The Shocking Truth Behind Ahsoka's Haunting Gaze in her Epic Battle Against Anakin

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka episode 5.

Summary

Ahsoka's inner turmoil is exposed as she briefly contemplates eliminating her vision of Anakin Skywalker, her eyes flickering with yellow, mirroring that of a Sith.

While both Ahsoka and Anakin were compelled to embrace their roles as warriors, Ahsoka resolutely refuses to follow the ominous path her master traversed, instead searching for a distinct purpose in her pursuit as a Jedi.

If Ahsoka had slain Anakin in her prophetic vision, she would have sacrificed a fundamental aspect of her being and risked succumbing to the abyss of darkness.

In the fifth episode of Ahsoka, a complex series of flashbacks takes place within the enigmatic realm known as the World Between Worlds. These flashbacks culminate in Ahsoka's temptation to explore the dark side of the Force. Throughout her harrowing journey, she is compelled to confront her former master, Anakin Skywalker. Anakin adamantly insists that there is a crucial lesson for her to grasp. In their climactic clash, Ahsoka's eyes momentarily flicker yellow, mirroring the common trait exhibited by Sith practitioners. This fleeting occurrence holds great significance, underscoring the profound inner turmoil that plagues Ahsoka as she wrestles with her decision.

Ahsoka Is Walking Down The Same Path As Her Master

Interestingly, Ahsoka has previously experienced the haunting sight of yellow Sith eyes. While undertaking a metaphorical quest to the ethereal realm of Mortis in The Clone Wars season 3, Ahsoka suffered a venomous bite from the very essence of the dark side. However, there exists a crucial disparity between her encounter in The Clone Wars and her current predicament. During The Clone Wars, the dark side aggressively assailed Ahsoka externally, compelling her eyes to adopt the dreaded Sith hue and succumb to her latent darker inclinations. Conversely, in her current state, Ahsoka's eyes transform of their own accord, momentarily contemplating the idea of eradicating her vision of Anakin Skywalker and permanently detaching herself from his lingering influence.

Ahsoka’s journey as a Jedi mirrors Anakin’s in that they both had to embrace what they despised. They joined the Jedi with the belief in the Order's goodness and a desire to make a positive impact. However, just as Ahsoka was about to become a Padawan, the Clone Wars erupted, compelling her to adapt to a soldier's role for survival. Similarly, Anakin got entangled in the complex power struggle between the Jedi Council and the Chancellor. Both parties manipulated him, exploiting him as a spy against each other, causing Anakin to question his allegiance entirely.

Both Anakin and Ahsoka became soldiers out of necessity, being mere instruments of a greater power without much opportunity for reflection. Anakin, in a vision, advises young Ahsoka that he must train her to lead and fight in order to survive. Nonetheless, Ahsoka seeks a deeper purpose for her Jedi battles, as she witnesses nothing but death in the path chosen by Anakin. Eventually, this realization prompts her to part ways with the Order at the conclusion of The Clone Wars season 5. However, despite leaving the Order, she has yet to renounce the Sith.

The Way Of The Sith Leads To Death - And So Does The Way Of The Warrior

The opposite of being a Jedi is to become a Sith. Anakin succumbed to the anger and violence of the Clone Wars, and Ahsoka hesitates to follow a similar path in her vision. In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda advised Luke that greatness does not come from waging wars, but Anakin embraced his role as a General in the Clone Wars. Ahsoka witnesses Anakin's transformation into Vader and sees how his journey as a warrior led him to become a Sith. Simultaneously, she recognizes that she is treading a similar path.

Just like Ahsoka rejects the Jedi, she also rejects the Sith. She not only despises her former master's transformation but also loathes the person she has become as a fighter. Despite her momentary display of yellow eyes, she conquers her hatred and refuses to kill the "shadow warrior" — Anakin Skywalker — whom she resents. Instead, Ahsoka chooses to spare Anakin's life while renouncing the path he took. She allows him to exist within her as a constant reminder of who she must avoid becoming.

Ahsoka Would Have Died If She Killed Anakin In The World Between Worlds

If Ahsoka had succumbed to the temptation to kill Anakin in the World Between Worlds, she would have risked drowning in an overwhelming sea of guilt and remorse. She is desperate to distance herself from the violence and chaos of the Clone Wars and the negative influence that Anakin had on her. However, rejecting Anakin would mean losing an integral part of her identity. Removing him from her life would essentially mean erasing her true self.

When Ahsoka's eyes turn yellow, her very existence hangs in the balance. It is clear that she cannot simply cut Anakin out of her life. Not only would killing him lead to her own demise, but it would also mean surrendering to hatred in her final moments. In essence, Ahsoka finds herself engaged in an internal battle, struggling with her own inner turmoil more than her vision of Anakin. Ahsoka's journey after leaving the Jedi Order has inevitably led her to this moment of self-confrontation. Fortunately, she has learned to accept both herself and the person Anakin became, allowing her to look forward to a brighter future in the sixth episode of Ahsoka.

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