The Shocking Truth Behind Baylan's Devious Plan & His Deep-Seated Hatred for Anakin Skywalker

This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 7.

Summary

Baylan Skoll's true motive becomes apparent as he holds a strong belief that Peridea is the origin point of the eternal struggle between light and darkness, and his ultimate goal is to disrupt this cycle.

Interestingly, Baylan shares an unusual bond with Anakin Skywalker and holds a critical perspective on his legacy, potentially stemming from his dissatisfaction with Anakin's role as the prophesied Chosen One.

Baylan, a character in Ahsoka, is portrayed as someone who believes in the balance of the Force and is willing to utilize both the light and dark sides. However, there is a possibility that he is being influenced by a sinister force on Peridea. A new Ahsoka theory uncovers Baylan's true motives and the reason behind his deep resentment towards Anakin Skywalker. Baylan Skoll, portrayed by the late Ray Stevenson, is a captivating character who survived Order 66 and has been working as a mercenary since the downfall of the Jedi. He has his own hidden agenda that has even confounded Grand Admiral Thrawn's plans. Thrawn, the Empire's renowned strategist, was dismayed when he discovered that they were lacking a mercenary to combat Ahsoka, Ezra, and Sabine.

Baylan's agenda remains mysteriously elusive, with even his own Padawan, Shin Hati, left in the dark. He has disclosed a sensing of an enigmatic Force beckoning him to Peridea, progressively consuming him. In addition, Baylan has vaguely expressed his belief that Peridea served as the origin of the eternal battle between light and dark, aiming to put an end to this ancient cycle. However, the true nature of Baylan's agenda and his role within the expansive Star Wars narrative still remain shrouded in uncertainty.

Baylan Seems To Hate Anakin Skywalker

Baylan's connection to Anakin Skywalker is peculiar, as he possesses an astonishing amount of knowledge about the Chosen One. Some of this information is understandable, as it is widely known among the Jedi Order that Anakin displayed tremendous heroism during the Clone Wars. According to Matt Stover's novelization of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, the entire galaxy recognized Obi-Wan and Anakin as the most prominent heroes. However, what surprises many is that Baylan is actually aware of Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader, a fact that only became widely known many years later.

Interestingly, despite being aligned with the Empire and aiding the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, Baylan holds a critical view of Anakin Skywalker's legacy. This seems odd, considering his own allegiances. One possible explanation for his disdain is that, like several Jedi, Baylan believed Anakin to be the Chosen One. Claudia Gray's novel, Master & Apprentice, unveils the text of the Chosen One prophecy, which states that "A Chosen One shall come, born of no father, and through him ultimate balance in the Force will be restored." It is understandable why Baylan would view Anakin as a disappointment based on this prophecy.

Baylan Skoll Appears To Believe In The Balance Of The Force

Baylan Skoll and his Padawan Shin Hati portray enigmatic characters, deviating from the conventional Jedi image by displaying an inclination, or possibly even enthusiasm, to employ the Force for offensive purposes rather than solely for defense. Shin's attempt to use the Force to fatally harm Sabine caused annoyance to Baylan, not due to her utilization of the dark side, but rather because it put him in a compromising position where he would break his promise. Despite these circumstances, Baylan still deems it appropriate for his apprentice to wear a Padawan braid, indicating his belief that she is evolving into a Jedi of sorts.

There exists some indication that ancient Jedi regarded balance as another aspect of the Force. Baylan's attire alone suggests that he adheres to this viewpoint, perceiving himself as a vessel of equilibrium, ready to employ both the light and dark sides of the Force. For instance, he adorns an obsidian ring, a volcanic mineral capable of absorbing the dark side's energy and has even been utilized to fuel red Sith lightsabers. Additionally, he wears a green crystal on his belt, visually resembling kyber; green kyber crystals align with the light side and are frequently employed by Jedi in their lightsabers.

Does Baylan Believe He's Come To Peridea To Balance The Force?

Putting these pieces together, it is now possible to uncover Baylan's true motives. In his perspective, the Chosen One was destined to restore balance to the Force but failed in doing so. Hence, Baylan has decided to embark on a journey towards Peridea, believing it to be the ancient origin of the never-ending conflict between the light and dark sides. There is some evidence supporting his belief that Peridea was once the heart of an empire older than both the Sith and the Jedi, a dark force-rooted empire that eventually crumbled. Although Baylan's intentions at Peridea remain unclear, it is apparent that he is determined to fulfill the mission he believes Anakin Skywalker could not, striving to bring back equilibrium to the Force.

It is even conceivable that Baylan perceives himself as the rightful Chosen One. Being the only one capable of hearing the enticing allure from Peridea, he may consider himself to be chosen by a cosmic entity representing balance. This entity requires awakening in order for the Force to be restored to its equilibrium. Such a belief aligns with Baylan's aversion towards Anakin Skywalker.

Is Baylan Being Played For A Fool?

However, this theory does not imply that Baylan is justified in believing himself to be an agent of balance. It is entirely possible that he is being manipulated by an external force, something sinister and perilous. In reality, it seems improbable that Peridea, being the homeworld of the Nightsisters of Dathomir, a dark side Force cult that harnesses magick to appropriate the power of the Force for their own purposes, would embody any notion of balance. The symbolisms prevalent in Peridea comprise Sith triangles, while the walls of its structures bear inscriptions inscribed in ur-Kittât, a language steeped in the dark side of the Force. If Baylan is indeed being called by something from Peridea, it is highly likely that it is a creature aligned with the dark side.

This aligns well with Baylan's intensifying fixation. In episode 6 of Ahsoka, he discussed his aspirations for his Padawan Shin, emphasizing his desire for her to surpass being just a conventional Jedi. However, in episode 7 of Ahsoka, after delving further into Peridea's desolate landscapes, he casually disregarded Shin's presence and embarked on a quest to uncover the source of his beckoning. It strongly resembles the allure of a mythical siren's song; a phenomenon that has completely consumed Baylan, one which his Force philosophy rendered him susceptible to and has now completely overwhelmed him. If this is indeed the case, then Baylan's intentions may ultimately be inconsequential; what truly matters is the agenda of the entity currently controlling him.

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