This article contains major spoilers for Ahsoka Episode 4 “Fallen Jedi.”
Ashoka episode 4, “Fallen Jedi,” has just been released. Many theories were both confirmed and disproven during this week’s episode. Many fans and speculators accurately predicted that Episode 4 would be a large focal point in the Ahsoka series. Storylines have dramatically altered, deals have been made, and there’s certainly a degree of uncertainty heading into the second half of the season. After watching the show’s final moments, it’s safe to say that this story’s conclusion has raised far more questions than answers.
Sabine’s Betrayal
Regardless of the multiple events that occurred in this episode, Sabine’s course of action was one that came as a sincere shock to virtually all viewers. After Ahsoka takes a massive fall due to the actions of Baylan Skoll, Sabine quickly starts to lose hope and becomes incredibly vulnerable to persuasion. Her lack of Force ability certainly doesn’t boost her confidence when taking on a well-experienced Force wielder in Skoll.
However, Baylan turns his saber off rather than a duel and speaks with the frightened Sabine. Baylan informs her that he knows about her connection to Ezra Bridger and that this journey to the new galaxy means more to her than just preventing another war. Baylan assures Sabine that upon reaching this new galaxy with him and Morgan Elsbeth, she will be reunited with Ezra. Out of pure love for Ezra, Ahsoka takes a long pause to contemplate her decisions very carefully.
Upon coming to the realization that Ahsoka was most likely dead and that Baylan was much too powerful, Sabine finally bites her tongue and puts her odds on Ezra. Slowly but surely, she hands the map to the unknown Galaxy over to Baylan Skoll.
As Sabine enters the Eye of Sion, Morgan prepares to launch the hyperspace ring into the new galaxy where Thrawn awaits. Before the hyperspace ring ascended into a full launch, Hera Syndulla arrives on her ship along with Carson Teva, the New Republic officer that we’ve seen in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett series. The small fleet attempts to block Elsbeth’s path by placing their ships in her way. Ignoring them, Elsbeth launches the ring regardless, knocking Hera off course but not harming her or her son, Jaycen.
Whether Skoll actually keeps his word or not is certainly a topic of debate. While Baylan is not a Sith Lord, he does draw much of his ability from the Dark Side of the Force, Making him someone who may be particularly difficult to trust. One thing is for certain, after going to these lengths, if Sabine isn’t given what she wants, she’ll surely take it instead.
Ahsoka’s Untimely Death?
After a seemingly fatal fall thanks to Baylan Skoll, we witness what is perceived to be Ahsoka’s death. Shortly after, Ahsoka wakes up in an aerie, yet familiar destination. She looks around and sees the skinny, glass-like bridges with nothing but the void of space in the background. As this happens, it becomes apparent to many that Ahsoka had died and ultimately landed in what she had previously named the World Between Worlds.
Fans of Star Wars Rebels will remember the World Between Worlds as the (now iconic) mysterious gateway that Ezra Bridger traveled through, effectively saving Ahsoka’s life. For the first time ever, this pocket dimension of nearly endless possibilities has been brought to life in live-action, leaving fans with even more questions than the last time it was featured. Many may wonder or even question why Ahsoka was brought to the World Between Worlds after her untimely death. The most we genuinely know about the World Between Worlds is that it’s a place where time and space are seemingly irrelevant. Given the broadness of that loose definition, it’s entirely possible that this is where many, if not all Jedi go to rest. However, this is not the only major surprise that Dave Filoni decided to bless us with.
The Return of Anakin Skywalker
In complete shock, Ahsoka barely has time to evaluate what’s happened to her before she’s stopped dead in her tracks by a familiar voice. Ahsoka hears her forgotten nickname, “Snips,” a name that was given to her by an old friend. Putting the name and the nickname together, Ahsoka turns around only to see her former Master, Anakin Skywalker.
Hayden Christensen has returned to once again reprise his role as the powerful Jedi Knight/ Sith Lord. With the help of what certainly looks to be de-aging technology, Christensen returns as Skywalker to greet Ahsoka in what is perceived to be her afterlife. The two smile at each other, soaking in what turned out to be a much overdue reunion between Master and Apprentice.
However, many people (myself included) will be quick to question the historic Imperial March that was softly played in the closing moments, followed by a black screen. This widely recognizable song, infamously affiliated with Darth Vader during the Original Trilogy, raises all sorts of questions regarding the legitimacy of Anakin’s appearance. Given this clearly foreshadows Darth Vader’s return in some way, shape, or form, the true identity of who we saw in the former Jedi is frankly unknown. While it could indeed be Anakin’s Force Ghost, the music doesn’t often lie. On the other hand, given that this is a near-limitless realm, the Vader we eventually see could be some sort of variant from a different time. An example of this could perhaps be from a time window viewing the live-action duel of Ahsoka vs. Vader from the events of Star Wars Rebels. While the speculation could be endless, it’s practically impossible to tell what Dave Filoni has in store for Episode 5, and that’s precisely the way we want it.