After the fifth episode of Ahsoka premiered on Disney Plus, we determined to perform a little experiment right here at Star Wars News Net and put collectively a roundtable article with a few of our writers’ ideas on the newest episode — particularly, what every of us thought the takeaway from Anakin’s lesson in Part Five was. With the season finale now out, we thought we’d give it one other go and speculate the place the sequence would go subsequent, ought to a Ahsoka season 2 be ordered. We hope you take pleasure in it! Don’t be afraid to tell us your ideas within the feedback beneath, and if you happen to like having these every so often.
Josh Atkins: It appears most of season 2 will deal with Peridea and Ahsoka and Sabine’s efforts to cease Baylan from awakening no matter mysterious entity is asking to him. It would appear this “nice energy” is said to Mortis, so may or not it’s an excessive amount of to surprise if Abeloth, as soon as referred to as “The Mother” in Legends canon, will rear her ugly head?
I may see Baylan and Abeloth/equally highly effective Force entity being the primary villains in a possible season 2, with loads of encounters with Shin Hati and her raiders alongside the best way. Perhaps a redemption arc for Shin as she realizes how far her grasp has fallen and confronts him for letting her go so frivolously.
Meanwhile, we’ll sometimes verify in with Ezra and Hera within the New Republic as they inevitably attempt to discover a option to deliver Ahsoka and Sabine house. Perhaps that’ll deliver them into contact with Thrawn, who I think may have a a lot smaller function subsequent season as he slowly builds his forces for Filoni’s crossover film.
Nate Manning: Dread it. Run from it. Filoni and his love for Mortis arrives all the identical.
Ahsoka season 2 will certainly focus closely on the cliffhanger-ish ending of Baylan Skoll standing on the statue of the Father, which has littered my Twitter/X timeline with the identical maddening discussions over established characters taking up because the Mortis gods.
Quick semi-relevant rant earlier than I circle again round to my principle, however somebody nonetheless has to elucidate why it will be narratively prudent to tug Anakin, Ahsoka, and another poor soul out of the recognized Star Wars galaxies and make them the “new” set of Mortis Gods. What objective would that serve for future Star Wars storytelling? Why is that one thing we should always need to see? I urge of the fandom to return and rewatch these Clone Wars episodes and perceive the Mortis Gods usually are not the literal manifestations of the Force. They don’t maintain the precise stability. Had Anakin stayed there when the Father sacrificed himself, the Sith nonetheless would’ve (finally) taken over the galaxy. Nevermind that Palpatine remains to be kicking round, proper in the course of orchestrating an unholy imbalance of the Force that you just’d assume Anakin may need completed one thing about because the Father.
Anywho, If Filoni is heading in that basic path, right here’s how I’d try to reply these questions.
We start with the statues. The Daughter’s lacking is a really attention-grabbing element because it does open the chances for somebody like Abeloth coming into the equation, however I feel there’s an alternate route. A key line of dialogue that needs to be there for a purpose is Thrawn’s parting line to Ahsoka: “One wonders simply how related you may develop into,” stated with reference to Ahsoka and Anakin.
On the floor it’s a message from a person who’s simply gloating, however I’m proposing an arc for Ahsoka that mirrors Abeloth’s fall. In Legends, Abeloth was a mortal who served the Force celestials, however finally turned twisted by the thought of energy and it uh… acquired out of hand (placing it mildly).
Ahsoka falling to the darkish aspect is unrealistic, however having her wrestle with the thought of tapping into no matter lies on Peridea is attention-grabbing. What is on the market that might persuade her to comply with a darker, Ronin-like path as Thrawn predicts?
Aled Morgan: I assume the vast majority of Season 2 will proceed to comply with Ahsoka on Peridea (she is the title character in spite of everything!) as they dig into the goals and insanity of the planet. I hope that we’ll get to be taught extra of the Force lore behind the planet and possibly even get to go additional into the brand new galaxy (come on Filoni, you can provide us greater than only one planet!!).
I hope to get some payoff for Baylan and Shin, who oftentimes had essentially the most attention-grabbing arc within the sequence. Obviously the tragedy of shedding Ray must be rigorously managed however there’s an excessive amount of there simply to let it drop. For Shin, I feel she would be the thorn within the aspect of Ahsoka and Sabine, main raids towards the Noti whereas the pair discover their objective on the world. It can be good to possibly get some backstory on how Shin met Baylan, however once more this is perhaps too tough with out Ray.
