The Latest Revelations From ‘The Mandalorian’ (Chapter 13), Explained

Warning – Spoilers Ahead 

The Mandalorian delivered some long-awaited answers during “Chapter 13,” as Mando and The Child come face-to-face with one of the most popular Star Wars characters, Ahsoka Tano, who previously appeared in animated series The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. 

Another important character from the animated series, Thrawn, was mentioned by name, while one throwaway detail seems to hint at the arrival of Ezra Bridger, a long-lost Jedi.

Dedicated Star Wars fans are going to be incredibly excited by this episode, while casual viewers might be a bit confused. Here’s a quick explanation of who these characters are, and why they’re important:

Who is Ahsoka?

Ahsoka Tano is Anakin Skywalker’s former apprentice, and despite being introduced as such, no longer identifies as a Jedi. However, she still wields lightsabers and the Force, and in this episode, still seems to abide by Jedi traditions.

Despite never appearing (or even being mentioned) in any of the live-action films, Ahsoka is an important character with a close personal connection to Anakin, and a critical view of Jedi morality, something she shares with Luke Skywalker, as he becomes older and disillusioned. 

What’s with the white lightsabers?

The few lightsabers we’ve seen on The Mandalorian lack the bright colors we see in the films, but Ahsoka’s white lightsabers have an interesting backstory – she acquired two kyber crystals (vital part of a lightsaber) from a defeated enemy, and used the Force to strip them of their red hue. 

In Star Wars canon (which is a bit muddled and uncertain at this point), Sith are limited to red lightsabers because they use the Dark Side to corrupt and control the kyber crystals, causing them to “bleed” red. 

When Ahsoka purifies and heals the crystals, she creates white lightsabers, which are, apparently, meant to signify a lack of ideology, neither Jedi or Sith. 

But that might well change – in Star Wars, canon is pretty malleable. 

What is she doing? 

When we last saw Ahsoka (in Star Wars Rebels) she was searching for the missing Jedi, Ezra Bridger, so it seems likely that her hunt for Thrawn ties into her quest, as Ezra and Thrawn disappeared together, after the former sacrificed himself to save his friends. 

Who is Thrawn? 

Thrawn was an immensely popular character from the Star Wars Expanded Universe novels, which were subsequently stripped from canon by Disney. However, elements of those novels have been brought back, in one form or another. 

Thrawn creator Timothy Zahn said in a 2017 interview:

“Most of the Imperial leaders we see in the movies rule through a combination of fear and manipulation. I wanted to create something different: a commander who could lead through loyalty … The result was Thrawn, a tactical genius whose troops follow him willingly, and who will fight for him whether or not he’s watching over their shoulders.”

Thrawn’s popularity with fans led to his return, and the character was officially reincorporated into canon through Star Wars Rebels, where he met his apparent end after Ezra Bridger shot Thrawn (and himself) through hyperspace, where they remain lost. 

Clearly, not for long. 

Who will be the mysterious Jedi? 

Much of the Child’s backstory was explained during this episode, and his real name revealed to be “Grogu.” Hmm. Not quite as catchy as “Baby Yoda,” but … it’s a name.  

After Mando tries to hand over Grogu to Ahsoka (to train in the Force), she outright refuses, on the grounds that Grogu is overly attached to Mando, and risks becoming corrupted by the Dark Side. It seems as though Ahsoka’s experience with Anakin has left her unwilling to take on the responsibility of training a Jedi, lest he end up becoming the next Darth Vader. 

But that doesn’t quite make sense, as Ahsoka was previously shown rejecting the Jedi’s teachings, and their strange sense of morality. I must confess, I don’t really understand the logic – are the Jedi not allowed to have friends? Father figures? 

It seems like a convenient way to keep Grogu and Mando together – that is, unless a mysterious Jedi comes to answer their call for help, in a future episode. 

So, who might the mysterious Jedi be? My guess is Ezra, after a Loth-cat is briefly seen during this episode – the creature is associated with the missing Jedi, and might just be a clue to his return. 

If it’s not Ezra, perhaps the Jedi could be Luke Skywalker, as, during this timeline, the character is recruiting new Jedi, in his doomed attempt to reinstate the Order. It might be interesting to see Mark Hamill return to the iconic role, especially after the last time proved so divisive. 

It looks as though The Mandalorian is about to split into a series of spin-offs, as events and characters from The Clone Wars and Rebels take priority over the convoluted mess of the sequel trilogy. 

It’s a strange turn of events, but the fans seem happy – who’d have thought that the future of the franchise was on the small screen?