The Ultimate Ranking of Live-Action Star Wars TV Show Season Finales: Unveiling the Greatest to Astonishing

Summary

"In the Name of Honor," the season 1 finale of The Book of Boba Fett, stands as the Star Wars TV show's lowest-ranked culmination primarily because of its lack of focus and divided attention between Boba and The Mandalorian.

Ahsoka's season 1 finale, titled "The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord," may have lacked focus, but it still manages to provide a satisfying conclusion. The execution of action scenes and the inclusion of fan-service moments are commendable. Additionally, the setup for season 2 creates an exciting anticipation, although it feels somewhat forced.

On the other hand, the season 3 finale of The Mandalorian, named "The Return," successfully redeems the overall disappointing season. The focus on the Mandalorian, the resolution of Moff Gideon's storyline, and the organic groundwork laid for future seasons contribute to a more gratifying conclusion than Ahsoka's season finale. However, it falls short as the fifth-best season finale.

The season finales of Star Wars' TV shows vary greatly, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, which contribute to a ranking of their overall quality. Since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, Star Wars has primarily expanded through TV production. Prior to the acquisition, George Lucas oversaw seven theatrical Star Wars releases, including the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Since 2012, Disney has produced only five Star Wars movies in the form of the sequel trilogy and two anthology films. However, this is set to change with the recent announcement of three upcoming Star Wars movies in 2023. Where Disney has surpassed Lucas is in TV production. The launch of Disney+ has allowed the Star Wars universe to thrive on the small screen, with several TV shows exploring various eras of the Star Wars timeline. While the shows are often ranked collectively, it is also possible to rank each live-action show's season finale from worst to best.

7 The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1 - "In the Name of Honor"

The Book of Boba Fett's season finale, episode 7 "In the Name of Honor," is considered the lowest-ranked among Star Wars' TV shows. However, it is important to note that while each show has its strengths and weaknesses, none of them have a truly bad season finale. In the case of The Book of Boba Fett, its weaknesses outweigh its strengths.

One of the strengths of episode 7 is its action-packed nature. The previous six episodes effectively build up to Boba's battle to maintain control of Mos Espa, resulting in a satisfying payoff. The thrilling team-up of Din Djarin and Boba Fett leaves viewers wanting more consistent alliances between the two characters. Witnessing the dual Mandalorians fighting side by side as brothers in arms and unleashing their impressive arsenal against the Pykes is particularly impressive.

The action sequences featuring Fennec Shand, Black Krrsantan, and other allies in Boba's group, including the citizens of Freetown, were well-executed. However, Boba's ride on the Rancor stood out from the rest, resembling something straight out of Star Wars fan fiction in the best possible way. It led to an incredible Kaiju-like battle. In terms of the show's plot, Boba's journey was wrapped up nicely. He earned the respect of the citizens of Mos Espa and had a confrontation with an old enemy, Cad Bane.

However, the finale of The Book of Boba Fett suffered from a lack of focus. The main issue with the show as a whole was its decision to divide its attention between itself and The Mandalorian. While Din's involvement in Boba Fett's season finale was brilliant, the parts involving his reunion with Grogu felt out of place and took away from Boba's storyline. As a result, "In the Name of Honor" ended as an action-packed and mostly satisfying conclusion, but it could have been even better with a tighter focus.

6 Ahsoka, Season 1 - "The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord"

Ahsoka's performance in episodes 4 to 7 of its debut season was impressive, but the show's finale left something to be desired. However, when judged on its own merits, "The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord" surpassed the season 1 finale of The Book of Boba Fett and provided a mostly satisfying conclusion. The main issue with Ahsoka season 1's finale was the lack of focus in its storytelling. The episode tried to juggle wrapping up Thrawn's return and setting up future elements, resulting in both aspects feeling underdeveloped.

The addition of Baylan and Shin's stories felt forced and out of place, indicating that the episode could have benefited from being 20-30 minutes longer. This would have allowed rushed moments like Thrawn's escape from Peridea and Ezra's reunion with Hera to carry more emotional weight. Nevertheless, the episode effectively conveyed the necessary storyline to be considered a satisfying end to the season.

