The Remarkable Journey of Marrok's Identity Crisis Unveils Astonishing Parallels to Star Wars' Past

Summary

Marrok's mysterious identity in Ahsoka is reminiscent of the mystery surrounding Rey and Snoke in the Star Wars sequels.

The speculation surrounding Marrok's true identity primarily revolves around well-known characters like Ezra Bridger or Starkiller, but this might only cater to fans rather than adding depth to Ahsoka's narrative.

While it could be interesting to unveil Marrok as an unfamiliar character, there is also a potential for backlash similar to what occurred with Rey and Snoke in The Last Jedi.

Marrok's identity is the central enigma in Ahsoka episodes 1-3, but there is a concern about repeating the mistakes made in the Star Wars sequels. Despite his limited screen time, the prevailing discussions revolve around the various theories surrounding Marrok's true identity. Is he the transformed Ezra Bridger, swayed by the dark side? Could he be the revived Starkiller, now part of canon again? Or is he simply Max Rebo, embarking on a significant career change post Return of the Jedi?!

The question of when Marrok's identity will be revealed, whether it will be sooner rather than later or possibly saved for The Mandalorian movie or a potential second season of Ahsoka, remains unknown. However, as long as Marrok continues to conceal his true self behind a mask, the ongoing speculation about who he truly is, and whether he has any connection to existing characters, will dominate the show. Regrettably, this poses a problem.

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Marrok's Mystery Box Identity Repeats The Force Awakens' Rey & Snoke Theories

By enclosing Marrok securely within a secretive box, Ahsoka has essentially transformed him into Schrödinger's Inquisitor; until he removes that helmet, he could potentially be anyone... or perhaps no one. However, it is worth mentioning that Marrok is portrayed by Paul Darnell in Ahsoka's cast, which does hint at the possibilities being narrowed down to male characters, thereby ruling out individuals like Mara Jade and Barriss Offee. With that said, everything else remains an open possibility, mirroring the approach taken by Star Wars: The Force Awakens with Rey and Supreme Leader Snoke.

In The Force Awakens, Rey and Snoke were both introduced as enigmatic figures, sparking numerous theories about their true identities. Similar to Marrok, these speculations revolved around their potential connections to existing characters or even being the same characters themselves. Regarding Rey, the assumptions about her parentage ranged widely, including being the granddaughter of Obi-Wan, the secret love child of Han Solo, a reborn Anakin Skywalker, or somehow descended from Jyn Erso. Although there were fewer possibilities for Snoke, many were firmly convinced that he was the reincarnation of Darth Plagueis the Wise.

Similarly, Marrok also faces the same scrutiny, resulting in a significant amount of attention on the potential identity of the character rather than their true nature and actions.

Marrok Being A Known Character Is Fan-Service (But Does It Service Ahsoka?)

The theories surrounding Marrok's identity may not be definitively wrong. In a world where Palpatine somehow returned and had a powerful Jedi granddaughter, anything is possible. It is conceivable that Marrok could be Starkiller, especially considering the presence of Starkiller's helmet in Andor. However, one must question whether this is a favorable development.

While it would expand the Star Wars canon, the twist would primarily cater to longtime fans, particularly those who enjoyed The Force Unleashed. For others, including the central characters who have little or no connection to Starkiller, this twist would hold little meaning.

The concept that Ezra Bridger is Marrok holds more credibility. The pursuit of Ezra is clearly established as a significant plot point, and his absence greatly impacts the characters, particularly Sabine Wren (who is essentially the heart of the show). This implies that even viewers who are unfamiliar with Star Wars Rebels comprehend Ezra's importance, which would make the eventual revelation even more impactful. Although many may not immediately comprehend the significance due to the limited glimpse of his appearance in live-action, it still holds significant weight.

However, there are two issues with the notion of Ezra being Ahsoka's Inquisitor. Firstly, considering that Thrawn is missing and Ezra was last seen with him, it would require an extremely convoluted plot to explain how he managed to escape while Thrawn did not and somehow ended up in the clutches of the Empire, ultimately succumbing to the dark side. Even if this scenario is barely plausible, there is also the problem of Ezra's own character development.

In Rebels, Marrok was given multiple opportunities to join the dark side by Maul and Palpatine, but he consistently refused. While it's not impossible for him to be brainwashed, it seems redundant considering how well Dave Filoni explored this question in Ahsoka's storyline. Additionally, making Marrok a character loved by fans but in a dark way would feel cheap, especially since Ezra will already be present in the show.

If neither Starkiller nor Ezra are the possibilities, could Marrok be a clone? This theory avoids the issues discussed earlier with Starkiller and Ezra and opens up a wide range of potential characters. He could be a clone of Ezra himself, his former mentor Kanan Jarrus, or even Luke Skywalker. This aligns with the Empire's plans, as demonstrated in The Mandalorian's exploration of cloning. Furthermore, the concept of a Jedi clone is also present in the Legends' Heir to the Empire Thrawn storyline, which Star Wars seems to be revisiting in some capacity.

Marrok Being No One Is The Best Choice - But Will Face Backlash Like Rey & Snoke Did

The decision to unveil Rey as Palpatine's granddaughter in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was a major misstep. Similar to the choice of Marrok as Starkiller, it appeared to cater to a specific segment of the audience rather than contribute to the narrative or themes of the story. What amplifies this disappointment is that Star Wars: The Last Jedi had already delivered the most impactful revelation about Rey's lineage: she was an ordinary nobody. This revelation was both discouraging and incredibly potent, as it conveyed the notion that her heroic journey was not based on a strong familial connection, but on her own merits. It was a profoundly thought-provoking concept with immense depth.

In Ahsoka, the concept of the Force is prevalent, especially as Sabine delves into her own Force-sensitivity and potentially becoming a Jedi. Ahsoka emphasizes that the Force is present in everyone and can be utilized through proper training and discipline. However, the connection between the sequels and Ahsoka loses impact due to the Palpatine twist, and the inclusion of an existing character like Marrok only diminishes the vastness of the galaxy. The issue lies in the potential backlash from theory enthusiasts, which may result in disappointment similar to The Last Jedi's reception regarding Rey and Snoke. The question of who Marrok is presents a compelling intrigue, but it should be motivated by genuine curiosity. Instead of focusing on a big reveal, explore Marrok's journey of becoming an Inquisitor, their unwavering dedication to Ahsoka's adversaries, their true power, and the extent to which they will support Thrawn's cause. By allowing Marrok to exist without a grand revelation, it opens up the opportunity to delve into their complex persona.

Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET on Disney+.