Ahsoka: Crafting an Unforgettable Star Wars Sequel Experience Beyond the Films

Summary

Ahsoka's story in the Star Wars universe is a better sequel to the Skywalker Saga than Disney's sequel trilogy.

The sequels disregarded the importance of Anakin Skywalker's life and death by failing to further explore the plot and implications. In contrast, Ahsoka delves into the intricacies of the Skywalker legacy and effectively portrays the Rebel Alliance's evolution into the New Republic, making it a far more extensive continuation to Return of the Jedi.

Ahsoka offers a better sequel trilogy to the Skywalker Saga than Disney's Star Wars movies. While opinions on The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker vary, it is generally agreed upon that a more thought-out plan and less rushed production could have resulted in a superior trilogy. Ahsoka fills the gaps that the sequels lacked, with her intricate connection to the Jedi Order, Rebellion, and the Skywalker family. Despite not appearing in the main Star Wars films, Ahsoka's story is crucial to the franchise, as evidenced by her importance in The Clone Wars and how it ties into key moments in The Revenge of the Sith. In essence, Ahsoka tells a story that should have been a central part of the sequel trilogy.

What Are the First Six Star Wars Movies Actually About?

To establish the ideal storyline for the Star Wars sequel trilogy, it is crucial to determine the true narrative of the initial six Star Wars films. However, differing perspectives yield varied explanations. Is it the Rebellion's struggle against the Empire, the conflict between the Jedi and Sith, the tale of the Skywalker family, or a combination of all three? The story encompasses numerous plotlines and character arcs, with their significance influenced by individuals' interpretations of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. This trilogy did not directly contradict the events of the original films but significantly reshaped fans' long-held perceptions. It unveiled the flaws within the Jedi Order, revealed Emperor Palpatine's immense significance, and identified Darth Vader as the prophesied "Chosen One" destined to restore balance to the Force. While Luke Skywalker is undoubtedly the hero of the original trilogy, the prequels cast a new light on Anakin Skywalker, which profoundly impacts the focus of a potential sequel trilogy.

While Darth Vader dies at the end of Return of the Jedi, Luke is astonished to witness the apparition of Anakin Skywalker's Force spirit alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda on the Endor Moon. This revelation already carried substantial significance prior to the release of the prequel trilogy, considering Vader's malevolence throughout the original trilogy. However, the prequels shed light on the magnitude of Anakin's evil when he succumbed to the dark side, committing the heinous act of annihilating young Jedi apprentices and relentlessly pursuing the Jedi to bring an end to the Jedi Order. The notion that his last-minute sacrifice could redeem such a dark past holds tremendous implications for not only Luke and Leia but also for the very essence of the Force itself.

How Star Wars Episodes 7-9 Fail as Sequels

Without rehashing the merits of the sequels, let's delve into how the story adeptly carries on the Star Wars saga after the events of Return of the Jedi. It skillfully reintroduces the beloved characters from the original trilogy, affording each a fitting conclusion while ushering in a new era with Rey at the helm. Moreover, it astounds us by unveiling Rey as the granddaughter of the resilient Emperor Palpatine, who surprisingly survived the events of Return of the Jedi. In a triumphant turn of events, Rey successfully vanquishes him, heralding her transformation into a Skywalker. While these narrative elements may harken back to the earlier movies, they regrettably fail to propel the overarching plot forward.

Despite the presence of Darth Vader, Kylo Ren's possession of Darth Vader's helmet, and the prominence of Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber, the sequels fail to acknowledge Anakin Skywalker and the significance of his life and death. This omission is particularly evident as the revelation of Palpatine's survival undermines the importance of Anakin's sacrifice, which fulfills the Chosen One prophecy. In fact, Luke's role in redeeming Anakin and witnessing his Force ghost on the Endor moon represents the culmination of the first six films. It would make Anakin even more relevant for the subsequent three movies to showcase another descendant of the Skywalker lineage succumbing to the dark side; however, Anakin is never even mentioned.

Luke's inability to bring back Ben, similar to his success with Vader, highlights the paradoxical homage that Kylo Ren pays to Vader while disregarding his heroic conclusion. Furthermore, Rey assumes the Skywalker name yet neglects the original Skywalker entirely. While the sequel trilogy reflects the significance of Anakin Skywalker, it fails to incorporate him into the narrative. Admittedly, addressing this matter is delicate. Anakin Skywalker indeed committed terrible acts, which cannot be easily dismissed; nevertheless, his appearance as a Force ghost suggests some form of redemption. The implications of this redemption, the characters' sentiments towards it, and its impact on situations such as Ben Solo's comparable turn at the end of his life are all crucial aspects, but they are completely disregarded.

How Ahsoka Serves as a Better Star Wars Sequel Than the Sequels

Ahsoka's interactions in the original trilogy are limited to the main characters, as each Star Wars trilogy focuses on a different central cast. However, Anakin is the only character to have a story arc spanning multiple trilogies, although Palpatine, Obi-Wan, Yoda, and the droids also have some relevance across the trilogies, albeit to a lesser extent. Comparatively, Ahsoka, as a show centered around Anakin Skywalker's former Padawan, holds more direct connections to the first six movies than the sequel trilogy does.

Following Return of the Jedi, a sequel would naturally delve into the questions surrounding Vader's redemption. What does it truly mean for his legacy? Should his past misdeeds be dismissed? How should he be remembered? Luke and Leia, being Anakin's children, only knew him as a villain, whereas Ahsoka was raised and taught by him. Anakin even tells her, "within you will be everything I am," emphasizing her connection to his legacy. While Rey becomes a part of this legacy in the sequel trilogy, she does not confront these questions. Even Luke and Leia are not portrayed as grappling with these issues on screen.

Would Ahsoka's Story Have Actually Worked as a Sequel Trilogy?

Regrettably, although Ahsoka's narrative delves into crucial story elements necessary for a well-crafted Star Wars sequel trilogy, it does not inherently ensure that Ahsoka itself would have been a superior choice for such a trilogy. The audience's acceptance of a sequel trilogy heavily relies on the prominent presence of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia. While the original trilogy characters could have been skillfully incorporated into a story akin to Ahsoka, their ages in that particular timeframe would prohibit the portrayal by Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford.

Introducing Ahsoka Tano to the big screen in 2015 might have been too risky for Disney's first Star Wars movie. However, the decision to make Rey a Palpatine feels even more far-fetched compared to introducing Anakin Skywalker's established former Padawan. Although Ahsoka's story was well-established in animated series like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, Disney's aim with the sequels was to evoke nostalgia for the original trilogy. Therefore, introducing a live-action version of an animated character from the prequel era wouldn't have aligned with their agenda.

While Ahsoka's story and themes would have been more in line with what the sequel trilogy should have been, it doesn't necessarily mean that Ahsoka would have been a better choice than the sequel trilogy in 2015. There were various other reasons why it wouldn't have worked. However, this doesn't excuse the fact that the sequel trilogy failed to properly address the Skywalker legacy by overlooking Anakin Skywalker and failing to conclude the "Skywalker Saga" or give Rey's connection to the Skywalker family a deeper meaning.

The debates surrounding the prequel trilogy in the Star Wars franchise are unlikely to ever cease, much like other creative decisions. However, despite the sequel trilogy not being an ideal continuation of the original Star Wars trilogy and the prequel trilogy, Ahsoka has the potential to carry on the narrative of Ahsoka Tano, one of the most intriguing characters, and also function as a genuine sequel to Return of the Jedi, addressing the intricate legacy of Anakin Skywalker.