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Being a Star Wars fan in 2023 is a challenging thing. Other fans heavily criticize you for liking something they hate and the fandom is quite divided in what it accepts as good Star Wars. One thing I like though is when the community comes together to acknowledge when something is genuinely good. The newest show in the Star Wars Franchise is an absolute blast and we may actually be on the right track for Star Wars to be good again with Ahsoka.
Taking place a few years after the events of Return of the Jedi and very shortly after the events of The Mandalorian, The series follows Anakin Skywalker’s former apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, as she attempts to fight against the remaining forces of the Empire, as they seek to bring back one of the greatest threats to the new republic. Joined by Mandalorian Sabine Wren and ally droid Huyang, She’ll fight new and dangerous foes and fight to keep the peace in the galaxy.
Rosario Dawson returns to reprise her role as Ahsoka Tano from her appearance in The Mandalorian season 2 as well as the book of Boba Fett. Her characteristics, expressions, and fight choreography really helped bring her character, which was formally exclusive to animation, into live-action. Also making the transition from animation to live-action are characters Sabine Wren and Hera Sendulla, who were last seen in the animated children’s series, Star Wars: Rebels. In their live-action appearances, Sabine Wren is portrayed by Natasha Liu Bordizzo and Hera is played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. These new actors do an excellent job in keeping true to the characterizations of their animated versions. One of the most difficult things is keeping to a character who was previously established in another medium. Returning to reprise their animated roles in live-action are David Tennant as Huyang and Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn. These actors have played these characters before and still nail the roles in live-action.
The costume design is another good highlight. Each outfit for the characters suits them very well and does well to help immerse the characters. Another highlight is the action, which is a must in the world of Star Wars. The fight scenes, particularly the ones in episode five, as well-choreographed and fun to watch.
That being said, there is one deterrent to watching the show and that is the reliance on the knowledge of the animated shows. I had recently watched both The Clone Wars and Rebels animated shows with my mother, so she was caught up with the characters who appeared in this show. My father, however, had not seen any of the animated shows of the past and thus was left mostly confused about certain characters and events that appear and are mentioned here in Ahsoka. This show relies heavily on the implication that the viewer has seen the animated shows and is up-to-date on the events prior to Ahsoka. While it does tend to try and explain certain things, it is obvious that this show’s target audience is those who have been following more recent Star Wars TV content and not just the films
Overall, Ahsoka is a beautifully shot, well-acted, amazing Choreographed series with a lot of potential for the future. However, if you have not been following the animated Star Wars content, you’ll be left scratching your head, wondering what you have been missing.
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