Warning: This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episodes 1 & 2.
Summary
The Ahsoka series unveils a game-changing revelation by introducing Thrawn's existence in a different galaxy, thereby contradicting the established belief that Star Wars is confined to a single galaxy. This revelation expands on the notion of intergalactic travel, which was subtly hinted at in the concluding scene of The Empire Strikes Back, indicating George Lucas' willingness to explore beyond the boundaries of the original galaxy.
Ahsoka signifies Star Wars expanding into other galaxies, offering new possibilities for future storytelling such as Dave Filoni's The Mandalorian film. The surprising twist in Ahsoka is rooted in The Empire Strikes Back, adding to the excitement for fans. The premiere of this latest Star Wars series captivates viewers with its opening crawl and faithful recreation of a memorable moment from Star Wars Rebels. In episodes 1 and 2 of Ahsoka, the main character embarks on a thrilling quest to find the long-lost Grand Admiral Thrawn, facing formidable adversaries along the way.
In the Ahsoka premiere, one of the most significant revelations is that Thrawn is currently located in a different galaxy. Prior to this moment, it was firmly believed that intergalactic travel was impossible in the Star Wars universe. The narrative was centered around the concept of a "galaxy far, far away" as originally established by George Lucas. However, in Ahsoka, both the protagonists and antagonists are now driven by the desire to journey to another galaxy in order to locate Thrawn and Ezra Bridger. Despite appearing to deviate from established Star Wars lore, this concept actually finds its roots in The Empire Strikes Back.
Empire Strikes Back Shows Lucas Didn't Care About The Galaxy "Rule"
The final scene in The Empire Strikes Back, featuring Luke, Leia, and their loyal droids gazing through transparisteel into space, remains an iconic image. What unfolds before their eyes is a nebula resembling an entire galaxy; it is as if they are observing from an outsider's perspective. Although this concept was later disregarded by individuals like Matt Martin, an esteemed member of the official Lucasfilm Story Group, it emphasizes Lucas's fearlessness in exploring intergalactic travel. The concluding scene of The Empire Strikes Back serves as a testament to his desire to endorse this idea.
Star Wars Is Finally Going Intergalactic
Ignoring this retcon, Star Wars is undeniably venturing beyond the confines of the galaxy, all thanks to Ahsoka. Thrawn and Ezra Bridger have already embarked on the Pathway to Peridea through the help of purrgil, and soon enough, Ahsoka Tano and her adversaries will follow suit. By leveraging cornerstone moments, like the final scene of The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars is seizing the opportunity to expand its narrative into neighboring galaxies, those that encircle the galaxy it calls home.
Star Wars' confirmation of going beyond the galaxy is another thrilling example of the TV series expanding their storytelling realm. The ambitious scope of The Mandalorian's third season is now overshadowed by the grandeur of Ahsoka. This holds exciting prospects for future Star Wars content, especially Dave Filoni's The Mandalorian movie. The fact that these concepts are rooted in classic Star Wars media like The Empire Strikes Back is both reassuring and a guarantee that these stories will stay true to the franchise's essence. Ahsoka is already proving this with just two episodes released.
New episodes of Ahsoka premiere on Disney+ every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.