Ahsoka Ep 6 Review
Those who watched Star Wars: Rebels have been left wondering where Thrawn and Ezra went after the Purgill carried them away for five years now. It’s been this massive mystery left unsolved until the premiere of Ahsoka. As the double premiere revealed, Thrawn and Ezra weren’t even in the Star Wars Galaxy, but on a world in another one. The whole focus behind the Ahsoka show has been about getting to this lost world, Peridea, which has finally come. For the first time in Star Wars history, fans step foot in another galaxy, and the universe gets a lot bigger for it. Sadly, any exploration of this new Galaxy will have to wait, as the return of Thrawn has arrived.
Less Ahsoka, More Thrawn
Despite being the show’s title character, this episode doesn’t focus on Ahsoka Tano beyond the opening stinger. She and Huyang continue their trip to Peridea while discussing the history of the Galaxy, which becomes a recurring theme here. Those who understand history enough can recognize familiar patterns and how some events are unavoidable. Case in point, as Baylan Skoll notes to Shin in his musings, the fall of the Jedi was inevitable. As was the fall of the Empire. In Star Wars and real life, people make the same mistakes over generations, creating more conflict and chaos. Even the Jedi, who sought to detach themselves and end conflicts, were consumed by one. As were the Night Sisters of Dathomir, who now teeter on the brink of extinction.
The Nightsisters play an essential part in this episode, not merely because Morgan Elsbeth is one of them. As it turns out, the Nightsisters, the Dathmiri, came from Peridea eons ago. They learned how to use the Purgill to traverse between galaxies, allowing them to reach the Star Wars galaxy. In addition, there still live Dathmiri on Peridea, albeit in the crumbling ruins of their once-great civilization, showing how it’s primarily an ancient and dismal world. As if to drive the idea that Peridea’s a dead world, it’s revealed that the Purgill travel there to die. The planet’s “rings” are the bones of countless Purgill.
That’s both cool and messed up.
Lars Mikkelsen Doesn’t Miss a Beat as Thrawn
After weeks of anticipation and talking about his return, this episode gives the fans what they wanted: Grand Admiral Thrawn. He returns in his Star Destroyer, the Chimaera, at the end of an eerie-looking army of Stormtroopers chanting his name, and seeing him in live-action for the first time is like a dream come true.
In Rebels, Lars Mikkelsen provided the voice of the legendary Chiss, and he returned to reprise the role in live-action. As he steps into the role of Thrawn for the first time in years, it feels like he never left it. His bearing, sophisticated mannerisms, and cold, emotionless face remind viewers how dangerous this man is. Granted, he’s not quite as intimidating due to a.) his resemblance to a certain billionaire and b.) he seemed to have put on some weight, but make no mistake. Thrawn is here, and he’s prepared to return to the Galaxy and…tidy up.
Ezra Bridger Returns at Long Last
At least Sabine doesn’t get screwed out of her half of the deal. Even though they have no reason to do so, Thrawn honors Baylan’s agreement and lets Sabine find Ezra. However, like any good villain, he only follows the letter of the agreement, not the spirit, as he dispatches Baylan and Shin and then his Night Troopers (yes, that’s what they’re called) to deal with her and Ezra.
The remainder of the episode focuses on Sabine’s efforts to locate Ezra and deal with her problems. Her quick temper leads her to lash out at others she encounters, like how she yells at her mount for running during a battle against bandits. It emphasizes how Sabine has a problem opening up to others and, thus, has a problem opening up to things like the Force. However, once Sabine calms down and lets herself be open to others, things start to go her way. She finds a group of native, crab-like aliens that lead her straight to her goal: Ezra Bridger.
The reunion of the two Spectres is a short but wholesome meeting. Ezra has done well for himself leading this group of nomads, but he’s always wanted to return home. However, it becomes clear that Sabine feels guilty for having led Morgan to Thrawn, and she will have to tell Ezra sooner rather than later. Especially since if they don’t find a way onto his ship or the Eye of Sion, they’ll be stuck on Peridea forever.
This is just the Beginning…
While this episode lacks the action many Star Wars fans would like, it makes up for it on several fronts. Thrawn is back, Ezra is back, and they’re now in another galaxy. There have been trips to dwarf galaxies neighboring the main one (Kamino’s actually in a dwarf galaxy), but the franchise has never visited another galaxy proper. This is a historic moment for Star Wars, and it opens up so many new story ideas. While Ahsoka may need more time to build upon them, they will come in the future. Until then, though, the main focus is getting everyone home before Thrawn. Fingers crossed that Ahsoka, Ezra, and Sabine can all get home from this Galaxy far, far, away.
Also, props to Huyang for dropping the famous lines from the beginning of every Star Wars movie.
