The Latest Ahsoka Episode Brings Back Some Recognizable Star Wars Characters

In the latest episode of Ahsoka, we're treated to the return of some beloved characters in the vast Star Wars universe.

This third episode of the live-action Star Wars series, which hit Disney+ screens on August 29th, continues the journey of Ahsoka Tano (played by Rosario Dawson) and Sabine Wren (portrayed by Natasha Liu Bordizzo) as they persist in their quest to locate the elusive Grand Admiral Thrawn. Much of this episode revolves around Ahsoka's dedicated efforts to impart her wisdom and train Sabine in the mystical ways of the Force. Meanwhile, General Hera Syndulla, portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, wages her own battle to secure support from her New Republic superiors in their mission to track down Thrawn.

Among these influential superiors is Chancellor Mon Mothma, a character reprised by Genevieve O'Reilly. Mothma holds a significant place in Star Wars lore, having risen from senator to become a pivotal leader in the Rebel Alliance. (The role was originally portrayed by Caroline Blakiston in 1983's "Return of the Jedi," and O'Reilly has previously portrayed Mothma in "Revenge of the Sith," "Rogue One," "Andor," and the animated series "Rebels.") In the chronological timeline, Ahsoka marks her latest appearance, now holding the title of chancellor within the New Republic.

The Mothma we encounter in Ahsoka is markedly different from the youthful senator seen in "Andor." Her presence here underscores her extensive history with Hera. However, despite her loyalty to the rebel general, Mothma faces opposition from her fellow senators, who refuse to provide any assistance in Hera's mission to locate Thrawn.

Fortunately, Hera has an ally in her corner - her young son Jacen, who makes his live-action debut in this episode. Jacen is the offspring of Hera and her late husband, Kanan Jarrus (voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr. in "Rebels"), who tragically passed away before Jacen's birth. With a Twi'lek mother and a human father, Jacen boasts distinctive green hair, and he's determined to follow in his father's footsteps, aspiring to become a Jedi like Kanan. Jacen previously made an appearance in the series finale of "Rebels" and is portrayed by Evan Whitten, known for his role in "Mr. Robot."

In an interview conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who plays Hera, shed light on what drew her to the character and her poignant relationship with Jacen. She highlighted Hera's multifaceted nature as a strong leader and warrior with a deep maternal and nurturing side—a rarity on screen. Hera's commitment to caring for her crew while simultaneously pushing them to excel resonated with Winstead and underscores the complexity of her character.

In essence, the latest episode of Ahsoka brings together both familiar and fresh faces, weaving a captivating narrative within the Star Wars galaxy as Ahsoka and her allies strive to unravel the mystery of Grand Admiral Thrawn's whereabouts.