Uncovering Hidden Gems: The Ultimate Guide to Ahsoka Episodes 1 & 2 Star Wars Easter Eggs & Key Details

This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episodes 1 & 2.

Summary

The Ahsoka Disney+ TV series serves as a continuation of Star Wars Rebels season 5 and is incredibly welcoming to viewers who are new to the franchise. In the initial two episodes, new pairings are introduced such as Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren, and the search for Grand Admiral Thrawn has been initiated.

The Star Wars themed episodes feature hidden surprises and nods to previous installments, such as the familiar opening crawl and the appearance of beloved characters from Star Wars Rebels.

The first two episodes of Ahsoka are filled with significant revelations related to the Star Wars universe. According to Dave Filoni, a key figure at Lucasfilm, the Ahsoka Disney+ series essentially serves as the fifth season of Star Wars Rebels. Fortunately, these initial episodes are easily understandable for newcomers as well. Filoni, who was mentored by George Lucas himself, has inherited his mentor's talent for seamlessly immersing viewers in the middle of a story and providing all necessary context to comprehend what is happening.

35 The Return Of Star Wars' Iconic Opening Crawl

The iconic opening crawl of Star Wars, promised by Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy for the movies, makes an unexpected and stylish return in the Ahsoka Disney+ TV show. However, what's even more significant is the choice of color - a bold red. In the Star Wars universe, red is universally recognized as the color of evil, and opening crawls in this hue have typically signaled the darkest chapters of the Skywalker saga.

34 The Imperial Remnants

33 Ahsoka Sets Up The Return Of Grand Admiral Thrawn

: The opening credit of Ahsoka episode 1 introduces the concept of the Imperial Remnants. Similar to The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka takes place several years after the events of Return of the Jedi, a time when it was believed that the Empire had been eradicated. However, The Mandalorian has confirmed the existence of active Imperial factions in the galaxy. Moreover, in episode 5 of The Book of Boba Fett, the term "Imperial Remnants" was officially used to describe these lingering factions. This term, Imperial Remnant, originates from Legends, where it referred to a specific sector of space occupied by the last remnants of Palpatine's Empire.

After being hailed as the supreme military commander of the Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn shockingly disappeared during the final showdown on Star Wars Rebels' Battle of Lothal. It was Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger who summoned a remarkable gathering of purrgil, the incredible hyperspace creatures known as Star Wars' whales, to seize control of Thrawn's flagship, propelling it into the limitless expanse of hyperspace, along with both Thrawn and Ezra. Fascinatingly, recent developments suggest that the Empire has stumbled upon a potential means to reclaim Thrawn, and their relentless determination knows no bounds as they endeavor to achieve this objective.

32 Ahsoka Brings Back Familiar Characters From Star Wars Rebels

The Ahsoka Disney+ TV show unveils live-action versions of beloved Star Wars Rebels characters. Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Tano leads the way, accompanied by Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Hera Syndulla and Natasha Liu Bordizzo's Sabine Wren. Eman Asfandi's Ezra Bridger makes a brief appearance via holo-projection. The only notable absence is the Lasat warrior Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios, who made his live-action debut in The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5. Regrettably, Ahsoka's placement in the Star Wars timeline, reportedly parallel to The Mandalorian season 3, suggests his unlikely inclusion.

31 A Traditional Star Wars Opening Shot

In a nod to George Lucas' tradition of opening Star Wars films with a spaceship crossing the screen to establish the grandeur of the story, Filoni pays tribute in an entertaining Star Wars Easter egg. The opening shot of Ahsoka episode 1 features a New Republic prison transport, continuing this time-honored tradition. On board is Morgan Elsbeth, a high-ranking Imperial prisoner, being transported to Home One - the modified MC80A Heavy Star Cruiser that once served as the flagship of the Rebel Alliance.

30 Baylan Skoll Is Ahsoka's New Darth Vader

29 The Return of Morgan Elsbeth - A Nightsister Of Dathomir

In the first episode of Ahsoka, the audience is quickly introduced to former Jedi Baylan Skoll and his Padawan Shin Hati. These enigmatic characters are portrayed as formidable forces to be reckoned with. While Shin exhibits a savage nature, the focus primarily lies on Baylan, skillfully portrayed by the late Ray Stevenson. Numerous visual cues establish him as a formidable adversary on par with Darth Vader. Baylan's entrance down a ramp and his breathtaking hallway scene reminiscent of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story further solidify his imposing presence. Additionally, Baylan and Shin utilize a vessel resembling a Lambda-class shuttle, typically associated with high-ranking officers in the Empire.

Diana Lee Inosanto's introduction as Morgan Elsbeth in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 5 brought about an intense encounter with Ahsoka Tano. In the first episode of Ahsoka, she reappears after being rescued from confinement by the skilled lightsaber mercenaries, Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati. Ahsoka cleverly draws a parallel to the Arthurian legend tied to Morgan's name by having Baylan consistently refer to her as "Lady Morgan," while the episodes quickly disclose her affiliation as a Nightsister of Dathomir - one of the powerful sorceresses who harness the dark side of the Force. In Arthurian folklore, Morgan is an alternate name for Lady Morgana, the sorceress who played a pivotal role as Merlin's primary adversary.

28 Lady Morgan's Rescue Is A Dark Echo Of A New Hope

27 Ahsoka Visits A Nightsister Temple On Arcana

: The rescue of Lady Morgan appears as an eerie parallel to Leia's iconic escape in the original Star Wars film, now known as A New Hope. However, this resemblance goes beyond a mere reference to the sci-fi franchise; it symbolizes Morgan's pivotal role as the newfound hope for the Empire. If Morgan's mission triumphs, the entire galaxy will face dire consequences.

