Star Wars: Ahsoka fans are contemplating whether the demise of Diana Lee Inosanto’s Morgan Elsbeth occurred prematurely, considering the impact and impression the character left. In the series, Ahsoka treated longtime franchise fans to a series of well-received cameos, callbacks, live-action debuts, and the reintroduction of beloved characters from other live-action shows. Among these returns was Morgan Elsbeth, the Dathomari witch known for her distinctive green Force abilities, high-profile industrialist status, and her initial appearance as The Magistrate in The Mandalorian Season 2. Morgan Elsbeth played a significant role in Ahsoka’s first season before meeting her end in a climactic showdown, wielding the Blade of Talzin in a losing effort against the titular character of the show—a moment that some fans now criticize as premature.
On the expansive r/StarWars subreddit, a user with the handle WorkersUnited111 initiated a post titled “They should have never killed off Morgan Elsbeth in Ahsoka,” drawing attention to the impressive credentials of Diana Lee Inosanto, the actress portraying the character. The post briefly acknowledges Inosanto’s world-class background, encompassing stunt work in well-known projects like the eerie Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, as well as her commendable fight choreography. Within the discussion thread, numerous participants echoed the sentiment that it was a missed opportunity to eliminate a character who had recently gained significant power through the acquisition of the Blade of Talzin. Some highlighted the imprudence of removing a capable antagonist just as Ahsoka might head into a potential second season, particularly given the unfortunate passing of Ray Stevenson, acclaimed for his portrayal of Baylan Skoll, considered by many as a standout performance in the series. From their perspective, the removal of two compelling antagonists, one of which was preventable, has left a void in the storyline.
Inosanto’s portrayal played a pivotal role in shaping the season’s narrative, with her exceptional skills driving two crucial fight scenes. Her authentic presence added considerable weight to scenes, even in instances where the script or acting fell slightly short. Ahsoka’s standing as one of the standout Disney Plus shows for 2023 owed much to Inosanto’s contribution, making her a desirable inclusion in potential future seasons, spin-offs, or independent Star Wars projects. Some optimistic fans have expressed the desire for Morgan Elsbeth’s survival, noting her Nightsister background as a potential means of her enduring or being resurrected by her peers or awakened powers.
While the Star Wars universe has seen characters return from seemingly fatal situations, akin to Maul, there remains the possibility that Morgan Elsbeth’s departure from the franchise is permanent. Much like the unlikely return of Mace Windu to Star Wars, her sacrifice in aiding her allies’ escape may be deemed too pivotal to the emotional resonance of that moment to be overshadowed by a potential return.
