Which is more than could be said for Anakin and Ahsoka. He was always SO controlling in his relationships....you understand WHY but you can't condone that kind of behavior. He loved her and deeply cared about her but if the time had actually come for her to be a Knight, have her own Padawan, her own battalion...go on her own missions...would he have been able to let her go?
Yeah man, that's the vibe of Baylan, that father and master figure perfectly blended and balanced. He cares a lot for her student, but he knows she's gonna grow and needs to let her go eventually.
@@AceHufflepuff I think Anikin would have been able to let Ahsoka go if he hadn't turned to the dark side. Remember, he was manipulated by Palpatine since he was a child and it showed when he was a teen that he felt Obi Wan was holding him back. Palpatine was probably putting that in his head because Palpatine told him that the Jedi were hiding abilities from him. That is why Anikin's behavior was like that.
When you take the time to actually watch Ray portraying Baylan, the mannerisms, the facial inflections, the cadence and tone of his speech, the body language used to enforce his words, the man is totally on another plane of existence in comparison to those with whom he interacts in this show. It's like watching an adult helping out some teens conducting a high school play. This isn't just experience, this is commitment to his character. We are VERY lucky to have him give us such an incredible last performance. Thanks Ray.
The part where you talked about chinese history is very emotional for me. I am from Hong Kong, so I understand collective trauma and never being able to move on from it. I hope our people can eventually have the opportunity to heal one day.
I've seen a lot of protest but I had time to visit the umbrella movement, it was one of the most coherent and well put together movements I'd ever seen. So many inspirational young people and so brave made very proud. It was a great loss to China what the central government did, and they probably won't realize until many decades into the future.
My family is from Guangzhou, despite speaking Cantonese together, their lives and perspectives compared to Hong Kong seem like two separate worlds. Fierce loyalty to the party, never a single defiant thought. Even all these years after having moved to the United States, they seem nostalgic of the PRC. I think my grandparents' generation, those who fought in the Civil War and United Front against the Japanese had become so brainwashed and tired from the over two decades of fighting that finally by 1949 when the dust settled and the communists won, they were just ready to accept any peace, even at the sacrifice of their freedoms. I don't blame people for prioritizing security over personal freedoms after all they've been through. They must be stuck in a loop, believing that all they had lost had to have been for something. But then again, Chinese history is a tragic one. Much of what Western people know about our people are the astronomically high death tolls in whatever conflicts we are part of. Hopefully one day our people can mend their woes, but one must first notice their wounds before seeing a doctor.
@@BrianSmith-ql5nj Star Wars has nothing to do with Earth politics? It was literally George Lucas making commentary on Vietnam, Nazis, and many other political situations of the 20th century. To ignore modern politics is to completely miss the core message of Star Wars. I hope you one day mature enough to realize this.
I can’t believe how much Ray did with this role. Baylen is legitimately one of my favourite Star Wars characters already, and I still know next to nothing about him. Such a shame we won’t see more of him. RIP Ray.
Remember in ep 6, Baylan talked about the planet being of jedi stories. Shin replied that sometimes they are just stories. I think thats when he decided
Totally shipping Sabine and Shin. Also, someone made a fan edit of Shin turning into Abeloth, the “mother” of the mortis god family, check it out, it’s incredible, and horrifying…
The show was one of the best things Disney SW has put out, partly because it went in a new direction, but mostly because we cared about the characters.
I actually felt sorry for him deep down he is still a jedi Knight but he is a man who knows his time is near and I think he will redeem his past failures and be one with the force
If he's thinking on using the World Between Worlds he may know only those attuned strongly with the lightside can enter. Palps couldn't enter it. So Baylan needs to keep himself "pure" and hold to his honor and participating in the fight would have been a betrayal. In a way he betrayed Shin, however...so..
@@ravneiv There's no lightside requirement to enter the World Between Worlds, only force sensitivity. Ahsoka and Ezra at the time of their visits were not strongly attuned to the lightside either, they're light natured and, particularly Ezra, prone to Anakin-ing for their loved ones. I suspect Darth Sidious couldn't enter it for another reason: He was fundamentally trying to warp the universe and the force itself to serve him, this antithetical state may be why he was not allowed in. Anakin being present in the World Between Worlds in spirit form actually shows what is needed is not light or dark but a true balance between them.
I would argue that a person would only need to have a reason, _beyond selfish ones,_ and be "ready" for that lesson they would learn in the World Between Worlds. The World Between Worlds is only a conduit between the Living Force and the Cosmic Force. How you access that pathway is not limited to portals. In Ezra's case, he has a reason to save Ahsoka, which was always meant to happen. There is a physical way that one with such purpose may enter. He also learns that he can't rescue everyone from their choices, or he risks other's lives, including his. Furthermore, Ahsoka teaches him he must leave the way he came. I recently learned that Asajj Ventress saw visions one would see in portals of the World Between Worlds in Dark Disciple when she becomes one with the Force in an instant before she is killed, which signifies to me that _it is her time._ It is an undefined place. It is an experience where time does not exist, yet all of time is present. It is a construct of your consciousness _that usually results in physical evidence of being there._
WBW is weird for sure. I have a thought that the portals are only there for living people, i.e. there were no portals in episode 5 because Ahsoka was actually dead, and WBW is an inbetween the living and cosmic force, those that haven't merged completely with the cosmic force can visit there (Force ghosts).
15:30 you've left me speechless in here Alan. it is true; my grandparents had died back in 2020; one after another, they never knew that the other one was dead. at his last days my grandpa would mumble about his youthful days; how he was 'going to have HER' she was my grandma; it might be poetic maybe but they basically parted from this realm holding hands togather. this makes me both very sad and envious as a person you know? I'm near my 30's and I feel the loneliness to my soul.
