Darth Vader’s First Sith Title Makes Sense For The First Time In 47 Years

After 47 years of Star Wars, Darth Vader remains the most iconic villain in the whole franchise, yet his Sith title is only just being explained now. In the prequel trilogy, Anakin Skywalker slowly succumbed to Palpatine’s machinations. He ultimately turned from a promising Jedi warrior into a cold, mechanical villain that would permanently scar the galaxy. Even after his demise in Return of the Jedi, Vader’s actions rippled throughout the timeline long after he was gone, to the point where even his grandson Kylo Ren grappled with the gruesome Sith heritage Vader had left him.

Due to his status as the Chosen One, Vader quickly rose to become one of the most powerful Sith of all time. While Palpatine cunningly orchestrated his plans from the shadows, Vader was not afraid to stand up and slaughter those who stood in his way; in fact, he relished the chance to strike fear into the hearts of his enemies. There were no lengths he would not go to cause the galaxy the same suffering, grief, and despair he knew. Vader’s cruelty earned him many titles throughout his tyrannical reign, but one title was more prestigious than all the rest.

Star Wars Established Darth Vader As A Lord Of The Sith

Along with Palpatine, Darth Vader is referred to as a “Lord of the Sith.” This title made sense during the Empire’s reign, since Palpatine and Vader were Lords over the galaxy. But the “Lord of the Sith” title had actually been used for millennia, long before their awaited triumph over the Jedi in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. In other words, Vader is Lord over something else as well. But this has always been a point of confusion, since Palpatine and Vader are seemingly alone in the original trilogy as Sith Lords.

The prequel trilogy and Star Wars: The Clone Wars partially attempted to explain what Sith Lords actually rule over. Characters like Asajj Ventress and Savage Opress wield the dark side in a similar fashion to Sith, while also striving to rise through the ranks and gain the coveted title of Sith Lord. Nevertheless, they are forever bound to a tier below the true Sith. As a Sith Lord himself, Count Dooku promised them both a chance to climb the ladder and prove their worth, only to cast them aside when their usefulness had run its course.

Nevertheless, Asajj and Savage’s existence still doesn’t explain who exactly Sith Lords rule over. There were periods—such as Palpatine’s reign alongside Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace—where there were no other dark side candidates for them to lead. And given how the Jedi Order presumed them to be extinct, the Sith needed to keep their numbers as low as possible to avoid detection. Consequently, their insistence on limiting the number of aspiring Sith makes the “Lord of the Sith” title even more confusing.

The Rule Of Two Made The Idea Of Sith Lords Even Stranger

Darth Bane’s Rule of Two further complicated the idea of Sith Lords. As the Master Sith, it made sense that Palpatine was Lord over Vader, just as he ruled over Dooku and Maul before him. But for Vader, there were no Sith apprentices for him to rule over. This problem was briefly solved in Legends, where Vader had his secret apprentice, Galen Marek from The Force Unleashed games. Yet in Disney’s Star Wars Canon, Vader remains alone with Palpatine as “Lord of the Sith,” which may as well be akin to being lord of oneself.

Star Wars Rebels partially solved the Sith Lord problem by introducing the Inquisitors, who channeled the dark side in a similar way to real Sith. The fact that Vader personally oversaw the Inquisitor program further explained who he was Lord over. Nevertheless, Inquisitors were not Sith; there was no real path for them to rise through the ranks and join Palpatine and Vader. Instead, they stagnated in their dark side abilities. This worked perfectly for the Empire, since the Inquisitors only existed to hunt remaining Jedi down; once the Jedi were gone, there was no need for the Inquisitors.

The Inquisitors, Asajj, and Savage are probably the closest Star Wars Canon has come so far to explaining who the Lords of the Sith actually rule over. These were real dark side disciples who served their Sith Lords without question. And while some of them were conned into believing they had a shot at becoming Sith Lords, none of them had any chance at usurping their masters. Nevertheless, Star Wars’ next live-action show promises to finally answer who the Sith Lords, and Vader, actually ruled over.

The Acolyte Finally Explains That There Have Always Been More Sith

The Acolyte finally provides the answer to why the Sith have the title of Lord. Because of Bane’s Rule of Two, there were only ever two Sith Lords, but there were also Sith acolytes who strove to acquire that coveted title. In Legends, Sith Acolytes existed long before Bane reformed the Sith Order into two Lords. Before Bane, Sith Acolytes were an official rank of aspiring Sith who trained alongside a Lord to gain recognition in the Sith Order, and it seems like The Acolyte is taking a leaf out of Legends’ book by bringing this concept back.

Taking place 100 years before The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte explores a different era of the Sith than the audience is familiar with. Amandla Stenberg’s Mae character could very well be the “Acolyte” referred to in the title. As a former Jedi Padawan, Mae now walks a darker path. It’s possible she seeks to become a Sith Lord by rising the ranks as an Acolyte. Alternatively, she may have another motive entirely. But in any case, the title of the show suggests there are those who aspire to become Sith, yet haven’t achieved the title yet.

It’s unclear whether characters like Asajj, Savage, and the Inquisitors can be classified as Sith Acolytes now that the tier is being reintroduced to Canon. Since many of them aspired to become Sith one day, they technically fit the bill. In any case, The Acolyte will likely delve into why Sith Acolytes aren’t seen or heard of anywhere in the Skywalker Saga. For now, the series promises to explain the “Lord of the Sith” title by showing exactly who Sith Lords rule over, bringing a close to the mystery of who Darth Vader was Lord over in Star Wars.