What Makes a Jedi? Sabine Wren’s Unique Training with Ahsoka Tano

Sabine Wren, a Mandalorian warrior portrayed by Natasha Liu Bordizzo in live action, has been revealed as Ahsoka Tano’s Padawan.

This was an unexpected development for many viewers, who had not seen any evidence of Sabine’s Force potential in Star Wars Rebels. However, it fits well with the theme of Ahsoka, which explores the relationship between “Master and Apprentice,” and gives Ahsoka Tano, the former Padawan of Anakin Skywalker, the opportunity to become a mentor.

The first two episodes of Ahsoka revealed that Ahsoka Tano had taken Sabine Wren as her Padawan after the events of Star Wars Rebels. However, their partnership was not smooth, as they had frequent conflicts due to their stubborn personalities and eventually separated.

They have now decided to give their relationship another chance, partly influenced by Hera Syndulla’s encouragement. But we’ve been wondering how Sabine became a Jedi warrior in the first place. Let’s find out.

1. Sabine Wren’s Force Sensitivity is Low

Sabine Wren’s Force sensitivity is minimal, even though all living beings have some capacity to connect with the Force. This was the lesson of Luke Skywalker in The Rise of Kylo Ren, who told one of his students about the true nature of force. See his quote here:

“The Force can be a trickle, a stream, a river, a flood, for anyone who can sense it. Think of yourself as a door. The wider you open, the more easily the Force flows through you. Some people just start out with their door a bit more open, but any door can open wide.”

However, Sabine’s door seems to be barely open at all, according to the lightsaber droid Huyang, who has served Jedi for 25,000 years and has seen many levels of Force aptitude. Sabine can only sense disturbances in the Force and receive dreams and visions, but nothing more.

2. Sabine’s Commitment Makes Her a Jedi

Sabine Wren’s Jedi training is not based on her Force power, but on her commitment to the Jedi code and way of life. This is consistent with Yoda’s view that Jedi do not need the Force.

In in the anthology book Stories of Jedi & Sith, there is a story by Michael Kogge called What A Jedi Makes, set during the High Republic Era, in which Yoda taught a student who had very little Force ability. Yoda also mentioned an older Jedi named the Farseeker Lyr, who wrote one of the sacred Jedi texts that Luke Skywalker later collected.

Star Wars has a subtle contradiction; it often focuses on the most powerful Jedi, who perform the most amazing feats, but it also claims that wars do not make one great. To be a great Jedi is not the same as to be a powerful Jedi; it is to follow their principles and lifestyle.

Sabine would not have been accepted by the Jedi Order in the prequel era, but that is mainly because she chose to train as a Jedi when she was too old for Yoda’s order.

3. Can Sabine Be a Strong Jedi?

In my opinion, yes. Sabine Wren’s Jedi status does not depend on her Force power, but on her dedication to the Jedi code and way of life. Ahsoka Tano recognizes this, as she has chosen to train Sabine as her Padawan again.

However, not everyone agrees with this; Baylan is a former Jedi who has fallen to the dark side and who values power above everything else. He and his apprentice Shin will likely dismiss Sabine as a weak and unworthy Jedi. They will probably regret this mistake by the end of Ahsoka.

4. About Star Wars: Ahsoka

Ahsoka is a Star Wars show on Disney+. Created by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the show sees Rosario Dawson returning as Ahsoka Tano.

The series follows Anakin’s former Padawan Ahsoka Tano as she hunts the Chiss dictator Grand Admiral Thrawn, who plans to take over the galaxy.

The cast includes Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Eman Esfandi,  Ray Stevenson, and Ivanna Sakhno.