How long passed between “Star Wars Rebels” and “Ahsoka?”
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"In a galaxy far, far away..." - this familiar line ushers us into the vast and intricate world of Star Wars. One of the many facets of this universe that has captured the hearts of fans across the world is "Star Wars Rebels". With the recent debut of Dave Filoni's new show "Ahsoka", fans were plunged into an era where significant time has passed since the events of "Rebels". But just how long has it been?
Piecing Together the Galactic Puzzle
To decode the timeline, one must first recognize that the "Star Wars" universe doesn't abide by our Earthly concept of time. Instead, it operates on its own system of chronological events, centered around pivotal moments, like the Battle of Yavin (often abbreviated to BBY for Before the Battle of Yavin and ABY for After the Battle of Yavin).
"Star Wars Rebels" spanned from 5 BBY to 0 BBY, ending just before the events of "A New Hope". Given that the events of "Ahsoka" delve deep into the era of the New Republic, it's clear that the series occurs after the original trilogy of movies, placing it sometime after the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY.
Notable Events and Indicators
1. Ahsoka's Evolution: One of the most evident indicators of the passage of time is Ahsoka Tano herself. In "Rebels", Ahsoka was a younger, more agile former Jedi trying to find her path. In "Ahsoka", she comes across as a matured, seasoned warrior who has faced many challenges. Given that Togrutas (Ahsoka's species) have an average lifespan similar to humans, her more mature demeanor hints at a passage of at least a few years.
2. The New Republic's Establishment: By the end of "Return of the Jedi" in 4 ABY, the New Republic is just beginning to establish itself, taking over from the remnants of the Galactic Empire. Given the political scenario presented in "Ahsoka", with the New Republic having a noticeable presence, it's clear that the galaxy has had time to adjust to this new power. This again suggests a few more years have passed.
3. Sabine and Ahsoka's Quest: In the epilogue of "Rebels", Ahsoka joins Sabine Wren in her quest to find Ezra Bridger, who vanished during the liberation of Lothal. "Ahsoka" implies that this quest has already happened and has strained their relationship. Such expeditions, especially those that span the galaxy, wouldn't be a matter of mere months. They'd take years, considering the challenges they'd face.
4. The Rise of New Threats: New characters, such as Baylon Skoll and Shin Hati, are dark side users who once were Jedi. Their introduction implies a galaxy where the dark side has had time to fester and evolve in the absence of the Galactic Empire, further suggesting a significant time jump.
An Educated Guess
Considering the above indicators and piecing them together, an estimated 5-10 years seems to have passed since "Star Wars Rebels". This would place "Ahsoka" roughly around 10-15 ABY, sitting comfortably between the events of "Return of the Jedi" and "The Force Awakens".
Implications for the Star Wars Universe
This time jump allows for a lot of off-screen events, some of which will probably be explored in the upcoming episodes or series. It presents an era where the scars of the Galactic Empire are still fresh, yet the galaxy is trying to heal and rebuild. This rebuilding phase provides fertile ground for new threats, adventures, and alliances to emerge.
As fans, we're left to wonder: What adventures did Ahsoka and Sabine undertake in their quest for Ezra? How did the New Republic establish its dominion across the galaxy? What challenges and threats did they face?
While "Ahsoka" may not answer all these questions directly, it's clear that this period in the Star Wars universe is rich with untold stories, and we're only scratching the surface. One thing is certain: with Dave Filoni at the helm, we're in for an epic ride through the annals of Star Wars history.
