This review was made possible by screeners for Ahsoka. The first two episodes of Ahsoka premiere on Disney+ on August 22, 2023. New episodes are released on Tuesdays at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST. This review is spoiler free.

Important Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

After years of waiting, Ahsoka is finally almost here! Beautiful and unafraid of taking time in the usually fast-paced Star Wars universe, this Disney+ series is truly a breath of fresh air. In weaving a gorgeous tale of both new and familiar themes, animated series pro Dave Filoni has honestly mastered the art of live-action production, bringing his vast vision for the sci-fi universe to life. Though narratively a slow-burn, lush visuals and an incredible score keep the first two episodes engaging, especially for fans of Star Wars: Rebels and other animated content from the franchise. While those new to the reprising characters may feel a bit lost without context, the show certainly sucks audiences in, displaying a tale with heart that is definitely universally understood. Fantastical and bringing an amount of emotional depth similar to Andor, Ahsoka is such a welcome addition to the television (and Star Wars) world!

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE HEROES AFTER THEY “WIN”?

Picking up on the current activities of the former-Jedi and during the same post-Empire time period as The Mandalorian, Ahsoka follows the show’s namesake as she roots out and “investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy”. In order to do so, Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) and her droid companion Huyang (David Tennant) unite with Rebels character favorites Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), and the spunky droid Chopper, making for an incredibly emotional and grown-up adventure. While this familiarity from previous projects adds an incredible amount of depth (especially since this live-action translation is just SO great), it is possible that casual viewers who are newer to the Rebels characters might feel a little lost. As our Film Editor RJ (who hasn’t watched The Clone Wars or Rebels) pointed out however, “It didn’t feel overloaded by lofty bits of lore I didn’t know. Rather, it’s some of the emotional depth that was lost on me, and it made me wish I had watched some of these characters grow together in previous stories. It’s actually motivated me to go back and do just that”. As such, hopefully others are able to follow along and will be inspired to watch the animated series as well!

In playing pre-existing characters, many have wondered if actors like Winstead and Bordizzo will faithfully portray the characters that Star Wars fans have grown to know and love – in a similar way to Dawson’s performance in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. While of course not identical in demeanor, the live-action Hera and Sabine quickly find their way into your heart, still endearing and true to the intention of Rebels. While Winstead’s performance as Hera definitely feels the most different, she still does an excellent job at portraying the strong and maternal pilot, fitting in super well with the live-action world. Bordizzo on the other hand portrays a great older and jaded Sabine, bringing a much more grown-up twist to the young Mandalorian. Especially in her interactions with her Master Ashoka, it is fun to see that in the same way that Sabine reflects a young Ahsoka’s spirit, Ahsoka herself reflects the resolute strength of her own mentors, Anakin and Obi-Wan, finding an unspoken link to the live-action prequels. Though Ahsoka very much shares the spotlight with these characters (along with the very notable, funny, and wise Huyang), I truly hope to learn more about her personally as the show continues.

NEW GALACTIC THREATS

While the protagonists’ performances are a focal point of the show, there is so much to be said about its villains as well! Led by the Imperial Magistrate from The Mandalorian Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto), master and apprentice pair Baylan Skoll (the late Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) are formidable foes, matching Ahsoka and Sabine in intriguing and parallel ways. Along with former Inquisitor Marrock, the bad guys are truly a threat, raising the stakes with their tenacity and clear strength in the Force. With some stunning performances that are rooted in a shroud of mystery, the seriousness that the actors bring to the series is believable, helping to immerse viewers in this new side to Star Wars.

As actor Ray Stevenson’s last performance, his portrayal of the ex-Jedi Baylan Skoll is truly a shining star in the galaxy of the show. Bringing a dark and looming presence to the screen, Stevenson is measured and poised, unafraid of showing a type of resolute vulnerability to his gentlemanly yet deadly character. In this way. viewers are sure to take an instant liking to the lightsaber-wielding mercenary, drawn into his commanding and calm presence on screen. As a posthumous release, watching Stevenson in the series is truly bittersweet and already makes me sad that we won’t see him again in the Star Wars universe beyond Ahsoka.

STAR WARS AT ITS BEST

Being the sci-fi franchise that it is with constant releases, it’s generally easy to take for granted and forget that George Lucas’ Star Wars is an important icon in film history. Ahsoka, however, lives up to its source material and legacy, displaying a piece of art with every shot and detail. For viewers used to the aesthetic and framing of animated Rebels, Tales of The Jedi, and later Clone Wars episodes, this live-action show will truly resonate, depicting the vast yet simple imagery that Dave Filoni has become well known for. While this look is stunning in animation and definitely a risk in the live-action space, the talent of Ahsoka‘s creators, cast and crew has definitively pulled it off, combining a familiar prequel feel to top it all off.

Lastly, the series’ score is by FAR one of the most iconic and stunning takeaways. Composed by Kevin Kiner, along with his children Sean and Deana, the masterful team has returned to add to their iconic work from Rebels, The Bad Batch, Tales of The Jedi, and The Clone Wars. Doing what Bear McCreary did for Middle Earth in The Rings of Power, the Kiners have reinvented the sound of Star Wars, building on what was previously established by John Williams and revolutionizing their own repertoire of themes for Ahsoka‘s characters. In a show that gives its story room to breathe, its musical accompaniment shines all the more, adding to what is on screen while also featuring as its own star. Serving as a perfect example, Ahsoka’s closing credits theme goes SUPER hard and is even stuck in my head while writing this review! As one of my favorite television (and Star Wars) soundtracks, it would be no surprise to see an upcoming Emmy win.

AHSOKA TWO-PART PREMIERE: FINAL THOUGHTS

While I usually am not a fan of slow-burn stories, Ahsoka’s breathtaking artistry and continuing emotional storyline have created an engaging series that is truly a treat to watch. Complete with Miyazaki-like attention to detail and one of the best television soundtracks to hit my ears, the show displays immense heart and audacity, pulling off an amazing feat. Though only two episodes in, I truly believe this is where many will find themselves sucked into Star Wars again, finding a special solace in each episode. Given the strength of this premiere, I truly can’t wait or fathom the adventure that’s in store!

Check out the trailer for Ahsoka below:

Check out The Streamr’s other Star Wars articles here!

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‘Ahsoka’: Two-Part Premiere (Review)