The Epic Showdown: Ahsoka's Dark Side vs Thrawn's Ultimate Threat

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 8.

Summary

Thrawn's revelation about Anakin's true identity unearths Ahsoka's greatest dread of succumbing to the dark side.

Ahsoka has demonstrated her steadfast refusal to tread the same path as Anakin, having matured and gleaned valuable lessons from her past encounters.

Thrawn strategically taunts Ahsoka about Anakin's destiny to undermine her confidence and gain an advantage in their upcoming battle. Although Ahsoka hasn't encountered Thrawn in Star Wars Rebels, she has been pursuing him since The Mandalorian season 2 to prevent his return and the resurgence of the Imperial Remnant. She is aware of Thrawn's formidable nature, just as he understands her determination to stop him and her true power. His knowledge stems from his past association with Ahsoka's Jedi Master, Anakin Skywalker.

Thrawn Has Exposed Ahsoka's Greatest Fear

: Thrawn's previous encounter with Anakin came to light in the Ahsoka episode 8, "Part Eight: The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord," however, the specific details of their meeting were not shown on screen. These events took place during the Clone Wars period and were documented in Timothy Zahn's canonical Star Wars novel, "Thrawn: Alliances." On the planet Batuu, near the end of the Clone Wars, Thrawn, as a Captain of the Chiss Ascendancy, embarked on unauthorized missions to gather information about potential allies and new technologies. Coincidentally, Anakin was also present on Batuu with the aim of rescuing his wife, Padmé Amidala. Recognizing their shared goals, they formed an alliance and assisted each other. Throughout their time together, Thrawn directly witnessed Anakin's immense power and unique approaches to problem-solving. Furthermore, Thrawn became one of the select few who became aware of Darth Vader's true identity, a knowledge he now exploits to torment Ahsoka.

In the Ahsoka finale, as Ahsoka and Sabine hurry to catch up with Thrawn’s Star Destroyer, he seizes the opportunity to relish his triumph. Just before making the jump to hyperspace, Thrawn initiates communication with their ship. It is during this exchange that Thrawn discloses his acquaintance with Anakin Skywalker and his awareness of Darth Vader’s true identity. He remarks, "I know you because I knew your master. I deduced that your strategies would be comparable. One can't help but wonder... how similar you might become." Thrawn's implications carry an underlying threat - he believes that Ahsoka could still follow in her master's footsteps and succumb to the dark side. This has always been one of Ahsoka's greatest apprehensions.

Ahsoka Has Already Proved She Won't Go Down Anakin's Path

Upon leaving the Jedi Order in Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 5, she carried the belief that her departure had led to the abandonment of Anakin, ultimately pushing him towards a path of darkness. This notion has plagued her ever since, causing her to deeply regret her time within the Order. She often reflects on how instead of nurturing her skills to become a peacekeeper, she was heavily involved in warfare at a young age, shouldering the responsibility of battles and bloodshed. The terrifying transformation of Anakin Skywalker, a remarkable Jedi renowned for his bravery and power, into Vader only amplified her fears of succumbing to the allure of the dark side. It comes as no surprise that she harbors apprehension about treading the path of darkness herself, given her upbringing filled with violence during the Clone Wars, betrayal from those she held closest, and mourning for the loss of her dear friends.

In addition to delving into Thrawn's reappearance in the Star Wars universe, the Ahsoka series also delves into Ahsoka's development as a character. Episode 5 of Ahsoka, titled "Shadow Warrior," puts Ahsoka face to face with her past, her complicated bond with Anakin, and her deepest fears within the World Between Worlds. Ahsoka has struggled for a long time with the weight of her past and the legacy she carries. Ever since discovering Vader's true identity in Season 2 of Star Wars Rebels, she has been evading her past, forsaking significant relationships such as the one she had with her Padawan, Sabine Wren. Instead, she has been roaming the galaxy, hunting down potential threats in a misguided attempt to atone for her perceived transgressions.

In the World Between Worlds, Ahsoka has the chance to reflect on the impact of her past. She witnesses the battles she was forced to engage in as a child and the growth and learning she experienced under Anakin's guidance. Through this, she realizes that she is capable of more than just being a warrior. While she was trained by Anakin and the Order, Ahsoka independently discovered her capacity for empathy and kindness. Anakin's final lesson showed her that although her past is significant, she has the power to shape her future.

Now, Ahsoka understands that she is not solely defined as Anakin's Padawan. Instead of choosing to kill him in the World Between Worlds, she opts to live and honor his teachings. Her experiences in episode 5 of Ahsoka deeply transform her. She has embraced her new identity as "Ahsoka the White," unburdened by her past but accepting of it. Ahsoka comprehends that Anakin's fall to the dark side was a result of his own choices, influenced by Palpatine's will. She recognizes that she is not her master and has the freedom to make her own choices. Embracing her role as a guiding light in the galaxy, Ahsoka moves away from self-destructive tendencies.

Thrawn's Threat Was A Last Wound By A Skilled Strategist

Thrawn's ability to unsettle his enemies by delving into their history and relationships is one of the reasons why he is such a formidable adversary. This tactic was evident in Star Wars Rebels, where he meticulously studied the Twi'lek culture to dismantle their rebellion on Ryloth. Thrawn, an Imperial Officer, goes beyond relying on the Empire's brute force and employs psychological manipulation, playing mind games and exploiting his opponents' deepest fears.

By taunting Ahsoka with Anakin's tragic fate, Thrawn aims to undermine her confidence. He understands that if she were to return to the main galaxy of Star Wars alive, she would pose a significant challenge to him. Thrawn, being a strategic thinker, seizes any advantage he can find, and having knowledge of Anakin's fate is a crucial piece of information in his arsenal. Despite Anakin's redemption by Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi, Thrawn recognizes the potential damage he could inflict by using Vader's true identity to expand the Imperial Remnant's influence in the galaxy. The Ahsoka finale further solidifies Thrawn's cunning and terrifying nature.

All episodes of Ahsoka are available to stream on Disney+.