Anakin Skywalker’s return inAhsokaseason 1 included one last lesson for his former Padawan, but I’ll be honest, I didn’t fully understand or appreciate it until now. As a longtime fan ofStar Wars: The Clone WarsandStar Wars Rebels, seeing Anakin and Ahsoka together in a live-actionStar Warsproject was incredible, especially on first viewing. Even so, once the initial excitement had worn off, and I got to thinking about the episode, I was a little confused about what Anakin was trying to accomplish in theWorld Between Worlds.
While I got the general idea of what Anakin was saying, its execution felt somewhat messy, so the meaning felt open to interpretation. His words didn’t fully match his actions, and considering how much Anakin and Ahsoka could have talked about, I couldn’t help but see all the missed opportunities. However, as I was, ironically, writing another article about how odd Anakin’s behavior was, I began to comprehend the meaning of his lesson. It may have taken me longer than it should have, but now that I understand it, I enjoy the story more.
Dark Star Wars Theory: That Wasn’t Anakin Ahsoka Fought In The World Between Worlds
Anakin Skywalker’s Force Ghost made his triumphant return in Ahsoka season 1… but what if it wasn’t actually him in the World Between Worlds?
Anakin’s Lesson For Ahsoka Didn’t Make Sense At First Watch
It seemed like he just wanted to make her stronger
Anakin’s lesson to Ahsoka was simple:“Live, or die.“Most of the time they spent in the World Between Worlds took this literally, withAnakin attacking Ahsoka and pushing her so she wouldn’t lose again, as she did with Baylan Skoll. By the end of the episode, Ahsoka chose to do what Anakin wanted, and he was happy that she realized this. However, on the surface, this lesson didn’t fully make sense to me.
For one thing, had this been Ahsoka’s problem throughout the show? Not really, as she has defended herself to stay alive since episode one, and she didn’t have a problem killing if it was necessary. Perhaps Anakin felt she wasn’t strong enough, but as a Force Ghost, why would he still embody his dark traits and push her to give in to the dark side? It seems like his time would be better spent on a lesson that would teach Ahsoka not to be like him, rather than encouraging it.
Anakin could mean she’s not living life to the fullest and is too prepared to die, but his method of getting her to see it was odd. And even if that were the point, is Anakin really the best person to listen to in this regard? He had emotional attachments and tried to teach Ahsoka to break the rules like him, and he ended up becoming a Dark Lord of the Sith. However, as I kept rewatching these scenes, it clicked that Anakin was doing this intentionally, but not for the reason it seemed.
I Finally Get What Anakin Was Trying To Do
She didn’t need to fear becoming like her master
While Anakin’s stated objective and his methods in the World Between Worlds seemed to conflict, I began to understand once I paid more attention to how their duel ended. Ahsoka finally gained the upper hand and prepared to “kill” Anakin with his own red blade as her eyes glowed yellow. If Anakin’s goal was to make Ahsoka strong enough to survive, then he succeeded. Of course,Anakin did not tell Ahsoka to survive but to live.
Instead of killing him, she threw away the weapon and said"I choose to live.“Ahsoka stood up to her attacker, defeated him, and was faced with the temptation to kill a man who deserved it, but she chose to spare him. I get now thatAnakin was showing his worst traits and pushing Ahsoka into a fight so that she would realize what he wanted to teach her… she didn’t need to hold herself back.
Anakin showed Ahsoka that she could still fight and win without becoming like her master, because she’s not Anakin.
As the apprentice of the man who became Darth Vader, Ahsoka feared that she could be like him or lead her own pupil to that dark fate. That’s why she thought it would be best for Grogu not to be trained as a Jedi, and why she pushed Sabine away before the start ofAhsokaseason 1. Anakin showed Ahsoka that she could still fight and win without becoming like her master, because she’s not Anakin. Fighting for what’s right and fully embracing life inStar Warsdoes not have to mean becoming like Anakin Skywalker, it can mean living like Ahsoka Tano.
Ahsoka
Cast
Ahsoka follows the journey of former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. Released in 2023, this series takes place within the Star Wars universe and features Ahsoka navigating through a complex political and cosmic landscape.
