Disney+ returns to ‘Star Wars’ well for a familiar face with a complicated past

A new galaxy, familiar faces, and an heir to the Empire arises from the shadows in Rosario Dawson’s latest adventure in the role of Anakin Skywalker’s old padawan, Ahsoka Tano. In her self-titled series, Ahsoka, viewers go on a journey into the unknown as the titular character rediscovers her connection with the Force. At the same time, she attempts to locate Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi, Red 11) after vanishing into the unknown, alongside the devious Grand Admiral Thrawn (brought to life in both live action and animation by Lars Mikkelsen). 

As a contrast to previous Disney+ Star Wars original series, Ahsoka requires a little more homework and background prior to beginning the assignment. As much of it involves tying up old plotlines, which was expected from the first synopsis and was teased in season two of The Mandalorian, viewers will have to be familiar with every project prior in order to have a vague idea of what is transpiring, which encompasses over 16 individual shows and movies. For veteran fans, that level of viewing is light work, but it bogs down the experience for casual fans who may have only watched a few of the movies and shows like The Mandalorian. This has been a repeated problem for many major franchises, such as the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) or the DCEU (DC Extended Universe), where each new installment seems to require more and more commitment to fully understand what is at stake. 

Serving as a fifth season of sorts to Star Wars: Rebels, the series delivers in nearly all aspects that fans would expect; however, some complaints have arisen from the fact that fan favorite characters are completely different from how they were portrayed in animated form. Although such pitfalls are expected when adapting such lengthy storylines and roles into different mediums, this strips away the magic that goes along with being reunited with characters akin to old friends. 

Even prior to the first finale airing, the series was greenlit for a second season, implying that the gray Jedi might not get the happily ever after she’s been looking for since leaving the Jedi Order in season five of Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series. Since Thrawn was teased in The Mandalorian season 2, and his second-in-command Gilad Pellaeon (Xander Berkeley, The Walking Dead) made an appearance in The Mandalorian season 3, the long-term plans for Thrawn’s return began to hint at an adaptation of Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars Legends (the title given to the retconned lore before Disney bought Lucasfilm) novel Heir to the Empire which very similarly follows Thrawn trying to rebuild the Empire greater than ever before. This falls in line with the fact that Dave Filoni, one of the producers and directors of multiple Star Wars projects, was selected to helm a film that is the culmination of his self-titled “Mandoverse” to deliver a conclusion that fills in the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. 

One of the highlights of the series for keen-eared watchers has been the soundtrack, composed by Kevin Kiner. Kiner has worked on a multitude of animated Star Wars shows, but this is the first time that his musical ability is brought into the live action side of the galaxy far, far away. Even from the beginning of the first episode, the soundtrack does not skip a beat, as the dark Jedi Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson, Rome) and his apprentice Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno, The Spy Who Dumped Me) mow down New Republic troopers in a hallway massacre similar to that of Darth Vader in Rogue One. Much like the rest of his portfolio, Kiner delivers a powerful and impactful score that complements every setting, character, or event to the best of his ability. 

With another season in the works and many more surprises in store, Ahsoka continues Lucasfilm’s newfound winning streak, giving more creative freedom to the minds that head the projects in lieu of the criticism and degradation of the abominable sequel trilogy. In an age where streaming services fight for supremacy, Ahsoka is a diamond in the rough and yet another new hope for the future of the Star Wars franchise, created by Lucas nearly half a century ago.

Grade: A-

Although a treat for longtime viewers, Ahsoka loses its casual fanbase with the overabundance of required prior viewing, but delivers a story that’s satisfying to fans new and old alike.

by Evan Parfitt

Published October 2 2023

Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue I