The Epic Redemption: Ahsoka's Miraculous Role in Correcting a Glaring Error in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

Summary

Ahsoka episode 5 corrects the mistake of the sequel trilogy by addressing the consequences of Anakin Skywalker's redemption, which was ignored in the Disney movies.

The prequels redefined the Skywalker saga, shifting the spotlight onto Anakin as the Chosen One and altering the significance of the original trilogy, with Anakin becoming the primary character.

Ahsoka delves into the aftermath of Darth Vader's actions following the events of Return of the Jedi. It delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding Anakin's legacy and explores how characters like Ahsoka grapple with their role in the Skywalker saga.

In episode 5 of Ahsoka, titled "Shadow Warrior," one of the major flaws of Disney's Star Wars sequel trilogy regarding Anakin Skywalker is finally rectified. Although the sequel trilogy did have some successes, it ultimately received mixed reviews and left Disney unsure of the future of Star Wars on the big screen, with no major theatrical releases since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. However, Star Wars has found success on television with shows like The Mandalorian, Andor, and now Ahsoka.

The Star Wars prequels brought about a significant change in the original trilogy by redefining Darth Vader's origin story and introducing Anakin Skywalker as the prophesied "Chosen One" destined to restore balance to the Force. This alteration didn't impact the events depicted onscreen in the original trilogy, but it added a deeper significance to Vader's redemption and sacrifice in Return of the Jedi. It established a new thematic through line in the series that wasn't previously apparent. Unfortunately, the Disney movies failed to explore the consequences of Anakin's redemption, a significant oversight in the sequels.

The Prequel Trilogy Made the Skywalker Saga About Anakin

25 years ago, there were only three Star Wars movies, which followed the captivating tale of Luke Skywalker. As a young farm boy thrown into an extraordinary adventure, Luke discovered his significant destiny in a vast universe. His incredible journey culminated in a battle against his father, Darth Vader, where he learned to reject violence and ignite a restoration of Vader's empathy. This inspired the villain's redemptive act of killing Emperor Palpatine in a self-sacrifice that saved the galaxy. While the key elements of the story remained intact, the introduction of Anakin Skywalker and the Chosen One prophecy altered the narrative's focus. The prophecy claimed that Anakin would "restore balance to the Force," reshaping the meaning of the entire Star Wars saga. This meant that Darth Vader's redemption in Return of the Jedi fulfilled the prophecy, making the six-episode Star Wars saga primarily centered around Anakin Skywalker rather than his children. Luke's journey retained its significance, but now served as a subset of the larger story revolving around the rise, fall, and return of Anakin Skywalker.

The Sequel Trilogy Ignored Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader

Disney's acquisition of the Star Wars rights and the subsequent announcement of the sequel trilogy led to the introduction of the term "Skywalker saga," distinguishing the main Star Wars narrative from spin-off tales. The significance of the Skywalkers stems from Anakin Skywalker being the Chosen One, making his rise and fall the central pillar of the story. Consequently, the future Skywalkers should grapple with the consequences of Anakin's malevolence and redemption. Regrettably, the sequel trilogy fails to adequately address this crucial aspect of the Star Wars universe. Surprisingly, while Darth Vader's shattered helmet is prominently featured in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, his actual influence on the story and underlying themes of the trilogy is minimal. This oversight is particularly puzzling given that the main character, Rey, is portrayed as the rightful heir to the Skywalker legacy, while Kylo Ren, a direct descendant of the Skywalkers, is striving to embody the new Darth Vader. The intertwining narratives should have embodied the profound legacy of Anakin Skywalker, especially when examining Ben Solo's relationship with Luke Skywalker in the light of Vader's redemption.

The exclusion of Anakin Skywalker in the sequel trilogy goes beyond a missed opportunity; it completely misses the essence of the story. In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Anakin's presence is acknowledged when his voice urges Rey to "restore the balance, as I did" during her climactic battle against Palpatine. However, apart from this brief mention, his story holds no significance in the sequel trilogy. When Rey adopts the name Skywalker at the end, she becomes a part of the legacy initiated by Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

Rey's connection to the Skywalker narrative can be easily traced. Her ties to Luke and Leia, as well as her possession of the lightsaber crafted by Anakin Skywalker, are notable. Moreover, her being a Palpatine deepens her thematic connection to Anakin. Yet, in the grand culmination of the nine Star Wars episodes, Rey's act of burying Anakin's lightsaber near his mother's gravesite and taking on the name "Skywalker" lacks true meaning. This moment should have highlighted the enduring thematic thread of the Skywalker saga, but instead, it disregards Anakin's role entirely, resulting in a disconnection that diminishes its impact.

Ahsoka Finally Explores The Post-Return of the Jedi Consequences of Darth Vader

In a post-Return of the Jedi timeline, it would have been a significant oversight to overlook Ahsoka's former master, Anakin Skywalker, in a show centered around her as his padawan. Fortunately, their relationship is explored further as Ahsoka directly confronts Anakin in the World Between Worlds. Anakin expresses his intention to "finish her training" and through flashbacks to the Clone Wars and intense lightsaber combat, Ahsoka grapples with the profound legacy of Anakin Skywalker. The issue of how to reckon with Anakin's legacy, which the sequel trilogy evaded, takes center stage, as Ahsoka is confronted with the question of how to process the actions and impact of her former master. This unresolved debate has been a subject of speculation and discussion in the Star Wars fandom ever since Anakin's Force ghost appeared to Luke on Endor, signaling his redemption in the Force. Can a single act of self-sacrifice in one's final moments erase a lifetime of violence and devastation? This question shouldn't be limited to the audience alone; it should also be grappled with by the inheritors of the Skywalker legacy. While it has been partially addressed in non-movie canon, the Skywalker saga chose to avoid confronting this critical issue until Ahsoka's storyline emerged.

Ahsoka's not providing explicit answers to all these questions (at least not at the moment), but that's okay. This is a complex matter with no easy resolution. What matters is that the characters impacted by Anakin's legacy are actively wrestling with it onscreen. As Anakin himself asserts, Ahsoka's legacy is his legacy, perhaps even more so than Luke or Leia, since he essentially raised her during the Clone Wars. How does she come to terms with her role in the Skywalker saga? And what becomes of the Chosen One's legacy after his passing? This is the narrative that Ahsoka is weaving.

Ideally, a proper continuation of the story presented in the original six Star Wars films would have directly addressed this internal struggle. It's unfortunate that Disney's sequel trilogy fell short in that regard. However, Ahsoka is seizing the opportunity that was missed, and if there's a silver lining to this situation, it's that Ahsoka's history with Anakin makes her a much more compelling character to explore the legacy of the Skywalkers than Rey ever was.