Ahsoka Season 1 Finale: Thrawn Takes Center Stage as [Spoiler] Faces Their Destiny – What Lies Ahead?

Ahsoka Season 1 Finale: Thrawn’s Bold Move and the Future of Star Wars

As fans eagerly anticipated the Season 1 finale of “Ahsoka,” it was evident that we were in for a suspenseful ride. Grand Admiral Thrawn, portrayed by Lars Mikkelsen, was poised to make a daring hyperspace leap through the space loop, leaving Ahsoka and her companions stranded in the unforgiving wilderness of Peridea, located in a galaxy far, far away.

Surprisingly, what this episode didn’t deliver were any significant appearances from iconic Star Wars characters like Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett or Baby Yoda. The previous episode had already treated us to C-3PO‘s presence, as he valiantly defended Hera’s renegade mission before the often sardonic Galactic Council.

Apple TV+ Welcomes Disney+’s ‘Extraordinary’ & ‘Wedding Season’ Executive Johanna Devereaux

What Lies Ahead for Thrawn and the Future of Ahsoka?

In the wake of Disney+’s ‘Extraordinary’ and ‘Wedding Season,’ a notable figure has made the jump to Apple TV+. Johanna Devereaux, the executive behind these hit shows, has joined the ranks of Apple’s streaming platform. But as one door opens, another story unfolds in the Star Wars universe.

Thrawn, the enigmatic blue-skinned strategist, is back with his grand ambitions. His mission: to reunite the remnants of the Empire, kickstarting what’s become known as ‘The Thrawn Campaign.’ This calculated series of military and political maneuvers not only aims to restore the Empire to its former glory but also seeks to dismantle the burgeoning New Republic. These events predate the era of Kylo Ren, adding a layer of complexity to the evolving Star Wars narrative.

Fans have been abuzz with speculation about Dave Filoni’s next move within the Disney+/Lucasfilm universe. The culmination of ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘Book of Boba Fett,’ ‘Ahsoka,’ and more has been eagerly anticipated. Many believe that this epic standalone feature film will pivot around the enigmatic Thrawn and his audacious campaign. However, insider sources suggest that Ahsoka Season 2 is also a significant part of the conversation. While no official confirmation is in place, it appears to be a real possibility.

During the recent developments, there were no hints or placards teasing an immediate return of ‘Ahsoka.’ Unfortunately, the looming WGA strike and the ongoing actors’ strike have thrown a wrench into production schedules, delaying the progress of these highly anticipated projects. The future of the Star Wars universe remains shrouded in secrecy, leaving fans on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what unfolds next.

Stranded in a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Ahsoka, Sabine, and Ezra’s Unexpected Journey, Surprises, and Speculations

That being said, instead of Ahsoka (portrayed by Rosario Dawson), Sabine (played by Natasha Liu), and Ezra (acted by Eman Esfandi) finding themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere, the latter leaps onto Thrawn’s Imperial Cruiser with a Force push assist from his girlfriend, Sabine, right from the edge of a cliff launchpad. In one of the episode’s concluding moments, an Imperial shuttle glides into the bay of a Rebel starfleet vessel. Hera (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and her comrades draw their weapons on the stormtrooper disembarking from the shuttle. Chopper the droid, ever the loyal companion, sniffs around and discerns that this stormtrooper is a friend, not a foe. The stormtrooper removes his helmet, revealing himself to be Ezra. It marks the first reunion between General Hera and Ezra since his disappearance at the end of Rebels.

However, Ahsoka and Sabine aren’t the only ones left stranded; they reunite with Ezra’s companions, the Noti. But lurking in the shadows are Shin Hati and Baylan Skoll. With the unfortunate passing of actor Ray Stevenson, it remains to be seen how Baylan’s role will evolve in the Star Wars timeline. Will the production recast the character? Additionally, there has been speculation among fans that Shin Hati might be taking on the role of Luke Skywalker’s wife, Mara Jade, who was originally introduced in the Star Wars canon. Mara Jade was a Force-sensitive woman and a Jedi Master who initially served Emperor Palpatine, eventually aligning herself with Luke Skywalker. However, it remains unclear whether Shin Hati’s storyline will mirror that of Mara Jade’s. There is a glimmer of goodness in her eyes. The last we see of Shin Hati is her reuniting with the planet’s equivalent of Sand People, the rogue warriors in red attire, reminiscent of samurai. Meanwhile, Baylan roams the overcast sky plains of Peridea.

Powerful Transformations and Jedi Triumph: Morgan Elsbeth’s Fate and Sabine’s Heroic Evolution in ‘The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord’

The only casualty in this episode was Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto). At the outset, it didn’t seem like she would end up as the loser. She is swiftly embraced by the Great Mothers, who sensed her potential. They transform Morgan into something resembling a zombie witch, her face adorned with dark mascara akin to Alice Cooper’s. Morgan receives the Blade of Talzin, one of the few weapons capable of withstanding a lightsaber. This sets the stage for an intriguing lightsaber duel in the climax, pitting Morgan against Ahsoka and Sabine. Initially, Morgan appears to overpower Ahsoka, but ultimately, Ahsoka prevails in their battle, slicing Morgan’s torso. The Blade of Talzin becomes a valuable weapon for Ahsoka to wield in the future. However, one can’t help but wonder if it will match the legendary Black Saber.

If anything, ‘The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord’ arc is Sabine’s story. The once-doubting aspiring Jedi fully embraces her connection to the Force in a moment of crisis. She uses the Force to pull her lightsaber and kill a dark trooper in combat, even igniting the saber within the trooper’s head as he grapples with her. She also provides Ezra with an extra Force push from behind as he hurtles through the air off a launchpad and onto Thrawn’s spaceship. Droid Huyang (portrayed by David Tennant) informs Ezra that Ahsoka had reservations about Sabine because of her Mandalorian heritage and her thirst for revenge following the Empire’s devastation of her home planet. According to Ahsoka, Sabine has the potential to become a dangerous force. And as history has shown, angry Jedi often find themselves on the path to the dark side.

While Ahsoka was known for her occasional loose lips during her training by Anakin, she now exhibits the wisdom of Ben Kenobi in the series. Despite the setback of having to wait for her ride to leave the planet with Sabine, the master pays her padawan a compliment, saying, ‘You did well.

“Did I?” answered Sabine, “Thrawn got away…”

“And thanks to you, Ezra got home,” responded Ahsoka.

“I hope” says Sabine.

“He did,” Ahsoka says with confidence.

“Ezra is where he needs to be, and so are we,” says Ahsoka. “It’s time to move on.”

The last parting shot we get is of Anakin Skywalker, still watching over Ahsoka.

Quick summary

• The Season 1 finale of “Ahsoka” left fans in suspense as Grand Admiral Thrawn, played by Lars Mikkelsen, attempted a daring hyperspace jump, leaving Ahsoka and her companions stranded on the remote planet Peridea. Notably, the episode did not feature appearances from iconic Star Wars characters like Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, or Baby Yoda.
• Thrawn’s return heralded a new campaign to reunite the remnants of the Empire and challenge the emerging New Republic. This storyline adds complexity to the Star Wars narrative, preceding the era of Kylo Ren.
• The potential future of the Star Wars universe, with speculations about upcoming projects and the impact of production delays due to strikes. It highlights Sabine’s character development and her newfound connection to the Force.
• Between Ahsoka and Sabine, reflecting on their experiences and the return of Ezra, and a poignant moment with Anakin Skywalker watching over Ahsoka.