Though the Disney+ Ahsoka series mainly focused on the adventures of the titular former Jedi (Rosario Dawson), it also served as a live-action continuation of the incredibly popular 2014 animated Star Wars Rebels show, reintroducing the likes of Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, and the villainous Grand Admiral Thrawn
Rebels fans seemed fairly happy with the show overall, but some took issue with certain plot points and character changes. Most of the backlash seemed to stem from the decision to make Sabine Ahsoka's Padawan (trainee Jedi), since the Mandalorian explosives expert had already established herself as a formidable warrior in her own right.
As it turns out, Rebels writer and exec producer Henry Gilroy was never on board with making Sabine Force-sensitive (she isn't technically a Jedi) in the first place.
“It was absolutely not the plan," Gilroy tells the Protector of Concord Dawn podcast. "We really felt that not only did it step on Ezra’s story, it was a weak retread. We already did this. The idea of Sabine training as a Jedi when she is already this fantastic warrior of her own type, we felt like this is overkill"
"I had nothing to do with the Ahsoka series, so I was shocked," he added. "What I love about the story with the Darksaber is that you don't have to be a Jedi to have Jedi ideals. I think that's what's really the more important thing ... rather than Force pushing Ezra one hundred feet when [you've] never used the Force before"
It's difficult to argue with any of these points, even if you did enjoy the series and the Ahsoka/Sabine dynamic. With Ezra sidelined for most of the season, the writers evidently felt that a mentor/mentee relationship should still be at the forefront to mirror Tano's history with Anakin.
What do you make of Gilroy's take? Drop us a comment down below.
Hayden Christensen announced that he will return as Anakin Skywalker for the 8-episode second season during the Disney+ show's Star Wars Celebration panel in Tokyo, Japan. The actor reprised his iconic Star Wars prequels role in the first season, appearing to his former Padawan Ahsoka Tano when she became trapped in the "World Between Worlds" after a lightsaber duel with Baylan Skoll. Anakin served as a spirit guide, of a sort, forcing Ahsoka to confront her past and (potential) future.
Skywalker returned as a Force Ghost (presumably) in the season finale, watching over Ahsoka on Peridea, and we have heard that the character will have more to do in season 2.
Set after the fall of the Empire, Ahsoka follows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.
The series stars Rosario Dawson in the title role, with Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, Diana Lee Inosanto as Morgan Elsbeth, Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati, Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll, David Tennant as Huyang, Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn, with Eman Esfandi appearing as Ezra Bridger.
Ahoska is written by executive producer Dave Filoni, alongside executive producers Favreau, Kennedy, Wilson, and Beck. Gilchrist is co-executive producer. The series’ directors include Filoni, Steph Green, Peter Ramsey, Jennifer Getzinger, Geeta Vasant Patel and Rick Famuyiwa.
All episodes are now streaming on Disney+.