Summary
- Ahsoka successfully combines fan service with storytelling, balancing big moments with quieter beats like Baylan Skoll's character exploration.
- Star Wars' reliance on galactic civil wars and the Jedi vs. Sith conflict is holding the franchise back, unlike The Mandalorian and Andor which offer fresh perspectives.
- Baylan Skoll's speech about breaking the repetitive nature of the franchise's storylines speaks directly to Star Wars fans who seek something new while still desiring the comfort of the familiar.
The following contains spoilers for Ahsoka Season 1, Episode 6 "Far, Far Away," which is now streaming on Disney+.
Ahsoka has been showing Star Wars fans what it means to perfectly meld fan service with excellent storytelling. The show has managed to balance huge moments with much quieter and poignant story beats. Baylan Skoll is one of the quieter moments. As a new character, his past is a clean slate to be built upon. In Episode 6, Skoll becomes the voice of the audience as he highlights one of Star Wars' biggest flaws when he is discussing his own lofty goals in the new series.
Star Wars has primarily focused on a series of galactic civil wars to make up the crux of its saga. From the Clone Wars, to the Resistance and the First Order, each section of Star Wars builds upon the same blocks of civil war and the Jedi versus the Sith. While this story has taken many forms and remains entertaining, it also is what holds the franchise back. This is what audience originally found so refreshing about The Mandalorian, it was Star Wars but without the usual conflicts. The same could be said for Andor to some degree as it offers fresh political perspectives and is completely separated from the Jedi.
Why Does Star Wars Repeat its Narrative?
George Lucas is famously known for describing Star Wars like poetry. Each new entry acts like a different stanza in a poem. The entries rhyme with each other. This helps to create the cohesion the holds much of the franchise together. It's also why so many of the storylines are repeated. Luke struggles continually with his anger, both in Return of the Jedi and in The Last Jedi. Obi-Wan's failure with Anakin is mirrored by Lukes failure with Ben Solo. Even Rey's journey echoes Luke's own discovery of his powers and fate.
Ahsoka has continued this trend by literally exploring the past also. In much the same fashion as the 'cave' moments for Luke and Rey, Ahsoka explores her connection to the Force in the World Between Worlds. In a Christmas Carol type story, Anakin took Ahsoka through her past in order to remind her of her true purpose as a Jedi. The former Master showed Ahsoka, and the audience, the folly of the Clone Wars and taught Ahsoka that she can conquer her own darkness, like Anakin failed to do. While this is a new technique in Star Wars, it still continues many of the same stories and plots.
Baylan Skoll Understands The Star Wars Audience
When his apprentice, Shin Hati, is questioning Baylan about his life with the Jedi and the fate of the galaxy, Baylan gives him some very honest opinions. He discusses how the galaxy has been locked in a repeating pattern of governments and institutions rising and falling. To him, the fall of the Jedi was as inevitable as the rising of the two suns on Tatooine. Baylan viewed the history and the future of the galaxy as boring. He wants to break free from the pattern and put an end to the same events forever repeating. This is why he came with Morgan, this is why he sought out Thrawn. He needs help in breaking the cycle.
This highlights some issues that fans have with the franchise. While the Star Wars saga is loved by millions, this doesn't mean it's without its issues. Star Wars fans are ultimately finicky. The Sequels repeated a lot of the similar story beats of the Original Trilogy. When The Force Awakens did this, it was seen as a negative, yet when The Last Jedi dared to be different, it was lambasted for being too different. Baylan's speech is not only explaining his life to Shin, it's meant to speak directly to the Star Wars fandom.
Baylan understands that fans are wanting something new, yet they still seek the comfort of the familiar. Him wanting to break the cycle not only talks about breaking the repetitive nature of evil regime versus Jedi, it also may be talking about breaking the cycle of seeking nostalgia and comfort. This is somewhat ironic in a series like Ahsoka, but Baylan's words are wise, and it's a great message for Star Wars fans to remember and reflect upon.
Ahsoka streams new episodes on Tuesdays at 6pm PT/9pm ET on Disney+.