One chases the moon, the other chases the sun. Their goals might be similar but the targets are completely different. When he said he trained her to be some thing More I believe he meant that neither of them are stuck in the dogma of Jedi/Sith teachings, that's why they're riding the line, doing their own thing.
bro that was beautiful. At my age it would seem and Baylan Skoll are not that much unalike. The narrative you gave really deeply and intimately relates to my feelings one every level. That was a deep introspective on my own life as much as Baylan Skoll's. We are both men looking back to the future through the lens of the past. Emotions resonating with once were. What could have been, yet are not. The past traumas that have written the present me. The going me, is passing the coming me at the same moment in recognition. at a mere 40, an native american survivor of many traumas brought on by past events and the impacts in my generation from residential to my generation as you had used as an allegory to the plight of the Chinese revolutionary days. Many insights you have molded into this episode of Generation Tech as Star Wars fan I truly connected with on this heartfelt exploration of Baylan and his somewhat fatherly nature to his apprentice.
well said my friend. As I approach 80 turns around the sun, I share your feelings. With 2 wars behind me, a whole stew of medical issues too numerous to get into, watching a little girl growing into a woman, 2 laughing boys now with children of their own, I look back, take a breath, and I deeply feel the words of Baylen....and Lucian ( Andor ) . When Baylen looks into the distance I know that look. I feel what he is feeling as well, sometimes, water comes to my eyes, but, really, I am grateful for all the adventures, all the brothers ans sisters that have taught me....guided me. thank you for your words, they carry wisdom, and power.
@@aarongreenberg8331 these words i love as i pass my world onto my daughter Corrina in such a moment as my kid would ask wait dad where are you going. My beautiful child this world is yours. You knew the day would come where we must part ways. I am sorry beloved child but we must part ways no daddy dont do this. Kid i place my trust in you.
"The man gave his life for his apprentice. And even in the next realm guide him in the right direction." I'll never forgive Filoni for that. After all this time it still hurts. It'll always hurt.
@@drakonos79 what do you mean what am I talking about? Seems kind of obvious. Even though Kanan is a fictional character that doesn't make his impact on my life or anyone's lives he interacted with any less real. Kanan is a very well liked and very well respected character for being everything the Jedi should've been. Of course it would hurt to lose someone we had come to care about. Just because they aren't real, doesn't mean they don't matter. These characters will certainly be around long after we're all dead after all.
@@AceHufflepuff Not to be that guy but doesn’t it seem a little odd that he’d go through the trouble of communicating with Ezra but not send his son a force mind text, at least not yet? Maybe force ghost’s have a gas station to go get some milk at?
I can’t lie Baylan has quickly become a favorite character of mine and I’ve said this many times but it makes Rays passing even more sad becuase we won’t see him continue playing the character. That being said it’s such a blessing that we get this last performance of his, and his fights with Ashoka have become some of my favorite in all of Star Wars
What an insightful video! I wish I can like this twice and I wish the fandom has more people making such thoughtful videos like this,instead of angry nitpicking,swearing and weird clickbait content.
The tragedy that you discuss concerning taking away opportunity is a good point…anytime freedom and liberty is limited, that tragedy is realized…..We need the freedom to succeed and to fail….no guarantees, no promises, just freedom and that freedom allows us to live as we choose…..The empire thought they knew better and were destined to rule…that is why they failed….The Jedi and the Sith both had their shortcomings that caused them to fail too. Lesson is for all of us….Liberty and freedom above subjugation.
My mother survived the Japanese occupation of Korea which lasted for decades. She only once said she was able to go on because her motivation was revenge. Her revenge was to survive and have the nine of us in 14 years between 40 and 54. We had no idea that our father was her second husband and that she once had two children who died. Never said anything more. To survive and start again was her revenge and it was sweet. Sweet revenge is debatable as she went on about all kinds of crazy conspiracies about the Japanese until she died. Her last moments were about the plot to invade Korea again. The C & K dictionary conspiracy was the tame and sanest one she spewed out. Often what folks deem to be the reality and truth as they perceive it just may be at odds with the rest of the universe. Baylen gives off the vibe.
Yep.. it's almost like Communism in China came about for reasons.. just like in Russia. And the leaders wanted to help the people not hurt them. Although sure corruption occurs especially with a far too powerful dictator. @@bohemiansusan2897
To me, it was him saying Goodbye as he was expecting to die. Sending Shin away to allow her to live. Yet I expect that says more about me than the story.
Dude i loved hearing you take on and being to light your people’s struggles. Please do more of these videos. The R@pe of Nanking came to mind when you brought up your people’s torment.
Good stuff on the breakdown, and solid point at 4:50 👌 I think Shin might be somebody's daughter that Baylan cared about or mattered. Not quite his child but protective like she is almost by the raising her line, and especially when she got slammed by Ahsoka.
I really appreciated how you weaved our own history and experiences here on Earth with the characters and events within the canon. Thoughtful & philosophical.
I think when Shin kept banging on about how it was soon going to be their turn to be in power, Baylan realised he had given her the wrong idea. He did want to have great power, great power to end everything so that there would not be anymore turmoil and repeating of history. He wants the power to destroy the universe so he can start building a new one.
I love how you not only deep dive into star wars, but provide great phylosophical content sprinkled in, and share your personal hurt inside the videos. Thank you.
i have a feeling Asokah and Ezra are going to have a class of apprentices. i think shin will reluctantly join after being abandoned by both Balon and Thrawn.
@@chadbrad8100 Aww, be nice, Chad. As a dyslexic, I totally sympathize with how challenging it is to spell that name. Not all of us have a simple and common name like "Chad."
