Rebuilding Rob

Ahsoka the latest Disney+ entry in the Star Wars franchise streamed its season finale this week. Rosario Dawson returns for her third outing as the titular Jedi, made famous during the Star Wars: the clone wars, animated series.

I have mixed feelings about seeing animated characters presented in the live action. I feel like the Star Trek franchise did it well when they had animated characters from Lower Decks cross over into an episode of strange new worlds. Rather than digitally de-aging actors, or replacing them, the actors voicing Boimler and Mariner portrayed them in live action as well

Dawson, although a great actress and someone I’ve enjoyed seeing in pretty much all of her projects simply doesn’t lineup with what my vision of the older, wiser Ahsoka would be. The same goes for Mary Elizabeth, Winstead, who played Hera. I did find myself experiencing an adjustment: eventually getting used to Winstead’s portrayal of Sabine.

However, Star Wars is able to make the translation work. Rosario Dawson does a fine job, playing an older, wiser Asoka. Personally, I wish they would’ve been some way they could’ve had Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Asoka from the animated series, reprise the role in live- action. But I am OK with it. And both actors seem to be incredibly chummy so that’s always good.

Ahsoka tried to serve as a wrap-up to the cliffhanger events from Rebels. But the show, like other Star Wars and MCU offerings before it, seems more interested in moving along the overarching narrative, rather than focusing on its lead character.

In perhaps the ultimate act of fan service, Ahsoka present several characters in situations from the rebels, animated series in live action for the first time. Besides, the aforementioned, Asoka, Sabine Wren and Hera make their live- action debuts. And have no fear: Chopper is back as well! This fives the various animated projects a sense of legitimacy, directly tying them into their beloved live-action counterparts of the franchise.

For the record, I think that this series should have been called “Rebels: season five”. When Star Wars: Rebels ended, it’s protagonist Ezra Bridger and the franchise’s latest big baddie, Grand Admiral Thrawn were lost in hyper space – in act of heroic self sacrifice by Ezra. Sabine and Ahsoka were so moved by this noble act that they waited for nine-year of in-universe time to try and find him.

My biggest problem with Ahsoka is that she is not even the main character in the show that is named for her. In fact, episode 5 “shadow warrior” is the only episode of the series where Ahsoka takes center stage. I would argue that Sabine Wren is the show’s true protagonist. The master-apprentice dynamic with Ahsoka and their off-screen split is explored form Sabine’s point of view. Furthermore, it is Sabine‘s desire to be reunited with Ezra that drives the entire plot of the series forward.

Ahsoka tried to serve as a wrap-up to the cliffhanger events from Rebels. But the show, like other Star Wars and MCU offerings before it, seems more interested in moving along the overarching narrative, rather than focusing on its titular lead character. The series leaves viewers, more questions than it answers. It has been established elsewhere that the different Disney+ miniseries will eventually lead up to a Dave Filoni lead feature- length movie, tying up all of the interconnected shows from the Filoni-verse.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the late Ray Stevenson’s portrayal of the rogue Jedi, Balin Skoll. He is, by far, the most intriguing new character in the show. It feels like this is not the last we will see of Balin. It will be interesting to see how, or if, his story continues given Stevenson’s passing.

MY FINAL TAKE: overall, I was disappointed with Ashoka. But in this age of universe-building, it is essential viewing for Star Wars fans – but the show could be summed up in a 5 minute flashback in a later projects as well.

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