The Ultimate Recap: Unforgettable Moments from Ahsoka Episodes 1 & 2

Warning! The following article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2. The best moments from Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2 offer many reasons to be excited for the rest of the season, but there are also some concerns with certain scenes. Directed, written, and created by Dave Filoni, who is well-known for his work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka's first two episodes possess the vibrant charm that Filoni's previous work is known for, although some elements may not fully translate, leading to some questionable scenes.

All in all, there is more to admire about Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2 than there is to criticize. The show beautifully recreates iconic locations from the Star Wars animation, while also introducing new characters that are sure to capture the hearts of audiences. The series' premiere showcases ten standout moments that highlight its best qualities, but there are also five moments that highlight its weaknesses.

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15 Best: The Opening Crawl

The opening crawl, a beloved aspect of Star Wars, serves as a swift and efficient means of conveying crucial information. The decision to reintroduce the opening crawl in Ahsoka was a wise move to familiarize viewers who may not be acquainted with Star Wars Rebels or The Mandalorian. Moreover, this moment was truly extraordinary on its own merits. The text style pays homage to classic science fiction, while the foreboding tone perfectly sets the stage for the imminent arrival of the antagonists.

14 Best: "We Are No Jedi"

Ray Stevenson's portrayal of Baylan Skoll serves as a perfect contrast to Ahsoka, as he bluntly states, "we are no Jedi." This phrase holds significant meaning, as Ahsoka herself previously uttered these exact words to Darth Vader during the intense finale of Star Wars Rebels season 2. This shared sentiment establishes a connection between Ahsoka and Baylan, setting the stage for their ultimate confrontation. Stevenson's delivery of this line sends shivers down the audience's spine, and the subsequent merciless slaughter of the New Republic guards evokes memories of the iconic Darth Vader hallway scene from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This gripping introduction to Ahsoka and the display of the villains' formidable power level lays the foundation for an exhilarating storyline.

13 Best: Ahsoka VS. The HK Assassin Droids

Following that, Ahsoka is presented with an awe-inspiring action sequence of her own, where she fearlessly confronts a band of HK assassin droids, exhibiting a level of skill rarely witnessed in live-action Star Wars. Drawing from his background in animation, Dave Filoni imbues his directing with expertise, as Ahsoka deftly maneuvers beneath the droids, exploiting their weaknesses with her remarkable lightsaber technique while simultaneously facing multiple adversaries. The self-destruction of the droids exceeds the impactful IG-11 moment in The Mandalorian, underscoring the perilous situations Ahsoka will come up against throughout the season.

12 Best: Ezra's Message To Sabine

11 Worst: Sabine Taking The Map Off The Ship

Despite only appearing briefly as a pre-recorded message, Eman Esfandi's portrayal of Ezra Bridger in live-action is undoubtedly one of the most impressive translations of the character to date. He effortlessly captures Ezra's unique mannerisms and speech pattern from Star Wars Rebels. Alongside him, Natasha Liu Bordizzo's portrayal of Sabine Wren adds a layer of simplicity yet impactful reactions that truly evoke an emotional response. The delivery of Ezra's message creates a bittersweet moment, effectively establishing Sabine's motivation and teasing the eventual return of Ezra.

Sabine's initial foolish move occurs in episode 1 of Ahsoka titled "Part One: Master and Apprentice." Instead of heeding Ahsoka's sensible advice, Sabine makes the unwise decision to remove the map from the ship. By embarking on a needless journey back to the communications tower, Sabine not only jeopardizes the map's safety but also wastes valuable time. While it is possible that Shin Hati would have ultimately acquired the map regardless, Sabine's actions unquestionably contribute to its loss.

10 Best: Shin Hati Tracking Sabine (Darth Maul Style)

Filoni's admiration of the Star Wars prequel trilogy is evident in his direction of Shin tracking Ahsoka. The scene is skillfully filmed, reminiscent of Darth Maul's use of probe droids to pursue the heroes in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. This nostalgic nod to George Lucas' Star Wars adds tension to the forthcoming lightsaber duel between Sabine and Shin.

