The biggest lingering questions after the 'Ahsoka' finale
After that cliffhanger, what's next for the show and 'Star Wars' as a whole?
The future of "Star Wars" on Disney+ is coming into focus. The finale of "Ahsoka" sets the stage for the next several years of the franchise on streaming while raising far more questions than it answers. These are the biggest loose ends that remain.
Will there be a second season?
"The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord" leaves quite a bit unresolved for a show that hasn't been confirmed to be getting a second season. Its plot could be continued in another series or movie, including "The Mandalorian" season 4. But it sounds like ratings have been solid enough that we'd bet on Disney ordering "Ahsoka" season 2 if it isn't already in the works. Given the production schedule of these "Star Wars" shows, though, don’t count on seeing new episodes before 2025.
Is Thrawn headed to 'The Mandalorian' next?
"The Mandalorian" established that the Imperial remnants were waiting for Thrawn's return so he could herald in the reemergence of their military. That return is now imminent, as this finale sees Thrawn escape exile. So might we see him next not in "Ahsoka" season 2, but in "The Mandalorian" season 4? The "Mandalorian" season 3 finale teased that Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) will spend next season hunting Imperial remnants for the New Republic, so perhaps doing so will lead him to learn that Thrawn has returned.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
More broadly, this is seemingly all leading to a movie directed by Dave Filoni that Lucasfilm has said will be the culmination of the Mandoverse. It's expected to depict a war between the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant, with the latter presumably led by Thrawn. So far, Din, Grogu, Ahsoka, Sabine, Ezra, and Hera all look likely to appear in the movie, which doesn’t have a set release date.
What's Thrawn's cargo?
As Thrawn arrives at Dathomir at the end of the episode, it isn't revealed what's in all those containers he was transporting on his ship. But perhaps they're carrying more bodies (and potentially Nightsister bodies) that Thrawn plans to resurrect and use as an army.
What's Baylan up to?
The biggest question heading into the finale was what, exactly, were Baylan Skoll's (Ray Stevenson) goals, and the episode still didn't make that clear. We get an intriguing hint, though, when he comes upon statues on Peridea apparently depicting the Mortis gods, a.k.a. the Father, Daughter and Son.
As seen in "The Clone Wars," the Father, Daughter and Son made up a trio of Force wielders who lived on the planet Mortis. The Daughter represented the light side of the Force, while the Son represented the dark side and the Father represented balance. The statue Baylan is standing on looks to be of the Father, who has his arm outstretched. So has Baylan been trying to find these Mortis gods all season? Whatever he has been seeking, the Father statue seems to be pointing him in the right direction.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Some fans have speculated Baylan could be looking for Abeloth, the Mother in the old Legends continuity and a legendarily powerful dark-side villain whom the Father, Daughter and Son imprisoned.
Will Baylan be recast?
Actor Ray Stevenson tragically died in May after filming "Ahsoka," raising questions about the future of his character, Baylan, given his storyline is certainly not resolved. That Mortis cliffhanger is far too tantalizing for Baylan to be written out, so as sad as the situation is, recasting him seems like the only option.
How will Sabine and Ahsoka get back home?
Now that Sabine and Ahsoka are stuck on Peridea, might "Ahsoka" season 2 be like the first season in reverse, with Ezra now being the one who has to rescue them? Alternatively, could Ahsoka venture back into the World Between Worlds to escape this galaxy?
Either way, an appearance by Morai, a bird connected to the Force that was previously seen in animation, suggests Ahsoka is correct that she's where she needs to be for reasons that aren't yet clear.
Will Ahsoka chat with Anakin's Force ghost?
The biggest surprise of the season was that it never featured Ahsoka conversing with Anakin Skywalker about his redemption in "Return of the Jedi." But that remains on the table after a finale cameo by Anakin, who shows up as a Force ghost after his earlier appearance in the World Between Worlds. Does this simply indicate that Anakin is always watching over Ahsoka, or does it suggest she might catch up with her master as a reformed man in the future? If only Anakin's Force ghost could have made some time for a heart-to-heart with his grandson.
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - January 18, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - Bondi on the Bible, climate change, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 Senate-approved cartoons on the Trump confirmation hearings
Cartoons Artists take on non-answers, drunken rhetoric, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The best new cars for 2025
The Week Recommends From family SUVs to luxury all-electrics these are the most hotly anticipated vehicles
By The Week UK Published
-
TV to watch in January, including 'Severance' and 'The Night Agent'
The Week Recommends Two hit series are back this month for much-anticipated second seasons
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Video games to play this winter, including 'Marvel Rivals' and 'Alien: Rogue Incursion'
The Week Recommends A Star Wars classic gets remastered, and 'Marvel Rivals' pits players against superhero faves
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
TV to watch in December, from 'Squid Game' to 'Paris & Nicole'
The Week Recommends A pulpy spy thriller, the reunion of Paris and Nicole and a new season of 'Squid Game'
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Gregg Wallace: a man out of time?
Talking Point MasterChef presenter's downfall shines spotlight on how mistreatment of junior staff has all too often been ignored
By The Week UK Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
TV to watch in November, from 'Dune: Prophecy' to 'A Man on the Inside'
The Week Recommends A new comedy from 'The Good Place' creator, a prequel to 'Dune' and the conclusion of one of America's most popular shows
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
How 'Over the Garden Wall' satisfies people's desire for comfort and nostalgia right now
The Week Recommends The cult series that many people watch every fall
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Why is there such a long gap between TV seasons?
In the Spotlight Ambitious productions and a focus on data are creating 'staggering' waits
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published