Welcome back to the blog readers. This is the second part of my review of the two-episode premiere of the Disney+ series Ahsoka. These two posts will be going up at the same time, and I really hope you guys will read my review of the first episode before you read this review. If you have, you will know I enjoyed the hell of the first episode, which began what I believe will be a fine successor to Star Wars Rebels (2014-18). With some genuine surprises and awesome performances, the first episode charmed the hell out of me. Could the second episode, titled "Part Two: Toil and Trouble," directed by Steph Green and written by Dave Filoni, create the same magic? Stick around to find out.
NOTE: I will be referring to the review for the first episode for this review, so I HIGHLY recommend reading that before this. And as always, I will be using spoilers for my review of this episode, so DO NOT read ahead if you have not seen the episode.
As I previously stated, I am a fan of the first episode, and thought it was a very nice return to form for Star Wars after not overly exciting me with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor (both 2022), and the third season of The Mandalorian. I was hoping the good vibes would continue with this second episode, and I am not surprised to reveal that that is the case. I think this is the better episode of the two-part premiere actually. There are not that many surprises, but character development and plot development wins the day here. Let us talk about it.
Like I said in my review of the first episode, I could not think of anyone better to portray an adult Ahsoka Tano than Rosario Dawson. She exudes the confidence of a Jedi Master...while also acting like a motherly figure almost to Sabine? We learned in the first episode that Sabine actually was Ahsoka's apprentice at one point. I cannot remember if we saw much of that in Rebels, so feel free to comment and correct me. But I do really like the relationship the two of them currently have. It feels like an awkward conversation you would have with an estranged sibling. Sabine feels like after falling to Shin Hati, she needs to prove her worth to Ahsoka, who clearly sees her as a liability. I cannot wait to see the relationship grow more over the course of the season.
I also did enjoy her brief little lightsaber battle with Marrok, the final Inquisitor, who has been hired as a mercenary for Baylan Skoll. I would like to see them battle again though. Their battle also ties into the main plot for this episode, and that was Ahsoka and Hera travelling to Corellia to investigate Skoll and Morgan Elsbeth's base of operation. It turns out they had people there working for them and the Empire, which leaves a mark on Ahsoka and Hela. I had theorized that the hyperdrives they were building were for either the First Order's fleet or the Final Order fleet on Exegol, but at the end of the episode I learned that I was wrong. It was the ship of the villains, who are setting up their plan.
Speaking of the villains, we do learn of their plan to use the star map to open a portal to another galaxy where Thrawn is believed to be, bring him back, and use him to rally enough support to begin a war against the New Republic. If we didn't already know that the remnants of the Empire do begin a war against the New Republic, we would be waiting with bated breath. The question we have though is whether the rise of the First Order begins with the return of Thrawn or if there is some other factor at play that we are unaware of. Maybe Star Wars: Skeleton Crew will give us some more answers later this year.
If you read my review for the first episode, you would know that I did not see Mary Elizabeth Winstead taking on the role of Hera Syndulla. Here is my quote from that review.
We did not see much of Hera Syndulla in this episode, but I found it jarring at first to see Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the role. And believe me when I tell you, it has nothing to do with Winstead herself, I think it has more to do with the appearance.
But I also said later that she melted into the role, a sentiment that I will repeat in this second episode. I absolutely see her in this role now, and I did not expect myself to. It was also really nice to see C1-10P, also known as "Chopper," voiced again by series creator Dave Filoni. The two's chemistry is just as impeccable as it was in Rebels. Chopper has been one of my favorite droids since I first saw him in Rebels. I do wonder though if we will see a reunion between Hera and Ezra.
Thank you all for reading these two posts, and I will see you for the next one.
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