As for Baylan himself, there’s clearly massive issues deliberate and a risk presumably higher than Thrawn that they have to maintain from crossing over the void. With the Mortis gods represented it might be potential that his aim is to destroy the Force itself or not less than disrupt the stability to attain his aim of breaking the cycle. I feel one chance is his contact with this energy will rework him or injury him so he requires a masks (a basic Star Wars villain trope) and that might get across the recasting.
I’ve seen a lot hyped in regards to the Mortis trio however I’m not satisfied that they are going to essentially seem – for now they only symbolize energy pointing in direction of the mountain the place Baylan is headed. I used to be apprehensive that bringing within the World Between Worlds, probably the most out-there components in Star Wars animation, can be alienating however it was used as a device for the storytelling solely; the time-travel portal thingies have been ignored and didn’t complicate the plot.
I look ahead to seeing extra of Ahsoka and Sabine’s relationship and I hope we get to dig extra into their coaching. I actually need to discover what it’s wish to spend time coaching as a Jedi with out the pure expertise that a lot of the order had. I like how she fought with a mixture of lightsaber and blaster within the finale – I hope she continues that blend of kinds sooner or later.
While I anticipate the main focus to be in Ahsoka I absolutely anticipate Hera and firm to hijack not less than one episode in an analogous (however much less jarring) option to how Din Djarin commandeered two episodes of The Book of Boba Fett. Either that or maybe just a few scenes leaping backwards and forwards throughout the sequence, reminding us of the stakes.
As for Thrawn, I feel he’ll go into the shadows for now, with hints of his plans revealed throughout MandoVerse exhibits, constructing as much as the crossover film. I anticipate a few of Din’s ‘personal contract’ missions for Teva will trace in direction of his plans and possibly he’ll briefly pop up within the sequence. I can’t wait to see him with Pellaeon at his aspect commanding the total Imperial Remnant plus no matter he has up his sleeve.
One factor I must know is – what’s in these containers?! I wasn’t a fan of the undead Nightsister principle being thrown about however I can get behind it now they they’re on Dathomir. From Elspeth’s whispered goodbye, it’s clear {that a} restored Dathomir is a part of Thrawn’s cut price with the Nightsisters in trade for his or her support. This ties in very nicely along with his Legends story the place his Noghri bodyguards served him loyalty as he was repairing their planet from an ecological catastrophe.
Having stated that, Ahsoka threw off practically each prediction I had and I nonetheless liked it, so no matter comes I can’t wait!
Jay Goodearl: I’ve two daring predictions for season 2 of Ahsoka: 1) a dwelling Zeffo will make an look on Peridea, and a couple of) Bendu will reappear and assist Ahsoka and Sabine get off the planet.
Some eagle-eyed followers have already introduced up the same structure and symbols sprawled throughout the panorama of Peridea. And with the Zeffo’s connection to the Nightsisters, and the potential exploration of Dathomir, I feel it’s solely logical that the sequence will deliver within the Zeffo as nicely from the Star Wars Jedi sequence. It’s potential that one should even be alive with the facility of the Nightsisters, or by means of considered one of them discovering a option to reside ceaselessly by means of the Force.
I’m additionally predicting that Bendu would be the character that can assist Ahsoka and Sabine get off Peridea. With Bendu additionally being from Star Wars: Rebels, I feel it solely is sensible that he can be the creature to assist Ahsoka and Sabine get off world. The final we noticed of the character was on Atollon when he helped the Rebels escape from Thrawn’s siege. He turned a part of the Force and managed the climate to cease Thrawn’s forces. I can see Bendu returning in a giant pillar of fireside on Peridea, serving to to information them to a secret location that permits journey throughout the galaxy through the Force.
Eric Lentz: I discover making an attempt to foretell what a second season of Ahsoka could have in retailer to be remarkably tough. The present ended up being far more of an ensemble piece than I used to be anticipating given each its title and the advertising and marketing putting such a robust emphasis on Ahsoka herself. Plus, the finale arrange a number of potential future storylines and lots of character arcs haven’t but been resolved.
