Unveiling the Resurgence of the Inquisitors in Ahsoka: A Mind-Blowing Twist After Darth Vader's Demise

With the release of new information and promotional materials for the highly anticipated Disney+ series Ahsoka, speculation about the show's direction has heightened. Of particular intrigue is a recently unveiled photo showcasing a mysterious Inquisitor wielding a distinct red lightsaber in a forest setting. The identity of this enigmatic character remains uncertain, leaving fans to wonder if they have made an appearance in the Star Wars canon before. Nonetheless, this menacing figure joins the ranks of the dark adversaries that Ahsoka Tano is set to confront.

The Imperial Inquisitors were an exclusive group of Force-sensitive individuals who underwent specialized training to track down and eliminate Jedi, many of whom were former Jedi themselves. These Inquisitors received instruction directly from Darth Vader, yet, despite their allegiance to the dark side, they were not Sith but merely agents carrying out the bidding of their masters. Their relentless pursuit proved alarmingly successful, notably decreasing the number of survivors of Order 66 during the Empire's reign. Historically, Inquisitors have solely appeared in projects set prior to the original Star Wars trilogy. However, it appears that Ahsoka will break this pattern, introducing these formidable adversaries into the narrative.

Ahsoka Features An Inquisitor After Return Of The Jedi

Empire recently released a photo from Ahsoka featuring an Inquisitor, sparking questions about the character's presence. In Return of the Jedi, it seemed that the Inquisitors were defeated before the rest of the Empire, and the Inquisitorius program had concluded prior to the Battle of Yavin. While it is established in shows like The Mandalorian that Imperial Remnants exist in the galaxy, hiding in the Outer Rim, the mention of Inquisitors as part of the Imperial Shadow Council has been absent. This raises the possibility that if there were multiple Inquisitors, the Shadow Council may have missed an opportunity to utilize their unique skills.

The appearance of this Inquisitor in Ahsoka is particularly surprising because it was believed that they had been defeated by Kanan Jarrus, Ahsoka Tano, Ezra Bridger, and Darth Maul in season 2 of Star Wars Rebels on the Sith planet Malachor. Following the demise of the Grand Inquisitor in season 1, the Empire continued to dispatch Inquisitors to pursue Ezra and Kanan. However, when no further Inquisitors appeared in seasons 3 and 4 of Rebels, it was assumed that they had all been eliminated. It is known that when an Inquisitor perishes, they are not replaced, suggesting that the deaths on Malachor marked the end of the Inquisitorius.

Where Was This Inquisitor During The Star Wars Original Trilogy?

Since the Inquisitors were presumed dead before the events of the original Star Wars trilogy, it raises the question of where the Inquisitor seen in Ahsoka was during the Empire's final years. One possible answer is that this Inquisitor was not assigned to any individual seen in the original trilogy. Inquisitors were tasked with investigating potential Force-sensitive individuals throughout the galaxy, not solely focused on eliminating Jedi. They often pursued survivors of Order 66, but a part of their mission was also to identify and retrieve Force-sensitive children for the Emperor.

In the case of the Ahsoka Inquisitor, it is possible that they were assigned to track down a survivor of Order 66 on a mission that took them far away from the events of the original trilogy, such as the Unknown Regions. After the disappearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger in the finale of the Rebels series, Vader and Palpatine may have dispatched an Inquisitor to locate these valuable assets. If Ahsoka encounters the Inquisitor in the Unknown Regions, it is possible that the dark side user has already found Thrawn and may have even pledged loyalty to the Grand Admiral in the aftermath of the Empire's downfall.

Why Hasn't This Inquisitor Hunted Luke Skywalker?

During the original trilogy, Darth Vader personally took on the mission of tracking down Luke Skywalker, driven by the desire to turn his son to the dark side. The true significance of Luke remained a secret, even within Vader's inner circle, ensuring that no Inquisitor would be assigned to hunt down the young rebel. After the events of The Empire Strikes Back, Luke easily defeated the Grand Inquisitor, making it clear that any new Inquisitor would stand no chance against him.

In the New Republic Era, it is possible that the Inquisitor was aware of their inferiority compared to Luke and instead was given the task of locating and eliminating potential future Jedi students. When Grogu called for help in The Mandalorian season 2, Luke promptly responded, and the absence of other students at the developing temple indicates that sinister forces have been eliminating potential candidates. The survival of the foundling is crucial. Ahsoka claimed that Luke's temple on Ossus is one of the safest places in the galaxy, a statement that is likely accurate for many years. Whether it is due to Luke's formidable Force abilities or the Imperial Remnant's fear of exposure to the New Republic, sending an Inquisitor after the Jedi would result in severe consequences.

Is The Inquisitor Hunting Ahsoka - Or Performing Another Mission?

After their duel on Malachor, Ahsoka's fate remained unknown to Vader, making it logical for him to dispatch an Inquisitor to locate her. However, it is also possible that the Inquisitors have been reassigned after the Empire's collapse. The Imperial Remnants, lacking the same motivation to hunt Jedi, are more invested in political maneuvering under the Shadow Council's guidance. Under these circumstances, the Inquisitor may have a different mission and coincidentally crosses paths with Ahsoka Tano and her allies. If this Inquisitor is already aligned with Thrawn, Ahsoka and the dark warrior could both be pursuing the same individual - most likely Ezra Bridger.

There are various possibilities for introducing this new Inquisitor into Ahsoka's story and the larger Star Wars canon, all of which could add depth to the overall continuity. One theory suggests that the Inquisitor could be Ezra Bridger himself, who flirted with the dark side during Rebels season 3. While this remains a possibility, it appears that the Jedi has moved beyond such a destiny by sacrificing himself to protect his homeworld. The Inquisitor's involvement in Ahsoka's journey could have significant implications for the Imperial Remnant, although they may not live long enough to witness the continuation of Thrawn's plans.