The Sith are some of the most central figures inStar Wars, but there’s little known about their time in canon beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.Most of what we know about the Sith comes from Palpatine’s many appearances onscreen, along with other Sith Lords and apprentices likeDarth Maul, Count Dooku, and, most famously, Darth Vader. While these characters have given audiences some vital information when it comes to the Sith, there’s not much known about their origin and history.
While there are plenty of now non-canon novels in theStar WarsExpanded Universe (now called Legends), these novels can clue audiences into what the Sith’s history might be, but not really what it is. With so many little bits and pieces of the Sith’s legacy, it’s a bit hard forStar Warsto paint a full picture. With newStar Warsstories hopefully on the horizon, it’s time that Lucasfilm finally introduces the history of the Sith beyond what audiences learned inThe Phantom Menace.
There Are So Many Gaps In Sith History
Especially After The Acolyte’s Cancelation
WhenThe Acolytepremiered last summer, it attempted to explain and expand audiences' knowledge of the Sith at the height of the Jedi’s power at the end of theHigh Republic Era. ThoughThe Acolytewas met with mixed reviews, it provided a unique perspective on the Sith’s state before the Skywalker saga’s events.The Acolyteattempted to fill in many gaps audiences have in Sith history.
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However, withThe Acolyte’s cancelationafter season 1, audiences have been left with more questions than answers.It’s clear thatThe Acolytewas meant to have a two or even three-season arc, but with it being cut short, there’s no telling where the show would have gone, and how characters like The Stranger/Qimir, Osha, or Darth Plagueis factor into the overall Sith history. While a fewStar Warsnovels are set to be published that follow characters fromThe Acolyte, it’s unlikely audiences will get any kind of resolution.
Star Wars Should Make A “Tales of the Sith” Series
Like The Other Animated Shows
Over the last few years,Star Warshas released two series of shorts that usually follow two characters to help fill plot holes or the audience’s gap in understanding.So far, Lucasfilm has releasedTales of the Jediin 2022, which followed Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku through different points in their lives. Last year,Tales of the Empirepremiered with the show followingMorgan ElsbethandBarriss Offee, both of whom were adversaries of Ahsoka Tano. While the shows were met with mixed reviews, they have left fans wondering what “Tales” show would come next.
WithTales of the JediandTales of the Empirerounding out our knowledge of particular characters and even introducing new ones, aTales of the Sithseries seems like a natural progression.
With the Sith being such a big part ofStar Wars’ legacy, it seems only fitting that audiences get to learn more about certain characters in a way they wouldn’t have otherwise. WithTales of the JediandTales of the Empirerounding out our knowledge of particular characters and even introducing new ones, aTales of the Sithseries seems like a natural progression.Creating a show dedicated to the Sith that can fix the mistakes ofThe Acolyteis key if this kind of story wants to keep being told.
After The Acolyte’s Cancelation, The Stranger Is A Perfect Character To Focus On
Manny Jacinto’s portrayal of Qimir/The Stranger inThe Acolytewas one of the show’s bright spots. Not only was he convincing as the aloof smuggler, but he was menacing and terrifying as a Sith. Withquestions left unanswered afterThe Acolyte’s cancelation, and the fact that Jacinto’s character was well received and liked amongst audiences,he’s the perfect character to revisit in aTales of the Sithseries.
Tales of the Sith Can See The Stranger’s Fall to the Dark Side
InThe Acolyte, it was teased that The Stranger was a former student ofJedi Master Vernestra Rwoh. Audiences saw whip marks on The Stranger’s back; plus, Vernestra’s instant recognition of him through the Force indicates the pair knew each other - and their relationship didn’t end well. With this in mind,creating a short that shows The Stranger as Vernestra’s Padawan and how she failed him would be compelling. The Stranger accepting his darkness and leaning into his emotions like he encouraged Osha to do would be a story worth telling.
The Stranger’s Work As A Sith Looking for an Acolyte Would Help Clear Up Plot Holes
One of the criticisms ofThe Acolytewas thatit wasn’t clear why The Stranger required a pupil.While audiences know of theSith Rule of Two, there was never any real confirmation that The Stranger was a Sith. So, seeing him soon before the events ofThe Acolyteand his possible work with Darth Plagueis would help audiences understand why the Sith Lord cameoed inThe Acolyte’s finale.
Darth Plagueis cameoed inThe Acolytefinale, but never spoke, and it was unclear why he was on the same planet as The Stranger and Osha.
The Stranger’s and Osha’s Story Can Get a Better Ending
The Acolyteendedwith Osha accepting her darkness and agreeing to go and train with The Stranger. While fans speculated that there was more to their relationship, and that there may be a Sith love story in the making, becauseThe Acolytewas canceled, it’s something that’ll likely never be resolved.Taking the time to see where the pair went afterThe Acolyte’s finale would help wrap up their story in a way that’s more satisfying than the cliffhanger audiences were left with instead.
“Tales of the Sith” Can Retcon The Events From One Of Star Wars’ Best Legends Novels
Another compelling story that can be adapted for aTales of the Sithminiseries is that of youngSheev Palpatine. There’s little known about the legendary Sith Lord’s origins in canon, but within the Legends pantheon, his beginnings as a Sith were told in James Luceno’s novel,Darth Plagueis. The novel is fantastic and really dives into both Plagueis’ and Palpatine’s thoughts. It also showcases why it was so easy for Palptine to rise to power. With this in mind,adapting and recanonizing parts ofDarth Plagueiswould be incredibly smart, and would make Legends fans very happy.
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Palpatine’s Friendship With Plagueis Could Play Out Onscreen
InDarth Plagueis, Palpatine learns of his potential as a Sith through his friendship with the Muun, Hego Damask, who is actually Plagueis.Plagueis tells a young Palpatine to give in to his feelings, and it ultimately leads to Palpatine killing his entire family and bodyguards with the Force.Seeing Palpatine as a young man on Naboo and his recruitment by the Sith would be compelling - and something audiences would have never seen from Palpatine before.
Palpatine’s Sith Training Was Hard in Legends, And It Should Be Brought Back
In Legends, Palpatine’s Sith training commenced for over a decade, and it was often harsh. While the Jedi often encouraged their Padawans to grow within the Force, that wasn’t the case inDarth Plagueis. Palpatine didn’t wield a lightsaber for years of his apprenticeship. One or more of these training sequences would serve as an interesting foil toTales of the Jediepisode 5, which saw Anakin Skywalker give intense training to Ahsoka Tano.Seeing these two training styles in opposition would help highlight just how cruel of a master Plagueis was and how strong Palpatine had to be.
Tales of the Sith Could Conclude With Palpatine Taking On the Role of Sith Master
The end ofDarth Plagueisoverlapped with the events ofThe Phantom Menace, and ifTales of the Sithfollowed this, it would be a fantastic full-circle moment.Seeing Palpatine strike down his master to fulfill the Rule of Two withThe Phantom Menacetaking place in the background would not only enrich that moviebut would also show why it took Palpatine so long to initiate the Clone Wars and eventually take over the galaxy. If Palpatine’s origins match his from Legends, it’ll be fantastic to see how he grew into the Sith Lord audiences are so familiar with.
WithStar WarsCelebration 2025coming up in April, it’s possible Dave Filoni and Lucasfilm could announce another “Tales” show and, if they do, it’ll hopefullly explore the Sith more. WithStar Warsfilms likeDawn of the Jediin the works, getting to know more about the Sith history before that will be important background for fans. No matter what, it’s clear that since Disney bought Lucasfilm,Star Warshas needed to tell more Sith stories, and aTales of the Sithseries would be the perfect way to do that.