I think Shin joining Ahsoka is the better choice, better than eking out a living with raiders and nothing to do, nowhere to go. The snag in that is, shin is a criminal in the republic. If she comes back to the republic, she would face serious jail time. I would like to see Shin get back and maybe make a deal with the republic. She helps defeat Thrawn in exchange for a pardon. Maybe Ahsoka drops her off on Tattoine where Shin can evade capture.
RIP Ray Stevenson. This character was made for you. I am so sad that we lost you before we could get to know Balyan Skoll to the fullest extent. May the Force be with you always.
Thank you Allen, this video was most excellent. as my people would say, your words carry a deep medicine, full of power, and wsidom. It is a very good thing to hear these words...not many of these kinds of video;s take one to such a depth. Very grateful.....
3:01, Baylan’s alignment status is one of the most interesting aspects of his character. Even while carrying out various questionable acts, he still retains various traits usually indicative of a Jedi, from his sense of honor, to his apparent capacity for compassion, to his preference for diplomacy (even if he wasn’t above exploiting Sabine’s grief to get his way). His particular relationship with the Dark Side is distinct (though not unique, considering various Sith learn to channel their emotion) in how much control he appears to exert on himself despite being a Darksider (which, after some research, appears to be a legitimate term used in some Legends material to describe beings associated with the Dark Side) and how his use of it doesn’t dampen his traditional Jedi traits (by comparison, Dooku in his frustration and resentment towards the Jedi and Republic gradually lost his capacity for honor and remorse the further he descent into cruelty and malice). In this respect, he compliments Ahsoka’s initially murky alignment status in their shared nature as Force wielders forged into warriors (live-action Ahsoka is similarly introduced slaughtering a group of armed opponents to get to Elsbeth, funnily enough, and also implies to Huyang she tortured her for information). Whatever “flirtation” Ahsoka has with the Dark Side, a trait Baylan shares, is severed upon her processing her complex feelings of grief and shame towards Anakin, but Baylan’s loss of his old life and exhaustion with the cycle of galactic warfare appears to at least partially tethered to the Dark Side and compel him to seek whatever power lies at the end of his journey. 4:10, I’ve seen some less focused on the complexities of Star Wars lore consider him and Shin simply as two Sith, mostly due to them being antagonists that happen use the Force and presumably due to Star Wars never giving Force wielders with specific alignments to either aspect of the Force an actual name besides the names of their respective organizations. 3:30, Although with the controversy surrounding the terms “Dark Jedi” or “Grey Jedi” and the idea of being able to be truly non-aligned without being pulled to either side, it’s not likely Baylan and Shin will officially have those labels besides if individual audiences members decide to use them (or if the writers decide to implement them or try his hand create a new lore-based classification for them).
Part of me thinks she'll go back to him instead of Thrawn, she could come across him stranded when she's riding back to the Nightsister fortress on her wolf thing and give him a ride to where he needs to get and help him finish his quest.
Very well done. Perhaps it’s because I’m old too, but everything that Baylan has been saying has been fairly clear. You just have to put it all together and stop thinking of him as a Sith or a simplistic villain. History doesn’t provide all the answers, but it articulates the questions if you listen.
Baylan's plight seems to be similar to Luke's plight in TFA and TLJ. Both watched their Jedi Temple burn and both set out to discover an answer to the "recurring endless conflict." Luke seemed to come to the conclusion that it was all inevitable and the forces of the Light and Dark Side were so far greater than any individual's concerns; and attempting to change the cycle would be like trying to change the tides of an ocean. Baylan wants to find the beginning of the cycle and put an end to it. I imagine he'll reach the same conclusion that Luke arrived at. Or Baylan will be simply be swept up in the cycle and become part of it; an ironical fate.
From the first time i saw Ray in the series Rome, I've been captivated by he's sheer screen presence and nuance of performance and now as Balyan Skoll probably the best portrayal of a dark jedi I've ever seen.....gone too soon... Rest in peace Ray.
I think of it that whatever path Baylon might be heading towards he is aware that he will meet his end and by bringing Shin along with him, she too might join him. But by letting her go this gives her a chance to live a life, better than he could and maybe find peace.
I hope she doesn't get possessed by Abeloff as some speculate. This whole thing has been a disaster for Shin. I would like to see her make a deal with the republic, help fight Thrawn in exchange for a pardon. Then she could move on and have a better life.
Allen, you have a lot of insight. You speak wise behond your years, although we never met, I feel your a friend because of how honest you are. Thank you.
This was one of the best Star Wars discussion videos I have EVER seen!!! You are on FIRE right now, bro!! I straight up LOVE Generation Tech!! Keep up the great work!!!
My money is on Shin returning to Baylon. She maybe learned her lesson that these silly and senseless skirmishes have no meaning and she is just a pawn. Baylon was the person she was closest for probably years.
My favorite videos on this channel are the ones where Alan takes the story of Star Wars and compares them to actual world history events. It peaks my reading interests and gets me to seek more information on both subjects .
You, my friend, are a philosopher and an intellectually honest person. You are the most thoughtful of many intelligent Star Wars TH-camrs. No one should put you in a political box and just listen to your comments with an open mind.
I never thought I'd say this, but he's the first TH-camr I really want to have a conversation with. I just wonder if Allen has studied something in the field of social sciences or if he taught himself everything. As always, it's probably something in between. It's amazing what this guy does with our favorite hobby. Thank you, Allen.
