Ahsoka: The Interludes

There are numerous reviews of Ahsoka already on various blogs and podcasts, so hopefully this take adds something new for anyone who has read the book, listened to Ashley Eckstein perform the audiobook or has enjoyed other reviews.

From Force user fugitive to the fledgling Rebellion’s original Fulcrum, Ahsoka Tano’s post-Clone Wars journey shines a light on the Togruta’s coping and survival techniques and the early days of the year-old Empire.

Ahsoka, the 2016 young adult novel penned by E.K. Johnston, is the bridge that allows the title character, who initially joined the Jedi Order as a youngling at the age of three, to come to grips with her past—both positive and haunting—while surviving the present and discovering where her future path lies.

Chapter 1 starts brilliantly with the words, “She was alone…,” which sets the tone for the loyal former Padawan who was wronged by her Order and chose to go her own way afterward. In a self-imposed exile that turned especially drastic after Order 66, she adopted the fake name Ashla to keep hidden from the Empire. During this time she learned to fit a refined, continuously maturing harness around the “Snips” persona that earned the apprentice her nickname from Master Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars—and put her in position to become an even greater hero. But don’t worry, she still likes to talk trash and carries a witty edge about her.

Johnston expertly drops interludes—like they were Easter eggs in a video game—every five chapters including one prior to Chapter 1 and after the final chapter (30). This technique felt like a Jedi cadence in battle—an opportunity to meditate and refocus after heavy action. The interludes might be seen as one-offs, but upon re-reading the novel, I found they helped establish themes through Ahsoka’s journey—and are especially cool in using lightsabers at times to help stress timelines and sacrifices.

Interlude 1 (Prior to Chapter 1): Mandalore

Sure Ahsoka faces off and defeats Maul in the Siege of Mandalore—the day of Order 66 being executed—but the most important aspect is Anakin Skywalker giving Ahsoka back her lightsabers prior to these events—even though she is no longer in the Order. She has earned this respect as a powerful Force user and he knows it—basically endorsing his former Padawan blazing her own path. Even after the drama that swallowed her on Coruscant, her true nature was to protect and serve—so she continued doing so.

Interlude 2 (Between Chapters 5 & 6): Faking Deaths

Dealing with survivor’s guilt from Order 66, Chapter 5 ends with Ahsoka’s self-realization that she survived because she walked away from the Order—still processing being wrongly accused by the Jedi of murder after being framed by fellow Padawan Barriss Offee.

The interlude continues this theme—taking the reader back to just after the Siege of Mandalore and seeming extinction of the Jedi by manipulated Clones. Ahsoka saved Captain Rex’s life—instead of killing the escaping Maul—just so they could turn around and fake their own deaths in hopes of throwing the Imperials off their trail. With Rex having already fled, Ahsoka made the final touches to his fake grave—planting her pair of lightsabers in the ground— ”her last physical connection to the Jedi and her service in the Clone Wars.” The symbolism behind this gesture once again cements Ahsoka’s ability to look at the big picture and adapt—something her two closest mentors couldn’t always do.

Interlude 3 (Between Chapters 10 & 11): Force Sensitive

A lightsaber doesn’t play a role in this section, but something far more important bubbles up. Ahsoka comes to the realization children with Force abilities will no longer be protected and nurtured by the Jedi. She starts the current story on the planet of Thabeska in the Outer Rim, working for the Fardi family. It is a large family with many children—including a young girl, Hedala Fardi, who exhibited Force powers.

In the previous interlude, Ahsoka thought to herself, “The younglings, had they known what to do? Who could they ask once their teachers had been cut down? Surely, there has been some mercy for—.” Knowing what we know from Revenge of the Sith, this answer will tear Ahsoka apart when she learns the truth.

Ahsoka was forced to leave the planet in Chapter 1—and her one regret was leaving Hedala unprotected. This sticks with her as she deals with issues on her next planet.

