Summary
Ahsoka Tano's journey parallels that of Gandalf the White in "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," as she emerges with increased strength and enlightenment following her emotional encounter with Darth Vader.Just like Kanan Jarrus in "Star Wars Rebels," Ahsoka must reach a higher level and embrace her true identity as a Jedi Master for her transformation into Ahsoka the White to be fully realized.
While Ahsoka Tano is the namesake of the show, the true hero of the story may actually be Sabine Wren. Sabine is poised to step up as the next generation's hero in the Mandalorian era of storytelling, potentially playing a crucial role in the conflict on Mandalore. Ahsoka has had a complex history in the Star Wars universe, starting as Anakin Skywalker's bold Padawan and later evolving into a true Jedi even after leaving the Jedi Order. She fought against the Empire during the Dark Times, joined forces with Jedi Kanan Jarrus, his Padawan Ezra Bridger, Sabine Wren, and the rest of the Ghost crew, and ultimately discovered the shocking truth about Vader's identity through a dangerous confrontation. All of these experiences have led Ahsoka to her current state in the Ahsoka show, where she is ready to undergo one final transformation.
This Isn't The First Time Dave Filoni Has Been Inspired By Gandalf
: In the aftermath of the Star Wars Rebels series, Ahsoka Tano stands tall in a pristine white robe, wielding a humble yet exquisite staff. This visually reminiscent scene draws a parallel to the iconic transformation of "Gandalf the White" in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, as he emerges stronger and enlightened after his intense battle against the demonic Balrog. Similarly, Ahsoka has endured and triumphed over her most grueling and emotionally charged duel with Darth Vader. With Dave Filoni, the creator, confirming the influence of Gandalf on Ahsoka's character development, her journey is not yet complete. It is the forthcoming Ahsoka show that will ultimately unveil the final role she must fulfill, thus unraveling the tale of the true hero.Filoni drew inspiration from Gandalf's transformative character arc for more than just Ahsoka's journey. Kanan Jarrus also embarked on a similar path in Rebels, although the visual references were not as obvious. Instead, Kanan's character development revolved around his role as a mentor to Ezra Bridger. Nerdist reported that Filoni discussed Kanan's growth as a Jedi Master and how it parallels Gandalf's experiences in Tolkien's work.
My modeling has been heavily influenced by my exposure to reading Tolkien, particularly in terms of character mentorship. Gandalf, while being further along the path than anyone else, is not a fully developed mentor. This is evident in his symbolic portrayal of being gray. He must continue to learn and grow as he progresses, ultimately reaching a new level of understanding. Similarly, Kanan must also achieve a new level of knowledge before his apprentice can make any progress.
The reference to Kanan attaining a new level pertains to his selfless act in Star Wars Rebels season 4, episode 10 "Jedi Night." By sacrificing himself to save his friends from an explosion caused by an Imperial fuel tank, Kanan paved the way for Ezra Bridger to make a similar sacrifice in his mission to defeat Grand Admiral Thrawn and free Lothal. Kanan needed to learn an important lesson before he could impart it to Ezra, effectively fulfilling his role as a mentor. Once he had discovered the art of letting go, there was nothing more for him to teach.
Gandalf, in a similar vein, made the ultimate sacrifice in order to rescue the Fellowship from the Balrog's furious rage. This selfless act bestowed upon him a newfound wisdom, a wisdom that proved instrumental in vanquishing the adversary's diverse armies and allowed Frodo and Sam to successfully fulfill their mission to annihilate the One Ring. The concept of mentorship and the imparting of knowledge play a significant role in Gandalf's character development. If Ahsoka Tano is to follow a similar path and become known as "Ahsoka the White," as evidenced in the Rebels epilogue, there exists one final role that she must fully embrace.
Star Wars Rebels Introduced Ahsoka The White... In Her Reunion With Sabine
The Rebels epilogue appears to be undergoing a partial retcon by Ahsoka in the trailer. Ahsoka's promotional material includes a few shots that recreate the final scene with Mandalorian Sabine Wren in live-action, although Ahsoka is seen wearing a gray robe instead of white. This suggests that the show will delve into Ahsoka's journey towards becoming Ahsoka the White, as she and Sabine traverse the galaxy in search of Ezra Bridger and Grand Admiral Thrawn together. While her ultimate transformation may experience delays and alterations, it is undoubtedly still on the horizon, especially with the confirmation that Ahsoka and Sabine have traveled and collaborated as a Master and apprentice.
Ahsoka's new role as a master marks a significant development in her transformation, reminiscent of Gandalf. It's an unfamiliar responsibility for her. In The Mandalorian season 2, Ahsoka declined to train Grogu due to concerns about his attachment to Din Djarin, and she never had her own Padawan. Like Kanan, Ahsoka must now grasp the true essence of being a Jedi Master. This doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing her life like Kanan and Gandalf (although the heavily implied fate of Ahsoka in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker suggests this as a possibility). However, it does mean that Sabine must learn more from Ahsoka than just lightsaber skills or the use of the Force, should that theory prove accurate.
Rather, Sabine needs to comprehend what it truly means to be a Jedi, not only in theory but also in practice. Merely claiming to be selfless is one thing; acting selflessly is another. If Sabine learns this valuable lesson from her master in the Ahsoka show, not only will Ahsoka be truly prepared to embrace her destiny as Ahsoka the White, but Sabine will also emerge as the true hero of the story.
Sabine Is The Real Hero Of Ahsoka
Once Ahsoka assumes the title of Ahsoka the White, she will embody the role of the "Mentor" archetype. With a rich history of battles won, personal growth, and the ability to make her own choices, Ahsoka possesses valuable life experiences to pass on to her apprentice. However, as a Mentor, Ahsoka cannot simultaneously fulfill the role of the "Hero" archetype. Instead, that responsibility falls to Sabine Wren. Although this decision may seem peculiar in a show titled Ahsoka, it aligns with the thematic storytelling of Star Wars and the time period in which Ahsoka and other related projects, such as The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, take place.
Star Wars thrives on the recurring pattern of mentorship and learning between generations. A Jedi Master takes on a Padawan, who eventually becomes a Jedi Knight and mentors their own apprentice. This cycle revolves around learning from those who came before and utilizing their wisdom to better oneself and the galaxy as a whole. While Ahsoka's transformation into Ahsoka the White undoubtedly provides ample material for the show to be named after her character, it also paves the way for the next generation to come forth and establish their own prominence. As Ahsoka embraces her role as Mentor in her own show, Sabine can rise to demonstrate how she will assume the mantle of Hero in the next installment.
Furthermore, the current Star Wars period is heavily focused on Mandalorian storytelling. In the third season of The Mandalorian, we witness the Mandalorians reclaiming Mandalore and gearing up to protect their homeworld. Bo-Katan Kryze and Sabine Wren share a strong bond, not only because of their shared cultural background, but also due to their connection with the Darksaber. As the Imperial Remnants and Thrawn potentially seek revenge, Mandalore will require the assistance of all its heroic figures. With its abundance of resources and Sabine's transformation into a true hero alongside Ahsoka, she may play a crucial role in the forthcoming conflict.