Is Murley safe? Is he all right?
These are the questions fans have been asking about Sabine Wren’s Loth-cat since the Ahsoka premiere, even before the cat’s name was revealed. Murley is featured in both episodes of the Ahsoka premiere and has plenty of adorable moments. Murley is also the first to notice the presence of assassin droids in the communications tower where Sabine lives, both when Sabine is there and later when Ahsoka Tano goes to the tower.
Even though Murley steals the show early on, when Sabine leaves Lothal with Ahsoka, Murley is not seen or mentioned again in the remaining episodes. This led to fans sincerely and jokingly asking and speculating about what happened to Murley after Sabine left and who was taking care of the delightful creature.
While speaking with Dagobah Dispatch, Ahsoka showrunner Dave Filoni shed new light on Murley’s fate and how he caught wind over concern for the Loth-cat in the first place, saying:
"“I don’t do the social media or any of that stuff, but it filtered through to me that people were worried that the cat got left alone. I’m like, I’m a pet owner! Of course I know what happens to the cat! But it was amazing that of all the things in the galaxy to be concerned about, the fans are concerned about the cat. It’s totally fair.With the cat, obviously, there’s a couple things at play. First, I think Sabine would leave the door cracked open. Second of all, I think Murley’s smart enough to be able to move through the ventilation ducts and up and down that tower. I don’t think he needs to operate the elevator. I wouldn’t question if he could, but I think he can move up and down the ductwork to get out there to the ground level. Maybe there are other Loth-cats around. He’s not the only one. I don’t think Murley is what I would call a domestic cat. I think it’s a wild cat that lives with Sabine, and she likes that fact and feeds it. Murley knows it’s a good situation, so it hangs out. Murley’s an opportunist and probably a bit of a pain in the butt.”"
While Filoni’s comments are more about speculation than a definitive answer, knowing that he thinks Murley is okay is a relief. Many fans already speculated that Murley seems like a wild cat and is not domesticated, so he would have no problem taking care of himself after Sabine left.
Star Wars Rebels often featured Loth-cats in the episodes that took place on Lothal, and the series frequently highlighted the planet’s interconnected ecosystem. Murley has plenty of other Loth-cats to run around and find food with, not to mention Loth-wolves.
In the years following Ezra Bridger’s disappearance, Sabine’s Mandalorian family being killed, and Ahsoka ending Sabine’s training, Murley was probably the greatest comfort in Sabine’s life. As Filoni indicates, Murley staying with Sabine is probably something she liked.
Feeding Murley and taking care of him was likely a source of comfort and one of her few consistent companions during those difficult years. It is disappointing that Ahsoka didn’t include any sort of goodbye scene between Sabine and Murley, but there’s always the potential for a reunion.
Another possibility that Filoni didn’t mention is that Governor Ryder Azadi or Senator Jai Kell are taking care of Murley. Both characters have known Sabine since Rebels. They still care for Sabine and would definitely take care of her cat if she asked them to do so.
If Ezra chooses to go back to Lothal now that he has returned to the known galaxy, he could cross paths with Murley as well, especially if Ezra goes to the communications tower where Sabine and Murley lived and where Ezra once lived as well. Murley should recognize Ezra from the hologram that Sabine was always watching of him. Ezra has always had a special bond with animals, especially with the creatures of Lothal, so the two of them should get along famously.
Ahsoka season 2 has not yet been confirmed, and if it does happen, it has plenty of characters and storylines to address. Murley will hopefully be included, giving onscreen confirmation that he is still thriving in Sabine’s absence.