In Ahsoka episode 1, our protagonist embarks on a journey to a mystical temple that holds many secrets. As the story unfolds, we discover that this temple is located on the captivating planet Arcana. Interestingly, Arcana was once a thriving colony established by the enigmatic Nightsisters of the infamous planet Dathomir. These elusive and powerful beings, initially introduced in Dave Wolverton's Legends novel The Courtship of Princess Leia, were later integrated into the Star Wars canon by none other than George Lucas himself, inspired by mesmerizing artwork showcasing their extraordinary abilities. Evidently, the choice of name for the Nightsisters' colony fittingly reflects their reputation as witches with enigmatic and arcane powers.

26 The Nightsister Temple's Design Is Reminiscent Of Jedi: Fallen Order's Zeffo

The design of the Nightsister temple on Arcana is reminiscent of the ancient Zeffo temple discovered in the Jedi: Fallen Order games (the Zeffo influence is particularly evident in the concept art for Ahsoka's temple). Long before the Jedi came into existence, the Zeffo, a Force-sensitive race, ventured across the galaxy and even visited Dathomir as confirmed by Jedi: Fallen Order. It is logical to assume that they had a profound impact on the Nightsisters of Dathomir.

25 The Three Statues Honor The Gods Of Mortis

Three damaged statues dominate the temple, serving as the crucial element for Sabine to unlock the map obtained by Ahsoka. These statues are believed to symbolize the enigmatic Mortis Gods, elusive beings connected to the very origins of the Force itself. Anakin Skywalker had a fateful encounter with these Gods of Mortis in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, while in Legends, they had a significant history intertwined with the Nightsisters.

24 Ahsoka's Starmap Is A Callback To Legends' Rakata

Some viewers have speculated that Grand Admiral Thrawn has formed an alliance with a race known as the Rakata. The Rakata, who once ruled the galaxy in the Legends, had an expansive empire known as the Infinite Empire. Notably, the starmap acquired by Ahsoka bears resemblance to those associated with the Rakata in the renowned Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games. The true nature of this connection, whether it is merely a subtle reference to Star Wars lore or a meaningful clue, is yet to be unveiled.

23 David Tennant Plays Huyang, A Jedi Droid Last Seen In Star Wars: The Clone Wars

In Star Wars: The Clone Wars, David Tennant returns as Huyang, a droid who plays a significant role. According to the recently released Star Wars: Timelines book, Huyang surpasses Yoda in age by a considerable margin, having been built approximately 25,000 years ago to assist young Jedi in constructing their lightsabers. Huyang's vast knowledge and experience account for his unwavering commitment to Jedi protocols, enabling him to utilize his extensive records of past lightsabers to identify Baylan Skoll.

22 Ahsoka Used A Dark Side Mind Probe To Learn The Map's Location

21 Ahsoka Still Goes By Her Fulcrum Codename

: Huyang inquires about Ahsoka's method in persuading Morgan to disclose the map's whereabouts. Ahsoka hints that she employed a Force ability known as the mind probe, typically associated with the dark side due to its intrusive nature. Although the Jedi authorized the use of mind probes on prisoners during the Clone Wars, it was regarded as an indication of their inclination towards the dark side.

Ahsoka continues to utilize her Fulcrum alias. Initially, this moniker belonged to a covert communication frequency employed by Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars. When Ahsoka transitioned into a rebel spy, she adopted it as her own codename. Notably, the term "fulcrum" is intertwined with the notion of maintaining equilibrium within the Force. This suggests that Ahsoka perceives her role as a continuation of Anakin's destiny as the Chosen One.

20 Ahsoka's Ship Is T61974 - Dave Filoni's Birthday

19 Ahsoka Episode 1 Features A Cameo From Admiral Ackbar

Ahsoka makes her way towards Home One to meet General Hera SyndulIa and notices the registration number of her ship. Surprisingly, it reads T61974 - a fitting choice considering Ahsoka's creator, Dave Filoni, was born on June 7, 1974. This little Easter egg adds an enjoyable touch to Ahsoka's story.

The Rebel Alliance flagship in Return of the Jedi was known as Home One, and it is presumed to have continued its role in the New Republic Defense Fleet. Admiral Ackbar, the rebellion's esteemed tactician renowned for exclaiming "It's a trap!" during the Second Death Star's attack, typically commanded this vessel. In this scene, Ackbar makes a brief appearance, inviting Hera to attend a meeting.

18 Ahsoka Returns To Lothal - In Live-Action

17 The Unexpected Return Of Governor Azadi & Senator Jai Kell

Ahsoka episode 1 eloquently captures the essence of Lothal, a pivotal agricultural planet central to the Star Wars Rebels saga. While the visually stunning shots pay homage to iconic scenes from the animated TV show, it's important to acknowledge that they skillfully incorporate live-action components. Following the Empire's downfall, Lothal thrives, radiating a sense of novelty, pristine beauty, and meticulous care.

Ahsoka introduces some familiar faces from Star Wars Rebels into live-action, including both major and unexpected minor characters hailing from Lothal. Ryder Azadi, the former Governor of Lothal during the Empire's early reign, was imprisoned for sedition but played a crucial role in the liberation of Lothal. It appears that he still holds his position as Governor under the New Republic. Additionally, Jai Kell, a rebel convert from his days as an Imperial cadet, worked closely with Azadi and now serves as a senator in the New Republic.

16 The Star Wars Rebels Mural

The return of a mural created by Sabine Wren to honor her friends is one of the stunning Star Wars Easter eggs featured in Ahsoka episode 1. It is a brilliant tribute to the art style of Star Wars Rebels and seamlessly blends into the Disney+ live-action TV show. The mural has become a focal point in the promotion of Ahsoka, allowing fans to capture memorable pictures standing in front of it during Star Wars Celebration 2023.