Why Ahsoka Tano Had to Reveal Baby Yoda’s Name and Backstory

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ahsoka tano (left) with grogu (right)

Credit: Lucasfilm

As Star Wars fans across the internet attempt to absorb the rather startling revelations brought to light in “Chapter 13” of Disney+’s hit series, The Mandalorian, one question still stands out: Why Ahsoka? Out of all of the remaining remnants of the Jedi order in the time between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, from Luke Skywalker himself to Ezra Bridger, why Ahsoka?

ashoka
Credit: LucasFIlm

Rosario Dawson and Dave Filoni attempt to answer that question in interviews with Vanity Fair.

“I felt that if anyone would know or understand The Child’s history it would be Ahsoka,” Filoni explained. “She has such a long history as well. By having her relate the story it also helps the viewer to understand some of her own backstory.”

Mando and Grogu
Credit: Disney

“This is similar to when Obi-Wan tells Luke about his father’s history,” he continues. “Through the story about Anakin, you are getting a look at Obi-Wan and his backstory as well. A lot of the campfire scene, as I call it, is shaped around that scene between Obi-Wan and Luke in A New Hope.”

The episode also brings to light Grogu’s intense attachment to Mando which makes him susceptible to the Dark Side of the Force. There is no one more appropriate to explain this danger to Mando than Ahsoka who watched as her own master’s attachments brought about his downfall.

“You saw that with Anakin’s story, and you see that with Ahsoka as well. She recognizes that,” said Dawson. “That’s why she brings it up with The Child as well.”

ahsoka tano played by rosario dawson in the latest mandalorian episode
Credit: Lucasfilm

Related: Rosario Dawson Talks About Working With George Lucas, Grogu On-Set

“She knows what could happen if you go even remotely to the Dark Side,” Dawson continues. “I love that she throws a line in this about Anakin. She knows what could happen even to “the best of us” when fear and anger take root, and she’s so vigilant about that. She is a lonely character, I think. But the Force is compelling her to just continue to do good.”

But Ahsoka also reveals the conflict within herself about using the Force and fostering others to use the Force.

“She knows deep inside of her this is who she is, and what she is meant to do, and this is her purpose, and she is going to honor that every single day and choose it every single day, even when it’s hard,” Dawson said.

baby yoda dark side
Credit: Disney/Lucasfilm

“He has these incredible abilities, and you’ve seen him be able to wield the Force,” she continues. “He’s been trained in the Jedi Temple. But as she says, because of his attachment, it makes him vulnerable to fear, which makes him vulnerable to anger, which means that he could be dangerous. That means maybe we should just let his Force sensitivity just wane, you know?”

“She wants to do good and help people,” Filoni explained. “But rather than do it like the Jedi did, which was all wound up in the politics of the Republic, she’s doing it on an individual basis in the galaxy. Plus, she has a larger quest, which is always more fun when they have a larger quest.”

ahsoka
Credit: Disney/Lucasfilm

Related: ‘Rollercoaster’ Ride Ahead For ‘Mandalorian’ Fans, Teases Lucasfilm

Chapter 13″ of The Mandalorian is available for streaming on Disney+ right now. “Chapter 14” is set to debut this Friday.

Do you think Ahsoka Tano was the right character to reveal Grogu’s name and backstory? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!

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