Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld.
Star Wars‘ brand-new TV show, Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld, has finally confirmed how Asajj Ventress was resurrected, and it didn’t require a retcon of Star Wars movies and TV shows whatsoever. Asajj Ventress was introduced in Star Wars canon in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and while she played a significant role throughout several seasons, towards the end of the show, she was no longer appearing. Only those who have read the canon book Star Wars: Dark Disciple, written by Christie Golden, will know that Asajj Ventress died before the end of the Clone Wars.
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This made Asajj Ventress’ return in Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3 quite the shock, and the show didn’t elaborate upon her resurrection (nor did it rehash the events of Dark Disciple for those who may not know the story). It was expected that Star Wars would eventually reveal the secret of this resurrection, particularly given it was confirmed not long after her return that she would appear again in another Star Wars project. Finally, how Asajj Ventress was resurrected was revealed in Tales of the Underworld—and Star Wars didn’t need to retcon a thing.
Ventress Was Resurrected By Nightsister Magick – At A Cost
She Had To Give Up Her Heart’s Desire
Tales of the Underworld thankfully wasted no time in confirming Ventress’ death (for those who weren’t aware of it) and how she was resurrected. Very early on in the first episode, Jedi Quinlan Vos was shown carrying Ventress’ body to the Water of Life, something he had also done at the end of Dark Disciple. The Water of Life was something the Nightsisters of Dathomir had access to, and it was said to have the power to bring one back to life.
This possibility was confirmed when Ventress was reunited with Mother Talzin, the leader of the Nightsisters who had been a major character in The Clone Wars. Mother Talzin told Ventress that the choice was hers; she could either join her sisters in the afterlife, or she could return to the world of the living. There was a catch, though: if Ventress chose resurrection, she would have to give up her heart’s desire. Those who read Dark Disciple will know this meant Quinlan Vos, whom Ventress shockingly fell in love with during Dark Disciple—and he had reciprocated.
There was a catch, though: if Ventress chose resurrection, she would have to give up her heart’s desire.
Asajj Ventress’ Resurrection Was Set Up 10 Years Ago
Dark Disciple Had Already Set The Stage For This Return
As mentioned, just like in Tales of the Underworld, Quinlan Vos had brought Ventress to the Water of Life at the end of Dark Disciple. While Ventress’ death was tragic, especially because she had died to save Quinlan, this immediately set up the possibility of her return. After all, the Water of Life was known to serve exactly that purpose, and it was no accident that the book ended there, clearly signaling Ventress’ imminent return.
Reinforcing the notion that her resurrection was coming was the fact that, in Dark Disciple, the Water of Life had glowed green when her body was placed in it. This alone suggested the process of her resurrection had already begun. For those who read Dark Disciple and then watched The Bad Batch season 3, it seemed obvious that the Water of Life was the way in which Ventress came back to life. Now, that is finally confirmed.
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The return of Asajj Ventress in Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld makes me want a reunion between the former Sith assassin and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Why Haven’t We Seen More Resurrections Like This?
The Water Of Life Clearly Wields Incredible Power
Given the incredible power contained within the Water of Life, it’s a bit odd that we haven’t seen more resurrections like Ventress’ in Star Wars. However, the explanation for this may be found in a surprising place. Based on the notion that Ventress had to give up her heart’s desire to be brought back, it seems it was Ventress’ attachment to Quinlan that saved her in the end, as she had something to trade in exchange for her life.
Because the Nightsisters of Dathomir used dark side magick, it’s unlikely attachments such as this one were all that common.
Because the Nightsisters of Dathomir used dark side magick, it’s unlikely attachments such as this one were common. After all, they had given Ventress up as a slave when she was just a baby, suggesting they did not engage in familial attachments. Fascinatingly, this means that, as much as the Nightsisters’ connection to the dark side of the Force gave them powerful Force abilities, it also limited them. It remains to be seen whether the Water of Life will return in Star Wars, but, in the meantime, Asajj Ventress’ resurrection has been explained in Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld.
