Over five years ago, Star Wars Rebels ended with such an emotional finale. Ezra made a difficult choice to save those he loved, leaving the galaxy behind along with Grand Admiral Thrawn and the crew of his flagship, towed away from Lothal by the purrgil. And then Sabine’s narration, talking about the events of the original trilogy of films and reflecting on Ezra’s last message and realising what he was expecting of her.
It was a story ready to be explored, but in an era that – at that time – was yet to see any on-screen material. That would soon change when The Mandalorian started in 2019, with its depiction of the galaxy under the New Republic. The following year, the first hints at a follow up to the Rebels storyline started when Ahsoka appeared in The Mandalorian hunting for Thrawn. And the announcement of the Ahsoka series followed soon after. The dream was becoming real.
The opening episodes that started this series off revealed quite a few things that had happened between the Rebels finale and now. Such as the fact Sabine’s family on Mandalore had been killed, and that the event is what had strained the relationship between Ahsoka and Sabine. As Ahsoka had taken Sabine on as an apprentice, teaching her the ways of the Jedi. The end of that opening saw the final scene of Rebels, with Sabine and Ahsoka at the Ghost Crew mural on Lothal, getting ready to begin the hunt for Ezra.
Those two episodes provided a great amount of character and action, with Hera also getting involved. I could tell that even if someone hadn’t seen Rebels, they could follow the story even if they wouldn’t understand everything happening that other media – notably Rebels – had already explored. The next two episodes continue providing the character interaction and action of those first two, as the race to stop Morgan Elsbeth completing the project that will allow her and her hired help to escape to a galaxy unknown to bring Thrawn back continues.
As I mentioned in my opening episodes review, Ahsoka and Sabine held respect for each other even if past events keep them from working together. Despite them joining together at the end of the second episode, these next two show that they still are out of sync. They still hold negative feelings that block the unity that make them an effective fighting force. But Ahsoka’s guilt is far more than just Sabine. It’s the legacy in which she was brought up in. Such a legacy is dealt with brilliantly in the fifth episode, but greatly alluded to in the fourth. In the confrontation with Baylan Skoll.
Skoll knows of Anakin, and what he became. He feeds on Ahsoka’s guilt relating to her legacy to unnerve her, get her rattled. Unfocused. In the end, that confrontation leads to Ahsoka being flung down a cliff, which Sabine sees. Skoll also reasons with Sabine, knowing what she most wants. He’s cool and cunning like that, preying on the negative feelings of someone to get what he wants. And that result is Sabine willingly doing what he wants. Because she cannot face the thought of throwing away a chance to reunite with Ezra.
There is a very strong theming of legacy across the series. The stories of the Jedi, telling of myth and legend in a galaxy long forgotten being the galaxy where the finale takes place. The reason Skoll took the job for Elsbeth in the first place. The legacy of Thrawn and the command he still holds, being the key to a renewed Empire. And Anakin’s return within a version of the World Between Worlds, teaching Ahsoka that though he trained her, his legacy does not define her. And more importantly, that she holds no responsibility for what his legacy becomes.
The fifth episode was such a whirlwind of emotions. That final scene of the forth, with Ahsoka waking up in the World Between Worlds and being greeted by Anakin, was such a hype moment. It drove speculation wild with me thinking of everything that could happen while there. The main point I was set on before seeing the fifth was that Ahsoka will emerge from the World Between Worlds with an understanding of the actions Sabine chose. And in a way, that became true.
As for Sabine, I sensed the darkness there after taking Skoll’s offer. Her quick frustration, her almost obsession with finding Ezra, her unwillingness to face the events and actions that brought her to that reunion. I was expecting it to be handled differently with the finale, but that’s what I mean when I say in a way, it became true that Ahsoka has an understanding of Sabine’s actions. Having seen how it was handled, and looking back at the previous events of the season, it makes perfect sense.
Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati I still consider to be great, but… their importance to the overall story did diminish once getting to the new galaxy. Skoll was an important part of Elsbeth’s plans at first, but he isn’t needed once Elsbeth unites with Thrawn. Leaving him to bide his time until an opportunity arises to find what he had come here for. That does leave Hati to forge a path for herself in this new galaxy, now without the guidance of her master. Even if their presence is diminished over time, what is seen continues their great interactions together, and great skill when apart.
Thrawn has been brought into live action just as well as others from The Clone Wars and Rebels. Which is to say brilliantly. His tactical elegance is displayed well in his plans, his always analytical mind keeping that plan changing on the fly with new information. He stays calm, never acting through fear or anger. He is exactly how I imagined a live action version would be. Even in showing respect to his enemies. It will be great to see more of him in whatever future series he appears in.
Of all the Star Wars series this year, Ahsoka is very close to first. It tells a great story, has some great characters and interactions between them, and some very hype moments. Such as seeing some live action The Clone Wars battles. And plenty of Rebels references and continuations. It’s a fun ride through a story I’ve wanted to see as a fan of Rebels, and one that – as I’ve said – can be enjoyed even if you haven’t seen it. But to get the most out of this, I would recommend Rebels to understand the significance of several significant scenes.
Images Taken From:
Ahsoka | S104, S106