It breaks my heart that we will not vet more of Baline. He is/was an awesome character. Strong, complicated and appeared wise. A perfect or even redeemable villian. He was a perfect foil to the hero's. 😢
Dude! That was the best commentary I have ever heard of on a star wars character. And what a character to . Baylan is outshining ASHOKA and we'll everybody else . A credit to Ray Stevens. RIP. 💔
I do get the sense he might also be trying to protect her from the consequences of his own goals potentially going wrong and leading him to a bad end. That and he probably thinks she can't stay his apprentice forever and needs to choose her own path sooner or later anyway. The guy is like a weird mix of Dooku and Qui-Gon. Dooku still cared about Qui-Gon and also held iron discipline over his emotions even after going dark side, but Qui-Gon's death broke him. Baylan seems similar though at the same time, he's like a darker version of Qui-Gon.
I always appreciate your perspective Alan. Your parallels to the real world are always tactful and add a lot of value to the subject. These stories and themes go beyond space wizards and war criminal droids.
Great, great analysis. I know it has been said a thousand times, but the loss of Ray Stevenson was tragic. One of the best actors in the history of the franchise.
Man 😢 hearing this was saddening. Baylan has been a treat, and knowing Ray Stevenson is gone makes it all so tragic. He truly left us an amazing performance before he passed. Thanks Ray RIP.
There is something mesmerizing in Ray's delivery of Baylan's lines, especially when he speaks of the repeating of the jedi and the sith. The way he delivers the words: "Again, and again, and again." I think the natural way to end that phrase would be to draw down the last "again." making it feel final. But he repeats it nearly exactly as the other two times, with just more emphasis, as if it never will end. Obviously, this could be just his Irish roots. Many Irish people have a "lilt" in their voice and cadence that does not lead to resolutions within sentences, but rather to possibilities. I am sad we won't get more of this skilled actor's performances. He has truly become one of my favorite Star Wars actors in such a short time.
I come for the Star Wars and I stay for everything else. I love how you insert real life things into your Star Wars videos. Please incorporate more Chinese history into your videos if you feel they fit. Keep up the great work.
Baylon said he's searching for "the end". In Star Wars The Clone Wars, season 3 episode 15 - Overlords we are introduced to the Daughter, Father and Son as "The beginning, the middle and the end". I think it's clear that he is searching for the son.
6:29 Ashoka didnt die from that Baylan gave her. She just became unconscious when she went underwater and woke up in the WbW because she has a connection to it probably via "Daughter" and because she has been there before.
![Abeloth The Mother: PURE EVIL [FULL STORY] - Star Wars Explained](/img/n.gif)
Baylon seemed more like a parent accepting the fact he has to let his child leave the nest and live their own life.
Which is more than could be said for Anakin and Ahsoka. He was always SO controlling in his relationships....you understand WHY but you can't condone that kind of behavior. He loved her and deeply cared about her but if the time had actually come for her to be a Knight, have her own Padawan, her own battalion...go on her own missions...would he have been able to let her go?
@@AceHufflepuff👏👏👏
Yeah man, that's the vibe of Baylan, that father and master figure perfectly blended and balanced. He cares a lot for her student, but he knows she's gonna grow and needs to let her go eventually.
@@AceHufflepuff I think Anikin would have been able to let Ahsoka go if he hadn't turned to the dark side. Remember, he was manipulated by Palpatine since he was a child and it showed when he was a teen that he felt Obi Wan was holding him back. Palpatine was probably putting that in his head because Palpatine told him that the Jedi were hiding abilities from him. That is why Anikin's behavior was like that.
@ And he doesn't want her to make the same mistakes he made in his life.
When you take the time to actually watch Ray portraying Baylan, the mannerisms, the facial inflections, the cadence and tone of his speech, the body language used to enforce his words, the man is totally on another plane of existence in comparison to those with whom he interacts in this show.
It's like watching an adult helping out some teens conducting a high school play.
This isn't just experience, this is commitment to his character. We are VERY lucky to have him give us such an incredible last performance. Thanks Ray.
Stevenson says more in his silences than everyone else has with actual dialogue.
It really sucks that the most compelling character in the show is the one who’s actor died suddenly before season two.
there are no coincidences........
@@allthenewsordeath5772
Could it be that he might have sensed he wasn’t close to death IRL and utilized Baylan as a character to express those feelings?
@@CamelxRavenNova2
I don’t think so, he wasn’t in bad health or anything and his death of a heart attack was pretty sudden.
Most introspective and well-thought out Star Wars channel on TH-cam. Adore your content like this.
Totally agree! Best SW channel on TH-cam
In a world of people who want to see flaws in everything, be the one who finds the depth and beauty.
I second this...now, my favorite Star Wars channel
Big fan! Is may favorite channel in english of star wars.
Better than starwars theory. Very well analysed on baylan.
The part where you talked about chinese history is very emotional for me. I am from Hong Kong, so I understand collective trauma and never being able to move on from it.
I hope our people can eventually have the opportunity to heal one day.
I've seen a lot of protest but I had time to visit the umbrella movement, it was one of the most coherent and well put together movements I'd ever seen. So many inspirational young people and so brave made very proud. It was a great loss to China what the central government did, and they probably won't realize until many decades into the future.
My family is from Guangzhou, despite speaking Cantonese together, their lives and perspectives compared to Hong Kong seem like two separate worlds. Fierce loyalty to the party, never a single defiant thought. Even all these years after having moved to the United States, they seem nostalgic of the PRC. I think my grandparents' generation, those who fought in the Civil War and United Front against the Japanese had become so brainwashed and tired from the over two decades of fighting that finally by 1949 when the dust settled and the communists won, they were just ready to accept any peace, even at the sacrifice of their freedoms. I don't blame people for prioritizing security over personal freedoms after all they've been through. They must be stuck in a loop, believing that all they had lost had to have been for something. But then again, Chinese history is a tragic one. Much of what Western people know about our people are the astronomically high death tolls in whatever conflicts we are part of. Hopefully one day our people can mend their woes, but one must first notice their wounds before seeing a doctor.