On a more positive note, the execution of the action sequences in the show was skillfully done by director Rick Famuyiwa, a graduate of the Mandoverse, showcasing a standout duel between Morgan Elsbeth and Ahsoka Tano. The episode also delivered moments that were greatly satisfying for fans, such as Ezra constructing a lightsaber as a tribute to his late master, Kanan Jarrus, and the final appearance of Anakin Skywalker as a Force ghost. Although the setup for the second season felt somewhat rushed, the prospect of Baylan's future storyline holds immense excitement. These elements contribute to Ahsoka's season finale being ranked sixth on this list as a simply enjoyable conclusion.

5 The Mandalorian, Season 3 - "The Return"

Slightly surpassing Ahsoka's finale, the season finale of The Mandalorian season 3 stands out. Despite the overall disappointment of the season, the last two episodes manage to redeem it. The Mandalorian-focused conflict between Bo-Katan Kryze's army and Moff Gideon's forces delivers exhilarating action that will be remembered in Star Wars history. The dynamic aerial shots provide a distinctive and original kinetic action sequence. In addition, the intense face-off between Din and Grogu against the Praetorian Guards, as well as their joined forces with Bo-Katan to battle Moff Gideon, give an exciting and fitting conclusion to The Mandalorian's three-season story.

Similarly, Moff Gideon's cloning story concluded in line with the hints provided in the first two seasons of the show. This resulted in the aforementioned epic battle sequences that possessed a more energetic and fast-paced approach compared to the action sequences in Ahsoka's finale. Furthermore, in terms of preparing for future seasons, The Mandalorian season 3, episode 8 surpasses Ahsoka's final episode. The elements introduced in Ahsoka season 2 felt forced, whereas the setup for The Mandalorian season 4 felt organic to both Din's character and the overall story progression. Consequently, while Ahsoka as a whole significantly outperformed The Mandalorian season 3, the same cannot be said for their season finales.

4 The Mandalorian, Season 1 - "Redemption"

Starting from this point, the season finales of all shows can be ranked from great to sheer brilliance, starting with "Redemption," the finale of The Mandalorian season 1. The first season of The Mandalorian did an outstanding job of organically building up towards its climactic final episode, making every character's involvement feel well-deserved. The action sequences, as anticipated, were executed exceptionally well. These included IG-11's initial rescue of Grogu and their subsequent fast-paced assault on Gideon's forces using speeder-bikes. The chaotic gunfights and the climactic moment where Mando single-handedly takes down a TIE Fighter were all spectacular. It is important to note that there were other equally impressive action sequences in the episode that were not explicitly mentioned.

What sets The Mandalorian apart from a typical action-packed crowd-pleasing episode is its exceptional character development. By saving Moff Gideon's true introduction for this particular episode, the show brilliantly establishes a captivating villain who consistently outshines our Mandalorian heroes. Additionally, the culmination of Grogu's growing Force abilities, which ultimately save Din, IG-11, Greef, and Cara, is truly outstanding. Similarly, Din's evolving respect for droids, thanks to IG-11's care for both him and Grogu, adds depth to the storyline. However, the pinnacle of this episode lies in Moff Gideon's revelation as the wielder of the Darksaber, a moment that expertly hints at a future narrative—a storytelling aspect that recent Star Wars TV endeavors have often failed to achieve.

3 Obi-Wan Kenobi, Season 1 - "Part VI"

Obi-Wan Kenobi takes home the bronze medal for live-action Star Wars TV finales. While the 2022 show initially disappointed fans who had hoped for a tighter and more strongly-written storyline, the season finale more than made up for it. From the very beginning, the episode wasted no time in setting the stage for the highly-anticipated rematch between Kenobi and his former apprentice. The build-up to their confrontation was filled with palpable tension, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

The rematch, although poorly lit in some scenes, was extremely satisfying. Both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen showcased their lightsaber skills brilliantly, while also capturing the required weight, drama, and emotion flawlessly. This led to one of the most emotionally powerful scenes in the entire franchise. The blending of Christensen's voice with James Earl Jones' as Anakin explains to Obi-Wan that his apprentice is gone was heartbreakingly effective, complemented by McGregor's equally tragic performance as he accepts that his brother is no more.