Interlude 4 (Between Chapters 15 & 16): Anakin Skywalker

During the battle of Christophsis, Anakin is under the impression that Obi-Wan has requested a new Padawan. As the ship delivering Ahsoka descends, “He couldn’t quite shake the feeling that his life was about to change.” According to The Clone Wars animated series, the Jedi Council assigned her to Anakin to help him mature—and test if he could let go of a relationship.

During this interlude, Anakin admits to his multiple priorities that go against the Order’s rules—his relationship with Padmé, his deep friendship with Obi-Wan, and how close he holds his Clone troopers. Ahsoka will become the next pull on his heartstrings as he is swayed to take her beneath his wing.

Interlude 5 (Between Chapters 20 & 21): Obi-Wan Kenobi

The most important cut-away in the book, in my opinion. Obi-Wan fought to forget the past—Padmé dying, Yoda fleeing and providing final orders, and Anakin, his best friend, ”burning on the slopes of Mustafar.” Now as a hermit on Tatooine, it was his sole purpose to ensure the safety of Luke Skywalker as he grows up on his aunt and uncle’s moisture farm.

Obi-Wan calling out Anakin’s lightsaber, which is one of the only things he has on Tatooine from his former life, is great but it’s not the most critical moment here. The final sentence is the most important because Yoda stressed for him to focus on the future—and an old voice returns to take it one step further. Obi-Wan’s deep, mentally anguished, meditation brought about an unexpected close: “‘Obi-Wan,’ said Qui-Gon Jinn. He was sure the voice was stronger this time. ‘Let go.’” His former master had broken through and guided him to do what only Ahsoka had been able to do the most successfully at this point—let the past go.

Interlude 6 (Between Chapters 25 & 26): Kyber Crystals

The heart of the lightsaber and an important relationship each Jedi can have is with the Kyber crystal. It chose them and called out privately—glowing to be discovered—for only one bearer.

This is a pure match for each youngling—learning to be one with the Force and embracing the mystic harmony of nature in the long-lasting tradition. But there are also those that weaponized the Kyber for evil (and no one is even aware of why the Empire is amassing the crystal in bulk at this point).

Using the unnatural ways of the Dark Side, the Kyber could be altered and corrupted—becoming Dark crystals—a menacing red in color. But we learn from Ahsoka that they can be rescued and “cured” even after a Kyber has been bled—introducing us to the first white lightsabers. During her grueling journey, Ahsoka shows patience and trust and is rewarded—as the crystal calls from her enemy’s weapon on Raada—eager to rejoin the light.

Interlude 7 (After Chapter 30): The Grand Inquisitor

The action of the book has been completed by this point. Ahsoka has killed the Sixth Brother—her first run-in with an inquisitor, developed two new white lightsabers, shared thoughts with the head of the Fardi house about his gifted daughter—attempting to keep her safe, rescued Kaeden Lartre from capture (twice), led a successful revolt by the farmers of Raada against the Empire, escaped an agent of the Black Sun crime syndicate and joined forces with Senator Bail Organa to start developing a stronger communication network for the Rebellion (introducing Fulcrum).

She has also earned a large crosshair on her chest—as the Grand Inquisitor is introduced. He comes to Raada after the fact to study Ahsoka’s work—to better understand her. He is impressed and recognizes the Sixth Brother had “been bold, too bold it seemed,” in challenging the “Jedi.” The Grand Inquisitor’s interest is expected but it is the final line of the book that invites the hollow, menacing breathing to enter the reader’s mind as he commands, “And inform Lord Vader that we have found evidence of another survivor.”

Ahsoka knows this is the case and made the conscious decision to expose herself in the name of protecting others. And now there is approximately a decade long window before she shows up in Star Wars Rebels—so many stories remain to be told for Ahsoka Tano. And I hope E.K. Johnston, Dave Filoni, Pablo Hidalgo and the rest of the Lucasfilm Story Group get the opportunity to cultivate and share them. Also, credit needs to be given to artist Wojtek Fus for his tremendous cover art (check out his DeviantArt).