Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2.
Summary
The exact placement of Ahsoka in the Star Wars timeline is still uncertain, but this lack of clarity opens up the possibility for an unexpected cameo from a beloved character. Ahsoka's initial two episodes give subtle indications that the series occurs in close proximity to the occurrences of Season 2 of The Mandalorian.
The first meeting between Ahsoka and Luke Skywalker has the potential to be a game-changing moment for the franchise, leading to exciting future collaborations. The exact placement of Ahsoka's character in the Star Wars canon timeline remains uncertain, and there could be a delightful reason behind it. Taking place several years after the events of Return of the Jedi, Ahsoka embarks on a quest to find the dangerous Grand Admiral Thrawn and locate her missing friend, Ezra Bridger, who vanished alongside Thrawn at the conclusion of Star Wars Rebels. Ahsoka's appearance in The Mandalorian has already delighted fans, but her connection to the New Republic Era creates the opportunity for a surprising cameo from a beloved Star Wars character and an epic moment in the franchise.
Ahsoka Tano, previously a central character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and a supporting character in season 2 of Rebels, made her live-action debut in The Mandalorian season 2, portrayed by Rosario Dawson. Using her trademark white-bladed lightsabers, Tano successfully defeated the Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth and disclosed her mission to find Thrawn, setting the stage for the forthcoming Ahsoka series. Prior to embarking on her new adventures, Tano made a reappearance in The Book of Boba Fett, engaging in a conversation with Luke Skywalker himself as he mentored Grogu in the ways of the Jedi. Although one might assume that Ahsoka takes place after both shows, this may not be the case, and there is a valid explanation for this.
Ahsoka Is Refusing To Commit To Its Place On The Star Wars Timeline
Ahsoka runs alongside The Mandalorian season 3, which is set approximately 9 ABY (five years after Return of the Jedi), although the show's timeline has varied. The Book of Boba Fett is also set in the same era, serving as a bridge between the second and third seasons of The Mandalorian. Controversially, it dedicates two episodes to the adventures of Din Djarin, Luke Skywalker, and Grogu. While Ahsoka's first two episodes don't explicitly reference the events of The Mandalorian or Boba Fett, apart from one significant plot point, they are connected in the same timeline.
One Detail Suggests Ahsoka Is Shortly After The Mandalorian Season 2
The debut of Ahsoka's pilot episode is a thrilling assault on a New Republic vessel by Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati. They valiantly save Morgan Elsbeth from captivity, showing that the events take place after The Mandalorian season 2. Ahsoka has already vanquished Elsbeth and handed her over to the New Republic. Interestingly, this confirms a long-held fan theory that Elsbeth is a Nightsister of Dathomir, a group eradicated during the Clone Wars. Elsbeth's impressive combat skills during her duel with Ahsoka on Corvus attest to her prowess. Based on the circumstances of Elsbeth's rescue, it can be inferred that Ahsoka's story is set not long after The Mandalorian season 2.
Elsbeth, a former Imperial, is depicted in transit to a New Republic location, likely Coruscant, to stand trial for her involvement in numerous war crimes and crimes against civilization. The fact that Elsbeth's rescue occurred before the events of The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian season 3 provides viewers with a clearer understanding of Ahsoka's position within the Star Wars canon timeline. Should the Ahsoka TV series indeed take place prior to The Book of Boba Fett, it holds the potential to uncover a significant encounter, thus filling in a missing piece of the puzzle.
Is Ahsoka Setting Up A Luke Skywalker Cameo?
In The Book of Boba Fett, when Ahsoka makes an appearance, it is already apparent that she has crossed paths with Luke Skywalker in the past. Their conversation during Grogu's Jedi training reveals a certain level of familiarity between the two characters. Unfortunately, this means that audiences were not able to witness the initial meeting between Ahsoka and Anakin Skywalker's son. Another intriguing aspect is the shared characteristics between Luke and Ahsoka. Both of them had unconventional journeys as Jedi apprentices, breaking away from the flawed practices and questionable decisions of the Jedi Order during the prequel era.
It would be exciting to see Luke Skywalker make a brief appearance in the Ahsoka series, allowing us to witness their first meeting in live-action. This meeting between the iconic hero from the original Star Wars trilogy and one of The Clone Wars protagonists would undoubtedly please fans. Moreover, it could potentially pave the way for a future collaboration between Skywalker and Ahsoka in Dave Filoni's upcoming Star Wars film. By keeping Ahsoka's position on the Star Wars canon timeline a mystery, Filoni might be preparing for a monumental moment in the franchise's history. Catch new episodes of Ahsoka on Disney+ every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.