Chapter 13 of The Mandalorian was released the day after Thanksgiving of 2020, and it featured Ahsoka Tano’s live-action debut in the Star Wars universe. It’s safe to say this episode left fans with much to be thankful for, but the hit Disney+ series didn’t stop there. Three weeks later, Luke Skywalker majestically returned to the franchise in “The Rescue,” which sent waves of shock and emotion throughout the Star Wars community.
It didn’t take long for fans to start theorizing what could come next.
Ahsoka Tano and Luke Skywalker are two of the most popular characters in the fandom. Additionally, they possess an innate connection to each other, as Ahsoka was once a padawan under Luke’s father.
Audiences strongly desired a scene between the two Jedi, especially now that they exist in a live-action sense within this era established by The Mandalorian. Enter The Book of Boba Fett.
Warning - This article contains spoilers for Episode 6 of The Book of Boba Fett and Star Wars Rebels.
The Book of Boba Fett’s sixth chapter came with astonishing cameos and jaw-dropping character interactions. Among these interactions was the first exchange between Luke and Ahsoka seen in Star Wars history.
However, it’s clear this was not the first time the Jedi have met each other. Din Djarin traveled to the site where Luke is building a new Jedi Temple in order to visit his little green friend, but Ahsoka’s presence on the planet caught him off guard. After offering some friendly, sage advice to the Mandalorian, she proceeds to have a conversation with Luke about Grogu.
Their discussion demonstrated a friendship and camaraderie that had developed off-screen. Through comments like “as I’ve told you” and “so much like your father,” this episode implies some history.
Many believed viewers would witness their first meeting on-screen, but it makes sense that this wasn’t the case. This series takes place five years after Return of the Jedi, which is more than enough time for Ahsoka and Luke to find each other. The question remains: how did they connect?
Ahsoka Sensed Darth Vader’s Death
One of the last times that audiences saw Ahsoka was in Star Wars Rebels. The former Jedi was walking deeper into the Sith Temple on Malachor, waiting until the time came to find Ezra Bridger. Years later, she came into contact with Din Djarin on Corvus. This is where The Mandalorian picked up her story.
One significant story thread in Rebels was Ahsoka coming to terms with her former master’s embrace of the dark side and transformation into Darth Vader. As evidenced by the animated show, she is haunted by his turn when she finds out. Although there’s at least a decade of the Jedi’s history that fans are missing, it’s fair to assume she continued to struggle with this revelation as time went on.
Ahsoka’s thoughts may have consistently dwelled on Anakin, even though she believed there was nothing she could do to save him. Nevertheless, once Luke entered his life, the hard shell of Vader’s darkness began to crack.
These cracks, which slowly became more and more apparent over the course of the original trilogy, may have caused the Togruta to feel slight disturbances in the Force. This all culminated in Vader saving his son and bringing balance to the Force by “destroying” the Emperor.
Ahsoka undoubtedly sensed this balance and Anakin’s departure from the physical world. It could’ve been the spark that motivated her to seek our answers regarding her master, and all roads lead to Luke Skywalker.
Furthermore, Anakin Skywalker appeared at the end of Episode VI as a Force ghost. It’s highly likely Luke communicated with his father after his tragic death, and not just about the Force.
Luke’s main objective following the end of the original trilogy is to seek out other Force users and pass on what he has learned. His intention is to rebuild the Jedi Order. Who better to track down than Ahsoka Tano?
Not only is she a skilled and experienced Jedi, but she has a wide breadth of information about the Jedi of the Republic era. She knows their history, rules, tradition, flaws…all of it. Anakin could have feasibly guided his son in his search for knowledge.
And he may have done the same with Ahsoka. The mystical forces in Star Wars rarely make things easy for its titular heroes, though. It would be rather boring if Force ghost Anakin suddenly appeared to Ahsoka and explained everything to her. That’s not his job.
But the Force works in mysterious ways and these apparitions tend to interfere for the purpose of setting one on a certain path.
Darth Vader’s turn back to the light and his subsequent death could have been the key to Ahsoka and Luke finally crossing paths, and it’s certainly what they bonded over. But what does the future hold for the duo moving forward?
Luke Skywalker in Ahsoka?
In Chapter 6 of The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka and Luke say goodbye to one another. Luke asks if he'll ever see her again. Her response was simple:
“Perhaps. May the Force be with you.”
If Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have proven anything so far, it’s that they always follow up on their teases. It’s been confirmed that Hayden Christensen will appear as Anakin Skywalker in the upcoming Ahsoka series, and he may also be the key to Luke having a role in the Disney+ show as well.
Based on The Mandalorian Season 2, Ahsoka’s mission is clear: find Grand Admiral Thrawn (and consequently, Ezra Bridger). Luke could certainly play a role in that adventure, even if for a brief cameo.
But Star Wars is known for its non-linear storytelling, and there’s a chance this series opens up with the two Jedi officially meeting one another before it dives into the present-day story. Once the two Jedi are there together, they may share their individual perspectives and experiences with Anakin Skywalker. The Togruta may explain the wisdom and compassion within her former master’s teaching, which would provide another point of view to help Luke fully grasp who his father was.
As for Christensen, it’s assumed the actor will be featured in flashbacks and as Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi. It’s possible Ahsoka uses the actor in a similar way.
Instead of Ahsoka just explaining things to the new Jedi Knight, the series may employ flashbacks as a way to show the audience the significance of this relationship. Of course, Christensen will also likely be a Force ghost in the show, whether it’s to have a moment of redemption with his former padawan or explain
Regardless, Ahsoka and Luke’s first encounter could be something to explore in the upcoming series. Filoni may utilize Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker as the foundation for what brings the duo together in the first place. Moreover, the Chosen One may be the crux of the characters’ interactions in the future.
The final chapter of The Book of Boba Fett drops next Wednesday on Disney+.
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