Shocking Revelation: Ahsoka Director Denies Baylan Skoll Being Evil Was Ever Considered!

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 4.

Summary

In the Ahsoka series, the character of Baylan Skoll is depicted deliberately as multi-dimensional and not inherently malevolent. He possesses a distinctive belief system and wholeheartedly pursues a genuine objective. Baylan's motivations, coupled with his association with Dark Jedi instead of Sith, create a captivating character who defies the conventional notions of villains in the Star Wars galaxy.

Baylan Skoll, one of Ahsoka's captivating adversaries, could potentially undergo a transformation or forge an alliance with Ahsoka Tano. This is influenced by his Jedi background and the potential repercussions of Thrawn's return, which adds intrigue to his storyline in the remaining episodes. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that the character's evil nature was not originally part of internal discussions, as revealed by one of the show's directors. From the introduction of Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati in Ahsoka episode 1, it has been evident that they are portrayed more as Dark Jedi rather than Sith. This distinction was particularly highlighted in the culmination of Ahsoka episode 4, where deeper insights into Baylan's motivations were unveiled prior to his intense duel with the titular character, further enhancing his captivating presence.

According to director Peter Ramsey's interview with IGN, Baylan's intriguing nature was deliberately crafted, as the intention was never to portray him as inherently evil in the show. When discussing actor Ray Stevenson's approach to portraying Baylan and how the Ahsoka team saw the character, Ramsey explained that the concept of him being an evil or villainous character was never part of their conversations. Instead, Baylan is portrayed as someone with his own agenda and strong belief system, which differs from the beliefs of the other characters. Ray played him as someone who is confident in his decisions, driven by a genuine purpose and philosophy. His motivations were not along the lines of "finally, I can destroy the Jedi," but rather, as Baylan himself states in the episode, "I perceive things differently from you. I disagree with your methods," believing firmly that he is serving a higher purpose.

Ramsey's comments demonstrate that Baylan's intention was simply to be a man who believes in his own cause, having lost faith in the Jedi Order. Instead of harboring a hidden agenda to annihilate the Jedi out of revenge or to gain control over the galaxy, Baylan is fighting for a cause he sincerely believes to be righteous and genuine, much like Ahsoka and Sabine who stand on the opposing side.

Baylan Might Prove To Be A Hero

Baylan's goal could indicate a change of heart towards Ahsoka. While he remains faithful to his philosophy, his perspective may shift. The power he anticipates from Thrawn's return might not meet his expectations when the Imperial Grand Admiral is back.

Although unlikely, Baylan's Jedi background could influence him. He used to think like the Jedi, prioritizing the will of the Force over his own. If Thrawn's comeback threatens to disrupt the Force's balance, Baylan might once again be drawn to it and form an alliance with another Force agent, Ahsoka Tano. Nonetheless, it will be intriguing to see how Baylan Skoll's character develops in the upcoming four episodes of Ahsoka, considering his impactful introduction and Ramsey's perspective on his characterization approach.

New episodes of Ahsoka release every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.

Source: IGN