Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for the finale of The Acolyte.

Summary

• Master Yoda knew about the dark side threats even before The Phantom Menace.
• Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh conspired with Yoda to hide the rising darkness.
• Mace Windu's shock at the Sith's return dissipated, hinting that Yoda revealed the truth.

A shocking Star Wars movies and TV shows without creating too great a retcon. Specifically, it wasn't clear why the Jedi in The Phantom Menace would be so sure the Sith were extinct if the Jedi in The Acolyte had come face-to-face with one.

Many ideas had circulated about how Star Wars could avoid such a massive contradiction, including theories regarding the clues that Qimir isn't a real Sith Lord and the possibility that everyone simply died. However, the solution The Acolyte had was so much more shocking. At the very end of the finale, The Acolyte revealed precisely how and why the Jedi in The Phantom Menace were sure the Sith remained extinct, and it had to do with the show's biggest cameo of all.

Yoda Knew The Dark Side Was Active Even A Century Before TPM

In The Phantom Menace, the Jedi Council were astonished by the mere suggestion that the Sith could be back, as they were believed to have been extinct for centuries. This was obviously not the case, as Palpatine had already been working in the shadows and his master, Darth Plagueis, had been doing so before him. However, it at least seemed to be the case that the Jedi genuinely believed the Sith were eradicated.

Now, The Acolyte has suggested that Master Yoda knew about a rising evil after all. At the very end of the finale, Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh can be seen entering a room in which Master Yoda (shown from the back) is sitting to inform him about the events that have transpired. Presumably, Vernestra is about to tell Master Yoda everything, including that her own former Padawan, Qimir/the Stranger, is at large after having fallen to the dark side of the Force.

Yoda's disbelief that the Sith could be returning was surely at least partially feigned.

It's possible Yoda didn't know the Sith, specifically, were back. However, Yoda's disbelief that the Sith could be returning was at least partially feigned, because he had been given this warning so long before The Phantom Menace. The Acolyte also ends on multiple cliffhangers, meaning that Yoda's awareness could grow exponentially in the 100 years before the prequel trilogy begins. In fact, one of the other massive cliffhangers in the finale was the reveal of a figure who seemed to be the Sith Lord Darth Plagueis, so, Yoda could even uncover the Sith emergence.

Yoda Conspired With Vernestra Rwoh To Keep This Secret

Vernestra Rwoh had one of the most surprising turns of the entire show, although not necessarily in the best way. Throughout The Acolyte, Vernestra had seemed to be an upright Jedi Master dedicated to the Jedi Order and determined to find the Jedi killer and bring them to justice. While she didn't fundamentally change, Vernestra Rwoh's choices in The Acolyte finale showed a very different side of her character.

To protect the future of the Jedi, Vernestra lied to the Senate.

In the end, to protect the future of the Jedi, Vernestra lied to the Senate, claiming it was Master Sol who had killed the other Jedi. This way, she kept the larger issue contained so the Senate wouldn't dig into the situation, perhaps uncovering the Jedi's many mistakes not only regarding what really happened on Brendok but also in the time since. However, to do that, Vernestra not only had to misrepresent who was really killing Jedi and why but also had to make sure that no one ever discovered the darkness that was the real threat all along.

This is precisely what she seems to be doing at the end of the finale when she goes to visit Master Yoda. Presumably, Vernestra will explain to Yoda that the Senate had discussed launching an investigation into the Jedi and ask for his help concealing the truth. Based on The Phantom Menace, Yoda agrees to do exactly that, and, together, they prevent the Senate and the other Jedi from learning that they are facing threats from the dark side of the Force. This is surely why the Phantom Menace Jedi are so astonished—they've been told this can't be true.

Yoda Must Have Told Mace Windu After The Main Meeting

In The Phantom Menace, Mace Windu was initially as shocked as every other member of the Jedi Council that there was suspicion the Sith had returned. However, very soon after that, Mace Windu discussed the "mystery" of the Sith, signaling that he'd had a change in perspective. It's likely that Yoda finally told Mace Windu the truth, revealing that a darkness had been rising for quite some time and was now breaking free.

Unfortunately, this choice doesn't reflect well on Master Yoda or Vernestra Rwoh, although they are both excellent Jedi. It's difficult to blame them, though. Theoretically, the Jedi had been living in true peace for quite some time, so they were undoubtedly ill-prepared for such a seismic revelation. Moreover—and as has proven to be an unfortunate theme for the Jedi—they really did believe this was the best thing to do at the time. Vernestra very obviously feared for the future of the Jedi, and she made this choice to safeguard the Order. Ironically, this would contribute to its fall.

It's also unclear what exactly happens next, so Star Wars could continue to add to this storyline, perhaps revealing that Master Yoda isn't as aware (or at fault) after all. In truth, The Acolyte concluded as though a second season was the intention, so this arc could end up being developed sooner rather than later. As it stands, though, it seems Master Yoda knew that the dark side of the Force was gaining momentum during The Acolyte, resolving the seeming conflict between the events of this Star Wars show and The Phantom Menace.