The looming specter of Anakin Skywalker casts a profound shadow over the penultimate episode of "Ahsoka," its influence imbuing every fiber of his former apprentice. Twice vanquished by death and having faced her fears of becoming her master, Ahsoka undergoes a remarkable transformation, engaging in a literal battle with the spectral form of Anakin. The comparison to Gandalf the White is apt, as Ahsoka emerges from the World Between Worlds not only clad in a new wardrobe but with a radically altered demeanor. Gone is the brooding, über-serious warrior, replaced by a smiling, jesting figure who performs death-defying feats with a breezy nonchalance that borders on playfulness. She is now truly Anakin's apprentice, embodying his resilience, power, and his infectious sense of fun and adventure. This is the Ahsoka that captured the hearts of viewers fifteen years ago, and it's a joyous occasion to witness her triumphant return.
Anakin's shadow also extends to a subtle yet pivotal moment of panic etched indelibly across Thrawn's face and voice. Upon realizing who Ahsoka is and the identity of her master, the episode spends a significant portion underscoring the reasons why Thrawn is regarded as one of the greatest Star Wars villains and the smartest man in the universe. He orchestrates calculated, four-dimensional chess moves, anticipating his enemies' every move with unerring precision. However, this time is different. Thrawn harnesses the dark powers of the Great Mothers to track Ahsoka, no longer a skeptic of the Force, making him even more dangerous than before.
Yet, when he reads the identity of Ahsoka's master, Lars Mikkelsen's voice cracks momentarily as the Chiss admiral recoils in a fleeting panic. It's a fleeting moment, easily missed, but it speaks volumes about Thrawn—and about Anakin's might. The elder Skywalker's legacy is so formidable that it scares Thrawn into swiftly altering his plans and avoiding a confrontation. Anakin was unpredictable and mercurial, and Thrawn surmises that his apprentice is likely cut from the same cloth. Consequently, rather than confronting Ahsoka with the full force of his night troopers, he opts to launch missiles, dispatch disposable troops, and then abruptly retreat, choosing caution over confrontation with such a formidable foe.
Meanwhile, Sabine fills Ezra in on the significant events he's missed out on while residing with his charming hermit turtle compatriots. She details the Battle of Endor that marked the demise of the Empire and whispers rumors of the Emperor's demise - well, or so the tales go, hinting at the mysterious resurgence of Palpatine decades later. Regrettably, she neglects to mention the most pivotal occurrence that Ezra missed - Jabba's demise! And not just any demise, but one delivered by Princess Leia herself, clad in a metallic bikini, none the less!
Eman Esfandi nails his portrayal of live-action Ezra, perfectly capturing the character's unique blend of arrogance, sassiness, and playfulness, while also hinting at the madness that comes from being stranded alone for a decade in another galaxy. When Sabine informs him that Ahsoka has taken her under her wing as an apprentice, his initial reaction is a puzzled "Why?" followed by a double take and heartfelt congratulations.
Trouble inevitably brews when Baylan and Hati stumble upon Ezra and Sabine with a gang of bandits they seemingly recruited. In a surprising turn, Baylan opts to avoid the conflict, leaving his apprentice behind as their aims and aspirations diverge. Despite this, he faces off against Ahsoka with apparent joy in seeing her still alive, but the duel is abruptly interrupted when Huyang fires at him. We remain in the dark about Baylan's destination, but he undoubtedly remains the most intriguing and captivating aspect of the show.
Regarding the battle, it was nothing short of breathtaking. Sabine initially made an attempt to return Ezra's lightsaber to him, but it seems our young Jedi has grown immensely during his exile. He firmly rejected the lightsaber, declaring, "The Force is my ally," insisting that he did not need a weapon. Instead, he emulated the legendary feat of Mace Windu, who obliterated countless droids with his bare hands in Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars. Using a blend of martial arts and the Force, Ezra triumphantly defeated both the bandits and even Hati herself.
This battle was truly phenomenal, further underscoring why Ezra reigns supreme. He's not just powerful; he's also charmingly humorous, jesting with Hati about taking them as prisoners when they were surrounded and about to be shot down. After the dust settled, we were treated to a heartwarming reunion between Ezra, Sabine, and Ahsoka. Little did they know, Thrawn had just gained all the ammunition he needed to wreak havoc on the New Republic.
In a distant galaxy, Hera stands before the august tribunal of the New Republic Security Council, accused of disobeying orders. Senator Xiono remains a shadowy figure, seemingly bent on locking Hera away for daring to speak out against the looming threat of the Empire. Fortunately, a familiar face steps in to save the day — the esteemed C-3PO! This choice is brilliant, as he represents Leia, sans the need for an unwise CGI recreation of the late Carrie Fisher.
It transpires that Leia has issued an official statement declaring that she authorized Hera's mission. The truth is, it's a lie, but it's enough to set Hera free.
As we near the conclusion of Ahsoka, it seems evident that the story's threads will need to be tied up in a second season before culminating in a feature film. This prospect is intriguing, yet I fear that the show might lack a satisfying climax, leaving us to retrospectively regard these eight hours as merely a protracted setup. Even Rebels, which undoubtedly serves as the primary inspiration for Ahsoka, managed to deliver satisfying season finales.
