There are gonna be a lot of fans coming at us with torches for this tagline and with good reason.
Ahsoka Tano’s journey is a story that has spanned several eras in the Star Wars saga. It’s one of the most expansive character arcs in the universe and, naturally, there is a huge following among younger generations of fans. Her entire story from being a naive apprentice to an equally awkward Anakin to a wise and capable warrior has been closely followed by fans of The Clone Wars [TCW] since 2008.
However, there comes the point where a character has to have an end. Whether it’s settling down, passing the torch to another character, or – as with the subject of this article – dying. Someone’s story can only be told for so long, which is what is at the center of Ahsoka’s story up to this point.
Escaping a Poetic Death
Undoubtedly, the emotional highlight of Ahsoka’s arc is her face-off against Darth Vader during the season 2 finale of Star Wars: Rebels.
The very master that trained her all those years ago has now become a tool of evil. To Vader, Ahsoka was nothing more than a vestige of his former past that had to be destroyed. In the end, he would have succeeded if not for Ahsoka slicing a hole through his helmet and, for a brief moment, looking upon her with his own eyes.
Ahsoka’s story really ended in Rebels. Her confrontation with her former master, now turned Darth Vader gave the resolution she deserved. Had she been killed off right there like it was in the original script, it would be a fitting end to her story. It wouldn’t have been a happy ending, but it absolutely would have been an ending that was the culmination of both Clone Wars and Rebels shows.
However, Rebels had to literally pull a Deus Ex-Machina and have her time travel in the World Between Worlds, which in so ways can be seen as a cop-out. The problem now in The Mandalorian timeline is Ahsoka is a character that is just there without a purpose. The only element she can do with this current timeline Is try to fulfill a promise she made to Jedi apprentice Ezra to come to find him once she returns to the physical world in Star Wars Rebels. After that, there isn’t much material left to tell in her story.
Our Vision for the Upcoming Ahsoka Series
This has naturally raised a number of questions for her upcoming spin-off given that this series is set in the current Mandalorian timeline. Beyond this point, Ahsoka doesn’t have a vested purpose in the grand story of the Skywalker Saga.
However, this does leave a final opportunity for Ahsoka to reconcile her past with the present. This leaves one last scenario that must happen, meeting and reconciling Anakin’s ghost.
Given that we know Anakin becomes a force ghost, there is also a chance for reconciliation between the two. Ahsoka can finally forgive him for his crimes. Imagine the two sitting together on a rock very similar position and having ghost Anakin say those exact words some 30 years ago.
“You wouldn’t have made it as Obi-Wan’s padawan, but you might make it as mine.”
Her Manner of Death
If Ahsoka does die, there are several avenues they can go for. The best course is sacrificing herself to save Luke or maybe even Ben Solo. Perhaps even she even dies by Kylo Ren’s hand on that fateful night when Luke’s reborn temple burns to the ground. It may be hollow considering what the sequel trilogy has to lead to; however, if there is a way to end her that still ties with the Skywalker Saga, that is the only avenue that would make sense.
Ahsoka’s death has to be the emotional high point in the franchise in the same manner as Tony Stark or Logan. One way or another, this will make many fan boys and girls cry.
Final Thoughts
If Ahsoka’s journey ends, the last it needs to deliver us that last ounce of closure. Interacting with Anakin’s ghost and his son looks like perhaps helping him to establish the Jedi would be a great concept to explore. However, the character can’t be overused solely because of pandering marketing that Disney has fallen subject to.
No matter what agenda you put in your project, it has to serve the story. You can’t just keep a character alive by plot protection for a potential spinoff (*cough* Reva *cough*).
We all know that Ahsoka is series creator Dave Filoni’s baby, but there comes a time when you have to put down your dog when it gets too sick, and that is the sad truth that we all want this great character. Even the most famous comic book characters like Superman and Captain America have a canonical death in their timeline. As hard as it is to say goodbye, it is harder to see a sick loved one linger on with no purpose.
No matter how much we love these characters, there always comes a time to say goodbye and let them rest.
