Warning: The below contains major spoilers for Ahsoka Season 1 and its ending.
The Ahsoka finale ended on an emotional note with a shot of Anakin Skywalker's Force ghost on Peridea, but his presence is more than just an act of fan service; it is an important sign of things to come.
Episode 8 of Ahsoka, "The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord", saw the show's heroes race to prevent Grand Admiral Thrawn's escape. Not everything goes as planned, but the finale still brings a sense of closure for Ahsoka and Sabine, who wind up back on planet Peridea in the new galaxy while Ezra Bridger returns home.
Sabine gazes across the night sky as she senses "shadows in the starlight", prompting Ahsoka to shift her focus and give a knowing nod. As she turns around, we see the Force ghost of Anakin Skywalker smiling and watching over them. He is also now sporting his Jedi Master robes, similar to those worn in Return of the Jedi.
Hayden Christensen's final appearance as Anakin in Ahsoka's debut season prompted some fans to recall the victory celebration at the end of Episode VI. Others thought it was an important piece of connective tissue for the franchise, signalling that Anakin has always looked out for Ahsoka and may continue to watch over her.
Return of the Jedi ends with the Force Ghost of Anakin Skywalker looking over his son Luke#Ahsoka ends with the Force Ghost of Anakin Skywalker looking over his padawan Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/0Ujqe92hVC
— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) October 9, 2023
I think that, like in the Obi-Wan series, Ahsoka was not ready to see Anakin in Force Ghost form. She was not balanced. She accepted the call to train Sabine no matter what, she was accepting her destiny. She let go of her past to focus on here, now, the need in front of her nose
— SpaceBibleStarWars (@SpaceBibleSW) October 9, 2023
Interesting how all the main characters that came to rescue are the ones that got stranded in #peridea. I think its just like #Ahsoka said they are where they needs to be. And their story is a must to be covered in s2 & they'll probably make it. But sadly ray won't be there... pic.twitter.com/tqE1h0VPUV
— Qavi ???❤️?The movie nerd (@allqavi) October 8, 2023
So many hints, questions for Ahsoka..
— barbara (@haydenfannews) October 6, 2023
Is Ahsoka happy to be stranded on Peridea?
Does Anakin have unfinished business?
Why did Sabine sense Anakin even before Ahsoka did?
Is Morgan really gone?
Mortis AND Dathomir AND Witches AND Thrawn. Oh my! Really? ?
Hayden Christensen❤️ pic.twitter.com/aEg7oe5GQ3
An article on the official Star Wars website, which offers an analysis of the finale, confirms exactly why Anakin appeared to Ahsoka at the end of the episode.
"The convor Morai and the Force spirit of Anakin Skywalker both appear to give Ahsoka Tano signs that she's exactly where she is supposed to be," reads the article. "With this simple wisdom, reflected in images that show Baylan on his journey, Shin igniting her lightsaber as she enters the bandit's camp on Peridea, and Thrawn and the Great Mothers arriving at Dathomir, it seems like everyone is in agreement."
A Force spirit or Force ghost is a being that has retained its independent consciousness after death. This unique ability allows them to maintain their identity and knowledge outside the Cosmic Force, appearing as Jedi Force ghosts at pivotal moments, such as the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another.
In the finale, Ahsoka and Sabine wind up marooned in another galaxy, effectively taking Ezra's place while Thrawn and his crew arrive at Dathomir. It is not the ending that people may have expected, but Ahsoka assures Sabine that "Ezra is where he needs to be, and so are we", and it seems that Anakin reaffirms that.
IGN's review of Ahsoka Episode 8 called it an "excellent conclusion" that managed to "complete satisfying arcs for all its characters while still setting up a big cliffhanger". The open-ended conclusion appears to set up a second season of the series, and fans already know what they want to see from that (if it gets greenlit).
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X @AdeleAnkers.
