Highlights
"Ahsoka episode 4 picks up the pace and raises the stakes, delivering an action-packed episode."
The episode showcases innovative action sequences, such as Ahsoka's captivating battles against Skoll and Marrok.
The suspenseful conclusion, where Ahsoka stumbles upon Anakin Skywalker in a state of Force limbo, foreshadows a thrilling second half of the season.
Warning: This review for Ahsoka episode 4 contains spoilers.
As Ahsoka reaches the midpoint of its first season, "Part Four: Fallen Jedi" brings much-needed momentum and higher stakes to the previously slow-paced narrative. Ahsoka and Sabine encounter Baylan Skoll, a Jedi-turned-mercenary, and his formidable forces in an exhilarating episode filled with action. While Hera initially remains separate from the main events, she has heartwarming moments with her co-pilot Jacen, showcasing their mother-son bond. Towards the end of the episode, Hera defies orders and arrives with a fleet of X-wings to assist Ahsoka and Sabine, with The Mandalorian's Carson Teva making a cameo appearance that is sure to please fans.
The episode "Fallen Jedi" fails to deliver the immediate action promised by last week's cliffhanger. Although the previous episode left Ahsoka and Sabine stranded in a forest with Skoll's foot-soldiers hunting them, the opening of this episode is delayed as Ahsoka and Sabine engage in some exposition and Huyang attempts to fix the ship before being spotted by Skoll's men. However, once the villains finally track down the heroes, the explosive standoff is well worth the wait. This set-piece showcases a range of inventive and thrilling action. Ahsoka cleverly uses the Force to manipulate one of the henchmen into the line of fire of another henchman. Additionally, Huyang surprises viewers with his unexpected combat skills during a brutal fist fight with a fellow droid.
The episode is filled with exciting action sequences. Ahsoka's duel with Skoll, at least the first half of it, resembles a civilized samurai battle straight out of a Kurosawa film. Her duel with former Inquisitor Marrok is equally impressive, as he attacks with his double-bladed lightsaber twirling like a baton, but Ahsoka effortlessly slashes through the twirl and strikes him in the torso. Dave Filoni, the show's creator, continues to astound audiences with fresh and original Star Wars action. One standout moment involves the surge of power from the villains' hyperspace ring, causing Hera's backup X-wing fleet to veer off course and resulting in the starfighters colliding with each other. This is a refreshing departure from the typically rehashed space battles seen in Star Wars media over the past fifty years; it is truly something new and exciting.
Ahsoka remains the anchor of the series, courtesy of Rosario Dawson's spectacular lead performance. However, it would enhance the experience if her character was granted more action and dialogue instead of merely crossing her arms and delivering one-liners. The late, great Ray Stevenson impresses with his portrayal of the villainous Skoll, engaging in both monologuing and lightsaber swinging in his most significant role yet. David Tennant infuses Huyang with abundant personality, while Natasha Liu Bordizzo delivers a fantastic performance as Sabine, portraying her character's growing uncertainty and inner conflict.
Director of photography Eric Steelberg consistently delivers stunning cinematography in the Star Wars show, surpassing expectations set by traditional TV productions. Steelberg skillfully employs color in each shot, achieving a harmonious blend of vivid and subdued tones. Utilizing lightsabers as a light source, like esteemed Star Wars cinematographers before him, Steelberg magnificently captures the intensity of duels within somber environments, such as dark forests. Notably, Ahsoka adeptly conceals The Volume's presence, outshining other Star Wars shows in this regard. Despite the actors' confined spaces in grand set-pieces, Ahsoka ingeniously incorporates elements from the Star Wars universe, such as a star-map dome, to maintain a sense of coherence.
Rebels composer Kevin Kiner continues to deliver an incredible musical score for the series, perfectly capturing its animated counterpart's light-hearted and captivating tone. Like John Williams before him, Kiner incorporates catchy melodies to enhance the spectacle. Over the past few decades, the absence of memorable melodies in film and television music has become the norm, with scoring adopting a mundane and generic approach. However, the greatest composers in film and TV history, such as Williams, Danny Elfman, and Ennio Morricone, have always scored scenes with melodies that resonate with the audience and make them tap their feet. Kiner follows this tradition brilliantly.
One aspect where Ahsoka truly shines is its expert use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the next installment. The previous episode concluded with Skoll beginning a manhunt for Ahsoka and Sabine, and this week's episode ends with a surprising, yet welcomed twist. After being pushed off a cliff and plunging into the turbulent waters below, Ahsoka wakes up in a Force limbo where she unexpectedly encounters none other than Anakin Skywalker. It's a pleasure to see Hayden Christensen in all his glory, as he spent most of Obi-Wan Kenobi's run hidden beneath the Darth Vader suit. Now that Snips and Skyguy have finally reunited in live-action form, the stage is set for an even more thrilling second half of Ahsoka's first season.
