Mind-Blowing Revelations: Unveiling Baylan's Mysterious Anakin Skywalker Connection
Unveiling the Enigmatic Connection: Did Baylan Survive Order 66 and Encounter Anakin Skywalker? Discover the intriguing possibility of Baylan's firsthand encounter with the iconic Jedi Knight, shedding light on his descent into the dark side
Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka episode 6.
Summary
Baylan Skoll became disenchanted with the Jedi Order due to their constant striving for power and control. It is possible that Baylan personally witnessed the devastating fall of the Jedi Temple during the ruthless events of Order 66 and managed to survive. This firsthand experience likely contributed to his comprehension of Anakin Skywalker's dark metamorphosis into Darth Vader.
Baylan left the Jedi Order because he saw them transform into soldiers and lose their original purpose as peacekeepers. He aims to break this cycle and believes the answer lies with Peridea. In Episode 6 of Ahsoka, Baylan Skoll, portrayed by Ray Stevenson, starts revealing some of his past. After successfully assisting Morgan Elsbeth in reaching Peridea, Baylan reflects on his journey with his apprentice, Shin Hati. It has been evident that he was once a Jedi and survived Order 66. However, his recent conversation with Shin reveals more about his whereabouts during the Jedi Purge and his ultimate motive in helping Elsbeth.
Baylan Skoll’s character backstory is intricate. Initially, it was unclear why he abandoned the Jedi Order and why he chose to assist Elsbeth in finding Thrawn. However, in Baylan's conversation with Shin, he explicitly expresses his weariness of the constant power struggle in the galaxy. Like previous Jedi, he observes how the Order became consumed by retaining its power, ultimately leading to its downfall. Though he still holds positive memories of the Order, he is determined not to become entangled in Thrawn's scheme.
Baylan May Have Survived The Jedi Temple's Destruction In Order 66
When Baylan shares his history, Shin immediately adds information about the Jedi Temple. This suggests that she is familiar with his story, implying that Baylan was present at the Temple during Order 66. If this is true, then Baylan witnessed the brutal killing of numerous Jedi by the clones who were supposed to protect them. He reveals to Shin that the Jedi Temple held no hope for the future, as the devastating events of Order 66 showed him the true vulnerabilities of the Jedi.
Assuming Baylan did survive Anakin's attack on the Temple in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, he is among the few Jedi in the canon who managed to escape. While there were other Jedi who survived by confronting the clones and evading death elsewhere, the situation at the Temple was distinct. Anakin and the clones were determined to eliminate any survivors, as any living Jedi would challenge the Empire and expose Palpatine's narrative. Instead, Palpatine successfully portrayed the Jedi as traitors who had attempted to assassinate him.
This Would Explain How Baylan Knew What Anakin Skywalker Became
Baylan's knowledge about Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader remains a perplexing aspect of Ahsoka. During their duel in Ahsoka episode 4, Baylan explicitly reveals his awareness of Anakin's history and his transition to Darth Vader. However, this knowledge was highly secretive and known only to a select few individuals. It is plausible that Baylan gained this knowledge from his presence at the Jedi Temple during Order 66. Unlike Grogu, who only encountered clone troopers during his escape, Baylan may have crossed paths with Anakin Skywalker himself.
There are two potential scenarios that could have unfolded during the encounter between Baylan and Anakin. Either Darth Vader failed to kill Baylan, or he chose to spare his life. Similar to how Vader spared Reva Sevander's life, it is possible that he showed mercy towards Baylan during the Purge. Although Baylan's recent statements make this less likely, it is still conceivable that he became Vader's secret apprentice, explaining the uncharacteristic mercy shown towards him. However, it is more probable that Baylan witnessed Anakin slaughtering his fellow Jedi and somehow survived to recount the event.
Order 66 Would Explain Baylan's Fall To The Dark Side
Regardless of whether Baylan witnessed Anakin's actions and fled, or whether he was spared, his explanation of the Jedi Order clarifies why he turned away from them. He even admits to Shin that he trained her to surpass the limitations of being just a Jedi. In many ways, Baylan held a belief in the Jedi similar to Count Dooku. He saw how the Order became entangled in petty politics and galactic conflicts. During the Clone Wars, the Jedi transformed into soldiers rather than fulfilling their intended role as Keepers of the Peace.
According to Baylan, the Jedi Order would have continued to decline as they relentlessly pursued power. He acknowledges that Anakin's destruction of the Temple was an inevitable outcome that he realized too late. Now, Baylan is determined to put an end to this ongoing cycle. He has a belief that Peridea might be the source of the Jedi and the conflict they became entangled in, which explains why he has aligned himself with Elsbeth and Thrawn thus far. However, the final two episodes of Ahsoka will likely provide further details of Baylan's backstory during Order 66 and also unveil where his true loyalty lies.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.
