Summary
- Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh’s development in
The Acolyte
is intentional, showcasing a tragic arc of sacrifice and evolution. - Rwoh’s loyalty shifts from the Force to the Jedi Order, highlighting the impact of institutional loyalty on individuals within the Jedi Order.
- The changes in Rwoh’s character reflect a loss of ambition and sensitivity, revealing the dark realities of loyalty and survival in the High Republic era.
The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland explains why Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) has changed so much since her days as a prodigy. While the new Star Wars show introduces many original characters, Rwoh is one of the familiar faces that appears. She previously appeared in Justina Ireland’s canon novel A Test of Courage, where she was hailed as a Jedi prodigy. Rwoh attained the rank of a Jedi Knight at the tender age of 15 and was known for her innovation and close connection to the Force, raising questions of why she’s so different as an adult.
In an interview with Collider, Headland explained why Rwoh is so different in The Acolyte. Headland confirmed the changes were intentional, as she wanted a tragic storyline for Rwoh. Her connection to the Force and skill were beautiful, making it quite sad that she sacrificed some of these aspects of herself to fit the role of protecting the Jedi Order. However, Headland acknowledged that some of the changes were Rwoh naturally evolving, with her time in the Jedi Order shaping her. Check out her statement below:
To me, it was just so cool to do this tragic arc for Vernestra, which is that she goes from this prodigy, optimistic, inventive and creating her lightwhip, her hyperspace visions — there’s just these beautiful specific things about her, and then to see her move into this space where she’s no longer an adventurer. She has had to fill a role, which is to protect this institution.
She’s seen a lot of people go through there being the age that she is. I think that also speaks to her age and, I’d say, maturity in her stature. I think that anyone who is a part of that for as long as she is at some point evolves into it, like when a tree grows around something. I think it’s just something where you wake up one morning and you realize you’re that person.
Vernestra Rwoh Has Lost So Much By The Time Of The Acolyte
Rwoh Values The Jedi Order Above All Else
The noticeable changes in Rwoh in The Acolyte demonstrate how much she has lost over the years. To be fair, a significant amount of time has passed between A Test of Courage and the show. Since she’s a Mirialan, Rwoh’s life span is longer than the average human’s, putting her at over 100 years old in The Acolyte. Still, she experiences some fundamental changes in her personality and beliefs that can’t reasonably be explained just by the passage of time.
Not only did Rwoh become a Jedi Knight and take on a Padawan at an incredibly young age, but she was unusually attuned to the Force. She even experiences Force visions due to her incredible sensitivity, with the visions once guiding her to daringly modify her lightsaber into a lightwhip. On her missions, she experienced loss but channeled her grief into connecting with the Force. Unfortunately, none of Rwoh’s spark, ambition, and sensitivity is present in The Acolyte. Instead, Rwoh changes into a frigid leader who operates secretively and hates hyperspace out of dread for triggering her visions.
Related
Why The Acolyte’s Vernestra Rwoh Really Doesn’t Like Hyperspace
The Acolyte episode 6 saw Vernestra Rwoh state that she gets unsettled during hyperspace travel, providing a neat link to the High Republic books.
In The Acolyte, it’s evident that Rwoh is loyal to the Jedi Order above the Force. She shows little emotion about the loss of Jedi, though, demonstrating she cares more for the institution than its individual members. This is a sobering depiction of what the Jedi Order can do to those who pledge their loyalty to an institution above all else. Rwoh once had the ambition and skill to change the Jedi Order, but by The Acolyte‘s time, she’s so desperate solely for its survival that she’ll allow its flaws and lies to remain just to sustain it.
Source: Collider
The Acolyte
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+
- Writers
- Leslye Headland , Charmaine De Grate , Kor Adana
- Directors
- Leslye Headland , Alex Garcia Lopez
- Showrunner
- Leslye Headland