Ahsoka's Epic Showdown: Resolving Star Wars' Dark Jedi Dilemma After 32 Years

Summary

For more than three decades, the concept of Dark Jedi, initially introduced by Timothy Zahn in the 1991 book Heir to the Empire, has been woven into the Star Wars mythology. However, the term Dark Jedi presents a dilemma as it implies a larger organizational structure akin to the Jedi Order, in contrast to the Sith who possess distinct rules of their own.

Ahsoka's antagonists, Baylan and Shin, address the challenge of the Dark Jedi predicament by deviating from the philosophies of both the Sith and the Jedi Order. Despite being affiliated with Thrawn and wielding orange lightsabers, they can still be categorized as Dark Jedi. Shin's Padawan braid signifies a structured mentorship reminiscent of the Jedi Order, which helps circumvent the inherent issue associated with the term Dark Jedi.

The upcoming Ahsoka series introduces villains who tackle an enduring issue in the Star Wars universe that dates back over three decades. While Grand Admiral Thrawn assumes the role of the primary antagonist in Ahsoka, additional adversaries are cast as secondary villains, specifically meant to directly oppose the heroes of the New Republic era. Among these villains is Morgan Elsbeth, introduced in The Mandalorian season 2 as a loyal follower of Thrawn.

Dark Jedi Have Been Part Of Star Wars For 32 Years

In addition to Ahsoka's adversaries, Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati, the latest Ahsoka trailer sheds more light on the dark side villains. It delves into their Force abilities, lightsaber expertise, and their joint quest for Thrawn alongside Elsbeth. Ahsoka reintroduces a concept from Star Wars stories released in the 1990s and rectifies a significant flaw associated with it: Dark Jedi.

With the release date of the Ahsoka show set for August 2023, Dark Jedi will have officially been a part of Star Wars for 32 years. The term Dark Jedi was coined by Timothy Zahn, a prominent writer in the Star Wars franchise during the time when creator George Lucas was leading the way. Zahn is credited with creating the character Grand Admiral Thrawn, who made his first appearance in the 1991 book Heir to the Empire. This book, along with the upcoming Star Wars film by Ahsoka and director Dave Filoni, will serve as loose inspirations for the show.

In Heir to the Empire, Timothy Zahn introduced Joruus C'baoth - a Jedi who had succumbed to the dark side and served under Grand Admiral Thrawn. Since the term Sith had not yet been established in the Star Wars universe, Zahn referred to C'baoth as a Dark Jedi. This was the official introduction of the concept of a Dark Jedi in Star Wars, predating George Lucas' full integration of the Sith idea in the Star Wars prequel trilogy with the release of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace eight years later.

The Greatest Problem With "Dark Jedi"

However, the Dark Jedi concept presents a more significant issue compared to the Sith. While the Sith have well-defined principles that set them apart from the Jedi Order, with the Jedi leaning towards hierarchical stereotypes and the Sith consisting of only two solitary warriors, Dark Jedi inherently suggest the presence of a larger entity similar to the Jedi Order. This implies that Dark Jedi must adhere to a certain framework, just like the Jedi themselves.

Ahsoka's Villains Solve Star Wars' Dark Jedi Problem

The inclusion of Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati in Ahsoka marks a significant step for Star Wars in addressing the issue of Dark Jedi. It is evident that Baylan and Shin are distinct from Sith Lords, as they directly serve Thrawn, which would not be allowed by overconfident and egotistical Sith Lords. Additionally, their orange lightsabers differentiate them from other Sith Lords in the Star Wars universe.

Therefore, Baylan and Shin can be categorized as Dark Jedi. Despite proclaiming "We are no Jedi" in the recent Ahsoka trailer, Baylan is a confirmed survivor of Order 66, indicating his past allegiance to the Jedi Order. By not aligning with either the Sith or the Jedi, Baylan and Shin can be classified as Dark Jedi, similar to Joruus C'baoth. Notably, Ahsoka addresses a concern with Dark Jedi by showcasing Shin wearing a Padawan braid.

It appears that Shin is essentially Baylan's mentee, comparable to how a Padawan would be mentored by a Jedi Knight. This revelation highlights the fact that Baylan and Shin have a similar official structure to that of the Jedi Order. Consequently, Ahsoka's two adversaries can now be officially categorized as Dark Jedi, resolving the long-standing problem with the name that originated in Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire.