Ahsoka's Ultimate Sacrifice: Unveiling the Profound Evolution of Star Wars Theory

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka episode 4

Summary

Ahsoka's potential demise in episode 4 has the potential to bring about a significant transformation in her character, akin to the revival of Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings. Having faced death twice before in the Star Wars canon, each instance has been accompanied by an alteration in her innate capabilities and strengths.

The events in episode 4 of Ahsoka indicate that her work in the galaxy is still unfinished and that a significant transformation may await her, resulting in her becoming "Ahsoka the White." Ahsoka's third death could mark the completion of her Gandalf-esque journey in the Star Wars canon. In Ahsoka episode 4, it appears that the protagonist portrayed by Rosario Dawson may have met her demise following a intense lightsaber duel. However, this wouldn't be the first time Ahsoka has appeared to perish, and it has the potential to bring about the long-awaited and major transformation in the expansive galaxy.

In episode 4 of "Ahsoka," Ahsoka and her apprentice Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) confront the dark side agents led by Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto). Their mission is to stop the return of exiled Imperial leader Grand Admiral Thrawn. The heroes must face Marrok, a former Inquisitor, as well as Dark Jedi Padawan Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) and her master Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson). Despite their efforts, Baylan defeats Ahsoka by pushing her off a cliff. Ahsoka then finds herself in the World Between Worlds, a realm within the Force. There is a possibility that Ahsoka has died, but she has already experienced death before. This potential third death could potentially result in the rebirth of a new Ahsoka Tano.

Ahsoka Has Died Twice Before In Star Wars History

Ahsoka first met her death during The Clone Wars when she and her master Anakin embarked on a journey into the mystical realm known as Mortis. Accompanied by Anakin's master Obi-Wan Kenobi, they encountered three powerful Force beings - The Son, The Daughter, and The Father. The Son personified the dark side, while his sister represented the light. The Father, on the other hand, maintained balance between the two, serving as a crucial force in the equilibrium of the galaxy's connection to the Force.

Driven by his desire to control Anakin, who was destined to be the Chosen One and take over the Father's role, the Son manipulated Ahsoka, ultimately leading to her demise as he drained her life force. However, the Son also inflicted a fatal wound upon the Daughter. Using the remainder of her power, the Daughter utilized Anakin as a conduit to revive Ahsoka and cleanse her of the dark side's influence.

Years after the Clone Wars and before the Galactic Civil War, Ahsoka confronted her former master, now transformed into the Sith Lord Darth Vader. Their battle took place on the ancient temple of Malachor, as depicted in Star Wars Rebels season 2. As the temple crumbled, Ahsoka appeared to perish while Jedi survivors Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger escaped.

Though it was initially believed that Ahsoka had perished, she was actually brought back through Ezra Bridger's manipulation of time and space. Using the World Between Worlds, Ezra rescued Ahsoka and transported her to the future, as shown in Star Wars Rebels season 4. Ahsoka eventually returned to her own time but only after her duel with Vader. This revelation confirmed that her survival was due to the intervention of the Force, preventing her from meeting her supposed demise.

Both Of Ahsoka's Deaths Evolved Her Powers

Ahsoka Tano underwent noticeable transformations in both of these instances. Following her revival by the Daughter on Mortis, it appears that Ahsoka formed a lasting connection with the cosmic Force entity, possibly inheriting some of its essence. This is evident by the constant presence of Morai, the Daughter's convor, who consistently watches over Ahsoka. Morai has been observed accompanying Ahsoka throughout significant events such as the conclusion of the Clone Wars, her involvement in building the Rebellion, her duel with Vader, and even in the World Between Worlds. This proves an otherworldly link between Morai and Ahsoka herself.

Similarly, Ahsoka underwent changes when Ezra rescued her using the World Between Worlds. By evading her expected demise at the hands of Darth Vader, Ahsoka's absence from the Star Wars timeline ended until her appearances in The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and her forthcoming series. Remarkably, Ahsoka has already demonstrated new abilities, notably psychometry, which she had not previously utilized in The Clone Wars or Star Wars Rebels.

Ahsoka's premiere episodes showcased her initial use of psychometry, a unique Force power possessed by only a few Jedi. Through the Force, she tapped into the "echoes of the past," enabling her to unravel a star map puzzle in the temple. The following day, during her investigation, she also sensed the lingering traces of a past duel between Sabine and Shin Hati. The origins of this innate ability remain a mystery, but it is plausible that Ahsoka acquired it after her first encounter with the World Between Worlds, experiencing profound changes in the aftermath.

Star Wars Rebels Teased Ahsoka's Ultimate Fate

Ahsoka's near-death experiences and subsequent transformations potentially foreshadow her ultimate form hinted at in the epilogue of Star Wars Rebels. While the depiction of Ahsoka reuniting with Sabine and embarking on a quest to find Ezra was faithfully depicted in the initial episodes, it was changed in the live-action adaptation, revealing Ahsoka without her enigmatic white cloak and staff of unknown origins. Showrunner Dave Filoni refers to this alteration as "Ahsoka the White," reminiscent of Gandalf's metamorphosis, a significant change that both Filoni and actress Rosario Dawson have alluded to. However, it appears that this transformative manifestation is destined for the upcoming Ahsoka series.

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the wizard Gandalf the Grey perished in a confrontation with a Balrog of Morgoth, only to be resurrected as Gandalf the White, bestowed with enhanced authority in the realm of Middle Earth, and with his mission still unfinished. Consequently, it is highly conceivable that Ahsoka herself will undergo a strikingly similar progression after the occurrences of Ahsoka episode 4.

Ahsoka Episode 4 Sets Up Her Gandalf Transformation

Ahsoka's encounter with Lord Baylan Skoll, bravely opposing her own Balrog, led to her awakening in a mystical realm of the Force. This occurrence suggests that Ahsoka may have once again faced death after sustaining severe injuries and being pushed off a cliff. Despite this, it is logical to assume that her mission in the galaxy remains incomplete. After renouncing her Jedi identity during the Clone Wars, Ahsoka has been forging her own path. However, it is possible that the time has come for her to embrace her true purpose through the Force. This could lead to her transformation and eventual emergence as "Ahsoka the White". Although speculative, this outcome seems plausible considering Ahsoka Tano's history in the Star Wars canon.

New episodes of Ahsoka premiere on Disney+ on Tuesdays 9PM EST/6PM PST.