By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review contains spoilers.
Man, is anyone else still thinking about last week’s episode? I know I am! A new galaxy, Ezra, Thrawn, Nightsisters – it had it all!
So let us continue our Ahsoka adventure!
We start the episode on Coruscant, where Hera is facing a court marshall over her actions on Seatos. Senator Xiono (Nelson Lee) is pushing hard for a complete dismissal, and his words appear to carry influence over other committee members. Just as it looks like Hera is “on the ropes”, who should come to her defence but C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), on the orders of Senator Leia Organa! Leia is the leader of the Defence Council, and Threepio’s evidence informs the committee that Hera was acting on a sanctioned mission on her behalf. Much to Mon Mothama’s relief, the committee adjourns, and Hera can continue her role as a General in the New Republic. You are supposed to dislike Senator Xiono, that’s the point, but you have to give credit to Nelson Lee who does a fantastic job in the role!
In a galaxy far, far away – Ahsoka is practising her lightsaber drills under the instruction of a holo-projection of her former master, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). What a great way to use Anakin like this! Asajj Ventress also gets a namedrop, which got a big reaction from me – Dave knows how to play me like a fiddle!
As the Purrgils arrive at Peridea, they enter directly into a minefield and start to come under attack. Thankfully, they manage to escape into hyperspace, and Ahsoka and Huyang escape and make for the plant’s atmosphere. Now that Thrawn is aware of Ahsoka’s master, he already better understands the threat they face to their plan. The Great Mothers use their magic to locate Ahsoka and Thrawn is able to execute the next phase of his plan.
With the Noti migrating to their next location, this allows Sabine to catch Ezra up with everything that he has missed – from the Battle of Endor to Zeb training new recruits. It didn’t really hit me last week, but I am in awe of how much Ezra looks like his father. The casting of Eman Esfandi is perfect. The peaceful reunion is not to last, as Baylan, Shin and the bandits arrive and are ready to attack. Interestingly, Baylan part ways with Shin, as his own destiny drives him towards a different path. With the attack underway, I loved how Ezra refused his former lightsaber and relied on the Force – if you removed the “Star Wars” from this scene, you could almost say he was an Airbender! With the bandits defeated, only Shin is left, that is until the Night Trooper reinforcements arrive! Now completely surrounded, things are not looking great for Sabine, Ezra and the Noti… Luckily, Ahsoka “The White” arrives to assist in their hour of need! Despite this “victory”, it was an acceptable defeat for Thrawn as this served as a distraction, and their cargo is now almost fully onboard and they will soon depart. Unbeknownst to our reunited Rebels, time is running out for them to escape this galaxy!
This felt very much like an episode akin to The Clone Wars or Rebels, not just in the characters, but the story beats and themes contained within it. Obviously, having Ezra, Sabine and Ahsoka reunited was a huge moment in the episode. But there are two other factors that I found myself drawn to. I loved how this episode showcased the tactical brilliance of Thrawn. If he is going to be the “big bad” of the live-action TV series and eventual movie, he needs to be established as a genuine threat. I also cannot get enough of whatever is happening with Baylan Skoll and I am once again incredibly fascinated about how his story will unfold.
I have seen some criticism that this show shouldn’t be called “Ahsoka”, it should just be Rebels Season 5. First of all, everyone is entitled to hold their own opinions about the living mythology that is Star Wars. As for me? I don’t see how calling the best thing, in Rebels, that Star Wars has ever produced, is a bad thing, but each to their own! Ahsoka had a great deal of focus on her in The Clone Wars and Rebels – entire arcs were based around her, as is half of Tales of the Jedi! So the name of the show is irrelevant in some ways, it’s what’s inside that counts the most. There is nothing wrong with having a wider story and characters – it doesn’t all have to be so insular and focus on one character. Ahsoka is still a primary focus of the show, and if you feel that you haven’t seen enough of her in Star Wars, you haven’t been paying much attention. Regardless, I am sure most of us can agree that Ahsoka, so far, has been a brilliant series to experience!
X-Geeks 