5 burning questions after the Ahsoka finale

Warning: This article contains spoilers from Ahsoka season 1, episode 8, “The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord.”

Ahsoka Season 1 may be over, but the overarching story is far from its conclusion. As part of the interconnected story that began in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka was always meant to be one piece in a much larger narrative building toward the movie directed by Dave Filoni.

With this in mind, Ahsoka ended with multiple unanswered questions that pave the way for future stories. These are 5 burning questions after the finale:

1. How will Baylan Skoll’s story be handled moving forward?

With actor Ray Stevenson passing away in May 2023, it is unclear how the story of Baylan Skoll will be handled moving forward. Baylan’s story is far from over, as he still seeks the power he has been after throughout Ahsoka‘s first season.

Between Baylan standing on the fist of a statue of the Father, flanked by a statue of the Son and a headless statue meant to be the Daughter, and the Morai sighting in this episode, the power Baylan seeks is clearly tied to Mortis from The Clone Wars.

This intriguing storyline shouldn’t be abandoned, but it is difficult to imagine the character being played by anyone other than Stevenson. Despite being a new character surrounded by familiar faces, Stevenson consistently made Baylan one of Ahsoka‘s most compelling characters.

It will be a challenge to continue Baylan’s story without Stevenson, whose performance continues to be celebrated and praised.

2. Why is Baylan interested in Mortis?

The Ahsoka finale confirms Baylan’s quest being related to Mortis, but what Baylan actually wants from it is still a mystery. He’s spoken about seeking the beginning and then ending the cycle of power that rises and falls.

Baylan has also mentioned hearing about Peridea and this other galaxy from children’s stories and fairytales from his time at the Jedi Temple. Based on the tales he’s heard about Mortis, he must think reaching it or finding the Father, Daughter, or Son will give him the ability to go back to the beginning and end the cycle of power.

He seems ignorant of the fact that Ahsoka Tano has been to Mortis with the Daughter sacrificing herself to save Ahsoka. The Father and the Son also perished during Ahsoka’s time there, and the balance of the Force was restored. If Baylan knew this information, he likely would’ve tried to enlist Ahsoka’s help instead of just treating her as an obstacle to be removed from his path.

Anakin’s Force ghost appearing at the end of the finale is a great way to show his pride in Ahsoka and her mentorship of Sabine Wren. There may be even more to it, though, with Anakin being the Chosen One who was integral to bringing balance to Mortis and to the Force itself.

Baylan knew Anakin and seems to know he became Darth Vader, but seemingly doesn’t know about Anakin’s importance to Mortis.

3. What will Ahsoka and Sabine do on Peridea?

One of the finale’s biggest surprises was that Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren didn’t make it back to the known galaxy with Ezra Bridger. They may be stuck on Peridea for now and hanging out with the Noti, yet their bond as Jedi Master and Padawan is stronger than ever before.

Finding a way home via the purrgil or another means would seem like a logical next step, but it doesn’t fully line up with Ahsoka’s remark about moving on. This suggests that she may focus on creating a new life for her and Sabine on Peridea as they simply focus on protecting the Noti and developing their bond and relationship with the Force.

Shin Hati is also a significant variable now that she has asserted herself as the leader of the planet’s raiders. She may continue to be an adversary for Ahsoka and Sabine and make the raiders more formidable, or maybe she will finally find common ground with the Jedi.

Given Ahsoka’s history with Mortis, she probably hasn’t seen the last of Baylan as he continues his Mortis-related quest. Ahsoka and Sabine may get dragged into Baylan’s pursuit, although it may work in their favor, with the mystical Mortis even helping them return to the known galaxy where they can reunite with Ezra and Hera Syndulla.

4. What will Grand Admiral Thrawn’s next move be?

Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned to the known galaxy with the Great Mothers, their cargo, Enoch, and the surviving Night Troopers. Thrawn and his forces are last seen heading toward Dathomir, the planet that was the home of the Nightsisters.

While Thrawn will presumably establish his base of operations there, it is unconfirmed what his next move will be and whether it will involve the Shadow Council seen in The Mandalorian season 3 or directly attacking the New Republic. He will presumably look to expand his dwindled forces, perhaps with an undead army created with the Great Mothers’ help from the cargo aboard the Chimaera.

Since Ezra Bridger also returned to the known galaxy and is reunited with Hera Syndulla, he can alert the New Republic of Thrawn’s return. Unfortunately, Senator Hamato Xiono and other New Republic leaders may not take Ezra’s warnings seriously and won’t take action until they are directly attacked by Thrawn.

5. How will Skeleton Crew connect to Ahsoka?

Skeleton Crew is the next live-action series in the Mandoverse. It has been compared to the Amblin coming-of-age adventure films as it follows a group of children who must find their way home after being lost in the galaxy.

Other than the time period and the inclusion of the pirate Vane from The Mandalorian season 3, Skeleton Crew seemed poised to be a more standalone story than The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, or Ahsoka.

Following the many cliffhangers and game-changing events in the Ahsoka finale, it is now difficult to imagine the show not being more connected to Ahsoka. While Thrawn may not appear, perhaps news of his return and the growing threat of the Imperial remnant can be incorporated into the story, with the kids even having to escape Imperial remnant forces.

There is also potential to continue exploring the New Republic, including some of Ahsoka‘s New Republic characters helping the kids find their way home. Given his age, the series could be a good fit to expand Jacen Syndulla’s story alongside these new young characters.

Including Ahsoka, Sabine, Baylan, Shin, and Peridea seems like less of a natural fit for Skeleton Crew, but anything is possible.