Episode 3 of Ahsoka kicks off with an intense sparring session between Huyang and Sabine. Sabine, remarkably resilient after suffering a lightsaber wound to her abdomen, is almost back to her peak condition, astonishingly quick in her recovery. Impressively, she hasn't even required a bacta tank. Bonus indeed!
During their exchange, Ahsoka reminds Sabine that raw ability alone isn't enough to win; she must also master the Force. How? Sabine will have to figure that out on her own. Despite Huyang's teasing that she's the worst Jedi candidate ever, Ahsoka is determined to help Sabine transform. She encourages Sabine to wear a helmet and learn to see beyond the limitations of her eyes, a nod to the iconic helmet worn by Luke Skywalker in A New Hope.
The sparring session continues, with Ahsoka gently guiding Sabine until the latter loses her footing and collapses. "Anger and frustration can grant swift power," Ahsoka observes, "but they also throw you off balance." While she doesn't explicitly mention the dark side, it's implied that these emotions can lead one astray.
Elsewhere, Hera holds a discussion with Chancellor Mothma in the counsel room. They recap the events of episode 2, before Hera raises concerns about the unusual activity in the shipyard, hinting at a larger operation involving the missing Grand Admiral Thrawn. Hera urges the deployment of a task force to the Denab System to investigate, but the council argues that funds and resources should be prioritized for the people. The Imperial Fleet is fractured and poses little threat, they argue. However, Hera warns that Thrawn's return could rally the remnants and spark a major conflict. As Hera's emotions run high, Mothma decides to convene with the other senators alone to deliberate on the next course of action.
Meanwhile, Ahsoka continues her lessons with Sabine, teaching her the intricacies of Force wielding. In between these sessions, Huyang provides comic relief, mocking Sabine's progress. But the mood shifts when Hera breaks the news that she won't be joining them in the Densab System. The revelation hangs heavily in the air, setting the stage for an even more tense and uncertain future.
As Ahsoka maneuvers her ship into the Denab System, the communication system abruptly jams, casting a veil of silence over the cockpit. Huyang's keen sensors detect a mysterious, hulking mass hovering in the void, its signature a mystery to him. But before they can dwell on it further, they are ambushed by the Sith Apprentice and two squadrons of fighters, who swarm around their vessel like hungry predators.
Sabine leaps into action, sprinting to the gun controls and unleashing a volley of fiery blasts. Ahsoka and Huyang, eyes fixed on their intended target, notice a bizarre object hovering ominously above the planet—a Hyperspace Ring, its presence eerie and unexplained.
Morgan Elsbeth, lurking onboard, prepares the turbolasers for battle as Ahsoka resolves to barrel straight for the ring, undeterred by the relentless laser fire raining down upon them. Sabine and Ahsoka remain calm and collected, their expressions unfazed by the danger closing in around them.
As the ship flies towards the ring, disaster strikes—Huyang is knocked offline mid-scan, leaving them blind to whatever lies ahead. Undaunted, Ahsoka decides to take matters into her own hands. She steps out onto the wing of the plane, clad in her spacesuit, and embarks on a daring maneuver, diving and weaving through the enemy fighters.
The enemy fighters, seemingly unable to resist the temptation, all fire at her blazing lightsaber instead of the ship itself. Ahsoka, with her keen reflexes and determination, manages to evade their attacks while taking out one of the fighters. The battle continues, with Ahsoka's bravery and Sabine's sharpshooting leading the way towards their mysterious destination.
Once that task is accomplished, Ahsoka scrambles back into the cockpit, and together they guide the ship closer to the planet's surface. As they descend into the atmosphere, a fleeting spark of emotion flashes across Sabine and Ahsoka's faces as they spy the Purrgil, those majestic hyperspace-dwelling whales. But the moment is fleeting, as they must remain focused on their mission.
With nimble maneuvers, they evade the pursuing Sith ships and land on the planet, swiftly powering down their vessel to hide from their captors. It's a tried-and-true tactic, reminiscent of the Empire's tricks in the past, thankfully without the peril of being swallowed by a hungry beast this time. The Sith ships fly overhead, oblivious to their hiding place.
They bide their time, waiting patiently for the Sith to depart before cautiously restoring power to their ship and activating Huyang. It's a risky move, knowing that the Sith are actively searching for them and that their signature will be like a beacon in the night, but they have no other choice.
Huyang's analysis of the hyperspace ring reveals its unique nature. Unlike anything he has ever encountered, the craft possesses power levels and configurations capable of executing jumps with astonishing speed and distance. And the destination it leads to, as they all know, is where Thrawn awaits them.
While they delve deeper into the ring's mysteries, the scene shifts to the ominous figure of Baylan Skoll. He gathers his troops, organizing a hunt through the forest to track down and capture Ahsoka. The tension mounts as the two sides prepare for a confrontation that will test their courage and resolve.
