Ahsoka‘s fifth episode, “Shadow Warrior,” includes a quick but important reference to Leia Organa. While searching for Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren on the planet Seatos, Carson Teva reminds Hera Syndulla that they are overdue to check in with New Republic command.
Carsons says, “Senator Organa says she can only give us cover for so long.” This, of course, is a reference to Leia Organa, who is serving as the New Republic senator of the Alderaan sector at this point in the timeline.
While Leia likely won’t make an appearance in Ahsoka, the reference is a perfect way of confirming that Leia is helping Hera, Carson, and the others in the New Republic who are still taking the threat of Imperial remnants seriously.
Hera, Carson, and a few other New Republic pilots traveled to Seatos in Episode 4 without authorization from the New Republic. In Episode 3, Hera spoke to Chancellor Mon Mothma, Senator Hamato Xiono, and other New Republic senators about the potential return of Grand Admiral Thrawn and evidence of Imperial activity linked to his return. However, the New Republic denied authorization of an investigation.
Leia giving Hera, Carson, and the other pilots cover to investigate anyway is satisfying and consistent with other post-Return of the Jedi stories. Unlike Senator Xiono and many other New Republic politicians, Leia doesn’t ignore or downplay activity tied to Imperial remnants.
She gave everything she had to bring down the Empire the first time and continues to give everything she has to prevent them from returning, including breaking the New Republic’s rules from time to time. Just like Hera, Leia will always be a rebel.
Leia’s actions are consistent with the novel Bloodline by Claudia Gray, which explores how broken the New Republic’s leadership becomes six years before The Force Awakens. Not only does much of the New Republic leadership turn a blind eye, but some of them naively romanticize what the Empire was, while others are directly working for the First Order. These factors, along with other developments, cause Leia to ultimately leave politics and instead form the Resistance that will become the galaxy’s best hope against the First Order and the return of Palpatine.
Ahsoka takes place years before Bloodline, when the New Republic still has promise, and Leia still serves as a senator. Nevertheless, Ahsoka shows that Leia is already a stark contrast from other New Republic leaders as she uses her position to investigate Imperial activity and Thrawn’s return.
Unlike Senator Xiono, Leia fought in the Galactic Civil War and was a vital member of the Rebellion. Her history with the Ghost crew and the Rebellion makes her well aware of how disastrous Thrawn’s return would be for the entire galaxy.
Even with the Empire officially defeated for several years now, Leia will never be complacent and will always lend a hand to help Hera, Carson, and others who served in the Rebellion, especially with Thrawn’s return on the horizon.