@@BrianSmith-ql5njeverything in life is political until you realize that you will be taken advantage of
@@BrianSmith-ql5nj I take it you never watched star wars
@@BrianSmith-ql5nj Star Wars has nothing to do with Earth politics? It was literally George Lucas making commentary on Vietnam, Nazis, and many other political situations of the 20th century. To ignore modern politics is to completely miss the core message of Star Wars. I hope you one day mature enough to realize this.
I can’t believe how much Ray did with this role. Baylen is legitimately one of my favourite Star Wars characters already, and I still know next to nothing about him. Such a shame we won’t see more of him. RIP Ray.
He was recast as of yesterday. We will all miss ray but I’m glad this isn’t an end to the character
Ray Stevens may have known his time on earth was coming to a close . The passion he put into his role was nothing short of outstanding.
his cause of death is still unknown. I wonder if he had a terminal illness, though his physicality in the series has been incredible regardless. RIP
He was in a foreign country, got sick from something, went to a hospital in a foreign country, and passed away. Sounds like inadequate health care.
THIRTEEN!
He will be missed... 😞🙏🏽
@@moabman6803He was in Italy… it’s not like he was in some third world country with decrepit medical infrastructure
Remember in ep 6, Baylan talked about the planet being of jedi stories.
Shin replied that sometimes they are just stories.
I think thats when he decided
yeah good pick up
This is probably my favorite Star Wars channel because he doesn't just talk about Star Wars. But he also connects it to real life
The best fiction explores and unpacks the human experience.
Totally shipping Sabine and Shin. Also, someone made a fan edit of Shin turning into Abeloth, the “mother” of the mortis god family, check it out, it’s incredible, and horrifying…
The brilliance of Filoni’s writing in this show is the personal struggles of the main characters.
Filoni is ass at writing
The show was one of the best things Disney SW has put out, partly because it went in a new direction, but mostly because we cared about the characters.
This may be your finest take on Star Wars and how it matches the real world.
I actually felt sorry for him deep down he is still a jedi Knight but he is a man who knows his time is near and I think he will redeem his past failures and be one with the force
If he's thinking on using the World Between Worlds he may know only those attuned strongly with the lightside can enter. Palps couldn't enter it. So Baylan needs to keep himself "pure" and hold to his honor and participating in the fight would have been a betrayal. In a way he betrayed Shin, however...so..
@@ravneiv
There's no lightside requirement to enter the World Between Worlds, only force sensitivity. Ahsoka and Ezra at the time of their visits were not strongly attuned to the lightside either, they're light natured and, particularly Ezra, prone to Anakin-ing for their loved ones. I suspect Darth Sidious couldn't enter it for another reason: He was fundamentally trying to warp the universe and the force itself to serve him, this antithetical state may be why he was not allowed in. Anakin being present in the World Between Worlds in spirit form actually shows what is needed is not light or dark but a true balance between them.
I would argue that a person would only need to have a reason, _beyond selfish ones,_ and be "ready" for that lesson they would learn in the World Between Worlds. The World Between Worlds is only a conduit between the Living Force and the Cosmic Force. How you access that pathway is not limited to portals.
In Ezra's case, he has a reason to save Ahsoka, which was always meant to happen. There is a physical way that one with such purpose may enter. He also learns that he can't rescue everyone from their choices, or he risks other's lives, including his. Furthermore, Ahsoka teaches him he must leave the way he came.
I recently learned that Asajj Ventress saw visions one would see in portals of the World Between Worlds in Dark Disciple when she becomes one with the Force in an instant before she is killed, which signifies to me that _it is her time._ It is an undefined place. It is an experience where time does not exist, yet all of time is present. It is a construct of your consciousness _that usually results in physical evidence of being there._
WBW is weird for sure. I have a thought that the portals are only there for living people, i.e. there were no portals in episode 5 because Ahsoka was actually dead, and WBW is an inbetween the living and cosmic force, those that haven't merged completely with the cosmic force can visit there (Force ghosts).
15:30
you've left me speechless in here Alan.
it is true; my grandparents had died back in 2020; one after another, they never knew that the other one was dead.
at his last days my grandpa would mumble about his youthful days; how he was 'going to have HER'
she was my grandma; it might be poetic maybe but they basically parted from this realm holding hands togather.
this makes me both very sad and envious as a person you know? I'm near my 30's and I feel the loneliness to my soul.
Baylan Skoll is a Realist 🔥
I lived 9 11 2001, in person
Trust me, I can relate 🥃🔥
Best video you ever made on TH-cam Generation Tech
Such a great actor I wish we could have seen more from him
One chases the moon, the other chases the sun. Their goals might be similar but the targets are completely different. When he said he trained her to be some thing More I believe he meant that neither of them are stuck in the dogma of Jedi/Sith teachings, that's why they're riding the line, doing their own thing.
These Ahsoka videos you've done have been exceptional. So many layers of thought put into them. Great Job!
bro that was beautiful. At my age it would seem and Baylan Skoll are not that much unalike. The narrative you gave really deeply and intimately relates to my feelings one every level. That was a deep introspective on my own life as much as Baylan Skoll's. We are both men looking back to the future through the lens of the past. Emotions resonating with once were. What could have been, yet are not. The past traumas that have written the present me. The going me, is passing the coming me at the same moment in recognition. at a mere 40, an native american survivor of many traumas brought on by past events and the impacts in my generation from residential to my generation as you had used as an allegory to the plight of the Chinese revolutionary days. Many insights you have molded into this episode of Generation Tech as Star Wars fan I truly connected with on this heartfelt exploration of Baylan and his somewhat fatherly nature to his apprentice.
well said my friend. As I approach 80 turns around the sun, I share your feelings. With 2 wars behind me, a whole stew of medical issues too numerous to get into, watching a little girl growing into a woman, 2 laughing boys now with children of their own, I look back, take a breath, and I deeply feel the words of Baylen....and Lucian ( Andor ) . When Baylen looks into the distance I know that look. I feel what he is feeling as well, sometimes, water comes to my eyes, but, really, I am grateful for all the adventures, all the brothers ans sisters that have taught me....guided me. thank you for your words, they carry wisdom, and power.
