Star Wars‘ most controversial TV show, The Acolyte, made one of the most incredible KotOR Force powers officially canon. We tend to think of Star Wars as a film and TV franchise, but it’s always been so much more. The award-winning Knights of the Old Republic game – released in 2003 – proves the point.

The story may not technically be canon, but KotOR‘s legacy is sound, and there’s still reportedly a reboot in the works under Disney. Most remarkably, though, so many elements have been subtly referenced in canon, making them part of the lore once again. That was especially true in Leslye Headland’s High Republic Era show The Acolyte, which was heavily inspired by KotOR.

The Acolyte Introduced The Jedi Mind Wipe

A Sinister Force Power Alluded To From The Beginning

The Acolyte‘s explicit KotOR nods began in episode 2, when Manny Jacinto’s Qimir (later revealed to be a secret Sith Lord) was confronted by a group of Jedi; he begged them not to wipe his memory, or “whatever it is you do.” It was a subtle reference to the Force power of wiping memories, key to the backstory of Darth Revan.

In KotOR, the Jedi did indeed possess this particular ability; in fact, they erased the memories of Revan to try to turn him back to the light side. But the power had always seemed rather dark, especially so given modern canon has revealed many ancient Jedi considered even Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi mind trick too invasive.

The Acolyte‘s ending returned to memory wipes, with Qimir – now revealed to be the Sith Lord named the Stranger – using the power on Mae, erasing all memories of her twin sister Osha. It seems appropriate that the power is now seen used by an apparent Sith Lord, confirming that it’s truly of the dark side.

Did Palpatine Use The Mind Wipe To Manipulate His Enemies?

It Would Be Fitting For The Sith Lord

We don’t know how the Stranger fits into the line of Darth Bane; he seems to be contemporaneous with Darth Sidious, who would go on to train Palpatine himself, so it’s all rather murky and unclear. Still, one thing’s for sure; The Acolyte at least raises the possibility that Darth Sidious knew this particular Force power too.

This would certainly explain why Palpatine was able to manipulate his way into such a position of power. We’ve tended to focus on his back-room deals, but this ultimate Sith Lord could easily have been using the dark side to his benefit, manipulating others and then erasing their memories. It would explain why he sometimes seemed so lacking in caution.

Notice that the Stranger was even able to use the Force on Mae, a powerful Force-sensitive. Given that’s the case, it’s entirely possible Palpatine even wiped the memories of some Jedi, allowing himself to use the dark side in their presence. The Acolyte may have been controversial, but it raises some thrilling possibilities.