Key Takeaways
- Ahsoka season 2 may introduce Mara Jade, connecting her to Thrawn and exploring Emperor Palpatine’s hidden secrets.
- Mara Jade’s potential storyline could involve seeking vengeance on the Republic due to the Emperor’s lies.
- Introducing Mara Jade into the main Star Wars canon could be a significant turning point in bridging the gap between trilogies.
After the major cliffhanger that was the season 1 finale of Ahsoka, the question on everyone’s minds is how much of the non-canon story of Thrawn’s Heir to the Empire will make its way into the main canon of the Star Wars universe. Grand Admiral Thrawn is returning to the galaxy during a time when the Republic is still new, and the remnants of the Empire are now poised to gather under his rule. It all spells trouble and the start of a new war that should lead to the formation of the First Order in the years to come. With a second season confirmed, Ahsoka has a lot to answer for. One thing that needs to happen is the introduction of an essential character in the Heir to the Empire story: Mara Jade.
Mara Jade has a deep connection to Luke Skywalker in the Legends saga that has since become non-canon. The character’s connection also stems from the Emperor, and could be the driving force behind her introduction into the franchise when season two of the show arrives. Bringing a character of her importance from the Legends series into the main canon could expand the story developing around Thrawn. It could also help the franchise delve into the relatively unknown era of Star Wars history between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy that saw the end of an era. Here’s why Mara Jade is the key.
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Ahsoka: The Story So Far
Ahsoka is the live-action sequel to the hit animated shows Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels. Picking up on events from The Mandalorian, the story saw Ahsoka looking into reports that forces within the remains of the Empire were working to bring back Admiral Thrawn. Prior to the series, Thrawn was reported to be deceased after Jedi Ezra, during the final season of Rebels, trapped him aboard an Empirical Cruiser. They used the space whales known as Purrgils to travel to another galaxy.
Ahsoka’s investigation led her back to Mandalorian Sabine Wren, who had attempted to become a Jedi apprentice to Ahsoka. Together, they hunted the forces working to bring Thrawn back. The tension between Ahsoka and Sabine was intense. Their battle led them to a group of Dark Jedi mercenaries led by Baylon Skoll, a former Jedi who escaped the purge and turned to the Dark Side. Along the way, Ahsoka had to confront her past, including being forced to fight in the galactic war as a child. She also had to face her fears of inheriting her master’s legacy: Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the Dark Side and his becoming Darth Vader.
Overcoming her fears, Ahsoka led a mission to this other galaxy, fighting to stop Thrawn and find her lost ally, Ezra. Fighting both Thrawn and the power of the the Nightsisters and their Dark Force powers, Ahsoka and Sabine sacrificed themselves to stay behind so that Ezra could return home and warn the Republic of Thrawn’s triumphant return, setting up events to play out for an adaption of Heir to the Empire.
Mara Jade in Star Wars Canon
The first season did an excellent job of introducing Dark Jedi like Skoll and his apprentice Shin, as well as Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth. In season two, bringing in Grand Admiral Thrawn means a chance to explore many of the hidden weapons, secrets, and allies of Emperor Palpatine. In the Thrawn novels, especially Heir to the Empire, Thrawn uncovered many of the Emperor’s secrets, including a secret storehouse with terrifying weapons and power. There were also the Emperor’s Hands, secret agents who worked for the Emperor. One such Hand was none other than Mara Jade.
In the novels, Mara received a psychic vision from Palpatine before he perished of Luke Skywalker working with Vader to vanquish him, instead of the truth that Vader acted alone. If introduced correctly, a similar fate could have happened in the canon story, allowing Mara Jade to work behind the scenes to enact vengeance upon the Republic she blames for the Emperor’s death. In the books, her story arc saw her eventually realize the truth and see that the Emperor had lied to her from the start, and develop a romantic relationship with Luke.
While their romance may be off the table, a similar connection within the confines of the Star Wars story could explore her working for Thrawn to restore the Empire, only for her to turn to the light and fight for the Republic in the end. The impact her character has on the Jedi and the Republic is significant. Knowing that the sequel trilogy revealed Palpatine’s true fate was not what others thought it to be, exploring Thrawn’s return to power through Mara Jade’s eyes could be the turning point in the story that brings Heir to the Empire into the main Star Wars canon.
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- Release Date
- August 23, 2023
- Creator
- Dave Filoni
- Network
- Disney Channel