This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 5.
Ahsoka episode 5's ending launched the latest Disney+ TV show on a trip to a galaxy even further away - and here's that epic ending explained in full. When Rosario Dawson made her debut as the live-action Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian season 2, viewers who were only familiar with live-action were understandably taken aback to meet Anakin Skywalker's former apprentice. Ahsoka episode 5 uses smart storytelling to finally "show, not tell," giving these viewers an idea of Ahsoka's relationship with Anakin, and lovingly bringing the dynamic from Star Wars: The Clone Wars to live-action.
Ahsoka episode 5 is something of a character study, a surprisingly intimate look at Ahsoka's own character. It's actually unclear whether anything that happened here is "real" or simply in Ahsoka's head, as she clings to life (although the two options may not be mutually exclusive). Whatever the case, though, this near-death experience promises to transform Ahsoka forever. Here are the 7 biggest spoilers and a full explanation of Ahsoka episode 5's ending.
7 Ahsoka Experiences Key Moments From The Clone Wars Again
Ahsoka was almost killed by Baylan Skoll, and finds herself in a mysterious realm known as the World Between Worlds. Introduced in Star Wars Rebels as a realm that transcends time and space, one that can only be accessed at certain Force vergences, more recent tie-ins have suggested the World Between Worlds is a netherworld of the Force. This is the term traditionally used to describe the afterlife in Star Wars, making its appearance in Ahsoka episode 5 perfectly appropriate.
Anakin initially confronts what seems to be Anakin Skywalker's Force ghost, learning one final lesson. Her former master forces her to revisit two key moments of the Clone Wars, one from the beginning of her training and the other from the end. The first appears to be from the Battle of Ryloth, given the presence of Twi'leks; this was one of the first battles where Anakin and Ahsoka fought side by side. The second is from the Siege of Mandalore, the final battle of the Clone Wars, which took place concurrently with Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Ahsoka led Republic forces at Mandalore, effectively meaning this was the moment she "graduated" as a warrior.
6 Ahsoka Chooses Not To Just Be The Warrior Anakin Trained Her To Be
Ahsoka episode 5 ultimately sees its heroine recognize that she is more than just a warrior. The way of the warrior would lead to darkness, signified by a momentary red in Ahsoka's eyes as she is tempted, but she instead chooses to let the blade go. She has learned Anakin Skywalker's final lesson; that he taught her how to fight, but that she must be more if she is to truly live. It's a beautiful moment, evocative of Yoda's lesson to Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back. "Wars do not make one great," Yoda insisted. Ahsoka now learns the truth of this.
5 Ahsoka Experiences A Literal Baptism
Ahsoka episode 5 essentially portrays her experience at Seatos as a baptism. The sea was often a symbol of death in the ancient world, because the waters take but do not give back. This imagery explains why baptism became such a powerful symbol in Judaeo-Christian traditions, because to be immersed is to die and to be raised to new life. Ahsoka's experience is perfectly summed up by a Bible verse, which speaks of a person whose sins are as scarlet being washed white as snow (Isaiah 1: 18).
4 Ahsoka's Costume Change Signifies Her Transformation Into Ahsoka The White
In the aftermath of her mysterious mystical experience, Ahsoka Tano transforms into Ahsoka the White. The new costume signifies a new stage in her life, with the color indicating her allegiance to the light side of the Force - and possibly deeper, to a cosmic being of white light known as the Daughter who saved Ahsoka's life many years ago. The Ahsoka the White transformation is clearly inspired by the character of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, with a similar near-death leaving him in white; J.R.R. Tolkien would certainly approve of baptism imagery being used to set this up, given he was a Catholic.
Ahsoka's transformation retcons the epilogue of Star Wars Rebels, which first introduced Ahsoka the White. There, Ahsoka was wearing white when she first recruited Sabine to seek out Ezra Bridger. The Ahsoka Disney+ TV show has taken a different approach, however, with the quest for Ezra and Grand iral Thrawn ultimately leading to her transformation. It doesn't appear to be complete, because in Star Wars Rebels Ahsoka the White wielded a staff rather than a lightsaber. This, too, signifies Ahsoka putting the way of the warrior behind her.
3 Ahsoka Hitches A Ride To Another Galaxy By Purrgil
The star map showing the Pathway to Peridea has been destroyed, but Ahsoka realizes there's another way to get there. This star map was created by studying the ancient migration patterns of purrgil, Star Wars' space whales, and she uses the Force to bond with one of the creatures - asking it to take her there. It's an intriguing scene, raising the possibility the first extragalactic travelers were Force-sensitives who performed a similar feat. The purrgil seem to possess even more power than the hyperspace engines on the Eye of Sion, so it's even possible Ahsoka will beat Morgan Elsbeth there.
2 Jacen Syndulla Possesses The Force
Meanwhile, Ahsoka episode 5 continues to develop plot threads involving Hera Syndulla and her son Jacen. It confirms what had been strongly implied by Star Wars Rebels' epilogue and a single line of dialogue in the previous episode; Jacen Syndulla does indeed have Force-derived abilities. He has inherited his Force potential from his human father, Kanan Jarrus, Hera's lover during the Dark Times of the Empire's reign. Kanan never lived to see the Empire fall - he died even before the Battle of Yavin - but he nevertheless has a legacy in Jacen. Ahsoka would have died if not for Jacen's sensitivity.
1 Hera Is Headed Back To Coruscant To Face The Senate
Ahsoka leaves her friend Hera in a tough spot, however. According to Mon Mothma, the Senate Oversight Committee required Ahsoka Tano as a witness to testify to Hera's actions. If the Senate Committee judge against Hera, she could well be stripped of her rank. She's not without allies, thankfully; it seems Hera is still working with her close friend senator Leia Organa, who's been running interference for her back on Coruscant. It's reasonable to assume Leia will offer her full when Hera returns to Coruscant.
The Mandalorian season 3 confirmed there are high-level Imperial agents on Coruscant, including the mysterious Elia Kane. These Imperial agents may have been trying to help Morgan by forcing both Hera and Ahsoka back to Coruscant, thereby ensuring they do not interfere in Thrawn's return. If that is the case, then Ahsoka may well be setting up a Coruscant subplot in which Hera struggles to deal with Imperial spies.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET on Disney+.