208 episodes of The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. Three Tales of the Jedi shorts. Two episodes of The Mandalorian and The Guide of Boba Fett. One film. That is every part you may have to see to actually perceive every part occurring within the new Ahsoka sequence on Disney+. For Star Wars diehards, particularly these raised on the animated exhibits spearheaded by Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni, it is every part they’ve hoped for. Everybody else, although, might discover themselves adrift.
Ahsoka deftly brings animated characters to stay motion — Rosario Dawson stays a beguiling Ahsoka, and he or she’s joined by Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, and Natasha Liu Bordezzo because the impulsive Sabine Wren — and it wastes no time introducing intriguing villains (particularly Baylan Skoll, a former Jedi portrayed by the late Ray Stevenson). The sequence is a direct sequel to Rebels in nearly each manner. However whereas that is nice information for followers, the draw back is that newcomers to the broader Rebels verse, even those that’ve seen Ahsoka in The Mandalorian and The Guide of Boba Fett, could have a tough time discovering any emotional stakes.
Picture by Lucasfilm
With the earlier stay motion Star Wars TV exhibits (together with the enjoyable-yet-unneccessary Obi-Wan Kenobi sequence), Filoni and co-producer Jon Favreau tried to ease basic audiences into deeper points of Star Wars lore. That was most profitable within the first season of The Mandalorian, which was crammed with new characters and easy emotional stakes. (Shield Child Yoda, it doesn’t matter what it takes!) However Filoni ultimately managed to herald some characters from his animated exhibits, together with the nefarious bounty hunter Cad Bane.
For higher or worse, Ahsoka appears like a riskier mission than any of these different stay motion exhibits. Virtually everybody refers to occasions and main characters from Rebels, with out explaining a lot about who they’re. We all know that Grand Admiral Thrawn looks like a significant new antagonist, however the present by no means says why. We later be taught that Ahsoka is pushed to seek out him as a result of which will reveal the placement of Ezra Bridger, the principle character of Rebels who disappeared on the finish of that sequence. Sabine and Ahsoka share some pensive moments reflecting on their misplaced pal, however we do not get a lot about their shared relationship past that.
Picture by Lucasfilm
At occasions watching Ahsoka is like being invited to a celebration the place everybody else are outdated buddies, and who refuse to clarify their in-jokes or shared historical past. It is not their drawback should you’re not having as a lot enjoyable as them. Cope with it. I had related points with , however at the very least these had been exhibits airing in shut proximity. Ahsoka hinges on direct continuity from an animated sequence that started in 2014 and ran for 4 years.
After all, the sequence might get higher down the road. Ahsoka is Filoni’s child, in any case, and he is too gifted of a storyteller to have her tread water for a season. And I am going to admit, even the wonderful Andor took a number of episodes to essentially rev issues up. I simply hope this present weaves character motivations into its plot extra successfully shifting ahead.