Unveiling the Hidden Impact: Ahsoka's Surprising Influence on Star Wars Rebels' Epilogue

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2.

Summary

The

Ahsoka

show retcons elements of

Star Wars Rebels

, bringing previously animated characters into live-action and changing the established timeline.

Sabine and Ahsoka's part of the

Rebels

epilogue is split in two, with changes to Sabine's appearance and reaction to Ahsoka's arrival.

Ahsoka reveals Sabine has settled into civilian life and focuses on finding Thrawn, while Sabine's priority is still finding Ezra.

Rebels

' epilogue sets Sabine up as the leader, but Ahsoka takes a more central role in

Ahsoka

The Ahsoka show rewrites aspects of Star Wars Rebels' conclusion and epilogue due to changes in the canon that have occurred since Rebels ended five years ago. Serving as a direct continuation of Rebels, Ahsoka introduces animated characters into live-action for the first time since the Ghost crew's victory over Grand Admiral Thrawn on Lothal and the Empire's defeat in Return of the Jedi. Moreover, Ahsoka also serves as a quasi-sequel to The Mandalorian (and technically, The Book of Boba Fett), necessitating adjustments to the previously established timeline.

9 Ezra Left A Private Message To Sabine In Star Wars Rebels' Ending

Ahsoka is part of the Mantoverse, a section of the Star Wars timeline on Disney+ that delves into the history of the galaxy during the New Republic Era. In this era, the galaxy is still recovering from the oppressive rule of the Empire, while the New Republic struggles to establish order and prevent future conflicts. Ahsoka's association with The Mandalorian and the show's overarching goal of introducing Grand Admiral Thrawn as the new villain in the Star Wars universe necessitated changes to the conclusion and epilogue of Rebels. Though these alterations may appear insignificant, they could have significant implications for the future narrative.

In the final episode of Star Wars Rebels, titled "Family Reunion - and Farewell," the youthful Jedi, Ezra Bridger, created a holographic recording in which he bid farewell to the entire Ghost crew and clarified the reasons behind his secretive plan to defeat Grand Admiral Thrawn. Addressing each of his family members individually, Ezra's hologram did not mention any other messages that he might have left behind. However, in Ahsoka's show, it is later revealed that Ezra did, in fact, leave a separate recording for the Mandalorian, Sabine Wren, on a distinct hologram communicator.

8 Sabine & Ahsoka's Star Wars Rebels Epilogue Has Been Split In Two

In the original hologram featured in Star Wars Rebels, Ezra tells Sabine, "Remember, I'm relying on you," echoing a sentiment he had expressed earlier in the final episode. However, in the new hologram seen in Ahsoka, he states, "As a Jedi, there are moments when you must make choices no one else can," and emphasizes, "I trust you to see this mission through." Sabine and Ezra always shared an incredibly close bond, considering each other best friends, and Ezra's holographic message confirms that he regarded her as a sister. Ezra leaving a personal message for Sabine reaffirms why she is so desperate to locate him, and also explains why she willingly joins Ahsoka Tano on this quest, despite their current discrepancies.

The epilogue of Rebels divides Sabine and Ahsoka's story into two parts. In the opening scene, Ahsoka's T-6 shuttle, accompanied by two X-wings, soars above the communications tower and heads towards Lothal's Capital City. Meanwhile, Sabine stands by, witnessing this majestic sight. However, in Ahsoka, this sequence is portrayed with notable distinctions: Sabine's hair is long rather than short, she is not adorned in her Mandalorian armor, and her reaction to Ahsoka's arrival deviates from her response in Star Wars Rebels.

7 Ahsoka Reveals Sabine Has Settled Into Civilian Life

In the first episode of Ahsoka, viewers witness the initial portion of Sabine and Ahsoka's epilogue from Rebels. However, the concluding section is not revealed until the concluding moments of episode 2. Presently, Sabine has once again altered her appearance by cutting her hair and donning her Mandalorian armor, resembling her look in the original epilogue of Star Wars Rebels. She reunites with Ahsoka at Sabine's family mural, recreating a scene reminiscent of the Rebels epilogue. Despite this similarity, the division of the sequence into two parts signifies a significant alteration in the Star Wars timeline.

In Ahsoka, Sabine makes her first appearance with long hair, donning civilian attire instead of her Mandalorian armor. Throughout her time with the Rebellion, Sabine was always prepared for battle, wearing her armor at all times. The shift in her wardrobe and hairstyle symbolizes Sabine's new role in the galaxy following the Empire's downfall. Presumably, Sabine's change in appearance occurred after she and Ahsoka went their separate ways as master and apprentice. So if she is no longer fighting for the Rebellion as a Mandalorian, and she is not training to become a pseudo-Jedi, then who is she? She is now a civilian, free to live her life on her own terms. However, this doesn't mean she is completely content. She clearly still longs for Ezra, plagued by his mysterious disappearance in her dreams.

6 Sabine Has A Very Different Reaction To Seeing Ahsoka's Ship

Not only did Sabine's change in appearance, her civilian clothing, and longer hair signify a significant shift in how Ahsoka adapted in the Rebels’ epilogue, but her reaction towards Ahsoka's approaching ship also differed greatly. Instead of looking determined and ready for an important mission, Sabine now viewed Ahsoka's ship with skepticism, and maybe even annoyance. This change in Sabine's behavior speaks volumes about their dynamic in the Ahsoka show. Although they eventually come together to work again, Sabine's lingering apprehension can be attributed to their troubled past.