@@aarongreenberg8331 these words i love as i pass my world onto my daughter Corrina in such a moment as my kid would ask wait dad where are you going. My beautiful child this world is yours. You knew the day would come where we must part ways. I am sorry beloved child but we must part ways no daddy dont do this. Kid i place my trust in you.
"The man gave his life for his apprentice. And even in the next realm guide him in the right direction."
I'll never forgive Filoni for that. After all this time it still hurts. It'll always hurt.
what are you talking about?
@@drakonos79 what do you mean what am I talking about? Seems kind of obvious. Even though Kanan is a fictional character that doesn't make his impact on my life or anyone's lives he interacted with any less real. Kanan is a very well liked and very well respected character for being everything the Jedi should've been. Of course it would hurt to lose someone we had come to care about. Just because they aren't real, doesn't mean they don't matter. These characters will certainly be around long after we're all dead after all.
I don't understand either. So your mad Kaanan died?
@@AceHufflepuff
Not to be that guy but doesn’t it seem a little odd that he’d go through the trouble of communicating with Ezra but not send his son a force mind text, at least not yet?
Maybe force ghost’s have a gas station to go get some milk at?
i cant make head nor tails of that mess you wrote lol it nonsensical
I can’t lie Baylan has quickly become a favorite character of mine and I’ve said this many times but it makes Rays passing even more sad becuase we won’t see him continue playing the character. That being said it’s such a blessing that we get this last performance of his, and his fights with Ashoka have become some of my favorite in all of Star Wars
What an insightful video! I wish I can like this twice and I wish the fandom has more people making such thoughtful videos like this,instead of angry nitpicking,swearing and weird clickbait content.
Damn... half way through this video made my eyes watery. Definitely one of my top favorite channels.
About hope...
_"Hope in reality is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs the torments of man"_
Unless your Hope is drawn from Jesus Christ!
A shame, but Baylen seems to have other priorities, which could even help Ahsoka, Sabine and Ezra.
Ahsoka not show any goals she have. Sabine and Ezra just rididiculous. No ideas, no goals. Why waste your time for epty characters?
This is one of the most thoughtful and empathetic essays about space wizards. Thank you for making this
The tragedy that you discuss concerning taking away opportunity is a good point…anytime freedom and liberty is limited, that tragedy is realized…..We need the freedom to succeed and to fail….no guarantees, no promises, just freedom and that freedom allows us to live as we choose…..The empire thought they knew better and were destined to rule…that is why they failed….The Jedi and the Sith both had their shortcomings that caused them to fail too. Lesson is for all of us….Liberty and freedom above subjugation.
My mother survived the Japanese occupation of Korea which lasted for decades. She only once said she was able to go on because her motivation was revenge. Her revenge was to survive and have the nine of us in 14 years between 40 and 54. We had no idea that our father was her second husband and that she once had two children who died. Never said anything more. To survive and start again was her revenge and it was sweet.
Sweet revenge is debatable as she went on about all kinds of crazy conspiracies about the Japanese until she died. Her last moments were about the plot to invade Korea again. The C & K dictionary conspiracy was the tame and sanest one she spewed out.
Often what folks deem to be the reality and truth as they perceive it just may be at odds with the rest of the universe. Baylen gives off the vibe.
Yeah unfortunately not a lot of people are aware of what atrocities the Japanese committed against the Koreans.
@@thimovijfschaft3271 most folks have no clue what happened all over Asia during WW2..
Yep.. it's almost like Communism in China came about for reasons.. just like in Russia. And the leaders wanted to help the people not hurt them. Although sure corruption occurs especially with a far too powerful dictator. @@bohemiansusan2897
wow that’s powerful, that you were her second go at a family
Good Breakdown. Appreciate you sharing personal experience to tie-in the philosophies from our world to Star Wars
To me, it was him saying Goodbye as he was expecting to die. Sending Shin away to allow her to live. Yet I expect that says more about me than the story.
indeed.......
Dude i loved hearing you take on and being to light your people’s struggles. Please do more of these videos. The R@pe of Nanking came to mind when you brought up your people’s torment.
Good stuff on the breakdown, and solid point at 4:50 👌
I think Shin might be somebody's daughter that Baylan cared about or mattered. Not quite his child but protective like she is almost by the raising her line, and especially when she got slammed by Ahsoka.
That ending caught me so off guard. I love it
I loved Ray so much as Titus Polo in Rome, seeing his excellent performance in Ashoka gives me so many feelings.
You are my favorite Star Wars channel because you take what is in the franchise and use it to reflect upon real life issues.
Is it just me or did Baylon sound genuinely happy that Ahsoka lived?
He did, it was a nice little touch.
And he was also glad that she didn't keep fighting so he doesn't have to go through the pain of hurting her again
This really hit close to home. Thank you
I love the nuanced analysis and social commentary!
I hope you never let what people say about you online get to you, but keep making videos, you're incredible
I really appreciated how you weaved our own history and experiences here on Earth with the characters and events within the canon. Thoughtful & philosophical.
What a great job you did with this one, Allen.
This is why I love this channel.
Masterful absolutely masterful. You are a man before many.
Was not expecting the child wookie noises at the end there. Editor got a good chuckle out of me for leaving that in.
I think when Shin kept banging on about how it was soon going to be their turn to be in power, Baylan realised he had given her the wrong idea. He did want to have great power, great power to end everything so that there would not be anymore turmoil and repeating of history. He wants the power to destroy the universe so he can start building a new one.
We're going to miss you, Ray.
Such a masterful performance.
Allen is a TH-cam OG
I love how you not only deep dive into star wars, but provide great phylosophical content sprinkled in, and share your personal hurt inside the videos. Thank you.
i have a feeling Asokah and Ezra are going to have a class of apprentices. i think shin will reluctantly join after being abandoned by both Balon and Thrawn.
who is Asokah 😂
@@chadbrad8100 Aww, be nice, Chad. As a dyslexic, I totally sympathize with how challenging it is to spell that name. Not all of us have a simple and common name like "Chad."
@@rhov-anion well that aint my real name but u do u
I think Shin joining Ahsoka is the better choice, better than eking out a living with raiders and nothing to do, nowhere to go. The snag in that is, shin is a criminal in the republic. If she comes back to the republic, she would face serious jail time. I would like to see Shin get back and maybe make a deal with the republic. She helps defeat Thrawn in exchange for a pardon. Maybe Ahsoka drops her off on Tattoine where Shin can evade capture.
RIP Ray Stevenson. This character was made for you. I am so sad that we lost you before we could get to know Balyan Skoll to the fullest extent. May the Force be with you always.
Thank you Allen, this video was most excellent. as my people would say, your words carry a deep medicine, full of power, and wsidom. It is a very good thing to hear these words...not many of these kinds of video;s take one to such a depth. Very grateful.....
i love how this channel swings from deep lore to deep introspection very quickly
most of all it reminds u to have hope
3:01, Baylan’s alignment status is one of the most interesting aspects of his character. Even while carrying out various questionable acts, he still retains various traits usually indicative of a Jedi, from his sense of honor, to his apparent capacity for compassion, to his preference for diplomacy (even if he wasn’t above exploiting Sabine’s grief to get his way).
His particular relationship with the Dark Side is distinct (though not unique, considering various Sith learn to channel their emotion) in how much control he appears to exert on himself despite being a Darksider (which, after some research, appears to be a legitimate term used in some Legends material to describe beings associated with the Dark Side) and how his use of it doesn’t dampen his traditional Jedi traits (by comparison, Dooku in his frustration and resentment towards the Jedi and Republic gradually lost his capacity for honor and remorse the further he descent into cruelty and malice).
In this respect, he compliments Ahsoka’s initially murky alignment status in their shared nature as Force wielders forged into warriors (live-action Ahsoka is similarly introduced slaughtering a group of armed opponents to get to Elsbeth, funnily enough, and also implies to Huyang she tortured her for information).
Whatever “flirtation” Ahsoka has with the Dark Side, a trait Baylan shares, is severed upon her processing her complex feelings of grief and shame towards Anakin, but Baylan’s loss of his old life and exhaustion with the cycle of galactic warfare appears to at least partially tethered to the Dark Side and compel him to seek whatever power lies at the end of his journey.
4:10, I’ve seen some less focused on the complexities of Star Wars lore consider him
and Shin simply as two Sith, mostly due to them being antagonists that happen use the Force and presumably due to Star Wars never giving Force wielders with specific alignments to either aspect of the Force an actual name besides the names of their respective organizations.
3:30, Although with the controversy surrounding the terms “Dark Jedi” or “Grey Jedi” and the idea of being able to be truly non-aligned without being pulled to either side, it’s not likely Baylan and Shin will officially have those labels besides if individual audiences members decide to use them (or if the writers decide to implement them or try his hand create a new lore-based classification for them).
Part of me thinks she'll go back to him instead of Thrawn, she could come across him stranded when she's riding back to the Nightsister fortress on her wolf thing and give him a ride to where he needs to get and help him finish his quest.
I feel bad for shin Is now like a lost puppy with nowhere to go nobody in sigh
She’ll definitely join up with Ahsoka and friends.
Very well done. Perhaps it’s because I’m old too, but everything that Baylan has been saying has been fairly clear. You just have to put it all together and stop thinking of him as a Sith or a simplistic villain. History doesn’t provide all the answers, but it articulates the questions if you listen.
Baylan's plight seems to be similar to Luke's plight in TFA and TLJ. Both watched their Jedi Temple burn and both set out to discover an answer to the "recurring endless conflict." Luke seemed to come to the conclusion that it was all inevitable and the forces of the Light and Dark Side were so far greater than any individual's concerns; and attempting to change the cycle would be like trying to change the tides of an ocean.
Baylan wants to find the beginning of the cycle and put an end to it. I imagine he'll reach the same conclusion that Luke arrived at. Or Baylan will be simply be swept up in the cycle and become part of it; an ironical fate.
Only 2 minutes in and this video already deserved my like button.
It only took me one minute to like your comment
Your videos bring so much comfort to me. Thank you.
From the first time i saw Ray in the series Rome, I've been captivated by he's sheer screen presence and nuance of performance and now as Balyan Skoll probably the best portrayal of a dark jedi I've ever seen.....gone too soon... Rest in peace Ray.
As always your videos are so much more than just videos about star wars. Thank you so much!
I think of it that whatever path Baylon might be heading towards he is aware that he will meet his end and by bringing Shin along with him, she too might join him. But by letting her go this gives her a chance to live a life, better than he could and maybe find peace.
I hope she doesn't get possessed by Abeloff as some speculate. This whole thing has been a disaster for Shin. I would like to see her make a deal with the republic, help fight Thrawn in exchange for a pardon. Then she could move on and have a better life.
