Quite a finale for ‘Ahsoka’, the latest ‘Star Wars’ spin-off series, eh? The show, which wrapped its first (and so far only; there has been no announcement of a second yet) season on Tuesday has already generated plenty of debate between those who found the ending a fun wrap up to the story (albeit with a tantalizing cliffhanger) and others who feel it left much to be desired.
But what if you were left mostly confused about certain elements –– what, for example, is Grand Admiral Thrawn’s (Lars Mikkelsen) plan now he has reached the planet Dathomir? What is that giant statue that Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) was standing on at the end? Where does Ahsoka go from here?
You have questions. We have… well, perhaps not answers, but certainly some compelling theories. Take a read!
What is Thrawn’s plan at the end of ‘Ahsoka’ Season 1?
Grand Admiral Thrawn managed to complete his plan and escape the planet Peridea with his Star Destroyer, his legions of Night Troopers, the Great Mothers of the witchy Nightsisters and… a whole lot of something in his cargo hold.
Exactly what is in those cargo containers remains to be seen, but unless Thrawn is particularly fond of Blue Milk or really needed lots of power converters to sell at Toshi Station, our best guess at this point is that it contains Nightsisters, either dead or in suspended animation.
After all, he’s back in the regular ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, (at the sisters’ home planet of Dathomir, no less) and if he hopes to crush the New Republic, he’s going to need troops and/or weapons. What better than powerful witches to help his crusade? Even if he’s ultimately doomed to fail.
What is Baylan Skoll up to in ‘Ahsoka’?
Through the later episodes of the show, it became clear that former Jedi, now mercenary Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson, often one of the best things in the series) had his own plans once transported to the planet Peridea. He essentially ditched his apprentice, Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) and went off to find a giant statue.
It’s one of three statues that depict the Ones, a family of Force gods who dwell on the planet Mortis. As seen in a pivotal story arc on ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’, these characters serve as living embodiments of the Force itself.
The Son (Sam Witwer) is the Dark Side. The Daughter (Adrienne Wilkinson) is the Light Side. The Father (Lloyd Sherr) represents the balance between the two.
Ahsoka, Anakin and Obi-Wan encountered these three beings when they traveled to Mortis, and Anakin was given a brief glimpse of the monster he later became.
And if you’re wondering, Skoll is standing on the statue of The Father. It’s all, apparently in aid of his idea to end the constant conflict between the Jedi and the Sith (though knowing what happens in the sequel trilogy, it doesn’t appear he’s successful.)
The most heartbreaking aspect of the Skoll story, of course, is the fact that Stevenson won’t be the one to continue it. The Northern Irish actor died in May, so assuming Dave Filoni and co. had a future plan in mind for Baylan other than looking like he’s exploring Middle-earth, the role will need to be re-cast.
What next for Shin Hati on ‘Ahsoka’?
Shin, meanwhile, who was also left on Peridea, appears to have ambitions as a warlord, gathering support from others on the planet. It seems assured that she and Sabine will meet –– and clash –– again.
Related Article: TV Review: ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’
Where does the story of ‘Ahsoka’ go from here?
Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and Jedi training droid Huyang (voiced by David Tennant) are left stranded on Peridea at the end of Season 1. So, what happens next?
Right now, that question can only be answered by show boss Dave Filoni and whoever he has discussed it with.
But there are several possibilities –– we could well see a second season of ‘Ahsoka’, which has been a buzzy success for Disney+ ordered before too long.
Ahsoka’s story could be picked up in ‘The Mandalorian’, though that series is already carrying several plotlines of its own.
Filoni and Jon Favreau might be building to some connected big series that weaves the various shows’ plot strands together (after all, who doesn’t want to see Ahsoka Tano hanging out with Grogu again?)
And then there’s the movie that Filoni is developing, as originally confirmed at Star Wars Celebration this past April. Leaving Ahsoka, Sabine and Huyang stranded on Peridea opens up potential new storylines (albeit risky to have a movie kick off with characters that many fans may not be familiar with.
He may opt to have Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) freshly reunited with his other old ‘Star Wars Rebels’ comrade Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) force Thrawn back to Peridea where we could catch up with Ahsoka and co.
Because, cute as they are, a season of our heroes hanging around with the crab-meet-Ewok-like Noti doesn’t exactly hold the same appeal as a big space adventure full of thrilling battles, daring do and giant space whales (depending, of course, on how many of the poor Purrgil creatures are left after their unfortunate run-in with an Imperial mine field.)
Right now, we’re in a holding pattern until Disney and Lucasfilm choose to confirm the future plans for these characters on screens big or small. We were surprised no announcements were made about a new season or anything else but given the sheer number of projects either rumored or announced that have not come to pass, we’re not entirely shocked.
And that’s without the delays likely from the strikes. As Yoda might put it, “clouded this story’s future is…” But hopefully not for too long.
Other ‘Star Wars’ Movies:
- ‘Star Wars‘ (1977)
- ‘The Empire Strikes Back‘ (1980)
- ‘Return of the Jedi‘ (1983)
- ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace‘ (1999)
- ‘Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones‘ (2002)
- ‘Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith‘ (2005)
- ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars‘ (2008)
- ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘ (2015)
- ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story‘ (2016)
- ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi‘ (2017)
- ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story‘ (2018)
- ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker‘ (2019)
