Rosario Dawson’s portrayal of Ahsoka, a leading character in the series titled after her, captivates viewers as she encounters numerous adversaries throughout her journey. Among them are Thrawn, portrayed by Lars Mikkelsen, and the elusive Baylan Skoll, brought to life by Ray Stevenson. However, Diana Lee Inosanto’s character, Morgan Elsbeth, promised so much at the beginning but ended up being underutilized. Let’s explore the lost potential of Morgan Elsbeth in ‘Ahsoka.’
Morgan Elsbeth’s Early Promise in ‘Ahsoka’
The series kicks off with a high note for Morgan. She is incarcerated and needs rescue. Once she regains her freedom, it becomes clear she is not just a mere pawn in the larger Empire scheme. Having an alliance with Thrawn and wielding resources like a shipyard, Morgan is a formidable force. Her intricate network of spies showcases her influence and the looming danger she poses to the New Republic. But the narrative sidelines her once her master, Thrawn, takes center stage.
In an impressive turn of events, Morgan not only steals the orb essential to Ahsoka but learns to use it, enabling her to discover Thrawn in a distant galaxy. Such a feat should have positioned her as a major player. Instead, her role diminishes, reduced to a mere tool used to prompt Thrawn’s explanations.
The Link between Morgan Elsbeth and the Nightsisters
Morgan’s character has a rich connection to dark magick. This skill set becomes evident when she resurrects Morrak, bolstering her forces. While her magickal prowess could have been an intriguing focal point, the series only scratches the surface. Although Morgan claims the Nightsisters as her kin, it isn’t until the series finale that she becomes an official witch. This induction could have paved the way for an insightful dive into the Nightsisters and their abilities. Sadly, the series opts for a showdown between Ahsoka and Morgan, leaving this potential narrative largely unexplored.
An Impressive End for Morgan Elsbeth, Yet Insufficient
Fans first meet Morgan in ‘The Mandalorian’ as an antagonist to Ahsoka. It takes both Ahsoka and Din Djarin, played by Pedro Pascal, to subdue her, proving her mettle. But in the ‘Ahsoka’ series, despite possessing formidable combat skills, she is relegated to the sidelines. It’s only in the series climax that viewers witness Morgan’s prowess as she duels with Ahsoka. Despite this, one can’t help but wonder – why wasn’t she more involved in earlier battles?
Loyalty to Thrawn becomes Morgan’s downfall. Her individual history, motivations, and depths remain uncharted as Thrawn takes precedence. Choosing to remain on Peridea and face her end, Morgan’s departure seems unjust. While her final fight with Ahsoka is memorable, it feels like a hurried conclusion to a character who had much more to offer.
Conclusion
‘Ahsoka‘ does a disservice to Morgan Elsbeth. Introduced as a promising antagonist, her narrative arc is overshadowed by other characters, particularly Thrawn. The series had a golden opportunity to delve deeper into her backstory, her skills, and her ties to the Nightsisters. But instead, she became a stepping stone, facilitating the story’s progression towards Thrawn. In the grand tapestry of ‘Ahsoka‘, despite an electrifying finale battle, Morgan Elsbeth remains an underdeveloped thread. One can only hope that future series or episodes, available on Disney+, might rectify this missed opportunity.
