Ahsoka Theory: Star Wars Teased Baylan Skoll & Shin Hati's Future - As Good Guys
Dave Filoni's follow-up to the fan-favorite animated series "Star Wars Rebels" gives fans what they want in finally seeing Ezra Bridger's (Eman Esfandi) return. But that isn't all that "Ahsoka" has going for it. Just as intriguing is the introduction of two antagonists, Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno). A former acolyte of the Jedi Order, Baylan escapes Order 66 and decides to follow a different path. Taking on an apprentice and instructing her in his ways, the two Force-sensitive villains have mysterious motives that the eight-episode series doesn't have time to explore fully.
However, they may still have a future in canon, should things go their way. Fans on Reddit noted some details that could point to what the future may bring for Skoll and Hati. In the famous mural depicting the Ghost crew, Redditors discussed the presence of two wolves. Loth-wolves are a significant aspect of "Rebels," but a painting featuring two wolves on either side of the characters could have a deeper meaning.
"Skoll is usually depicted as having black fur and Hati having white in Norse mythology. Could be just a big coincidence, but knowing Dave, it wouldn't surprise me if it's some kind of intentional foreshadowing," u/Camm_98 posted. Others enthusiastically jumped on this bandwagon, intrigued at the prospect.
Skoll and Hati are wolves in Norse mythology
A common tradition in Star Wars lore, many aspects are taken from mythology and history. The Old Republic — and subsequently the Galactic Empire — is clearly influenced by the government of Ancient Rome. The fighting pits on Geonosis additionally have quite a resemblance to the gladiatorial combat of the time. Showrunner Dave Filoni has taken this a step further by introducing the Mortis gods, which can be compared to the Holy Trinity of monotheistic religion. Taking inspiration from Norse mythology wouldn't be too far of a leap, and it certainly appears that way in "Ahsoka." Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati seem to take their names from the ravenous wolves who chase the sun and the moon in Norse culture.
Their names could be just an allusion to ancient lore, but as Redditors u/GoreSeeker and Outside_Aside6223 — among many others — agree, it is more fun if it hints at the franchise's future. The wolves in the mural seem to be in protective stances, and with Ezra's history of being able to commune with such beasts, it could imply that Skoll and Hati could side with the Star Wars protagonists. Their motivation and plans are left so ambiguous by the end of "Ahsoka" that including them down the road is a must.