The Star Wars series dedicated to the Jedi “Ahsoka Tano”, to be found every Wednesday exclusively on Disney +, is it worth a look?
WHAT IS IT ABOUT ?
In the aftermath of the fall of the Empire, ex-Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano investigates a latent threat that could upset the fragile balance of a still-vulnerable galaxy…
WHO IS IT WITH?
The title role of the series has been given to Rosario Dawson. However, this is not the very first appearance of the American actress in the franchise, since the latter has already lent her features to Ahsoka Tano in the series The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.
Chosen thanks to the suggestion of a fan and dubbed by the creator of the series Dave Filoni (also creator of the animated series The Clone Wars and Rebels), Rosario Dawson proves with this new series that no actress could have embodied better she’s Anakin Skywalker’s former padawan!
At his side, two heroines from the Rebels animation series are making their debut in live action. The Mandalorian Sabine Wren is indeed embodied by Natasha Liu Bordizzo (The Society), while Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim) – incidentally companion of Ewan McGregor – camps the general Hera Syndulla.
Lucasfilm, Ltd. Sabine Wren
On the side of the bad-guys, the late Ray Stevenson (to whom the first episode of the series is dedicated) appears in the role of Baylan Skoll, a former Jedi turned mercenary. His apprentice Shin Hati is played by Ukrainian actress Ivanna Sakhno (Pacific Rim: Uprising).
Absent from early episodes, the series’ main villain is Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn. This bluish-skinned character, a former high-ranking officer of the Empire, is interpreted by Lars Mikkelsen (Sherlock), who already lent him his voice in the animated series, Star Wars: Rebels.
Finally, note the vocal appearances of David Tennant in the role of Huyang, but also of the creator of the series Dave Filoni in the role of Chopper. Fun fact: these two droids were already voiced by these same interpreters in the Star Wars, The Clone Wars and Rebels cartoons!
Lucasfilm, Ltd.
Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn
IT’S WORTH CHECKING OUT ?
It will therefore have been necessary to wait five productions before the main role of a Star Wars series is finally entrusted to a woman. But what other protagonist of the franchise would have deserved to be offered his own spin-off more than Ahsoka Tano?
Totally absent from the three cinematic trilogies (except for a short voice cameo at the end of The Rise of Skywalker), this character created by George Lucas made his grand debut in the film and then the series The Clone Wars, as Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice.
His impetuous character in the face of danger and his contempt for the rules (which notably earned him the affectionate nickname of “Chipie”) also recall the rebellious personality of his Jedi master. His training could not be completed following the outbreak of the Clone Wars.
Shortly before the resolution of the conflict, the latter decided to distance herself from the Jedi Order after being accused of a murder she did not commit. This decision explains in particular how the latter managed to escape the Purge of Order 66.
Lucasfilm, Ltd.
A love letter to the films of George Lucas
If she is therefore not known to the general public, Ahsoka Tano nevertheless remains considered a major figure in the extended universe of the Star Wars franchise, and one of the rare characters to appear both in the chronology of the films by George Lucas (prelogy and original trilogy) and that of Disney productions.
From the first seconds of the series, the desire to relate to the spirit of the original films is felt with the presence of a scrolling credits. Yet emblematic of the Star Wars saga, this element has never been used by the other series and this simple detail makes it possible from the opening to set Ahsoka apart from the other Disney+ series.
The series then wastes no time in introducing us to its two main villains (Thrawn is absent from these first two episodes, although frequently mentioned). Ahsoka’s relentless quest leads her to cross paths with two old allies: Hera and Sabine Wren.
There is obviously an unconditional love for the whole Star Wars universe in Dave Filoni. His encyclopedic knowledge of the saga, notably inherited from his work on animated series but also on The Mandalorian, allows him to expand the spectrum of his story through frequent returns to the past.
If neither of the first two episodes offers flashback scenes, remember that it has been confirmed by a trailer that Anakin Skywalker will appear in Ahsoka in the guise of Hayden Christensen (digitally rejuvenated, like his cameo in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series).
Lucasfilm, Ltd.
Anakin Skywalker in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series
100% Star Wars!
The many easter eggs present in the first two episodes serve the story. These references to Star Wars films plunge us into a form of melancholy nostalgia, like the state of mind of the protagonists prisoners of their own past.
Ahsoka does not forget that it is also an action series. As evidenced by the many lightsaber fights offered in these first two episodes: the killing in the corridor by Baylan Skoll (echoing that of Darth Vader at the end of Rogue One), Ahsoka Tano facing an Inquisitor, or even the duel between Shin Hati and Sabine Wren.
Without a doubt, Ahsoka falls into the category of successes. In a completely different style, not to say opposite, from Andor (the best of the Star Wars series), Ahsoka offers us a series offering everything one could expect from a Star Wars production: complex characters, a rich and abundant universe and adorable creatures are in particular at the rendezvous!
Lucasfilm, Ltd.
Ray Stevenson in his latest screen role
But should we expect otherwise from this series piloted by the one who was dubbed as his worthy successor by George Lucas in person? However, it remains to be seen whether this series, above all aimed at the most unconditional fans, will also manage to seduce an audience with only a limited knowledge of the saga…
A year after the immense disappointment Obi-Wan Kenobi, Disney + in any case does not miss the mark with this excellent series devoted to Ahsoka Tano, to be found every Wednesday exclusively on the platform.
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