Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for the Ahsoka finale.
Summary
- Hayden Christensen's return as Anakin Skywalker in the Ahsoka finale has significant implications for the Star Wars universe.
- The inclusion of the Mortis gods in the Ahsoka finale effectively connects The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and Ahsoka.
- Anakin's presence on Peridea after his death demonstrates his duty as the Chosen One to keep the balance of the Force, as he's now taken the Father's place.
The Ahsoka finale ended with Hayden Christensen’s return as Anakin Skywalker, and his appearance had huge implications for the Star Wars universe. Unlike his previous appearances in holograms and visions, Anakin’s Force ghost in Ahsoka was the real deal. This marks Anakin’s first on-screen Force ghost appearance since 1983 in Return of the Jedi. Of course, Ahsoka leads the audience to believe Anakin has always stood beside her. However, it’s possible Anakin’s ghost has a much more important reason for being on Peridea. In fact, it may have even been his duty to dwell there after his death.
In addition to revealing Anakin Skywalker’s Force ghost, the Ahsoka finale also showcased Baylan Skoll finding several statues. These statues depict the three Mortis gods from Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 3, and are some of the most powerful characters in the entire franchise. By including a reference to the Mortis gods, Filoni has effectively tied The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and Ahsoka all together. Their importance in shaping the fate of the galaxy cannot be understated, and it’s not out of the question to say that Baylan may have just discovered how to harness the Force itself.
The Mortis Arc Was The Closest Star Wars Came To Explaining "Balance"
In The Clone Wars, the Mortis arc was easily one of the most allegorical arcs in the whole franchise. After receiving an outdated distress signal, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka are transported to the ethereal realm of Mortis. Mortis was a unique location in the galaxy since it was a conduit through which all the Force in the galaxy came from. The Mortis gods who dwelled there acted as keepers of the Force, and each of them represented a different aspect of the Force. The Daughter was the light side, the Son was the dark side, and the Father kept the balance between the two.
Ever since George Lucas introduced the prophecy of the Chosen One in The Phantom Menace, many have wondered how Anakin’s heroic death in Return of the Jedi constituted balancing the Force. However, in the Mortis arc, the Father explains to Anakin that he summoned him to test whether he really is the Chosen One. And in a shocking display of power, Anakin is able to subdue both the Daughter and the Son simultaneously. In other words, he was able to control both sides of the Force at once, proving his ability to—quite literally—bring balance to the Force. Nevertheless, Anakin rejected the Father’s offer and chose to leave Mortis.
Anakin’s Force Ghost Returned To Mortis To Fulfill The Prophecy
Despite leaving Mortis and walking the path of the dark side, it’s highly likely Anakin returned to keep the balance after his death. If Peridea holds the key to Mortis as Baylan seems to think, then it’s possible it is now where Mortis physically resides. Anakin’s Force ghost being on the same planet as the conduit of the Force cannot be a coincidence. After his death in Return of the Jedi, he traveled to Mortis (Peridea) to keep the balance in the Force after the Father’s death in The Clone Wars.
Star Wars has already shown how Force ghosts often return to help and guide the living. Qui-Gon returned to guide Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan returned to guide Luke, and Luke returned to guide Rey. And while Anakin’s Force ghost has shown up in canon novels, there are large gaps where he is absent from the storyline. For the majority of the time after Return of the Jedi, it's likely his spirit has been on Mortis in order to fulfill the prophecy of the Chosen One. The Father even said that it was foretold the Chosen one would take his place.
Anakin Still Watches Over Ahsoka Because Of Her Connection To The Light Side
The question, then, is why Anakin appears to watch over Ahsoka at the end of finale. However, it may be duty that compels him as much as it is love for his old Padawan. During the Mortis arc, Ahsoka briefly died. But she was revived by the Daughter, who gave the rest of her life to save Ahsoka. Since then, Ahsoka has been intrinsically tied to the light side of the Force. The white bird Ahsoka sees near the end of the finale is Morai, who further drives home the point that Ahsoka is still connected to the Daughter even after all she’s been through.
If it really is Anakin’s duty as the Chosen One to keep the balance of the Force, then it makes sense why he still watches over Ahsoka: because of her connection to the Daughter and the light side of the Force. In any case, Baylan’s arrival at Mortis could portend a change in power. Given Baylan’s hatred of Anakin, he may be looking to remove or replace Anakin in his role of keeping the balance in the Force. Only time will tell what Dave Filoni has in store for Baylan, but Anakin’s Force ghost seems like a clear sign that he fulfilled his duty as the Chosen One in Ahsoka.
All episodes of Ahsoka now streaming on Disney+.