Ahsoka Episode 8 Review: Episode 9 Should Clear Everything Up!
The clock runs out
The original Star Wars film begins with a Star Destroyer spilling out of the top of the frame, filling the entire screen. It’s a perfect introduction to the oppressive might of the Empire—and a starter’s pistol for a tight, kinetic adventure.
Episode 8 of Ahsoka begins with an establishing shot of a Star Destroyer in the distance, not moving.
In the penultimate episode of this season, Grand Admiral Thrawn reminded us that time was of the essence. Ahsoka Tano was running out of time. But when this episode begins, time seems to be a luxury, as we waste a considerable amount of it watching Morgan Elsbeth gain super-witch powers so she can battle Ahsoka later. Why? She held her own just fine against Ahsoka in The Mandalorian Season 2.
When we rejoin our heroes, they are moving at a literal snail’s pace, as Ahsoka’s Jedi starfighter hovers at lawnmower speeds above Ezra’s pod of crustaceous friends. Aren’t they supposed to be racing after Thrawn? Last episode, Ezra didn’t need a lightsaber. Now it’s so essential that the delay from building one costs them victory. Nothing makes me feel like a show is firing on all cylinders than the constant urge to check my watch. Remember how the Death Star had a countdown clock?
Eventually, Thrawn and Ezra make it back to our beloved galaxy far, far away. Ahsoka, Sabine, Huyang, Shin, and Baylan stay behind. In between, there are a smattering of battle scenes that wouldn’t pass muster for a J.J. Abrams movie. And here we are at the end with too many of the show’s central questions unanswered:
What is Thrawn’s goal?
What is Baylan after?
What’s the Chimera’s cargo?
Why are the Great Mothers trying to emigrate?
The payoff, instead, is a series of cliffhangers and emotional beats that will be most enjoyable for longtime fans of the cartoons. Anakin’s ghost smiles approvingly at Ahsoka. Sabine learns to wield the force. Ezra and Hera have a weirdly sterile reunion.
There are also some nice lessons for the kids watching at home. Ahsoka radically forgives Sabine, and this leap of trust seems to unlock the latter’s potential. Unlike with Luke/Kylo, Ahsoka doesn’t let the fear of what Sabine could become hold them back. And when they get stranded, the two immediately make the best of their situation, picking up Ezra’s work of helping the snail/hermit crab/turtle people.
Live in the present moment.…Consider other people’s perspectives.…They’re all good lessons for the little Jedi out there. But the most important thing we can teach the children is this: If you introduce a mysterious cargo in Episode 6 of a limited series, you need to open it by Episode 8. Andor gives us a feature-length film every three episodes. This whole season felt like a first act.
The Episode Rating
2 Enoch helmets out of 5
The Season Rating
3.5 blue Lars Mikkelsens out of 5
Meme of the Week
Random Thoughts
It’s too bad Ray Stevenson had very little screen time in the last couple episodes. Baylan Skoll was a delightful presence. I particularly enjoyed how happy he seemed that Ahsoka survived their first fight.
The show squandered a lot of good will it had built up with the Thrawn fans by having him say a version of “Long live the Empire!” not once, but twice. Long live the Chiss Ascendancy, bro. The Empire barely lasted 30 years.
The Star Destroyer inside the Hyperspace Ring is the rare successful synthesis of iconic original and prequel trilogy imagery.
#VantoWatch
Maybe it was for the best that Eli never appeared. Thanks for reading these recaps. Time to go back to book reviews and painting my Shatterpoint figurines. Stay tuned.