The Uncertainty of Sidious' Sith Apprenticeship: Was There an Apprentice Between Darth Maul and Count Dooku?

The Star Wars universe, with its intricate history and lore, often offers subtle hints and clear truths that challenge the linear narrative. Among the most debated topics is the apprentice of Darth Sidious. It is commonly believed that Sidious took Darth Maul and Count Dooku as his apprentices in that order, but what if there was an apprentice in between these two formidable Sith Lords? This article delves into the theory, the existing knowledge, and the potential implications of such a hypothetical scenario.

Chronological Order: Darth Maul, Count Dooku, or Both?

Darth Sidious, known during his early years by the name Darth Plagueis, began his ascent to power when he recruited Count Dooku of House Serenno. Dooku, a former Jedi Master, was taken from his position as a member of the Jedi Order and brought into Sidious' service, where he was transformed into Darth Tyranus. This transition from Count to Sith Lord is well-documented in both the animated series and books, including the novel 'Darth Plagueis.'

However, the timeline murky at certain points, particularly during the events leading up to these two Sith Lords joining Sidious' ranks. While Darth Plagueis died around the same time as Qui-Gon Jinn, the confusion arises as to how Maul fits into the sequence. Maul, originally a Sith assassin, technically was not a Sith Lord until he was eventually turned by Sidious. This leads to the question: could there have been an apprentice between Maul and Dooku?

Alternative Thought: An Apprentice Between Maul and Dooku

The idea of an apprentice between Darth Maul and Count Dooku is more than just speculation. It involves examining the existing evidence, particularly the interlude stories and the role of Dooku before he became Sidious' apprentice. Some suggest that if Maul was an apprentice between these two, it would complicate the timeline further. But another interpretation is that Sidious considered appointing Dooku as his apprentice even before Maul's emergence.

Supporters of the theory argue that Sidious' connection with Dooku predates the events of "The Phantom Menace." According to the non-canon 'Tales of the Jedi' animated series and 'Darth Plagueis' novel, there were instances where Sidious was in contact with and recruiting Dooku before Ibrik, Maul's master. This strongly suggests that the choice of Dooku as an apprentice was planned long before Maul became Sidious' first official Sith acolyte.

Dooku's Early Involvement

The recruitment of Count Dooku is, in fact, a critical moment in the Sith history. The decision to transition Dooku from his role as a dissatisfied Jedi to a powerful Sith Lord marked a significant shift in the balance of power. Additionally, Dooku's involvement with the CIS (Confederacy of Independent Systems) and his role in the Clone Wars further cement his importance in the Sith Order.

A detailed timeline shows that Jango Fett, the genetically modified clone of Jango Fett, was recruited by a man named Tyranus, which is Dooku. Given that the cloning process took 10 years, this dates back to approximately 52 BBY. This timeline intersects with the period in which Darth Maul was active, suggesting that Sidious was naming Dooku as Darth Tyranus even before Maul's defeat or presumed death in 32 BBY.

Conclusion

While the traditional narrative presents Darth Maul and Count Dooku as the two apprentice periods of Sidious' Sith training, the scenario of an apprentice between them remains an intriguing possibility. The existing evidence, although somewhat ambiguous, supports the theory that Sidious was preparing to appoint Count Dooku as his successor even before Maul entered the Sith Order.

Nevertheless, this theory remains speculative and lacks concrete canon evidence. The Star Wars universe continues to challenge our understanding, offering both clarity and confusion. For now, it is an entertaining and thought-provoking topic for both fans and enthusiasts of the saga to debate and explore further.