- Based on ‘Star Wars’ created by George Lucas
- Series created by Dave Filoni
- Disney+
Cast
- Ahsoka Tano-Rosario Dawson
- Young Ahsoka-Ariana Greenblatt
- Sabine Wren-Natasha Liu Bordizzo
- Hera Syndulla-Mary Elizabeth Winstead
- Baylan Skoll-Ray Stevenson
- Shin Hati-Ivanna Sakhno
- Morgan Elsbeth-Diana Lee Inosanto
- Huyang-David Tennant (voice)
- Ezra Bridger-Eman Esfandi
- Jacen Syndulla-Evan Whitten
- Mon Mothma-Genevieve O’Reilly
- Senator Hamato Xiono-Nelson Lee
- C1-10P “Chopper”-Dave Filoni
- Grand Admiral Thrawn-Lars Mikkelsen
- Anakin Skywalker-Hayden Christensen
- The Great Mothers Klothow, Aktropaw and Lakesis-Claudia Black, Jeryl Prescott and Jane Edwina Seymour respectively
After the fall of The Empire, Ahsoka Tano investigates the dawning of a new threat with the possible return of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
—————————————————————————————————————-
Part Five: Shadow Warrior
- Directed and Written by Dave Filoni
- September 12, 2023
Shadow Warrior is the kind of episode the series should’ve started with. While not necessarily packed with developments it certainly moved everything along. Perhaps it was the inclusion of the Purrgil or the characters presented were accomplishing the impossible against difficult odds which is pretty much what Star Wars is that made it a step above.
Or maybe it was that scene with Anakin (Hayden Christensen) and Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) which was a flashback but also a training sequence. It was odd and weird yet strangely fitting. My favorite portion of the whole thing were those moments when Anakin would flicker between Anakin and Darth Vader.
Hayden Christianson turned in a great performance as the version of the character from The Clone Wars. He balanced what he had done on film with what was done in the classic series by Matt Lanter. He was much more teacher than complainer offering bits of wisdom as they relived the past.
But you know what? I think it benefited most from a distinct lack of Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and blank slate bad Jedi sidekick Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno). Neither one appeared in the narrative here. There’s no time given to an undeveloped flunky character and a needlessly difficult legacy character. Ahsoka and the gang were allowed to shine without being weighed down but those that contributed nothing.
While short on character development this episode had much more series development. Not by leaps and bounds but by a noticeable difference than the past four episodes. What we got to here took too long but also tied in nicely to previously established stuff WITHOUT the audience needing to have seen it.
Unlike other episodes I was not left wanting more because this felt like only part of an episode stretched out into a full episode. This felt like a much more complete segment of the story than the previous four episodes. It was certainly a step in the right direction.
Ultimately, this episode was an improvement over what came before. I don’t think it’ll turn around and be Andor great, but I think it will end on a high note.
—————————————————————————————————————-
Part Six: Far, Far Away
- Directed by Jennifer Getzinger
- Written by Dave Filoni
- September 19, 2023
I’m still trying to figure out why they’re pushing Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) being a Jedi. Or even thinking on any level that she could be one. As was highlighted by the character of General Grievous in the Prequel Era not everybody has that special something to be a Jedi. What is required is an ability to use the Force in some way but at least once an episode the writers have felt the need to demonstrate she has none. Here she attempts to open a heavy door to escape confinement when she has previously failed to move small objects. What makes her think the door will work?
Is this some attempt by Filoni to say anybody can do anything? When it came to Lucas, it was necessary to highlight that use of the Force and being a Jedi consisted of higher ideals and some ability. Here the push is it is no big deal thus retroactively making so much else insignificant. The Nights Sisters we meet say she reeks of Jedi but exactly how? Is it like a smell that can infect you via proximity?
We finally get to meet the big bad of Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen). After so many episodes it was about time. I do like that he wasn’t simply just chilling on this planet. His time on the Dathomiri world of Peridea has been a bit rough and through a few lines it becomes clear that this has cost him. Even the Star Destroyer he shows up on is not in the best shape. But it was a very cool scene.
I’m not entirely sold on the look of Thrawn in a live action. Maybe it’s the hair or maybe it’s the lack of nuance in the makeup. Or maybe the entire look at the character is done with some kind of CGI special effect akin to de-aging. I don’t know but he doesn’t look natural. Those rock creatures (Noti) we got looked more natural than he did. At least close up.
It was good to see some live action Night Sisters (Claudia Black, Jeryl Prescott and Jane Edwina Seymour respectively) along with Thrawn. I always thought the Night Sisters were a cool addition to Star Wars canon. They are not force users but something distinctly different and their appearance does open some interesting possibilities for the final two episodes.
Baylan’s (Ray Stevenson) involvement with Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) and willingness to return Thrawn to the galaxy became more understandable. He is looking for whatever power is driving the remaining Night Sisters from Peridea. He sees it is something they fear but what that is (or if it even exists) they do not say. And what exactly are his plans remain a mystery.
Six episodes in though and Baylan’s apprentice Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) finally acts like a character and not a nameless flunky that has no effect on the actual story. Not by much in comparison to anything else but by leaps and bounds in comparison to everything else about her they have shown. And it is all done in dialogue with Baylan.
Baylan refers to the stories of Peridea as fairytales and the whole tone of the episode is a bit like a weird or dark fairy tale. This is not a bright or happy place but one that looks as if it is barely holding on.
When Sabine finally found Ezra (Eman Esfandi) he pretty much went with her refusal to answer the question of how she got there. Once again, I must inform you that I did not get all the way through Rebels yet but all things considered I can’t believe he assumed it was easy for her to get there. It should be a massive red flag.
Shows and movies often do that when Character A does something that Character B would clearly not like or would generally upset them and Character B just goes along with it. The normal reaction would be to realize something is wrong. He’s been trapped in another galaxy for quite some time and he knows he’s trapped with a very bad guy. Paranoia would certainly say that very bad guy is involved and getting home will be difficult at best.
There’s just enough Ahsoka in this episode to remind you that this is her show and to have an in episode mention of the episode title. Beyond that she doesn’t play too much of a part. And having watched this episode maybe the problem I have largely been having is not so much these legacy characters, but the characters cross paths far too early and far too frequently. Maybe the problem I have felt in some respects is that they were not kept apart more. There is tension and menace and the plot develops as the two sides set out to accomplish their goals but it is clear that they must confront each other in some way. It is inevitable.
This felt like a complete episode. It has a beginning, middle, and end and it didn’t feel like there was an excess amount of padding. They set up the scenario, they set up the world, and they hinted at the finale.
I have to say Part Six: Far, Far Away was a highlight of the series. It feels as if it’s building momentum towards the finale, and I am eager to see what comes next. If they keep this up Ahsoka will end on a positive note.
—————————————————————————————————————-
Crossing the halfway mark has greatly benefitted Ahsoka. The show is building momentum and finally feels like there is a real sense of danger in the story.
May The Force Be with You!
Warren Watched A Movie 