In addition to this conflict, Obi-Wan Kenobi's season finale tied up the remaining plot points of the show well. The brief battle between Reva and Owen and Beru provided a satisfying amount of action, further developing their characters, while the Inquisitor's inability to kill a young Luke Skywalker served as a fitting conclusion to her redemption arc. Furthermore, the final scene between Kenobi and a young Leia was incredibly emotional as the Jedi fondly reflected on his relationships with Anakin and Padmé. The appearance of Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn was the perfect cherry on top, making the season finale of Star Wars TV truly exceptional.

2 The Mandalorian, Season 2 - "The Rescue"

The Mandalorian's season 2 finale, "The Rescue," was undeniably the standout episode. It focused on the thrilling mission to save Grogu from Moff Gideon's clutches, resulting in a crowd-pleasing and emotionally charged installment. The presence of Din Djarin, Cara Dune, Bo-Katan Kryze, Koska Reeves, Boba Fett, and Fennec Shand alone elevated this episode above the rest.

The action sequences that followed were exceptional. Dune, Shand, Kryze, and Reeves fought through Imperial troops with precision while Boba Fett's distraction in the Slave One provided the perfect opening. Additionally, the duel between Din and Moff Gideon was expertly choreographed and filled with tension. Din's victory not only secured his adopted son's freedom but also granted him the revered Darksaber.

As if that wasn't enough, the final surprise of "The Rescue" took it to another level. Cornered by Dark Troopers, a lone X-Wing appeared, leading to the epic reveal of a New Republic-era Luke Skywalker. This unexpected twist solidified "The Rescue" as one of the greatest moments in Star Wars history.

1 Andor, Season 1 - "Rix Road"

Luke's portrayal as a true Jedi Master was truly breathtaking, with his impressive lightsaber skills and immensely powerful Force abilities. The finale reached a peak of emotional intensity as Din bid farewell to Grogu, brilliantly portrayed by Pedro Pascal. These preceding 40 minutes not only served as a remarkable climax for The Mandalorian thus far, but the final scene's bold direction sets a promising path for the future of the show's narrative. It successfully combines poignant emotional impact with the undeniable strength of "The Rescue," making it the second-best season finale of any live-action Star Wars TV series.

In the realm of Star Wars' live-action TV shows, Andor stands out as the ultimate achievement, and its season 1 finale, "Rix Road," sets a new standard for concluding episodes. This particular episode highlights Andor's exceptional writing, which is truly remarkable. The two monologues featured in episode 12 of Andor season 1 are exceptionally well-crafted. Nemik's manifesto, inspiring Cassian Andor to rebel even more fiercely against the Empire, and Maarva's posthumous speech, rallying the people of Ferrix, demonstrate Andor's greatest strength - its mature and politically charged writing that distinguishes it from other Star Wars content.

However, Andor effectively concludes its various character arcs. Andor saves Bix from the Imperials, while Dedra Meero and Syril Karn escape the rebel mob, realizing the Empire's oppression cannot go unchallenged. The side characters Brasso, Cinta, and Vel each have their moments to shine and their stories are left open for a second season. Notably, Luthen Rael, a standout character, hears Maarva's speech and discovers there are others in the galaxy who share his desire to fight the Empire.

This sets up an exciting premise for Andor season 2, as Andor confronts Luthen and offers him a choice: either kill him or recruit him. This foreshadows the storyline of Andor season 2, which will tie into Rogue One. The end-credit sequence, beautifully shot, reveals that Cassian's time in prison involves his involvement in the construction of the Death Star, a weapon he will later sacrifice his life to destroy. All of this solidifies Andor season 1, episode 12 as the unquestionably finest live-action Star Wars season finale, leading into more TV stories set for release in 2024 in a distant galaxy.