Last week’s premiere of Ahsoka left us thoroughly impressed, and it seems that both critics and viewers agree. It brings a fresh sensibility to the complex Star Wars universe, while also continuing storylines from Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars. Visually, it stands out as one of the best Star Wars shows on Disney Plus, alongside Andor.
However, Ahsoka isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel or become a “prestige” television series. Instead, it chooses to honor the classical spirit of George Lucas while exploring new territories. Dave Filoni, a key creative force at Lucasfilm, perfectly understands the expectations for a new era of Star Wars storytelling. His previous work on animated shows has already shown that he may be Lucasfilm’s true successor to George Lucas’ legacy, and Ahsoka only solidifies that notion. It’s even more exciting considering Filoni’s next big project is a theatrical movie.
Despite its relatively short runtime of around 30 minutes (excluding the intro, recap, and credits), this episode manages to deliver compelling character development alongside thrilling dogfight action scenes. If you’re left wanting more after this episode, I highly recommend watching the 10 must-see Star Wars episodes before Ahsoka.
Now, let’s dive into the spoilers for episode 3 of Ahsoka, titled “Time to Fly.”
We begin on a calm note with Sabine Wren and Huyang resuming her Jedi training. The biggest questions raised in this episode revolve around Ahsoka Tano and Sabine’s relationship. When did Sabine become Lady Tano’s Padawan, and why? As Star Wars Rebels veterans, we’re just as confused as you are. Sabine has never displayed any aptitude for using the Force, so there’s something new and intriguing happening here in terms of Star Wars on-screen storytelling.
Answers to these questions will have to wait, as we witness Sabine struggling with her lightsaber skills against Huyang and later Ahsoka herself. Ahsoka challenges Sabine to train blind, similar to Luke Skywalker in A New Hope. Sabine even manages to predict Ahsoka’s moves at one point, although it doesn’t seem to be related to the Force. We’ll explore this further later.
The episode also delves into New Republic exposition and politics, reminiscent of Chapter 19 in The Mandalorian. While Ahsoka primarily focuses on the mystical aspects of the Star Wars universe, one of the main goals of the protagonists is to prevent the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn or prepare for it. Hera Syndulla serves as the link to the New Republic government, including Chancellor Mon Mothma herself.
Just like in The Mandalorian, top New Republic officials dismiss the existence of sizable Imperial remnants. However, this time it’s more concerning to see those in positions of power refusing to face the truth. Senator Xiono, from the important New Republic planet Hosnian Prime, epitomizes this skepticism. Ironically, Hosnian Prime is later destroyed by the First Order in The Force Awakens. Mon Mothma is visibly worried, drawing from her experiences as a Rebel leader during the civil war. Unfortunately, the New Republic’s focus is on rebuilding rather than combating the alleged Imperial remnants. Hera won’t receive the military forces she needs for now. On a positive note for Rebels fans, we meet Jacen Syndulla in live-action, resembling his father Kanan Jarrus.
In the next scene, Ahsoka assigns Sabine lighter homework as she encourages her to reach out to the Force. This serves as a reminder of George Lucas’ belief that everyone has the Force within them. However, harnessing this power requires proper training, and only a select few possess the ability. This connection to the sequels’ premise adds an intriguing layer to the story.
Huyang, a droid with thousands of years of experience working for the Jedi Order, and Ahsoka engage in a conversation about what makes Jedi and Force sensitives special. Jedi are individuals who possess a natural sensitivity to the Force and receive formal training. However, since the Order is no longer around, Ahsoka is willing to adapt the expectations and doesn’t expect Sabine to perform extraordinary feats. She still believes there’s something within Sabine worth exploring. The question remains: What originally prompted Ahsoka to consider Sabine as a Padawan?
It’s worth noting that Ahsoka, like Anakin during the Clone Wars, is also struggling as a master. This impatience might be influenced by her difficult life and the current situation. She must learn to trust Sabine more, and they work through this together in a later scene. This dynamic echoes previous master-apprentice relationships, such as Obi-Wan and Anakin, and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Dave Filoni seems to be drawing parallels between these relationships.
The episode takes an exhilarating turn as Shin Hati, Marrok, and their squadron attack the heroines’ ship upon arrival in the Denab system. This results in a thrilling dogfight and chase sequence, reminiscent of the iconic Millennium Falcon scene in A New Hope. However, this time, Sabine struggles to hit her targets. This sequence also reveals a more playful side of Ahsoka, breaking her stoic nature. Once Ahsoka trusts Sabine, things start to work out for them, until they approach Morgan Elsbeth’s Eye of Sion.
The Eye of Sion, a massive hyperspace transport ring, is not a battle station but possesses heavy turbolasers. Our protagonists navigate towards it because Huyang requires a full scan. This gives us strong C-3PO vibes, with well-written dialogue and David Tennant’s delivery adding a refreshing addition to the live-action roster of droids.
Ahsoka’s ship is disabled by Elsbeth, but just when we think it’s over, we witness the first-ever zero-gravity Jedi action scene outside of animated shows or comics. Sabine manages the ship’s systems while Ahsoka engages in close combat with the fighters. It’s a thrilling moment reminiscent of Rebels, showcasing that classic Saturday morning cartoon feel.
The excitement reaches new heights as the chase continues in the planet’s cloudy skies, with the unexpected arrival of purrgils. These majestic creatures unintentionally aid the heroines in shaking off their pursuers. Director Steph Green showcases her talent with breathtaking cockpit shots and masterfully orchestrates the fighters’ movements, reminiscent of the films that inspired George Lucas and Rian Johnson. The scale of this sequence is truly awe-inspiring.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
