Welcome back to the blog readers. Ahsoka delivered its best episode yet with last week's outing. Getting to see Anakin and Ahsoka together once more, this time in live action, was a major treat for this longtime Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-14; 20) fan, and I was hoping that this episode would continue to push this series into the stratosphere. Having a good feeling about this, would this episode, titled "Part Six: Far, Far Away," directed by Jennifer Getzinger and written by Dave Filoni continue the push I was previously mentioning? Stick around to find out.
NOTE: I will be using spoilers for my review, so DO NOT read ahead if you have not seen the episode.
Coming off an episode that was a blast to the past for Clone Wars lovers, this episode had some heavy lifting to do. And with how last week's was a treat for those fans, this episode is that for Star Wars Rebels (2014-18) fans (me being one of them). This was another breathtaking feat from Dave Filoni, and I am starting to get more excited about his "Heir to the Empire" film.
Ray Stevenson was the MVP of this episode, as he gives a mesmerizing performance full of meaty lines. I especially loved how he was talking about the cyclical nature of power and the balance of it, explaining to Shin how he doesn't miss the Jedi Order, only the idea of it. He also talks about the power he feels is one that he wants, and believes his new alliance will give him that power. It truly is brilliant stuff from an actor in their penultimate performance. I just hope they give Baylan Skoll a masterful end.
There is also just so much world-building that occurs in this episode, especially since we are literally in another galaxy. This is a galaxy I really hope gets explored in other media, because now it opens up a whole other realm of possibilities. The planet we wind up on is the planet Peridia, which, according to Morgan Elsbeth, is the original home of her people the Dathomiri. This is evidenced by the three "Great Mothers" that greet the villains and Sabine. They seem to be very interesting characters, and I am looking forward to seeing if their backstory is one that will be explored. Give me a Nightsister origin series in the realm of Game of Thrones (2011-19) and I will be satisfied.
Remember I said Ray Stevenson was the MVP of this episode? Well that was a misdirect...sort of. While I agree that Stevenson was brilliant, the real MVP of this episode was the man himself: GRAND ADMIRAL FUCKING THRAWN, who makes his "grand" return portrayed by Lars Mikkelsen. Mikkelsen voiced the character in Rebels and instantly became one of the most menacing villains in Star Wars history. I am so fucking glad Dave decided to not cast someone else, because how on earth could you get the same guy to portray the character in live action and have him become EVEN MORE MENACING? I literally sat there cowering in fear for my life. I think it has to be that soft-spoken voice that can stab you like a dagger. It's insane, and I cannot wait to see more of Thrawn.
Speaking of seeing more of people, Thrawn is not the only Rebels alum to show up in this episode. It is only at the very end, but we FINALLY see the man we have been waiting for all season. In case you didn't know who I was talking about, I was talking about EZRA FUCKING BRIDGER. Live and in the flesh, portrayed by Eman Esfandi. I cannot tell you the smile that came across my face when we see Ezra in the little village he finds himself in. I will not judge the performance though, only because we only saw him for like 5 minutes. It was really good to see him nonetheless.
I cannot stop heaping praise on the very talented Natasha Liu Bordizzo. Sabine is quickly became one of my favorite characters in the series. Bordizzo clearly understands how to get this character to work, especially her interactions with the Howler creature she is given to look for Ezra. She has shown that she can clearly act, and having to act while talking to nothing is a damn feat. Almost makes me want to try it. Oh wait. I truly believed her when she had her interactions with Ezra, although she should have told him what she did. I feel like that will eventually come out though.
I do want to take one more minute and talk about Thrawn for a minute. Although we do not see Ahsoka for the majority of this episode, Thrawn clearly takes an interest in her by the end. I cannot wait to see where this goes, and if this is a thread that will be continued in Dave Filoni's "Heir to the Empire" film. I really hope this is one of the best Star Wars filmns we have ever seen, because the pieces are all there for this to succeed.
Thank you all for reading, sorry it took so long, and I will see you for the review of the next episode.
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