Ahsoka Reveals the Surprising Historical Significance of [SPOILER’S] Lightsaber

The following contains spoilers for Ahsoka Episode 1, “Chapter 1: Master and Apprentice,” and Episode 2, “Chapter 2: Toil and Trouble,” streaming now on Disney+.

Ahsoka just revealed the surprising historical significance of the lightsaber wielded by one of the show’s villains, Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson).

Lightsaber-crafting droid Huyang (David Tennant) brings Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) up to speed on the background of Baylan’s laser sword midway through Ahsoka‘s two-episode debut. The droid notes that Baylan chose a relatively unique design for his lightsaber’s hilt, noting that no other Jedi had built a similar style of weapon for hundreds of years. This information allows Ahsoka to determine that her new enemy was once a fully-trained Jedi Knight and to conclude that Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) is likely his apprentice.

Both Baylan and Shin’s lightsabers have been the subject of intense speculation in the months leading up to Ahsoka‘s release. As recently as March 2023, sources close to the production alleged that the pair would carry previously unseen versions of the Star Wars franchise’s weapons. Baylan’s overhauled lightsaber was said to resemble a “red claymore saber,” whereas Shin would supposedly pack a thinner, pointer blade modeled on a rapier. Based on Ahsoka‘s first two installments (as well as promotional materials released to date), reports of Baylan and Shin’s revamped lightsabers appear to have been inaccurate, however.

Why Ahsoka’s Villains Wield Orange Lightsabers

By contrast, post-trailer buzz that claimed the deadly duo’s laser swords were orange and not red turned out to be on the money. Showrunner Dave Filoni confirmed the color of Baylan and Shin’s lightsabers in April 2023, adding that the hue of the pair’s weapons was a very deliberate choice.”That was very intentional,” Filoni said. “I didn’t make [Baylan and Shin’s lightsabers] just a stark red… I didn’t want to go straight up orange, but it’s identifying a little bit of something to kids that they might not straight up be what you think they are in the beginning. It’s good you caught that. Nothing is accidental.”

Fans got their first proper taste of Ahsoka‘s orange lightsabers in action courtesy of the show’s first episode, “Chapter 1: Master and Apprentice.” Not only does “Chapter 1: Master and Apprentice” open with Baylan and Shin cutting down the crew of a New Republic cruiser, but it also concludes with a duel between the latter and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo). Filoni touched on Ahsoka‘s emphasis on lightsaber combat in a recent interview, insisting that these sequences will live up to the standard previously set by the franchise “because our fans know the difference.”

New episodes of Ahsoka premiere on Disney+ Tuesdays.

Source: Disney+