This alteration also impacts a parallel story in Star Wars Rebels. In the epilogue, right before Sabine catches sight of Ahsoka's arrival, she gazes at the plains of Lothal and the revitalized Capital City from the communications tower, filled with a sense of longing. This scene parallels a moment in Rebels' pilot episode, "Spark of Rebellion," where Ezra Bridger also looked out over Lothal from that same tower, exhibiting a sense of sorrow in his eyes. Due to the retcon, this parallel between Sabine and Ezra loses some of its impact. However, there may have been a deliberate intention behind this change. The Ahsoka premiere instead focuses on drawing attention to Sabine's relationship with her previous mentor, the Jedi Kanan Jarrus, highlighting their connection as a way of honoring his memory.

5 Ahsoka's Lothal Is In Better Repair - Signifying A Change In The Star Wars Timeline

4 Ahsoka Is Yet To Become Ahsoka The White

: In Ahsoka's second episode, when she and Sabine meet by the mural to embark on their quest to locate Thrawn and Ezra, they find themselves in a tower that is in pristine condition. However, in the original Rebels epilogue, the structure still shows signs of damage with rubble piled up near the entrance. This suggests a shift in the timeline. It is likely that Rebels' epilogue takes place closer to the defeat of Grand Admiral Thrawn on Lothal and the events of Return of the Jedi. On the other hand, Ahsoka's story seems to unfold several years later, allowing the city enough time to rebuild and clean up all the damage inflicted during the battle against the Empire. Therefore, it remains uncertain for how long Ezra (and Thrawn) have been missing.

In the Rebels epilogue, Ahsoka meets Sabine by the painted mural, dressed in a stunning white robe and carrying a simple yet graceful staff. However, when we see her in the Ahsoka series, she is back in her usual gray attire, with only her lightsabers hanging from her hips. This variation in her appearance signifies a significant shift in the timeline. Ahsoka's transformation, reminiscent of Gandalf, has been a topic of discussion leading up to the Ahsoka show. It symbolizes her triumph over her most challenging trial – a duel with Darth Vader and the revelation of his true identity. Moreover, it represents her deepened understanding of the Force after encountering the mystical realm known as the World Between Worlds.

While the impact of these events on Ahsoka's transformation in Rebels remains unseen by the audience, it is presumed that the Ahsoka show will depict this journey. Although Ahsoka not wearing white in this specific scene is a significant change in continuity, it will ultimately contribute to her character development. Ahsoka may no longer identify as a Jedi, but the journey she is about to embark on holds the potential to elevate her to something greater. Instead of only witnessing the end result in Rebels, Ahsoka's journey in Ahsoka will likely narrate the transformative story of the former Jedi's evolution into "Ahsoka the White."

3 In Rebels' Epilogue, The Focus Is On Finding Ezra - Not Thrawn

In Sabine's narration during the Rebels epilogue, it is evident that her and Ahsoka's primary focus is finding Ezra rather than Thrawn, despite the fact that they vanished together. Ezra always relied on Sabine to follow through, leading her to believe that it is her responsibility to locate him. The original epilogue does not mention Thrawn at all, as it solely revolves around reuniting Ezra with his family, where he truly belongs.

In Ahsoka, the main objective is to locate Thrawn before his ally Morgan Elsbeth can spark another conflict between the New Republic and the Imperial Remnants. Finding Thrawn would logically lead to Ezra or provide clues about his whereabouts, which is an added benefit in the overall plan. This change became necessary due to Ahsoka's first live-action appearance in The Mandalorian season 2. Her encounter with Elsbeth and inquiry about Grand Admiral Thrawn's location resulted in this revision.

Meanwhile, though Ahsoka is primarily focused on finding Thrawn, Sabine's priority lies in locating Ezra. She understands the potential repercussions of another war but is driven by the desire to reunite with her friend above all else. Sabine and Hera Syndulla believe Ezra to be deceased, but the star map that Ahsoka discovers renders finding their friend equally as significant as thwarting Thrawn's resurgence.

2 Rebels' Epilogue Sets Sabine Up As The Leader, Not Ahsoka

The shift in focus onto Thrawn, rather than Ezra, resulted in another significant change. In the Rebels epilogue, it is suggested that Sabine takes the initiative to search for Ezra, with Ahsoka joining to fulfill her promise. Sabine states, "I eventually realized there was a deeper purpose. There was something I was meant to do... Ezra is out there somewhere, and it's time to bring him back home." She begins the quest, gaining a new understanding of his mysterious words.

However, the current scenario sees Ahsoka bringing up the idea of finding Ezra, as she has obtained a map to Thrawn and seeks Sabine's assistance in deciphering it. This reversal of roles is not entirely unexpected, considering the show's title is Ahsoka. While the Ghost crew remains an essential part of the story, Ahsoka, as the titular character, must play a more significant role in driving the plot forward.

1 Huyang Has Been Added To Ahsoka & Sabine's Quest

Content must be written in English:

The Star Wars Rebels epilogue receives another significant retcon: the inclusion of the ancient droid Huyang in Ahsoka and Sabine's quest. This addition does not directly alter the story but impacts the dynamics between the characters and strengthens the bond between Ahsoka and Sabine, emphasizing their apprenticeship relationship. Huyang has a long history of teaching younglings how to construct lightsabers and understand their role in the galaxy, which could potentially assist Sabine in her struggle with her own identity. The challenge lies in determining whether she is a Jedi Padawan without a natural connection to the Force, a Mandalorian, a rebel, or something entirely new.

These retcons in Star Wars Rebels, although varying in significance, collectively contribute to the ongoing narrative explored in Ahsoka. The journey of Ahsoka as a former Jedi, Sabine's quest for her place in the world, and Ezra's destiny all experience the effects of these changes. While necessary to align the show with Disney+'s new canon, these alterations are crucial, as Ahsoka's involvement in the Mandoverse and her role in setting up the Heir to the Empire storyline demand certain key moments from the Star Wars Rebels epilogue to be modified.

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