ONE Star Wars update from an unlikely source has raised more questions about AhsokaThe mysterious antagonist, Baylan Skoll. The late Ray Stevenson’s Baylan Skoll was one of the most fascinating parts of Ahsoka. As a survivor of Order 66 with supposed ties to Ahsoka Tano’s former Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker, Baylan’s loyalty to Morgan Elsbeth – and by extension, Grand Admiral Thrawn – makes for an intriguing characterization. How far has Baylan strayed from the Jedi path? And why did he carry an orange lightsaber while making his apprentice wear a Padawan braid?
As Ahsoka Finally revealed, Baylan aligned himself with Morgan Elsbeth for personal gain – he wanted to travel to Peridea because he was looking for something; something he didn’t even want to share with his apprentice. Now this Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes’ character kit for Baylan Skoll has confirmed that Baylan is, in fact, a “misaligned Force user” who wields the dark sideBaylan’s motives became even more confusing. What is he looking for and what is his relationship with the Force?
If Baylan is a Dark Sider, why does he have an orange lightsaber?
When the trailer for Ahsoka premiered for the first time, one detail stood out. Baylan Skoll’s lightsaber was not the bright red of the Sith and Inquisitors or the cool, muted, familiar shades of blue and green of the Jedi. Instead, it was orange, a deliberate choice that separated his character from the other Force users operating in the galaxy during the New Republic era.
Orange lightsabers are not common in Star Wars canon. Star Wars The legends had more experience with orange blades, however. Interestingly, in the Expanded Universe, orange lightsabers were most often associated with those who called themselves Gray Jedinever fully affiliated with light or darkness. While the easiest assumption was that Baylan’s orange lightsaber was also supposed to place him somewhere in the middle, in limbo between the light side and the dark side, that’s no longer the case. Baylan is a dark side.
Is a Gray Jedi even possible in Star Wars?
The concept of a Gray Jedi is controversial, for more reasons than one. While some see them simply as Jedi who defy the will of the Jedi Council and forge a unique path, that is not what being a Gray Jedi really means. Jedi like Qui-Gon Jinn and Quinlan Vos are often called Gray Jedi under this definition, but it is simply unrealistic. Obeying the council’s orders is not what being a Jedi means. Being a Jedi is choosing to be connected to the light side of the Force, no matter what.
Ultimately, the idea that a Jedi could straddle the line between light and dark, toying between the two sets of powers, is a fallacy. It’s impossible – a Jedi actively chooses, every day, to commit themselves to the light side of the Force. They may stumble and falter because the dark side is the temptation, but ultimately they always return to the light or fall entirely to the dark side. There is no middle ground. The idea that a Gray Jedi can somehow coexist between the two, choosing an alliance goes against the very essence of the Jedi’s beliefs.
Ultimately, the idea that a Jedi could straddle the line between light and dark, toying between the two sets of powers, is a fallacy. It’s impossible – a Jedi actively chooses, every day, to commit to the light side of the Force.
Even if the Gray Jedi were accepted into Star Wars canon, Baylan Skoll wouldn’t be one. It doesn’t matter if he’s not affiliated with the Sith, the Inquisitors, the Jedi, or another Force-wielding faction. Baylan is a dark side – he doesn’t change between the two. However, his connection to the dark side is especially interesting because Baylan explicitly stated that he wanted to end the cycle of light and dark. Why does he believe the dark side will help him achieve this goal better than the light side? What is Baylan looking for in Peridea?
What exactly is calling Baylan of Peridea?
Baylan believed he was being called to Peridea by some unknown, ancient, cosmic force that could help him break the cycle between the light side and the dark side. This explains why Grand Admiral Thrawn and the High Mothers were so eager to leave; a greater power is at play. Given the three statues of the Mortis gods on Peridea – the Son, who represents darkness, the Daughter, who represents light, and the Father, who represents the balance between the two – it is clear that the planet is steeped in history and power. . of the Force.
The most prevalent and exciting theory is that the entity that attracted Baylan is Star Wars Abeloth of Legendsa servant of the Mortis gods who later took on the role of Mother. Abeloth wanted to achieve immortality, an ancient and dangerous dark side power, and she succeeded, becoming one of the most powerful dark side beings of all time. She was corrupted by this power and later imprisoned – she may have manipulated Baylan Skoll, hoping to finally be released into the galaxy.
If Baylan Skoll really wants to break the cycle on Ahsoka in season two, relying solely on the power of the dark side will likely be his downfall.
Other possibilities include links to the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order game, which introduced ancient Force-wielding beings called Zeffo. The Zeffo ruled the Nightsisters on Dathomir eons before the rise of the Jedi. It is possible that they were also present on Peridea, which would explain why the Great Mothers were there and why they were so eager to finally escape that dominant power.
There are other possibilities too, many drawn from Legends and deep Star Wars canon, including the Yuuzhan Vong, a race of outcasts Star Wars creatures isolated from the Force, and the Malmourral, an ancient mythical creature that could be the source of the Nightsisters’ powers. There are many options, but if Baylan Skoll really want to break the cycle in Ahsoka in season two, relying solely on the power of the dark side will likely be his downfall.