9 Worst: Sabine vs. the HK Assassin Droid

The action scene in Ahsoka episode 1 where Sabine defeats the HK assassin droid was underwhelming. It lacked believability when she used her bare hands to take down a metal droid, unlike Obi-Wan Kenobi's intense battle against General Grievous in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. However, the fight became more captivating when Sabine faced a challenge and resorted to grabbing a blaster to defeat the droid, adding a touch of realism.

8 Best: Sabine vs. Shin Hati

However, the scene was truly elevated by the enthralling lightsaber duel between Sabine and Shin. The radiant green and orange blades provided a vibrant spectacle, as the camera flawlessly captured every spark that ignited when the two crossed swords. This visually stunning and meticulously choreographed fight effectively establishes an apprentice rivalry that will continue to intensify throughout the remainder of Ahsoka.

7 Best: "For Our Friend, Ray"

Baylan Skoll was among the final characters portrayed by the late Ray Stevenson. In a heartfelt gesture, the team dedicated Ahsoka episode 1 to his memory, acknowledging his exceptional talent as an actor, both within and beyond the realm of Star Wars.

6 Worst: Sabine Survives Being Stabbed By A Lightsaber

5 Worst: Risking An Explosion (In A Hospital)

Despite the awe-inspiring duel between Sabine and Shin, the frustration continues as Ahsoka perpetuates a tiresome lightsaber trope with Sabine miraculously surviving a stabbing. While there is a slim chance of her survival considering the blade's placement, it remains highly unlikely. This incident cheapens the gravity of encountering a lightsaber, leaving us perplexed about the inconsistent outcomes when it comes to surviving such attacks.

Ahsoka and Hera Syndulla, although typically responsible characters, displayed a lack of judgment when they allowed Sabine to endanger a hospital with the potential for an explosion. In episode 1, Ahsoka witnessed the devastating impact of the HK assassin droids' explosions; therefore, she should have insisted on a relocation before taking such a precarious risk. As a general, Hera should prioritize the safety of New Republic citizens, particularly those in the process of recovering from illness or injury.

4 Best: "An Ancient People From A Distant Galaxy."

One of the most captivating elements of Star Wars' recent world-building is showcased in Ahsoka episode 2, when Morgan Elsbeth divulges the astonishing revelation that an ancient civilization originated from a distant galaxy. This monumental revelation serves as a standout moment, with the visually stunning sequence expertly portraying Morgan and Baylan's ambition alluding to an enigmatic force awaiting discovery at Peridea.

3 Worst: "For the Empire!"

Imperial agents in Ahsoka episode 2 demonstrated undying loyalty, but the consequences proved otherwise. Their ill-advised battle cry of "For the Empire!" gave Ahsoka precious moments to prepare and outsmart her opponents. Despite running a covert and efficient operation, the Imperials revealed a lack of intelligence once their intentions were exposed.

2 Best: Ahsoka Casually Dodges Marrok's Lightsaber

One of Ahsoka's most impressive feats occurred when she effortlessly evaded Marrok's swirling lightsaber. This iconic Jedi move brilliantly showcases Ahsoka's heightened sensory awareness, allowing her to dismiss any threat posed by the weapon.

1 Best: Hera and Chopper's Banter Is Straight Out Of Star Wars Rebels

The live-action representation of animated characters in Ahsoka is sometimes a hit or miss, but the banter between Hera and Chopper truly captures the essence of Star Wars Rebels. Mary Elizabeth Winstead flawlessly channels Hera's animated traits, and Chopper's portrayal is on point. If Ahsoka continues to deliver exceptional moments like this, the series will be remembered as a commendable successor to Star Wars Rebels and a successful addition to the Star Wars saga.

Ahsoka releases new episodes every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.