By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review contains spoilers.
The episode last week ended with me drawing in my own happy tears, and to be honest, I am still not totally convinced I have recovered! But the show, literally, must go on and it is time for Episode 6 of Ahsoka!
Seeing the Purrgil travelling through hyperspace was such a majestic sight, and this coupled with Ahsoka’s and Huyang’s conversation about the current events made for a great start to the episode. Ahsoka is questioning things, Huyang is providing an opposing view, and the balance of the truth is in between – perfect! And to cap off this provocative opening? “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” – *chefs kiss*
On board the Eye of Sion, Sabine is confined to her cell. The ship arrives in the new galaxy, orbiting the planet of Peridea – the ancient homeworld of the Dathomiri. With its grassy vastness, scattered statues and bodies of water, the planet’s surface looked like something straight out of Middle Earth – even the Nightsister’s city temple had a hint of Minas Tirith about it! On the highest platform, a coven of Nightsisters, the Grand Mothers, are carrying out a ritual and speaking of the imminent arrival of Thrawn! While they are pleased to see Lady Elsbeth, they are not so pleased to see Sabine – which forces her into confinement once more. For the second time already, you get the sense of conflict within Baylan. I loved the delivery of Ray Stevenson’s monologue here, the man just fills the scene with his presence and he had me listening to every word! As for what happened next? Well, that needs no explaining…
The Chimaera arrives, filling the entire length of the screen with its imposing structure. What an incredibly composed shot! Seeing that iconic pattern on the underside of the hull – all the air in my lungs escaped me… it was finally about to happen! I cannot put into words my emotions of Thrawn’s reveal. My jaw was on the floor. As introductions go, or in this case reintroduction, this has to be one of my all-time favourite Star Wars reveals! The music was pure “Thrawn”, and the dirty, yet colourful Stormtroopers looked amazing. Wes Chatham also makes his Ahsoka debut as Captain Enoch, and I love his Persian-style helmet face plate. And then there was the man, or Chiss, himself… Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn. His perfect white officer’s Navel uniform is in stark contrast to the scuffed-up Stormtroopers. This imagery immediately visually elevated him in the framing. This was Thawn from Rebels. And I could not be happier! Thrawn’s and Sabine’s interaction was everything I had hoped it would be, and the constant tease of Ezra was salivating. Ezra is out there, and it’s up to Sabine to find him. Mounted on her Howler, Sabine sets off in the wasteland to find Ezra – but as per Thrawn’s plan, Baylan and Shin are to follow, and if Sabine is successful, they will take care of Sabine and Ezra… permanently.
Sabine is ambushed by bandits – I love their Japanese-inspired armour by the way – however, thanks to her lightsaber, she is able to defeat them, even if her location tracker is now destroyed! Sabine encounters a Noti, a cute hermit crab-like race that is wearing the symbol of the Rebel Alliance – do they know Ezra? The Noti lead Sabine back to their village, where an old friend is waiting… I loved how subtle Ezra’s reintroduction was. There was no grand fanfare or epic wide shot, he just played it casually, as Ezra does, and the pair are finally reunited. It wasn’t an instant embrace, it was some playful back and forth, the kind of interaction that we saw in Rebels. Obviously, the means of her arrival are still hidden from Ezra, so there could be some tension on the horizon, but for now, we can enjoy the peace.
Back at the Chimaera, the Great Mothers warn of an impending Jedi arrival. Once more, we get to see Thrawn’s analytical and tactical mind at work, as he wants to know everything possible about Ahsoka Tano, after all, “to defeat an enemy you must know them. Not simply their battle tactics, but their history, philosophy, art”. Kevin Kiner’s incredible score once again closes out the episode and this Star Wars wave that I am riding high on will last until next week’s episode!
I know this sounds silly, as it is a Star Wars television series, but there was something about this episode that felt SO Star Wars if that makes sense? So many themes and elements were present and this increased my enjoyment of the episode tenfold.
Seeing Thrawn was the one thing I wanted this week and Mikkelsen did NOT disappoint – not that I ever thought he would! He is one of the greatest villains in the Star Wars galaxy and it is great to see him in live-action. Mikkelsen knows that character, and this very much felt like a true continuation of the character, it was everything I dreamed of and more. I also think that Ray Stevenson needs a big mention because as much as this episode was focused on finding Thrawn and Ezra, his own motivations and reflections came to the surface and once more I am finding myself compelled as to how his story will unfold. As for Ezra? Eman Esfandi has nailed his mannerisms and I truly felt like I was watching an older Ezra, so I think the Ezra legacy is in good hands and I cannot wait to see him in the role more.
Wow, what an episode. Visually and narratively this was Star Wars at its purest and an overwhelmingly enjoyable viewing experience. I cannot wait for next week!
X-Geeks 