The one factor I can say with a good diploma of confidence is we’ll be spending loads of time on Peridea with Ahsoka, Sabine, Shin, and Baylan. Ahsoka and Sabine will probably spend extra time coaching collectively and strengthening their master-apprentice bond, particularly now that they’ve made progress in mending their initially strained relationship. We’ll additionally see how Shin adapts to being on her personal (yeah, she has her nomad pals, however nonetheless), and whose aspect she finally decides to hitch within the brewing battle.
Of course, we will’t focus on the way forward for Ahsoka with out speaking about Baylan Skoll and the tragic current passing of Ray Stevenson. Like many viewers, I puzzled how or if the present would select to handle his loss of life. Stevenson had already completed filming his scenes, however we didn’t know if Baylan’s story would conclude this season or if he can be established as an ongoing antagonist. Now we all know that Filoni meant for Baylan to return, however meaning the query of what to do with the character stays.
Personally, I feel Filoni and the inventive staff ought to seek the advice of with Stevenson’s kinfolk to see what they assume he would’ve wished. If they log off on a recast, then Baylan can return and his story can proceed as initially meant. However, in the event that they really feel that the character shouldn’t be recast, then Filoni must determine find out how to write the character out of the present in a delicate and respectful manner.
Then there’s the Thrawn/Nightsisters scenario. I truthfully didn’t anticipate this season to finish with Thrawn escaping again to the recognized galaxy and starting a sinister plot to regain energy, however Filoni shocked me. I can perceive if he needs Thrawn to remain round as an overarching villain all through a number of tasks, however the subsequent season ought to replace us a least somewhat bit on his progress in finishing up his plan. Not to say Hera and Ezra are nonetheless within the recognized galaxy and are conscious of his presence. Maybe the Thrawn storyline will develop into a B-plot subsequent season as a lot of the focus stays on Peridea. After all, I really feel like we’ve solely begun to discover that planet’s secrets and techniques. No doubt Filoni has some surprises in thoughts for us.
Miguel Fernández: The key to unlocking the secrets and techniques of Ahsoka season 2 I feel hinges on two questions. First, why are there Argonath-like statues of the Mortis Gods on Peridea? That already ought to tackle so many questions on this new galaxy and its relationship with the Force. But this additionally touches on the query of Baylan and his lengthy seek for this legendary energy that many at the moment are predicting to be Abeloth (who actually is aware of), which motivates the necessity to recast the function in season 2 — the story of Ahsoka clearly entails Lord Baylan, and Ray Stevenson most likely would have favored his work to not fade away with him. But that’s simply my guess.
The second query that season 2 of Ahsoka must reply is, after all, why is Thrawn going to Dathomir? That addresses in a really direct manner the mysterious relationship between Thrawn and the Nightsisters. First of all, why have been there Nightsisters on Peridea? Why did they ally themselves with Thrawn? Was there a promise made that must be held now, on both aspect? And why is Dathomir Thran’s first vacation spot popping out of hyperspace? How does that play into his future plans? And what was that cargo on the finish of the season? I really feel like all of these questions are circling across the massive thriller of why Dathomir.
And after all, there are lots extra mysteries to be resolved, however I really feel just like the story will stream naturally from the place it ended within the first season. The season 1 story was about reconciling Masters and apprentices, and Ahsoka fulfilled her arc by lastly speaking with Anakin as a Force ghost and settling her variations with Sabine. Shin and Baylan met their inevitable destiny. There’s extra story to inform with them, however it’ll all rely on the following season’s massive theme. As far as Ezra and Hera go, I really feel like their arc will probably be reactionary to no matter Thrawn has completed thus far, and what he’ll do subsequent.
Here’s hoping there’s a probability to proceed this journey. We’re not precisely positive of the numbers Disney hoped to get for Ahsoka, so we will’t actually decide if they are going to transfer ahead with extra. But due to how pivotal this story appears to be for the way forward for the franchise, there’s sufficient purpose to imagine there will probably be extra. And we’ll be proper right here to inform you all about it as extra information about it comes out!
Miguel Fernández is a Spanish pupil that has films as his second ardour in life. His favourite film of all time is The Lord of the Rings, however he’s additionally an enormous Star Wars fan. However, fantasy films usually are not his solely cup of tea, as films from Scorsese, Fincher, Kubrick or Hitchcock have been an obsession for him since he began to grasp the language of filmmaking. He is that man who will watch a black and white film, simply because it’s in black and white.
