Summary
- The Star Wars franchise should go beyond the Jedi and Sith conflict to include diverse stories about other underserved Force-sensitive cultures in the universe.
- Ahsoka and Sabine Wren are examples of atypical Force-sensitives who have different ways of using the Force that don't fit into the standard Jedi or Sith archetypes.
- The future of Star Wars lies in telling more diverse stories that embrace the galaxy's cultures and expand beyond the main storyline of troopers, blasters, lightsaber battles, the Republic, and the Empire.
In the world of Star Wars, the Force can manifest in many different ways depending on the user. But the Jedi and Sith conflict has propagated the perception that Force-sensitives should use their powers either in service of the Republic or the Empire. This, however, pigeon-holes the Force to two classes of users: Jedi, or Sith. It's a system that ignores the other underserved Force-sensitive cultures in the universe. Ahsoka, the new series focused on the titular character, has illustrated the diversity of Force-sensitives in the Star Wars universe and why the franchise should go beyond the Jedi and Sith conflict.
Ahsoka Tano is a great example of an atypical Force-sensitive in Star Wars. The Jedi accepted the young Togruta, after she demonstrated abilities to wield the Force as a baby. The Jedi's way of using the Force is combative under the guise of peacekeeping. But Ahsoka, like her relatively peaceful Togruta culture, never wanted to be a warrior. The Force first manifested through her as telepathy to pacify a hungry feline, likely due to her affinity for nature and peace. Without the Jedi's need to weaponize her use of the Force, she may have developed and used the Force as a psychic in harmony with nature.
Despite the franchise's namesake, Star Wars doesn't need to double down on the Jedi versus Sith conflict to tell diverse stories in the universe. The Book of Boba Fett, for example is a well-rounded series that pivots from the main conflict to convey the story of a budding crime family and the various cultures on Tattooine, largely from the perspective of bounty hunters. The lack of Force-sensitives does not detract from the story, but enriches it by focusing on the indigenous culture of the Tuskens, and how that becomes a way of life for Boba Fett. This diversity in storytelling promotes better representation onscreen. Ahsoka can do the same thing, featuring other atypical Force-sensitives who deserve to have their stories told.
Sabine Wren: A Force-Sensitive Beyond Jedi & Sith
Sabine Wren is a Force-sensitive Mandalorian. Like the Jedi, her propensity to wield the Force in combat is not malicious. However, Ahsoka makes it clear that Sabine's Mandalorian nature is not compatible with the Jedi's way of developing the Force. This begs the question whether Sabine would be more capable as a Force-user if she were a Sith, an even darker twist. This, however, is the problem in ascertaining and developing the capabilities of Force-sensitives. Star Wars has shown through other media that powerful Force-sensitives do not need to be Jedi or Sith. Sabine could be a great wielder of the Force if she were not learning to develop it by the way of the Jedi.
Ahsoka learned to embrace the Jedi way of wielding the Force, but she never had to abandon who she was as a nature-loving, peaceful Togruta. Embracing that side of herself is what allows her to develop other rare Force abilities, evidenced by her psychometry and communicating with animals. Sabine, meanwhile, is expected to give up her cultural values in order to use the Force for "good."
Star Wars could then focus more on Sabine's Mandalorian culture and heritage, even if her story pivots away from the Jedi and Sith conflict. The way in which Sabine connects with her waning Mandalorian culture may be an important aspect of her identity, and is being ignored in service of the franchise's main story. The apparent failure in her abilities as a Jedi may be linked to her disconnection from her Mandalorian heritage, trying to suppress it rather than embrace it.
Ahsoka Can Set Up A More Diverse Star Wars Future
The Force in Star Wars has been shown to be used in non-combative ways by psychics, witches, and shamans. Unfortunately, their stories are largely relegated to minor moments in the franchise. There are also cultures that have developed techniques to combat Force-sensitives, including the Mandalorians and users of Teras Kasi like Qi'ra.
Ahsoka's Morgan Elsbeth is another example of an atypical Force-sensitive witch. The Force manifests through her and the Nightsisters as a part of their magic. These underserved cultures deserve more room to shine in the Star Wars universe. The future of the franchise depends on its inherent expansiveness. With that in mind, it should take care to tell more diverse stories that embrace the galaxy's cultures, proving Star Wars is more than the Jedi and Sith.
"The Force is in everyone," Ahsoka states. Those with the desire to develop this gift should have space to explore that in Star Wars beyond the main storyline. An avenue for this could be spinoffs of Ahsoka featuring Sabine or a younger Morgan Elsbeth as they develop their Force powers through their underrepresented cultural connection. Their stories could be an entry point into storytelling for Star Wars that's not necessarily dependent on troopers and blasters, lightsaber battles, the Republic, or the Empire.
Other potential storylines could involve Ahsoka going home to teach Togruta how to wield their own peaceful way of the Force, or revealing the creatures that can block the Force. This could open the door to a better-balanced power system as well. More non-Jedi/Sith Force-sensitives and cultures that develop martial arts to combat Force-sensitives would be a welcomed addition to the franchise, offering many different types of stories. Not every Force-sensitive needs to be a Jedi, and Ahsoka's Sabine Wren deserves the opportunity to prove that in her own way.