The fifth episode of Ahsoka, “Shadow Warrior”, featured of thrilling moments and exciting cameos for fans, but there was a reference to another major Star Wars character that was easily missed. Because, as it turns out, Leia Organa is aiding the heroes in their quest during the events of the series even though she hasn’t yet appeared on-screen.
The episode takes place on Seatos, where New Republic General Hera Syndulla and a small group of X-Wing pilots, including Carson Teva, search for the missing Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren. Hera brought the squad to the planet in an effort to find out more about the threat of Thrawn’s return, but since the mission was not sanctioned by the New Republic, she had to go rogue to do it. She wasn’t authorized to go, but went nonetheless.
And it was Leia who bought her some time to do so. Teva approaches Hera telling her that they’re going to need to check in soon, saying, “We’re overdue at HQ. Senator Organa says she can only give us cover for so long.”
It’s no surprise that, upon hearing of Hera’s mission, Leia stepped in to provide cover for it. Though a close friend and ally of Mon Mothma, Leia was opposed to the Chancellor’s efforts to downsize the New Republic military. Years later, Leia would grow increasingly frustrated with the New Republic’s refusal to take seriously the growing threat of the First Order, causing her to break away and form the Resistance. So while Leia was instrumental in helping to form the New Republic, she was frustrated when others failed to take efforts that Leia thought were needed to ensure its protection. Therefore the threat of Thrawn’s return is something Leia would very much want the New Republic to investigate.
As a result she used her influence as a Senator to provide temporary cover for Hera’s mission. Fans might wonder how Leia was a Senator, since her home planet of Alderaan was destroyed, but Leia served for many years in the New Republic Senate representing the Alderaan System – which included more worlds than simply her homeworld. This was actually the way the Galactic Republic and Imperial Senates worked too, as Senators often represented entire sectors or systems. In the New Republic, Leia became a longstanding member of the Senate and was one of its most respected members. She served for over two decades in office, before resigning six years prior to The Force Awakens, with the galaxy shocked by revelations of her true lineage and Leia concerned about the growing threats to the Republic.
It’s great to hear Leia mentioned here, knowing that she was involved and active in this mission. The Thrawn crisis that’s emerging in these stories is a significant enough deal that it would be rather disappointing if the original heroes – Leia, Luke, and Han – aren’t involved at least somewhat in the fight. This is maybe a small indication that they will be – because Leia, in her own way, already is.
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