By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review contains spoilers.
After last week’s fantastic two-part opener, we return with the third episode of Star Wars Ahsoka!
Before jumping into the review, I have seen a few rumblings that the Ahsoka series is “just a continuation of Rebels” and this is detrimental to the accessibility and enjoyment of the series. Firstly, I touched upon this last week and thought they handled that balance incredibly well, and I stand by that. Secondly, if you haven’t watched, probably, one of the greatest pieces of Star Wars media to date, that sounds like a you problem, rather than an “us” problem. Anyway, onto the review!
We start the episode with a Sabine practising lightsaber forms with Huyang and Ahsoka. In isolation, it’s a nice little scene, especially as it leans into that Kurosawa and Zatoichi influence, but it also continues to lay the groundwork for Sabine’s journey in unlocking the Force within. Sabine’s Mandalorian heritage will also be a conflicting factor with her Jedi training. While her fighting skills will be easier to build upon, her stubbornness and the struggle to open up her mind to reach out to the Force will always hold her back. I found the conversation between Ahsoka and Huyang fascinating. It’s true that Ahsoka does not want Sabine to become a traditional Jedi. She wants her to become herself – just like Ahsoka. Huyang is still very much loyal to the dogmatic approach of the Jedi, but I think there is a balance to be had by taking from both approaches.
Back with the New Republic fleet, Hera has a meeting with a group of senators, which includes the new Chancellor, Mon Mothma, with Genevieve O’Reilly once more returning to the role. We have the introduction of Senator Xiono, who already feels like a slightly antagonistic character – so that is one to watch! Whether he is working with the imperial Remenant or he is just opportunistic by nature, given his absence in the war, there is an undercurrent of something! With Hera getting nowhere with the politics of the Senate, she needs a boost, and that comes in the form of her son, Jacen. Oh boy, did the flood of emotions, stemming from the history of Kanan and Hera, come thick and fast here! Get that boy a lightsaber!
The T-6 reaches the Denab System but is immediately attacked by Shin Hati, Marrok (clearly voiced by Sam Witwer) and a squad of pilots flying, what can only be described as “space spitfires”. Due to their traditional aeroplane design, this felt like an old-fashioned dogfight! The T-6 manages to break through the defences and complete a scan of the Eye of Sion, however, the ship is hit and Huyang is temporarily out of commission, as is the ship, which is now floating dead in space. With Shin pressing on to finish the job, Ahsoka decides to go on a little spacewalk… with her lightsabers ignited! We’ve seen this type of thing before in The Clone Wars and Rebels – but to see it in live-action was just as epic! Continuing their escape, they breach the planet’s atmosphere and a second dogfight ensues. And then it happens… Purrgils… At this point, be it the music, seeing live-action Purrgils or a combination of the two, it was a struggle to see the screen through the tears! What a treasured moment. One I won’t be letting go of in a hurry!
Now hiding on the planet’s surface, we get a little more exposition from Huyang regarding intergalactic space lanes and the Purrgil. How Thrawn returns is obvious now, but they need to get this information back to the New Republic before it’s too late! The only problem is that Baylan Skoll knows they are hiding in the forest, and has sent his mercenaries to hunt them down!
This was a really enjoyable episode which featured a lot of different elements! From the New Republic politics to the majestic Purrgil and Sabine’s struggle with the Force, there was plenty jammed packed into this thirty-five minutes of Star Wars television! I love the idea that Seatos is essentially a petrol station for Purrgil – the last stop to refuel before heading out to the next galaxy! I feel the story has progressed well, with great pacing and the perfect balance of story progression and action spectacles. There was also plenty of sub-plot potential seeded across the episode, and I look forward to seeing which of these blossom.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I am off to rewatch that Purrgil scene, so I will see you back here next Wednesday!
May the Force be with you…
X-Geeks 