Warning! Spoilers ahead for Ahsoka episode 6!
Summary
- Ahsoka episode 6 introduces the Great Mothers, mysterious Nightsister witches who are a major threat to Ahsoka and have dark side powers greater than the Jedi and Sith.
- The Nightsisters are revealed to be older than both the Jedi and Sith, with connections to an ancient race called the Zeffo. They possess dark magick that is not understood by the Jedi or Sith.
- The Nightsisters play a key role in different time periods, from the Clone Wars to the New Republic era. They are preparing to leave Peridea and become a force to be reckoned with in the Star Wars galaxy.
Ahsoka has introduced new Star Wars villains who are even more powerful than the Jedi and the Sith. Ahsoka episode 6 saw Morgan Elsbeth succeed in her mission to Peridea, where she found Grand Admiral Thrawn at last. She learned Thrawn had formed an alliance with the three Great Mothers, mysterious Nightsister witches who are being set up as a major threat to Ahsoka.
Little is known about the Great Mothers at this stage, but the title was occasionally used for Mother Talzin in Star Wars: The Clone Wars – a Nightsister witch who was able to duel Mace Windu, and who was actually considered a rival by Palpatine himself. It’s telling that the Emperor only intiiated Order 66 after he had General Grievous slaughter Mother Talzin and the Nightsisters. The introduction of the Great Mothers suggests Star Wars is moving on from the Jedi and the Sith by introducing dark side powers even greater than them.
The Nightsisters Are Now Older Than The Jedi & The Sith
In Ahsoka episode 6, Morgan Elsbeth reveals that the Nightsisters were some of the first beings to ride Star Wars’ space whales between the galaxies. She claims they did so before time was counted, and her assertion is supported by runes referencing another ancient race called the Zeffo, so old even the Jedi knew nothing about them. The Jedi Order was founded 25,000 years ago, something that will be explored in James Mangold’s upcoming Star Wars movie set during the Dawn of the Jedi era. The Nightsisters, it seems, are far older.
Nightsisters Are Key In The Dark Times And Ahsoka’s Era
Star Wars is expanding in several time periods, and Nightsisters are key to them both. Although most of the Nightsisters were massacred by General Grievous and Count Dooku in the final months of the Clone Wars, there were some survivors who resettled on Dathomir. Darth Sidious kept a close eye on them, wary of allowing them to leave their homeworld, although he seems to have allowed Morgan Elsbeth to join the Empire. The Emperor was right to consider them a threat; a Nightsister named Merrin left Dathomir in Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor, becoming an ally of Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis and a notable rebel. Merrin would go on to aid in the Hidden Path, which helped shelter Force-sensitives during the Empire’s reign.
Now Nightsisters also proving to be important during the New Republic Era, Ahsoka’s point in the Star Wars timeline. Morgan Elsbeth has used Nightsister knowledge to travel the pathway to Peridea, successfully finding Grand Admiral Thrawn. Grand Admiral Thrawn appears to have allied with these Great Mothers, and they are preparing to leave Peridea, which means they are about to become a force to be reckoned with in the main Star Wars galaxy.
Nightsisters Have Always Possessed Powers Jedi & Sith Do Not
The Nightsisters use dark magick, which is different from powers held by both Jedi and Sith. According to Mother Talzin, this dark magick is essentially a way of hacking into the dark side of the Force, and green smoke and ichor are characteristic of Nightsister magick. Their magick is not fully understood by the Jedi or the Sith, and indeed the Sith have attempted to learn Nightsister secrets for millennia. The fact Palpatine feared Mother Talzin is an indication of just how dangerous these three new characters could be in Ahsoka.
Ahsoka episode 6 ended with Grand Admiral Thrawn petitioning the Great Mothers to help him against the incoming Jedi. This surely means the power of the Great Mothers will be demonstrated next episode. Meanwhile, even more concerning, there’s some evidence an even greater power has been slumbering on Peridea; Baylan believes both Thrawn and the Great Mothers are fleeing from something that would overwhelm them. It will be exciting to learn more about the Great Mothers as Ahsoka continues – and it remains to be seen whether their dark plans for the Star Wars galaxy fully coincide with those of Grand Admiral Thrawn, or whether they have their own darker agenda.
New episodes of Ahsoka premiere Tuesdays at 6pm PST / 9pm EST on Disney+.