Star Wars has concluded a significant two-year retcon involving the Inquisitors, an action that inadvertently diminishes one of Ahsoka Tano’s most compelling narratives within the franchise’s canon. Although Disney initially put an end to Star Wars: The Clone Wars in 2013, various plotlines have been revisited and expanded upon in different formats over the years—most notably through the evolving tales of Ahsoka Tano and Darth Maul. To the surprise of many, The Clone Wars was resurrected, and crucial aspects of Ahsoka’s journey found a new home in the animated series Tales of the Jedi. However, the integration of these narratives has proven problematic, particularly when juxtaposed with E.K. Johnston’s well-received novel Ahsoka.
Star Wars Doubling Down on Tales of the Jedi
E.K. Johnston’s Novel No Longer Aligns
A key point of contention arises from Ahsoka’s engagement with an Inquisitor following the catastrophic events of Order 66. Although both encounters share a similar premise, they diverge significantly in detail. In Johnston’s work, Ahsoka confronts the Inquisitor known as the Sixth Brother, whereas Tales of the Jedi introduces us to a distinctly different antagonist, now referred to as the Eleventh Brother. Interestingly, Star Wars: Insider #229 reveals the Eleventh Brother’s identity without providing any account of the Sixth Brother’s demise, suggesting that Ahsoka’s original confrontation may have been entirely omitted from current canon.
This development brings to light the limitations of Johnston’s novel, as it depicts a version of the Siege of Mandalore that does not seamlessly align with the newer narratives presented. The novel particularly highlights Ahsoka’s close friendship with two Black sisters on the farming moon of Raada—featuring Disney’s first LGBTQI representation through a brief revelation of romantic feelings toward Ahsoka. Regrettably, these characters are conspicuously absent in Tales of the Jedi.
Inconsistencies in Storytelling
The discrepancies extend beyond the aforementioned friendship. Johnston’s Ahsoka elaborates on how Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan establishes connections with Bail Organa, ultimately becoming a pivotal figure for the emerging Rebel Alliance under the alias Fulcrum. In contrast, Tales of the Jedi interprets these events in a manner that fails to correspond with Johnston’s narrative. Although Lucasfilm’s Dave Filoni has indicated that Tales of the Jedi drew from an initial outline that he provided Johnston, the resulting stories do not harmonize, suggesting that Johnston’s book might now be relegated to non-canon status.
Our Perspective on Ahsoka Tano’s Canonical Challenges
When Disney reset the canon in 2013, they promised a coherent narrative universe by eliminating the existing Star Wars Expanded Universe. Historically, the old EU faced its own share of contradictions, leading to a tiered canon where certain tales were discarded at the discretion of George Lucas. Fans were assured this would not be the case moving forward; nevertheless, given the rapid expansion of Star Wars, such inconsistencies were destined to arise.
The revival of The Clone Wars and the introduction of Tales of the Jedi have produced clashes that many did not foresee. It’s unfortunate that Johnston’s novel Ahsoka, which is widely regarded as an exceptional contribution to the franchise, is now overshadowed by canon alterations. Ultimately, the quality of a story does not necessarily correlate with its canonicity, a lesson that fans of the former EU clearly understand.
Source: Star Wars Insider
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