this season. Yoda is still alive during the Star Wars prequel era – he, like many of his fellow council members of that time, finds it hard to believe that the Sith have returned, or indeed been in hiding the whole time. If Yoda accompanied the Jedi to Khofar and witnessed the Jedi’s massacre in The Acolyte episode 6, if he had gone with Master Vernestra to Brendok in The Acolyte’s finale, it would have been impossible for him to deny the truth.

Yoda needs to believe the Sith are easily beatable. He cannot be made to understand that the Sith have evolved and adapted to living in the shadows, plotting from within. If he had known all that time, his initial denial of the Sith’s existence in the Star Wars prequel trilogy wouldn’t make sense, and if Vernestra had gone to him for help, her plan to bend the truth for the Republic’s senators would have failed. There is no way to include Yoda in The Acolyte season 1 without changing the story or affecting the galaxy in the future.

Vernestra Is Presumably Master Of The Order

The Master of the Order is an important role – essentially, the Master of the Order is the leader of the Jedi High Council. This is different from Yoda’s role as Grand Master, as Grand Masters were generally viewed as the oldest, wisest, and most powerful Jedi, and led the Jedi Order as a whole. The Master of the Order is more of a political position, as it is not only an elected role, but one that forces the Jedi Council’s leader to engage in talks with politicians, different systems, and, perhaps most crucially, head up investigations.

Presumably, during this period, Master Vernestra was the reigning Master of the Order. Vernestra is an impressively powerful Jedi – she was one of the youngest Jedi ever to be knighted, wields a unique lightsaber whip, and suffers from prophetic, hyperspace-related visions. Given her track record, it wouldn’t be surprising if Vernestra was chosen to be the Master of the Order. It also explains why she didn’t feel the need to involve Grand Master Yoda in the investigation, at least until the matter was resolved politically. It would have been wholly under her purview.

As Master of the Order, she could pull the strings herself, and she might have wanted to "protect" her friend, Master Sol, as well as the Jedi's secrets. If she had involved a Grand Master like Yoda, whose very job is to lead the Jedi as a whole, the investigation would no longer have been confined. Word would naturally have spread throughout the entire Order; not only would it have been harder to keep the truth from the Republic and the Jedi’s political enemies, but it also would have been harder to keep Sol's reputation intact – something she no longer had to do once he was tragically killed by Osha.

Yoda's Cameo Sets Up A Bigger Role In The Acolyte Season 2

Though Yoda’s absence in The Acolyte season 1 was understandable, his cameo in the final scenes of The Acolyte's finale surely set up a bigger role for him in a potential second season. If The Acolyte is renewed for season 2, the primary narrative would most likely involve Vernestra and Mae’s hunt for Osha and her new Sith Master. As it was seemingly confirmed that the Stranger was once Vernestra’s own pupil, this could become a more personal mission for her.

She may seek Yoda’s advice on how to separate her emotions from the job, or even just decide to keep Yoda in the loop so that she has someone to steer her in the right direction and help her cover up certain issues. That way, Yoda could be disconnected from the actual Sith-related action to preserve canon while still having an active role in the narrative and the characters’ development. Star Wars: The Acolyte can’t truly ignore Yoda’s presence for two whole seasons, but it can cleverly include his character in the future.

All episodes of Star Wars: The Acolyte are available now, exclusively on Disney+.

The Acolyte

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

Where to Watch

Season

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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.

Cast

Amandla Stenberg , Lee Jung-jae , Joonas Suotamo , Charlie Barnett , Dafne Keen , Leah Brady , Manny Jacinto , Rebecca Henderson , Carrie-Anne Moss , Jodie Turner-Smith , Dean-Charles Chapman , Lauren Brady , Anthony J. Abraham , Thara Shöön , Danielle Xin Yao Waterman , Sienna Khiroya , Jeramiah Evans , Dan Milne , Thomas Coombes , Archie Singh Swali , Nick Court , Ed Kear , Jumayn Hunter , Scroobius Pip , Abigail Thorn , Margarita Levieva , Amy Tsang , Saskia Allen , Deborah Rosan , Tabitha Alege , Paul Bullion , Indra Ové , Derek Arnold , Lewis Young

Character(s)

Mae , Master Sol , Kelnacca , Yord Fandar , Jecki Lon , Little Mae , Qimir , Master Vernestra Rwoh , Master Indara , Mother Aniseya , Master Torbin , Padawan Torbin , Little Osha , Fillik , Tasi Lowa , Youngling , Restrained Convict , Convict , Olega Urchin , Olega Master , Olega Padawan , Scavenger , Ensign Eurus , Mother Koril , Ensign Rane , Scout Sarria , Ensign Shima , Elder Jaalyn , Master Lakshay , Master Holden , Master Ki-Adi-Mundi , Jedi Knight

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

Disney+

Franchise(s)

Star Wars

Writers

Leslye Headland , Charmaine De Grate , Kor Adana

Directors

Leslye Headland , Alex Garcia Lopez

Showrunner

Leslye Headland