Ahsoka episode 3 is filled with Star Wars Easter eggs and references, with subtle lines of dialogue that have major implications for the franchise’s lore.
The former Padawan of Anakin Skywalker has grown significantly since her introduction in 2008’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated movie, and it seems that her journey is far from over. The Ahsoka Disney+ TV show is preparing her for a cosmic adventure that will take her to new horizons.
In this episode, Ahsoka faces the threat of Shin Hati, Marrok, and other operatives of Morgan Elsbeth, who are hunting her down. The episode ends with a cliffhanger that sets up a dramatic showdown between Ahsoka and Baylan Shin – a survivor of Order 66 who, as revealed earlier, was acquainted with Anakin Skywalker himself.
Here are the most important Star Wars Easter eggs and references in Ahsoka episode 3.
1. A Tribute to Japanese Martial Art Techniques
The episode begins with a lengthy training sequence, where Sabine learns to wield her lightsaber and tap into the Force under the guidance of Huyang and Ahsoka. The scene features common training methods from Japanese martial arts, which is fitting since they were a source of inspiration for George Lucas when he created Star Wars.
The wooden swords are called “bokken,” which is the name of a wooden sword used for practicing kenjutsu. Ahsoka also instructs Sabine to blindfold herself, a technique she refers to as “Zatochi.” This is a variation of the name of a fictional blind swordsman created by novelist Kam Shimozawa, Zatoichi.
The character was the protagonist of a long-running series of Japanese movies that had a significant impact on Lucas when he made Star Wars. It is a nice homage to acknowledge them officially.
2. Ahsoka’s Description of the Dark Side Mirrors Lucas’ Vision
Ahsoka offers a precise but important explanation of the dark side’s nature while training Sabine. She states that anger and impatience can grant a temporary surge of power – but they also disrupt a Jedi’s balance.
This is consistent with how George Lucas himself conceived the dark side, and it is gratifying to see his vision represented in official Star Wars canon.
3. The New Republic Defense Fleet
The episode continues with a scene at the New Republic Defense Fleet, where Hera Syndulla – stationed at Home One – attends a meeting with a Senate Committee to advocate for fighting Thrawn.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens had implied that the New Republic did not have a fleet, but this contradicts that assumption. Star Wars: Timelines suggested that this Defense Fleet was located at Hosnian Prime when the planet was annihilated.
The scene shows a squadron of A-wings – resembling a school of fish – and Mon Calamari cruisers. There is also a Sphyrna-class Hammerhead corvette, a design from Star Wars: The Old Republic that Ahsoka showrunner Dave Filoni seems to favor. He had already used this ship in Star Wars Rebels.
4. Mon Mothma and Hamato Xiono
The Senate Committee features two recognizable characters.
The first is Mon Mothma, portrayed by Genevieve O’Reilly. Mon Mothma was a senator who helped form the Rebel Alliance, and she later became chancellor of the New Republic. However, as shown, Mon faces many challenges from the New Republic’s politics.
The second is Senator Hamato Xiono, played by Nelson Lee, whose son Kaz will be the main character of the Star Wars: Resistance animated TV show. The Ahsoka plot is inspired by Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy, books that are no longer considered canon, and Xiono seems to fill the role of the corrupt politician Borsk Fey’lya.
In Legends, Fey’lya, who would eventually become chancellor himself, was ambitious and self-serving, and he denied the Empire’s threat.
5. The Introduction of Jacen Syndulla
Ahsoka episode 3 introduces the live-action version of Jacen Syndulla, portrayed by Evan Whitten. He is the son of Hera and Jedi Padawan Kanan Jarrus, and he has the potential to use the Force.
It is unclear whether he will join Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Temple, though – it would be unfortunate if he did, because he might have been killed by Kylo Ren.
6. Jedi Standards Were Rewritten 1000 Years Ago
Huyang is a droid who has served the Jedi for 25,000 years. He remarks that Jedi standards have remained unchanged for a millennium – which implies that those standards were only established a thousand years ago.
This was after the Sith were defeated, which led to the reformation of the Republic. It seems that Jedi protocols before this were quite different.
7. Huyang’s Reference to ‘Other’ Mandalorian Jedis
Huyang mentions to Ahsoka that there have been “few” Mandalorian Jedi. This remark alters Star Wars history, because only one has been known so far – Tarre Vizsla, the Jedi who created the Darksaber.
Huyang suggests a more complex history between the Jedi and the Mandalorians, with other Mandalorians joining the Jedi as well.
8. Shin’s Headset is from the Clone Wars Era
Force-sensitives are often among the most skilled and dangerous pilots in the galaxy, largely due to their enhanced reflexes from the Force. Shin is no exception.
But one detail is noteworthy; she wears a Jedi headset from the Clone Wars era, similar to those seen in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. It is possible that she received this from her master.
9. Ahsoka’s Spacesuit is a Reference to The Clone Wars
Ahsoka adapts a spacesuit from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, improving its design by giving the Jedi a customized outfit instead of a standard one like Anakin Skywalker’s.
The colorscheme is striking, and it creates the perfect scene in which Ahsoka deflects starfighter lasers. It is impressive to see the kind of feats usually shown in animation incorporated into live-action.
10. The Eye of Sion is a Hyperspace Ring
Huyang verifies that the Eye of Sion is a giant version of the Jedi hyperspace ring. The Star Wars: The High Republic transmedia initiative by Lucasfilm has revealed the origin of the hyperspace ring.
It was originally used by a group of space pirates called the Nihil and was later adopted by the Republic. Now it has been significantly upgraded, with the aim of reaching a different galaxy.
11. A Live Action Purrgil
The purrgil are Star Wars’ space whales, enormous creatures that can travel through hyperspace by themselves. They were introduced in the animated series, Star Wars Rebels, and their live-action debut was hinted at in The Mandalorian season 3.
They finally appear in full splendor in Ahsoka episode 3. They are rendered with stunning realism, a true demonstration of the talent of the VFX teams who worked on Ahsoka.
12. The Purrgil Can Travel Between Galaxies
Ahsoka episode 3 confirms the speculation that purrgil travel between galaxies – and that their migration paths were the basis for ancient hyperspace routes across the intergalactic void.
However, Ahsoka also reveals that this is not limited to Peridea. It appears that the history of the Star Wars galaxy is more complex than previously known, with the inhabitants of many galaxies crossing the void in ancient times. This naturally raises the intriguing question of what caused this to change.
13. About Star Wars: Ahsoka
Ahsoka is a Star Wars show on Disney+. Created by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the show sees Rosario Dawson returning as Ahsoka Tano.
The series follows Anakin’s former Padawan Ahsoka Tano as she hunts the Chiss dictator Grand Admiral Thrawn, who plans to take over the galaxy.
The cast includes Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Eman Esfandi, Ray Stevenson, and Ivanna Sakhno.
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