Beautiful video. Thank you for your insight, about Star Wars, and your own culture.
Dam bro don't frighten us like that :(. Nearly had a heart attack cus of that title.
ahh sorry my bad didin't think about it like that
Ah you must frighten easily
@@ttank094 ?
Allen, you have a lot of insight. You speak wise behond your years, although we never met, I feel your a friend because of how honest you are. Thank you.
This was one of the best Star Wars discussion videos I have EVER seen!!! You are on FIRE right now, bro!! I straight up LOVE Generation Tech!! Keep up the great work!!!
This one got incredably deep. Thank you for shareing all that with us! A truly inspireing video about your culture! Oh and great star wars take.
My money is on Shin returning to Baylon. She maybe learned her lesson that these silly and senseless skirmishes have no meaning and she is just a pawn. Baylon was the person she was closest for probably years.
The twist with real life events and Star Wars really hit ,,,this is some good writing dude
You really get people, speaking from experience I’m sorry for whatever trauma brought you to such wisdom
Didn't expect this. This was masterfully said man. You are surpassing what it means to just be a SW TH-camr. Well said.
You really understand what is going on, and I (we) appreciate your comments. 🙏❤️
My favorite videos on this channel are the ones where Alan takes the story of Star Wars and compares them to actual world history events. It peaks my reading interests and gets me to seek more information on both subjects .
You, my friend, are a philosopher and an intellectually honest person. You are the most thoughtful of many intelligent Star Wars TH-camrs. No one should put you in a political box and just listen to your comments with an open mind.
This is one of your best and emotional videos ive watched in a long time.
I never thought I'd say this, but he's the first TH-camr I really want to have a conversation with.
I just wonder if Allen has studied something in the field of social sciences or if he taught himself everything.
As always, it's probably something in between. It's amazing what this guy does with our favorite hobby.
Thank you, Allen.
It breaks my heart that we will not vet more of Baline. He is/was an awesome character. Strong, complicated and appeared wise. A perfect or even redeemable villian. He was a perfect foil to the hero's. 😢
Ray Steven... Will never be Forgotten... 😞🙏🏽
I'm s sorry that your family had to go through those terrible times.
Dude! That was the best commentary I have ever heard of on a star wars character. And what a character to . Baylan is outshining ASHOKA and we'll everybody else . A credit to Ray Stevens. RIP. 💔
I do get the sense he might also be trying to protect her from the consequences of his own goals potentially going wrong and leading him to a bad end. That and he probably thinks she can't stay his apprentice forever and needs to choose her own path sooner or later anyway. The guy is like a weird mix of Dooku and Qui-Gon. Dooku still cared about Qui-Gon and also held iron discipline over his emotions even after going dark side, but Qui-Gon's death broke him. Baylan seems similar though at the same time, he's like a darker version of Qui-Gon.
I always appreciate your perspective Alan. Your parallels to the real world are always tactful and add a lot of value to the subject. These stories and themes go beyond space wizards and war criminal droids.
This is by far the best SW channel/page/site on the web. The thinking man's channel.
Great, great analysis.
I know it has been said a thousand times, but the loss of Ray Stevenson was tragic. One of the best actors in the history of the franchise.
Reaper did the best breakdown of star wars ahsoka so far.
Well said. I respect your approach to difficult subjects.
Man 😢 hearing this was saddening. Baylan has been a treat, and knowing Ray Stevenson is gone makes it all so tragic. He truly left us an amazing performance before he passed. Thanks Ray RIP.
Thank you Generation tech video for another great Allen
There is something mesmerizing in Ray's delivery of Baylan's lines, especially when he speaks of the repeating of the jedi and the sith. The way he delivers the words: "Again, and again, and again." I think the natural way to end that phrase would be to draw down the last "again." making it feel final. But he repeats it nearly exactly as the other two times, with just more emphasis, as if it never will end. Obviously, this could be just his Irish roots. Many Irish people have a "lilt" in their voice and cadence that does not lead to resolutions within sentences, but rather to possibilities. I am sad we won't get more of this skilled actor's performances. He has truly become one of my favorite Star Wars actors in such a short time.
Well that's one way to end a video.
Thanks Alan. Outstanding insight as always.
I come for the Star Wars and I stay for everything else. I love how you insert real life things into your Star Wars videos. Please incorporate more Chinese history into your videos if you feel they fit. Keep up the great work.
You just brought me to tears man.:) Thanks 😊
Your analysis of Baylon…makes me wonder, since he passed right before the series aired, if Ray Stevenson knew he was dying when he filmed this.
I feel like this is the best analysis you have ever made. Thank you
Excellent analysis.
Marvelous connecting it to reality.
Baylon said he's searching for "the end". In Star Wars The Clone Wars, season 3 episode 15 - Overlords we are introduced to the Daughter, Father and Son as "The beginning, the middle and the end". I think it's clear that he is searching for the son.
Skol, hunting the dark son.
Hati, hunting the light daughter which is now Ahsoka!
Well, Son died by the end of that arc, so his searches will prove to be futile
I love your analysis videos Allen!! Very deep and well thought out!! (y)
Maybe Baylon was getting ahead of the inevitable apprentice betrayal.
Damn that was one of the deepest videos I've seen on YT. It's also the deepest video I've ever seen on Star Wars!!! Well done Sir!!!
I SO appreciate your analysis and relation to real-world analogies.
The content coming from this channel about this show is top notch 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Same.. Shame on ya Baylan 🤫 I love that background track when he says those words of wisdom to her when departing ways 😋 Good weekend 🧘
6:29 Ashoka didnt die from that Baylan gave her. She just became unconscious when she went underwater and woke up in the WbW because she has a connection to it probably via "Daughter" and because she has been there before.