The Ahsoka finale was superb, but we'd be lying to say we didn't walk away at least a little frustrated. With a movie and possible second season on the horizon, it's clear this was meant as the opening chapter of a much larger story.
Even knowing there's more to come, it's hard not to wonder what Dave Filoni has planned and why he chose to leave us hanging. These unanswered questions have been bugging us since the credits rolled on Tuesday night and we're now attempting to figure out where we're heading next.
From Grand Admiral Thrawn's master plan to Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati's future (not to mention the startling new status quos for Ahsoka's heroes), the dangling plot threads in "The Jedi, the Witch, And The Warlord" need to be addressed!
You can take a closer look at them by clicking on the "Next" button below.
7. What Is Thrawn Taking To Dathomir?
We know Thrawn needed a few days to empty the Nightsisters' temple on Peridea and the sheer number of coffin-like objects the Grand Admiral has in his possession is finally revealed in the finale.
He and The Great Mothers are heading to Dathomir, a planet almost all the Nightsisters were killed on when Count Dooku and General Grievous attacked them during The Clone Wars. Could these be dead Nightsisters who will be resurrected when they return home? If so, will they now answer to Thrawn as his army of supernatural warriors?
Another possibility is that these are Stormtroopers. If so, then why haven't they been restored before now? No, Dathomir seems key here and Thrawn seems confident these objects are what will restore the Empire to its former glory.
6. Are Ahsoka And Sabine Trapped On Peridea For Good?
This isn't really being discussed as much as it probably should be, but Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren actually failed their mission in this series. Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned to their Galaxy and, with that, war is now inevitable.
They seem pretty pleased to have sent Ezra Bridger home, of course, and he'll definitely be a key player in making the New Republic aware of the threat which looms and in stopping his old foe. However, with no way home, are Ahsoka and Sabine permanently trapped?
Probably not. The New Republic could set out to steal the Eye of Sion and if the Purrgil return to Peridea, then Ahsoka can communicate with them again. In other words, this is a hole Dave Filoni can easily write his way out of.
5. What's Next For Shin Hati?
Shin Hati has been a big part of Ahsoka from the start but there's still an awful lot we don't know about the character. While we're sure her past will be fleshed out somewhere down the line, for now, we're far more interested in the Dark Jedi's future.
In the penultimate episode, Baylan Skoll gave his Padawan permission to go and join Thrawn's new Empire. That seems to be what she wanted, but it appears Shin failed to make it to the Eye of Sion in time and is left behind. Now, she's taken charge of Peridea's native bandits.
Ahsoka has offered to help her and there's a chance the character will eventually put her evildoing ways behind her. For now, though, we'd bet on Shin causing all sorts of problems for the two stranded Jedi.
4. What's Calling To Baylan On Peridea?
This is perhaps the biggest question of all really, isn't it? Baylan has suggested he only helped Morgan Elsbeth because there was something on Peridea which could grant him unlimited power, though that's still all we know for sure.
There is a force on the planet it seems The Great Mothers wanted to get away from and aside from showing us statues of The Ones/Mortis Gods, all we see is a beacon in the distance. So, what's calling to this former Jedi? It's clearly something to do with those ancient Force-users and we believe it's The Mother, Abeloth.
You can read more about her history here but this fourth God-like being may end up being the big bad of Filoni's planned Star Wars movie. If so, she's likely to be a bigger threat to the Galaxy than even Emperor Palpatine...where does this leave Thrawn, though?
3. What Is Thrawn's Master Plan?
Timothy Zahn's canon novels suggested that, while Thrawn was loyal to the Empire, it was only because he ultimately hoped to help his homeworld and stop an invasion of the Galaxy by the Grysk, a violent race of alien warriors.
The Thrawn we've seen in Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka seems entirely committed to the Empire and, in the finale, only appears to be interested in restoring it to its former glory. Is he aware of its fall? Does he wish to take the Emperor's place? Or is there something even bigger at play?
We're not suggesting Thrawn will be revealed as a hero, it's not outside the realm of possibility he might be working for a greater good here...while acting in an "ends justify the means"-type manner. Then again, maybe being pulled into hyperspace by the Purrgil just drove him insane.
2. Is Anakin Skywalker Back?
Ahsoka was reunited with her old master in the World Between Worlds and we see Anakin Skywalker is watching over her and Sabine as a Force Ghost on Peridia. Does this mean the Jedi-turned-Sith-turned-Jedi-again will become a recurring presence in season 2?
We certainly hope so and it does look like his time is going to be spent guiding Ahsoka Tano rather than his son and daughter. That may seem strange, but don't forget Palpatine posed as Darth Vader to manipulate Kylo Ren; the fallen Emperor may well still be powerful enough to stop Anakin from appearing in his Galaxy.
This is a different one, though, and it also has ties to the Mortis Gods. The Father wanted Anakin to take his place during The Clone Wars and there are those who believe the fallen Jedi has become a Mortis God in death.
1. How Does All This Tie Into The Sequel Trilogy?
Supreme Leader Snoke is still widely believed to be a failed Palpatine clone who was manipulated by the Emperor from afar. The Mandalorian has strongly hinted Moff Gideon played a role in the First Order leader's creation, but we still don't have a definitive origin story.
It seems inevitable that the story Filoni is telling will tie into the sequel trilogy. We just don't know how. Is Thrawn's return what sets the stage for the First Order to come together, inspired by the Grand Admiral's return before his inevitable defeat? That's one compelling possibility.
Maybe those coffins contain those who eventually become the Sith Eternal. Maybe the links between these projects and those divisive sequels will be almost non-existent. Filoni is under no obligation to provide background for them and most fans would rather forget they exist.