Ahsoka's Game-Changing Role: How She Renders the Star Wars Sequels Irrelevant
Ahsoka's expanding role in Star Wars challenges the relevance of the sequels, but they won't be discarded Anakin Skywalker's acknowledgment of Ahsoka as his legacy hints at her significant impact Will a new galaxy help Star Wars distance itself from the sequels?
Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 5.
Summary
Ahsoka's unexpected journey into the galaxy's depths expands the horizons of the Star Wars franchise, going beyond the era of the sequel trilogy. While the criticism won't lead to a retcon or decanonization of the trilogy, Ahsoka provides a creative solution to address these concerns and open up new avenues for storytelling.
Ahsoka's narrative and the introduction of a fresh galaxy bring a sense of insignificance to the sequel trilogy, potentially paving the way for a new era in the Star Wars franchise, with Ahsoka as its prominent figure.
Ahsoka is set between the original Star Wars trilogy and the sequel trilogy. Many have speculated that it will establish the story seen in the latter films. The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett have already started doing so by introducing Force-cloning technology and Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy on Ossus. However, the inclusion of this intergalactic aspect in Ahsoka is surprising since it was never mentioned in the sequel trilogy. This creative twist may shape the way Star Wars approaches the sequel trilogy era in hindsight.
The Star Wars Sequels Will Never Be Decanonized
One thing Ahsoka is not doing is endangering the canon status of the sequel Star Wars trilogy. The new movies have faced severe criticism, leading many fans to demand that the entire trilogy be disregarded or removed from the official storyline. However, this is highly unlikely as both Disney and Lucasfilm have invested a significant amount of time, effort, and resources into these stories. Moreover, the fact that they have incorporated the sequel era into their Galaxy's Edge addition at the Disney Parks suggests that these stories will remain integral to the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Despite this commitment, there are still numerous lingering issues with the lore of the sequel trilogy, and it is undeniable that the negative reception of these films has had a detrimental effect on the overall Star Wars franchise. Interest in further exploring the stories of the sequel trilogy characters has been limited, with the exception of the recent announcement of Rey's New Jedi Order movie and the upcoming immersive Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience, which is set to permanently close. Ahsoka could potentially serve as Star Wars' unique approach to addressing and remedying these challenges specific to the sequel era.
Ahsoka Is Making The Sequels Irrelevant
Ahsoka's story extends far beyond the limits of the sequel Star Wars trilogy as the Pathway to Peridea unveils a brand-new galaxy, greatly expanding the franchise's boundaries unlike the movies. This thrilling adventure opens endless possibilities for future narratives, from introducing new species to the looming threat of an intergalactic war. Ahsoka's tale serves as a promising new direction, surpassing its role as a mere explanation for the absence of New Republic Era heroes in the sequel trilogy.
Consequently, the conflict between the First Order and the Resistance in the sequel movies seems insignificant in comparison. The gravitas of another galaxy aiming to conquer or even obliterate the primary one casts a much larger shadow of danger than any intra-galactic power struggle. To capture the audience's attention with a story more significant than the sequel trilogy, Star Wars must broaden its horizons, and in Ahsoka, they are doing so in an unprecedented and spectacular fashion.
Anakin Skywalker Has Even Called Ahsoka His Legacy
In Ahsoka episode 5, Ahsoka reunites with Anakin in the World Between Worlds, where he helps her confront her past and move forward unburdened. Anakin explicitly acknowledges Ahsoka as his legacy, prioritizing her over his grandson or children. This signifies a connection to the Skywalker saga and distinguishes it from the sequel trilogy. Ahsoka's story may be intended to carry on the legacy of the prequel and original trilogies, bringing a fresh perspective to the galaxy and aligning more closely with George Lucas' vision. While the sequel trilogy still exists, Ahsoka and future projects in the New Republic Era hold a greater significance.
Will Star Wars Distance Itself From The Sequels With A New Galaxy?
The damage caused by the Star Wars sequel trilogy on the franchise is irreversible. However, the franchise appears to be attempting to move forward with Ahsoka's story and the introduction of a brand-new galaxy. This approach has the potential to win back fans who were disappointed by the recent movie installments by offering limitless possibilities. Not only does this story feature one of the original villains from Star Wars Legends, but it also expands in a thrilling new direction. Ahsoka is able to do this while still maintaining a connection to the sequel era through elements such as the weaknesses of the New Republic, which creates a perfect formula for all Star Wars fans.
It seems that Star Wars and the sequel trilogy have already established some distance, with the unveiling of Ahsoka's galaxy and the plans for the New Jedi Order movie taking place years after the original events. This method is quite creative, as it preserves the desired aspects of Star Wars for those who enjoy it while also providing something different for those who do not. Furthermore, it lays the groundwork for even more Star Wars storytelling opportunities, particularly as the demand for beloved characters like Ahsoka, Din Djarin, and Grogu continue to grow. The new galaxy holds tremendous potential for the Star Wars franchise, and its exploration in Ahsoka will undoubtedly revolutionize the entire series.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET on Disney+.
