Luke Skywalker's Epic Return: An Exciting New Chapter Unfolds in Star Wars' Force Awakens Sequel after 8 Years

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episodes 1 & 2.

Summary

In Ahsoka episodes 1 & 2, Ahsoka's quest to find Grand Admiral Thrawn bears resemblance to the search for Luke Skywalker in The Force Awakens. To locate Thrawn and Ezra Bridger, Ahsoka must enlist the aid of her former allies and decipher a star map, echoing the collaboration between Rey, Finn, Han Solo, and Chewbacca in The Force Awakens.

The connection between Ahsoka and The Force Awakens acts as a link between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy, honoring the New Republic Era of Star Wars. In Ahsoka, a new live-action series, the story of Luke Skywalker's Star Wars: The Force Awakens is revisited eight years later. The focus is on Ahsoka as she embarks on a quest to locate Grand Admiral Thrawn, who is rumored to have resurfaced. Ahsoka's journey truly begins in The Mandalorian season 2, when she taps into the dark side to extract the whereabouts of a star map from the Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth.

The search for Thrawn in Ahsoka episode 1 quickly becomes familiar. Ahsoka's first task is to locate the star map, which her enemies are also after. Once unlocked, the map can guide them directly to the unexpected whereabouts of Thrawn and Ezra Bridger. However, Ahsoka realizes she cannot unlock the map on her own and turns to her trusted allies for assistance. She gathers a group of familiar and beloved characters who can support her in this mission. These combined elements create a sense of familiarity similar to that of The Force Awakens, another recent Star Wars production.

Ahsoka's Grand Admiral Thrawn Plot Follows The Luke Skywalker Pattern

The characters in The Force Awakens face a race against time to locate a map that leads them to a crucial character. While Ahsoka deals with the menacing presence of Thrawn, the first installment of the sequel trilogy focuses on the search for Luke Skywalker, the hero believed to be the last hope. Nevertheless, a change in perspective within the Star Wars series would reveal that Thrawn possesses heroic qualities from the standpoint of the antagonists. Interestingly, the moment in Ahsoka when Morgan Elsbeth unveils the Pathway to Peridea between galaxies bears a resemblance to the first time BB-8 projected the star path to Luke while on board the Millennium Falcon.

Ahsoka's Quest Is Bringing Together Old Allies - Just Like In The Force Awakens

Ahsoka brings together a group of old allies, including familiar faces from Star Wars Rebels like Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla, who become her trusted companions. Similarly, in The Force Awakens, new characters Rey and Finn join forces with Han Solo and Chewbacca, later teaming up with Leia Organa as they search for Luke. If Ahsoka and her crew encounter Thrawn, they will also reunite with their missing Jedi friend, Ezra Bridger, further deepening the connection between the two stories.

The New Republic Era of Star Wars serves as a connection between the original and sequel trilogies, and this link between Ahsoka and The Force Awakens is a heartfelt tribute. Dave Filoni, the showrunner, may or may not have intentionally incorporated these resemblances, but it adds excitement to a storyline that was already successful in the latest Star Wars installment. While the bridge between these eras holds significant importance, the standalone narrative of Ahsoka is captivating itself, and the anticipation for more grows as Thrawn's return draws near. Catch new episodes of Ahsoka on Disney+ every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.