Ahsoka Episode 3 Review: Interesting Chase In Space And The Live-Action Appearance Of The Purrgil
Cast: Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ray Winstone, Ivanna Sakhno, Diana Lee Ilosanto, David Tennant, Lars Mikkelsen, Eman Esfandi
Director: Steph Green
Streaming Platform: Disney+
Filmyhype.com Ratings: 4/5 (four stars) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
After two explosive episodes last Tuesday Ahsoka Episode 3 is now available to stream on the Disney+ streaming platform. If in the first two episodes of Ahsoka, we began to understand the relationships between the characters which for some could be completely new while for others old acquaintances, in this third episode we are spectators of some dynamics that should not be taken for granted. In our Review, we will analyze the Ahsoka Episode 3 delving into many interesting aspects, full of action and lightsabers! However, we advise you to come back after watching the episode to avoid any possible spoilers!
If there’s one franchise capable of incurring fans adoring it as much as incurring their wrath, it’s Star Wars. Between fierce factions and alignments ready to have their say on any product from the Galaxy far, far away, it is really difficult to find elements that everyone can agree on, especially if we only take into consideration the management of the brand by Disney+, under which Star Wars it has reached very high peaks, but it has also fallen quite noisily. Yet, from what we have been able to ascertain, it seems that the first two episodes of Ahsoka, a series written by Dave Filoni and released weekly on Disney+, have been quite positively received by critics and audiences. Gathering together both fans of the animated series of the saga such as Clone Wars and Rebels and those of the live-action products, the series has managed to excellently reproduce the atmospheres that made Star Wars an inimitable classic. Given these premises, will Ahsoka Episode 3 have been able to continue along this positive trail or will it have constituted a setback?
Ahsoka Episode 3 Review: The Story Plot
Despite the shorter running time compared to the other episodes, in this one, we find many action scenes and special effects that are above all expectations. The decisive and combative character of General Hera Syndulla comes out, in the face of representatives of the New Republic who are quite hostile towards him and who would also seem to be a less than perceptive group, if not for Chancellor Mothma, played by the famous Genevieve O’Reilly. Like a cute and intuitive cliché that Star Wars TV series are used to using. While Sabine trains on the Shuttle-T6 with training inspired by Japanese Martial Arts, like the weapon that the young Padawan holds, a Bokken, the same as the one used in Kendo under the supervision of Huyang who pronounces terms pertinent to the discipline in the language of Rising Sun, Ahsoka decides to get closer to the Jedi apprentice by trying the Zatoichi, named after a blind swordsman from Japanese literature.
From what we know so far, what is certain is that Sabine has an unusual, albeit seemingly weak, connection to the force. Huyang himself claims that Sabine could never become a Jedi, unable to meet the standards of the Order. But it seems that Ahsoka‘s goal is not to train the girl to make her a Jedi but to make her simply find herself. Of course, this adds even more mystery to Ahsoka‘s Goal, but you know, she has strong unconventional motivations related to her past. Ahsoka, despite never having become a Jedi Knight (despite what is said in the introduction of the first episode, perhaps a script error or a clue for a future story), was trained by Anakin Skywalker above all in combat, compared to religion. She does not believe in the Order, as she blatantly reveals to Huyang, and claims that it was the Order’s own rigid beliefs that led to its downfall.
Ahsoka Episode 3 Review and Analysis
Directed by Steph Green, the Ahsoka Episode 3 exploits a transitional narrative need to delve into the rediscovery of the relationship between teacher and pupil and fathom that mutual trust rusted by time. She does it both in choosing the initial training – perhaps the best sequence of the episode – and in the long chase against the fighters sent by Elsbeth between space and the planet. It’s a way of testing Sabine’s abilities and restoring a tested relationship. The episode passes quickly also thanks to the good pace of the story, which combines a series of scenes that keep the viewer’s attention high (someone said Ahsoka with lightsabers in the open space?) and gives the right narrative input to the horizontal context of the plot, essentially evolving it towards a new destination.
Filoni’s expertise and skill can also be found in the ability to make a bland and passing episode something livelier and more exciting, with face-to-face encounters that are not at all trivial and a good dose of drama and comedy. Continue like this, Ahsoka could prove to be the missing link between the disappointing Obi-Wan Kenobi and the surprising Andor, a series with Jedi protagonists capable of inventiveness and quality by resorting to a conscientious use of the genre and the canon of the franchise.
If this would give a broader and more vivid meaning to Ahsoka‘s innovative reasoning, because if strength truly pervades everything then it would make sense to train not only the most talented, it should be noted that this path is making not only Sabine grow, but even Togruta herself who almost seems to come down from her pedestal to put herself in the apprentice’s shoes. This is also thanks to the feeling established between Rosario Dawson and Natasha Liu Bordizzo. Having abandoned the detached and severe attitude of a mentor, which is certainly part of his charm, Ahsoka tries to introduce a more equal approach in the battle towards the planet Seatos.
What owed the episode’s playing time the most was the chase, where above the planet Seatos, Morgan Elsbeth built the ring of Zion, which harkens back to the video game Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. But behind Ahsoka‘s T-6, there are two squadrons led by Shin Hati and Marrok; The first finally begins to show the cynicism and determination typically of an antagonist, and Marrok, who is perpetually masked, endowed with a distorted and electronic voice seems to assume a relevant importance. Is Ezra Bridger hiding behind that mask? What must be said about the scenographic and frantic chase is the fact that it is filled with what most fans of the saga have fallen in love with: space chases, deadly maneuvers, laser turrets; references to the past regarding the Millennium Falcon and Luke that are innovated in this fantastic series. An honorable mention certainly goes to Ahsoka‘s Spacewalk (of which we hope an action figure will be released) and to the farewell that Huyang was about to say to us.
We must stop on the Purrgil, gigantic creatures similar to “space whales” that emerge in a herd in the middle of space, instilling serenity and hope in Ahsoka and Sabine because it could be the sign of being on the right track to find Ezra. The Purrgil are shown to be extremely detailed in this live-action, as they debuted in the animated series Star Wars Rebels, where they formed particularly close bonds with Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger, who discovered that these creatures are capable of traveling in hyperspace. In this episode our protagonists find themselves face to face there, and we discover that the migratory routes of the purrgil cross galaxies. It is impossible not to notice that these creatures are assuming ever greater importance in the Star Wars saga.
It was Ezra who learned how to use the force to connect to the Purrgil, a talent he later used in the battle with Grand Admiral Thrawn; and on that occasion, the two disappeared… for this reason, Ahsoka forces herself to follow the trail of the Grand Admiral: finding him would mean avoiding the Resurrection of the Empire and the discovery of Ezra… Assuming that he is still alive. Furthermore, it seems that Shin and Marrok are truly becoming thorns in the side of our protagonists, it is predicted that they will become even more fierce with Ahsoka & Company, with future clashes dictated by fury and dangerous lightsabers. We are amazed by the top-notch special effects and the epic soundtrack. We must compliment Kevin Kiner for the musical theme that he entertains us during the splendid closing credits.
The training scene, a clear reference, albeit with the necessary variations, to the one in which Obi-Wan Kenobi taught Luke during Episode IV, turns out to be very intense and profound and most likely corresponds to the heart of the entire episode. However, this is not the only sequence that has positively impressed us. Seeing the Purgills again, the famous “space whales” presented in Rebels and briefly seen in 3×01 of The Mandalorian, as well as being a reason for hope for the protagonists, are a good example of how it is possible to pay homage to the past without limiting it to be a sterile quotation. Among the various cameos, including figure Mon Mothma, however, it was little Jacen, Hera’s son, who stole our hearts: a gift to Rebels fans, but hopefully also a character we will be able to see again in the future!
As for the characters, we have to say that we particularly appreciated the character of Ahsoka, wise and poised without ever seeming cold, empathetic, and aware of her mistakes. Even Sabine, for her part, continues to be interesting: in her, we find a real and very human character, very different from the forced perfection we had seen in Rey from the sequel trilogy. On the other hand, Huyang often steals the show, as already mentioned in previous episodes: the expressive voice of David Tennant gives an original personality to the character, a droid who continues to reserve us surprises. On the villain side, though Shin Hati this time limits herself to giving orders to her subordinates, we must say that the actress always appears very credible and charismatic. Watching the impressive aerial chase, the viewer may feel like they are watching a cinematic scene. Although on a smaller scale compared to 1×01 and 1×02 due to its shorter duration, everything works as it should, from the always exciting soundtrack to the scenography, passing through an artfully studied make-up and wig.
The action sequences attract attention and also present scenes of a certain originality which, however, for this very reason may not be appreciated by purists. The moment in which Ashoka, using a special suit, floats in space and fights with lightsabers is unique: an authorial choice that can be shared or not depending on personal taste, of course, but which in our opinion fits well into a world where physical laws have never been followed to the letter, quite the contrary. The worst flaw of the episode? To last so little. Although the story presented did not require too much time to be told, we would have liked to have been able to prolong the viewing to enjoy the adventures of Ahsoka and company even more. To find out how everything will go forward and understand how this new Galaxy (an element that promises to broaden the horizons of the saga) will fit into Star Wars, all we have to do is wait for the release of the next episode on Disney+, in the hope that the high standards seen so far will be maintained.
Ahsoka Episode 3 Review: The Last Words
Ahsoka Episode 3 overturns the typical figure of the Mentor and the Jedi Apprentice, putting the former in a position much more on par with a young Padawan, certainly due to Ahsoka‘s innovative and unconventional ideologies which distinguish. Furthermore, we see an interesting chase in Space and the live-action appearance of the Purrgil. Just 30 minutes to scaffold an episode that is well cared for in every aspect, perhaps a little too linear from a stylistic point of view, pleasant and well packaged but devoid of real and impactful virtues. In conclusion, the Ahsoka Episode 3 on Disney+ emphasizes Sabine’s training and the value of a rediscovered trust, opening the door to the imminent and new narrative future of the series.
Ahsoka Episode 3 Review: Interesting Chase In Space And The Live-Action Appearance Of The Purrgil - Filmyhype
Director: Steph Green
Date Created: 2023-08-31 13:06
4
Pros
- The initial training sequence.
- Huyang is one of the best droids ever to appear in Star Wars.
- The on-screen chemistry between Rosario Dawson and Natasha Liu Bordizzo.
Cons
- Half of it is a long chase without too many surprises.
- Good direction but without inventiveness.
