Star Wars Ahsoka: Far Far Away review S1 E6
Far Far Away could have described the show’s title character as Ahsoka had very little presence this episode. Not that it mattered as this episode all but locked in Ahsoka in at least the number two spot for favorite Star Wars live-action season.
Despite her ascension to Ahsoka the White, she’s still perturbed about Sabine willingly aiding Baylan Skoll. Huyang tried to help her see another perspective. Who had the Ahsoka/Huyang dynamic being one of the best aspects of the show on their BINGO card?
Ahsoka comes around on wanting to hear one of Huyang’s stories and he starts off with the most magical words in all of sci-fi: In a galaxy far far away… Ahsoka is such a love letter to George Lucas’s Star Wars and I will happily find a free spot to add my name as well. Just throwing out the phrase Far Far Away was just a cool nod to the past.
Most of the focus this episode was on Baylan and his now cynical view of the Jedi and Empire. Baylan has emerged as one of the absolute coolest additions to the Star Wars mythos. He’s not trumpeting how evil and powerful he is, which makes him so much more interesting. Baylan doesn’t feel the need to pose and puff out his chest. He’ll deal with folks on his own terms.
Shin wants to know more about the conflict and end of the Jedi. More importantly she wants to know if he misses it. Great question. I got the sense this is how Count Dooku would be post Clone Wars if he somehow survived. Ray Stevenson really crafted a unique and memorable character in the vast Star Wars and I’m glad this was one of his final roles as it’s one of his career best performances.
Baylan plans to honor his word to Sabine, who doesn’t seem like she truly appreciates her position— barely still alive because Baylan thinks she can still be of use.
Still, Morgan won’t complain as he’s been an invaluable ally. They reach their destination to find actual Nightsisters. Maybe one day these casual Clone Wars and Rebels cameos will fail to do much for me. Today is not that day.
Especially with other reveals to come in Far Far Away.
A massive Star Destroyer blots out the sun as director Jennifer Getzinger just keeps nailing these amazing shots after shots. First the colorful purgills float through hyperspace and now this incredible sequence that is vintage Star Wars with a screen dominating ship coming into focus.
The time for buildup is done. Now it’s time for the man himself. But first let’s meet his awesome, bada$$ looking fleet of Stormtroopers. Seriously I’m gonna need figures of each and every one of them. Let’s start with Enoch (Wes Chatham), who has a gold face mask attached to his helmet.
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By the time Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) makes his arrival it feels like a sweeping majestic moment in the series — the kind that just have to come natural otherwise it feels forced. Mikkelsen exudes such a commanding presence immediately matching up to his portrayal voice acting Thrawn in Rebels.
What makes Thrawn such a unique villain is he’s a calculated thinker who’s not prone to fits of rage or emotion. He’s fine letting Sabine chase after Ezra. If she finds him, Baylan and Shin can take them both out. If she doesn’t, that’s one less enemy Thrawn has to deal with when he leaves the planet.
Sabine finds life on the planet unpredictable as she encounters bandits. The fight choreography for Far Far Away was fantastic as Getzinger captured Sabine utilizing all of her Mandalorian training to make it a tough fight, but it’s not until she uses her lightsaber does she emerge victorious.
In a unexpectedly funny and cute moment, Sabine chews out her rat horse ride, which took off when the fighting started. It’s very apologetic and after relentlessly following after her like a lost puppy, Sabine agrees to give it another chance. Animal humor always plays well in Star Wars.
Sabine’s new ally uncovers a race of turtle/snail-like beings. Both parties recognize the familiar Rebellion logo painted on their armors. This is big news for Sabine, who now has some encouragement that Ezra actually is still alive.
Baylan and Shin begin their pursuit of Sabine and find the debris from her fight with the bandits. It’s here that Baylan confesses he misses the idea of the Jedi, but not the truth. His mindset is incredibly fascinating and I’m very intrigued by his end game and if we’ll learn it before Season 2 (?). And if so, will Baylan be recast?
The turtle/snail crew take Sabine and her ride to their village. The village had a creative design fitting the nomadic mindset of the tribe, which doesn’t stay in any one place for too long. As Sabine takes it all in, she hears a familiar voice who says he knew she’d find him. And yes, it is Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi, King Richard).
This was a big moment and it says a lot about the performance of Esfandi and Natasha Liu Bordizzo to make this scene feel so special despite them never appearing on screen together before. That was a Rebels payoff yet they captured all the emotion of Ezra and Sabine growing up together and finally reuniting in a tangible, meaningful way.
Ezra wanted to know how Sabine found him, but she’s not quite ready to make that reveal. She wants to enjoy this moment even if she doesn’t think she’ll be able to actually fulfill Ezra’s wish of finally being able to get back home.
Far Far Away was another elite episode of Ahsoka. While the star didn’t have much screen time, the rest of the cast more than made up for her absence.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Photo Credit: Disney
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