Chris Connor reviews the fourth episode of Star Wars: Ahsoka….
Ahsoka has moved at a brisk pace in its opening three episodes, as both the light and dark side look to find a way to reach Ezra Bridger and Grand Admiral Thrawn. The midpoint in the season, ‘Fallen Jedi’, sees the majority of the action take place on Seatos as Elspeth and her allies continue to build the hyperdrive they hope will lead them to Thrawn’s location.
This is certainly one of the most action packed episodes of Star Wars television with several noteworthy set pieces and a surprisingly soon rematch between Sabine and Shin Hati while Ahsoka duels with Balen Skoll, who is given a much meatier role in this episode. Ray Stevenson continues to deliver one of the most memorable Star Wars villains in recent memory, tinged with remorse and restraint, the difference between his and his apprentices temperament clear to see.
The interactions between Ahsoka and Balen are some of the episodes highlights, with him clearly possessing knowledge of Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader, goading Ahsoka into making a false move. For all the anticipation surrounding the identity of Marrok, this appears to have been a dead end, but this is surely not the last thing for fans to be speculating about this series.
Again the action scenes impress, with director Peter Ramsey showing his aptitude for set pieces. There is a race against time as Morgan comes closer and closer to the completion of her device with Ahsoka and Sabine, discussing what Thrawn’s return as heir to the Empire could mean – something that looks set to have major ramifications for this corner of the Star Wars universe and carry across into other projects.
Hera’s role may be smaller here but we get a sense of her loyalty to her friends as she disobeys orders from her superiors to help in the fight with a small crew of new Republic allies, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s Carson Teva from The Mandalorian. This is a sign of a larger conflict to come no doubt and it will be interesting to see the fallout in the coming episodes and whether there is a wider Imperial presence in the New Republic.
It is perhaps the end of the episode that will raise eyebrows the most, and is sure to delight and puzzle fans in equal measure as we see the return of a fan favourite but exactly what this means and where Ahsoka finds herself is to be explained. This may well prove hard to understand for those who haven’t watched Star Wars: Rebels but opens up a world of possibilities for the remainder of the series and may well lead to more surprise cameos down the line.
As it reaches its midpoint Star Wars: Ahsoka continues to impress with its performances, action and visuals moving its various threads forward at a surprising pace, leaving plenty of questions as to where the series is headed in its second half. We can only assume more action and twists and turns aplenty, as we await the return of Thrawn, Ezra and any more cameos that may ensue…
Chris Connor
Originally published September 6, 2023. Updated September 10, 2023.
