The events that happen to Ahsoka in the Star Wars series are reminiscent of what Gandalf experienced in The Lord of the Rings.
SPOILER ALERT. The fifth episode of the Ahsoka series has brought a surprising twist to the former Jedi Knight’s story, transforming her into the Star Wars version of Gandalf the White from The Lord of the Rings. This has significant implications for the character and his role in the galaxy.
The Ahsoka series, streaming on Disney Plus, follows the adventures of the former Jedi, played by Rosario Dawson, as she fights to protect the galaxy from the threat of Grand Admiral Thrawn and his followers. In addition to this monumental task, she must also confront and reconcile her own past in order to help train the next generation of Jedi, including her own Padawan, Sabine Wren, played by Natasha Liu Bordizzo.
The fifth episode turned out to be one of the most exciting so far. (SPOILER)
After being transported to the World Between Worlds and reunited with the Force ghost of her former master Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), Ahsoka embarks on an inner journey that leads her to question her own identity. Her teacher’s intensive teaching brings her to a turning point in her story, which manifests itself in a drastic change in her personality when she returns to the real world. The new Ahsoka that officially appears resembles the Star Wars version of Gandalf the White from The Lord of the Rings. In fact, he wore gray and then white all season.
In the episode, Ahsoka is transported back in time and relives moments from her missions during the Clone Wars when she was a Jedi. During this journey, she begins to question whether she could ever be more than a warrior. Anakin challenges them to a lightsaber duel in the world between worlds. She is initially at a disadvantage and ultimately defeats her former master. But instead of giving in to his anger, he throws away his lightsaber and declares that he is choosing life. This act seems to fill Anakin with pride.
After completing this final lesson from Anakin, he disappears, whereupon Ahsoka emerges from the water, having been rescued by her allies. We can see them visibly differently. Instead of being a dark character worn down by a life of tragedy, she regains her sense of humor and joy, qualities that fans will remember from her time in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Additionally, his appearance has changed as he now wears white robes instead of the darker shades of his previous wardrobe. This transformation is significant and symbolic: Ahsoka Tano is no longer the same person she used to be.
While Grey’s Gandalf returns as a completely different character in The Two Towers after his supposed death in his confrontation with Balrog in The Fellowship of the Ring. He is now Gandalf the White and comes at a crucial time to lead his allies in the fight against Sauron and the forces of evil. Although Star Wars doesn’t directly copy the plot of The Lord of the Rings, the similarities between Ahsoka Tano and Gandalf’s transformations are obvious.
This series and the rest of Star Wars episodes are available on Disney Plus.
