Unmasking the Enigmatic Adversaries of Ahsoka: Unveiling the Untold Story of Baylan & Shin
Meet Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati, the enigmatic villains in Ahsoka Baylan, a survivor of Order 66 who once knew Anakin Skywalker, now wields his orange lightsaber as a mercenary Shin, his apprentice, distinguishes herself with a Padawan braid Discover their role in the story and the actors who bring them to life
Summary
Ahsoka introduces new villains Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati, whose origins are mysterious but connected to previous events in Star Wars canon.
Baylan, an Order 66 survivor who has a connection with Anakin Skywalker, has a complex relationship with Ahsoka due to their uncovered roles. Shin, Baylan's apprentice, can be identified by the Padawan braid she wears. Together, they work as mercenaries under Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth in their quest to find Thrawn.
Ahsoka is unveiling two fresh villains in the Star Wars universe: Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati. However, their true identities remain shrouded in mystery. Similar to the secrecy surrounding Grand Admiral Thrawn's return and Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth's involvement, Ahsoka's creators have kept a tight lid on Baylan and Shin's origins. This raises the question of why the show is introducing new adversaries at this stage, as it serves as both a sequel to Star Wars Rebels and a continuation of The Mandalorian. Nonetheless, it appears that Baylan and Shin have deeper roles than initially perceived. Trailers offer glimpses and snippets of dialogue that provide some insights into their backgrounds, motivations, and potential impact on Ahsoka's upcoming storyline. While Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati are fresh additions to the Star Wars universe, they appear to be linked to past events within the Star Wars canon. Uncovering their role in the show will undoubtedly be an intriguing journey, revealed gradually over the course of eight episodes.
Baylan Is An Order 66 Survivor Who Knew Anakin Skywalker
The official Ahsoka trailer revealed that Baylan was acquainted with Ahsoka’s Jedi master, Anakin Skywalker, and that Anakin had spoken highly of her, presumably during the Clone Wars.
Shin Wears A Padawan Braid, Meaning She Is Baylan's Apprentice
If these conversations occurred before Ahsoka's departure from the Jedi Order, there is a possibility that she might have already met Baylan in person. However, considering the vast number of Jedi in the Order at that time, it is also possible that she may not recall him. The fact that Baylan knew Anakin aligns with the confirmation that he, too, survived Order 66, indicating that he likely served alongside Anakin during the war. Similar to a few other Jedi, Baylan managed to withstand Palpatine's attacks but was transformed into a distorted version of his former self as a consequence of the emotional trauma endured.
In the Ahsoka trailers, there are multiple scenes featuring Shin Hati with a Padawan braid, which was a long-standing tradition in the Jedi Order. This braid symbolized the apprentice status of a Padawan and was usually removed when they advanced to becoming a Jedi Knight. As a companion to Baylan, Shin's existence with the braid confirms that she is Baylan's student, although the details of their meeting remain unknown. It is puzzling, however, why Shin continues to wear the Padawan braid when Baylan explicitly states in the official Ahsoka trailer that they "are no Jedi." Why would they adhere to such a significant Jedi tradition if they have rejected their fundamental beliefs and principles?
Baylan & Shin Are Now Mercenaries Working For Morgan Elsbeth
Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth made her first appearance in "The Mandalorian" season 2, episode 5 titled "The Jedi," where Rosario Dawson debuted as Ahsoka Tano. Elsbeth, a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Navy, potentially had close ties with Thrawn and hired Din Djarin, the Mandalorian, to eliminate Ahsoka Tano on the planet Corvus. However, Ahsoka didn't back down and confronted Elsbeth herself, questioning her allegiance to Grand Admiral Thrawn. With Thrawn set to appear in the Ahsoka series, Elsbeth's return is justified and paves the way for the introductions of Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati.
The official Ahsoka trailer confirmed that Elsbeth, Baylan, and Shin are collaborating. Specifically, Elsbeth has enlisted the non-Jedi duo as mercenaries to aid in the search for Thrawn and potentially eliminate anyone who obstructs their path, including Ahsoka and other members of the Ghost crew from "Star Wars Rebels." Baylan and Shin's involvement in the search for Thrawn indicates that they will have significant roles in the Ahsoka series and may even serve as the primary antagonists, as Thrawn's appearance likely serves as a precursor to his future development within the ever-evolving Mandalorian universe.
Baylan & Shin's Orange Lightsabers Explained
Both Baylan and Shin possess orange-bladed lightsabers, a rarity in the Star Wars universe. In the Star Wars Jedi games, Cal Kestis can customize his lightsaber to wield an orange blade, which is considered canon. However, in Star Wars Legends, orange lightsabers were associated with Gray Jedi, who did not align fully with the light side or the dark side. This color served as a middle ground between the Sith's red lightsabers and the yellow lightsabers of the Jedi Temple Guards.
The orange lightsabers of Baylan and Shin likely represent their unique connection to the Force. They do not identify as Sith or Jedi and have a more complex relationship with the Force, potentially influenced by the traumatic events of Order 66. Another explanation comes from Claudia Gray's novel Master & Apprentice, where Obi-Wan Kenobi briefly wields an orange-bladed lightsaber. This was due to his kyber crystal being replaced with a kohlen crystal, also known as "the kyber that is not kyber" in ancient prophecies. Although the orange blade was weaker than Obi-Wan's usual lightsaber, Baylan and Shin's weapons may derive their unusual color from being powered by a different type of crystal.
Who Plays Baylan & Shin In Ahsoka
In the Ahsoka series, the character Baylan Skoll is played by the late Ray Stevenson, who sadly passed away in May 2023. Prior to his role in Ahsoka, Stevenson had voiced the Mandalorian character Gar Saxon in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. He is also known for his roles as Volstagg in the Thor movies, Blackbeard in Black Sails, Frank Castle in Punisher: War Zone, Scott Buxton in RRR, and for his appearances in shows like Reef Break, Vikings, and Das Boot.
Ukrainian actress Ivanna Sakhno takes on the role of Shin Hati in the Ahsoka show. While new to the Star Wars universe, Sakhno has appeared in various Ukrainian productions and has also been part of Hollywood projects. She is recognized for her portrayal of Cadet Viktoria in Pacific Rim: Uprising and for her two-episode appearance in the TV show High Fidelity, alongside Zoë Kravitz. Both Stevenson and Sakhno are expected to leave their mark on the Star Wars franchise as their characters' mysteries unfold in the Ahsoka series.
Episodes 1 and 2 of Ahsoka release Wednesday, August 23 on Disney+.
