"The Sith Lord" is the fourth episode of the anthology animated television series Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi. The episode was directed by Saul Ruiz, written by Dave Filoni, and aired on October 26, 2022.
A Jedi master makes a troubling discovery.
At the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Count Dooku enters a restricted section of the Jedi Library. Once inside, the computer system asks him to enter his security clearance code. Dooku enters Master Sifo-Dyas' code. After the computer system authenticates his code, he accesses a file on the planet Kamino and deletes all records of the planet from the Council's libraries. Dooku then mingles among the Jedi using the library's facilities.
Dooku meets Jedi librarian Jocasta Nu, who tells him that his former apprentice Master Qui-Gon Jinn fought a Sith Lord on Tatooine in the Outer Rim Territories. Nu remarks that both Jinn and Dooku had a great imagination, a quality that Dooku surmises is increasingly lacking within the Jedi Temple.
Later, Master Jinn walks with Master Yaddle. Jinn notices that word of his duel with Darth Maul has spread fast. Yaddle replies that Jinn's statement to the Jedi Council was surprising. Dooku meets with Jinn and asks him about his encounter with the Sith Lord. Jinn describes his attacker as a highly skilled warrior whom he believes was trained in the Jedi arts. Dooku asks if he believed that the attacker was a Sith Lord and concludes that the Council was not eager to validate his conclusion. Jinn confirms this was the case.
Dooku responds that he has been warning the Council about the coming darkness for years but that they ignored his concerns. Yaddle thinks that Dooku is being unduly alarmed. When Dooku asks if she doubts his claim, Yaddle says that she does not doubt Jinn's claim but agrees that the Council is right in being cautious until they know more. Dooku agrees with Yaddle that a Sith Lord is not to be trifled with. He warns Jinn that he won't be there to protect his former Padawan. Jinn tells Dooku not to worry since he is Obi-Wan Kenobi's Master. Jinn gives a favorable appraisal of Kenobi's abilities.
Dooku says that he would like to meet Kenobi one day since Jinn is always singing his praises. After Jinn leaves, Yaddle notices that Dooku is looking sad. Dooku remarks that their students grow up so fast. Yaddle agrees and says that this is the way of things. Dooku takes his leave and walks away.
Later, Dooku visits the Great Tree that lies on the grounds of the Jedi Temple. Yaddle joins Dooku as he meditates. Dooku recalls that he used to bring Jinn to the tree as a boy. The young Jinn was fascinated with the tree, having been born on a planet of steel and stone like Coruscant. As the leaves fall, Yaddle tells Dooku that the Jedi Council is leaving for Naboo to attend the funeral of Qui-Gon Jinn after his death during the Battle of Naboo at the hands of Darth Maul. Dooku elects not to go, claiming that he will not be "pleasant company."
Yaddle asks Dooku if he holds the Council accountable for Jinn's death. Dooku replies that Jinn has become one with the Force and that it is time to let him go. Yaddle questions if Dooku could leave without attending his former apprentice's funeral. Dooku heads to the Jedi Temple's hangar where he boards a DC0052 speeder and departs. Yaddle follows Dooku in her own starship. Dooku travels to the Sith lair in Coruscant's The Works district. Yaddle follows Dooku's trail and parks her ship nearby.
Inside the building, Dooku confronts his Sith master Darth Sidious for letting Maul kill Qui-Gon Jinn. Sidious replies that both of them have lost an apprentice in service of their greater goals. Sidious says that the galaxy will not be remade without sacrifices. As Yaddle infiltrates the building, Dooku says that Jinn could have been an ally. Sidious responds that Jinn would have been an ally for Dooku. Dooku asks Sidious if he is questioning his loyalty. Sidious confirms this is the case.
Dooku says that he has done everything that Sidious has requested. The Sith Lord says that he will ask more of Dooku if they are to succeed. Dooku lists his achievements including dealing with Sifo-Dyas, Kamino, and the clone troopers. Dooku says that he has betrayed everything and everyone he has known. Sidious compliments Dooku for his loyalty to a greater cause. Yaddle eavesdrops on their conversation. Dooku is upset that many have died because of his actions. Sidious replies that this is the price of freedom.
The two Sith Lords are interrupted by Yaddle, who confronts Darth Sidious. Sidious asks Dooku if he has betrayed him. Dooku says this is not the case and walks towards Yaddle. Yaddle attempts to reason with Dooku as a fellow Jedi, telling him to help her regardless of his crimes. Dooku points out that she is aware of his actions in the service of the Sith Lord. Sidious tells Dooku not to believe Yaddle. Yaddle tells Dooku that he can make up for any crimes that he has committed by helping her bring the Sith Lord to justice.
Sidious reminds Dooku of his own disillusionment with the Jedi for blindly serving a corrupt Galactic Senate that fails the Galactic Republic that it represents. To prove his loyalty, Sidious tasks Dooku with killing Yaddle. Yaddle tells Dooku that there is still a chance to make things right. Dooku says that it is too late before igniting his lightsaber. Yaddle says no and fights back with her lightsaber. The two engage in a lightsaber duel in the presence of Sidious.
The nimble and agile Yaddle retreats into the hangar. While Dooku searches for her, Yaddle tells him that she is on his side and that she stepped down from her position on the Jedi Council. Yaddle says that Dooku was right about so many things and that Jinn did not have to die. Homing in on her location, Dooku uses the Force to push away the starship that she is hiding behind. Sidious laughs as the two engage in a second lightsaber duel. As Dooku maneuvers Yaddle to the maw of the hangar, Yaddle eyes her ship. Dooku asks if she is heading back to the Jedi Council. Yaddle counters that it is Dooku who has run into the arms of evil.
The two engage in a fierce lightsaber duel at the maw of the hangar. Dooku then uses the Force to lower the gate, seemingly crushing Yaddle to death. Dooku then deactivates his lightsaber. Sidious tells his apprentice that he has done well and tells him to rise. However, Yaddle survives and uses the Force to lift the gate of the hangar, shining light on Dooku. The exhausted Yaddle then stumbles into the hangar and falls. In her last moments, she looks up to Dooku. When Dooku says that he only wants to bring peace and order to the galaxy, Yaddle counters that so many have already suffered for what he calls "order." Dooku offers to bring her peace and strikes her down with his lightsaber, killing her. Sidious watches in the darkness.