Ahsoka's Epic Introduction in Star Wars Shakes the Galaxy for the First Time in 24 Years!

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka episodes 1 & 2

Summary

Baylan Skoll and his apprentice, Shin Hati, are captivating Dark Jedi antagonists who make a captivating entrance in the Ahsoka show, evoking memories of Darth Maul's initial introduction.

It is confirmed that Baylan Skoll was previously a bona fide Jedi Knight before embracing the dark side, while Shin Hati adheres to certain Jedi principles, evident through her Jedi Padawan braid.

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Baylan Skoll, a Dark Jedi with an intriguing and captivating villain debut, joins the exciting and mysterious cast of characters in future episodes of Ahsoka. As Ahsoka Tano embarks on her quest to find Grand Admiral Thrawn, the former Imperial leader who vanished before the downfall of the Empire, she uncovers a network of agents dedicated to bringing Thrawn back as the new Heir to the Empire. Among them is Baylan Skoll, whose introduction rivals the memorable debut of Darth Maul in 1999's The Phantom Menace. In Star Wars' new Ahsoka show, this addition adds further depth and intensity to the already highly anticipated series.

In Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2, we witness the introduction of Baylan Skoll and his apprentice Shin Hati (portrayed by Ivanna Sakhno) as Dark Jedi aligned with Morgan Elsbeth, a close associate of Thrawn. Baylan garners immediate attention as a compelling antagonist from the moment he is shown breaking Elsbeth free from her imprisonment by the New Republic in the opening scene of the premiere. Both Baylan and his apprentice hold a unique position, neither fully Sith nor Jedi, making their debut one of the most captivating in Star Wars since Darth Maul's first appearance 24 years ago.

Baylan & Shin Are Entirely New - But Riff On Classic Star Wars Villains

In the Star Wars universe, Dark Jedi named Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati possess a unique and never-before-seen combination of using the dark side of the Force and wielding red-orange bladed lightsabers. They stand out from other characters in the Star Wars canon, as Baylan Skoll was once a genuine Jedi Knight prior to the fall of the Jedi Order and the rise of Palpatine's Empire. It appears that Baylan eventually turned to the dark side and took Shin as his apprentice. Interestingly, they still adhere to certain Jedi practices, as evident from Shin's Padawan braid.

Both Baylan and Shin are immediately established as villains, bearing striking resemblances to previous Sith Lords. Shin exudes aggression and fights in a style reminiscent of Darth Maul, while Baylan particularly resembles Darth Vader in Ahsoka Tano's early encounters with him, even having his own intense hallway scene where he mercilessly slaughters New Republic forces, similar to Vader's actions in Rogue One. Accompanied by a chilling new theme composed by Kevin Kiner, the introduction of Baylan and his apprentice in the galaxy far, far away couldn't have been more impactful.

Baylan Clearly Has His Own Agenda

Furthermore, the initial installments of Ahsoka hint at a promising future for Baylan Skoll, played by the late Ray Stevenson. While serving as mercenaries for Lady Morgan, subtle indications suggest that Baylan harbors personal ambitions and possesses the uncanny ability to anticipate forthcoming events. His quest to seek out Thrawn holds the potential for acquiring immeasurable power, albeit the nature of this power remains undisclosed. Amidst the anticipation, Ahsoka's remaining six episodes promise to be captivating, as Baylan possesses knowledge yet to be revealed and an unwavering determination to locate Thrawn for his own distinct objectives.

Don't miss the release of new episodes of Ahsoka every Tuesday on Disney+ at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.