Title: Ahsoka’s Second Episode on Disney+ Features Retcon of Star Wars Rebels Epilogue
Subtitle: The live-action series brings the world of the animated show to life, with some noticeable differences.
In a key moment from the second episode of Ahsoka on Disney+, fans of Star Wars witnessed a recreated scene from the pivotal final moments of Star Wars Rebels. However, despite the homage, several details have been altered, effectively retconning the original series.
In the animated show’s conclusion, when all hope seemed lost, Ezra Bridger summoned a pod of purrgil to carry Grand Admiral Thrawn off of Lothal, with Ezra accompanying him. Sabine Wren vowed to find her friend and the last scene depicted her joining forces with Ahsoka Tano. The emotional moment showed Sabine gazing at a mural she made showcasing her friends and specifically reaching out to touch the painting of Ezra.
As Ahsoka Episode 2 “Toil and Trouble” comes to a close, Sabine is seen teaming up with Tano to track down the series’ villains on the planet Cetos. This live-action moment essentially remakes the sequence from the animated show’s final moments, yet it deviates in several noticeable ways.
The setting of the scene in Rebels appears to be inside a ruin, whereas Ahsoka establishes the location as Lothal’s capital city, surrounded by gleaming architecture inspired by Ralph McQuarrie. While the iconic moment of Sabine tapping Ezra’s painted likeness with her finger remains unchanged, she notably puts her helmet on right after, a detail not mirrored in the live-action version.
Another notable difference lies in Sabine’s hairstyle. Natasha Liu Bordizzo’s version of Sabine showcases a different hairstyle, potentially attributed to creative license.
A significant retcon is seen in Ahsoka’s appearance. In Rebels, she is seen carrying a staff and clad in all-white robes, reminiscent of Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. However, Rosario Dawson’s portrayal in Ahsoka features her standard Jedi attire, consistent with her previous live-action appearances.
Furthermore, Ahsoka’s depiction includes a brief verbal exchange between Tano and Wren regarding the latter’s hair, a moment that was omitted in Rebels. These deviations from the original series demonstrate that Ahsoka replicates Rebels, but not as a shot-for-shot replica.
Despite the differences, Ahsoka has made significant efforts to bring the animated world to life. Some of Star Wars Rebels’ major characters, including Hera Syndulla and Sabine Wren, play central roles in Ahsoka, alongside other beloved characters like Ezra, Chopper, Thrawn, Ryder Izadi, Jai Kell, and possibly more, all seamlessly translated into the live-action realm.
Fans will find solace in the fact that these iconic heroes and villains have been lovingly crafted and portrayed by the Ahsoka team, capturing their essence, right down to their familiar cadence of speech. Many have even dubbed Ahsoka as Star Wars Rebels Season 5, emphasizing the seamless integration of the two series.
Catch new episodes of Star Wars: Ahsoka every Tuesday, with the next one arriving on August 29, exclusively on Disney+.