Shocking! Star Wars Shatters George Lucas' Sacred Rule After 46 Years
Star Wars defies George Lucas' long-standing rule, taking an unexpected leap into uncharted territory The franchise's future is reshaped by the intriguing alliance with Peridea and a captivating, unexplored galaxy A thrilling new direction awaits Star Wars fans! (338 characters)
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2.
Summary
Ahsoka introduces a new galaxy to the Star Wars franchise, defying established canon and venturing into uncharted territory. This introduction paves the way for the exploration of enigmatic aspects within the Star Wars universe, including the mystical abilities of the Nightsisters and the mysterious origins of the space-traveling species known as the purrgil.
This move is pivotal in revitalizing the franchise, opening doors for fresh storylines, introducing new characters, and potentially resolving lingering questions about the Star Wars universe.
Prior to the iconic opening crawl of Star Wars, George Lucas established his fundamental rule for this franchise: it takes place in a distant galaxy far, far away. However, the upcoming Ahsoka series on Disney+ is breaking that rule and taking audiences on a thrilling expedition to a second galaxy, equally distant and far away. The scale of this venture is showcased by Morgan Elsbeth and her associates, who have constructed an immense version of the hyperspace transport rings used by the Jedi during the Clone Wars to traverse into this uncharted galaxy.
A new galaxy is introduced in Ahsoka, a show that reunites Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger after their disappearance in the cliffhanger series finale of Star Wars Rebels. This marks Disney's continued effort to expand beyond the boundaries of the known Star Wars galaxy, with previous attempts like the Unknown Regions and Exegol. The evolution of the Star Wars franchise always brings something new or changes elements from the past, and Ahsoka is no exception.
Star Wars Is No Longer In A Galaxy Far, Far Away
In Ahsoka episode 2, titled "Toil and Trouble," Morgan Elsbeth encountered the antagonists Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati on the planet Seatos. Their goal was to utilize an ancient structure to unlock the star map that Ahsoka had acquired from a Nightsisters temple. The revealed map provided both a location and a route to a different galaxy. Baylan referred to this as the "Pathway to Peridea," a mythical tale frequently shared amongst Jedi youth. However, this revelation contradicts established canon within the Star Wars universe. Up until now, nothing of this magnitude has ever been attempted or depicted in Star Wars canon.
George Lucas initially described Star Wars as occurring "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away," a phrase that captivated audiences and emphasized the franchise's fantastical nature, distinct from our own reality. However, this phrase has since taken on a more literal meaning, implying that the events of Star Wars happen in a galaxy distant from our Milky Way. Lucasfilm has dabbled with exploring uncharted regions beyond the known galaxy on several occasions before, most notably in a comic where Han Solo and Chewbacca ventured to Earth in the Millennium Falcon. Additionally, the Legends lore introduced the Yuuzhan Vong and sporadic references to extraterrestrial lifeforms, albeit not to the extent of literally introducing an entirely new galaxy, where Thrawn and Ezra supposedly find themselves stranded.
How Peridea & This New Galaxy Affects Star Wars' Future
Rosario Dawson in Ahsoka
Introducing a second galaxy and a planet rumored to be named Peridea is undeniably captivating for Star Wars enthusiasts, but it's merely the tip of the iceberg. By linking this second galaxy to Morgan Elsbeth and the Nightsisters of Dathomir, Star Wars can finally elucidate the source of the Nightsisters' mystical abilities. Previously, there was no plausible explanation for how a group of individuals on an obscure planet could possess magical powers independent of the Force. Additionally, the inclusion of the purrgil, a species capable of traveling through hyperspace, raises even more intriguing possibilities. If Thrawn and Ezra truly exist in this second galaxy, could they be responsible for the purrgil's presence? Is there a power within this alternate galaxy that not only bequeaths individuals with magic, but also grants animals the ability to navigate through hyperspace?
Beyond the progression of the storyline, this is a pivotal moment for Star Wars. Audiences have grown weary of the continuous rehashing of the same narrative, featuring identical characters, villains, and plot points – even the overused appearance of Tatooine has lost its allure as the farthest and most remote place in the universe. Therefore, the introduction of a new galaxy grants Lucasfilm the opportunity to explore uncharted territory within the franchise. With Dave Filoni working on a film that ties together all the shows in The Mandalorian story arc, one can speculate that this new galaxy may serve as the setting. However, if not, the prospect of delving into a fresh corner of the universe holds immense potential. The second galaxy provides a chance to address lingering questions surrounding magic, ancient species like the Zeffo and Rakatan, and so much more.
New episodes of Ahsoka release Tuesdays at 6pm PT on Disney+.
