Ahsoka Review: Thrilling Stakes for Star Wars Television

The following Ahsoka review was made possible by advance screeners of episodes 1 and 2, provided to Agents of Fandom by Walt Disney Studios for review purposes.

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

The first two episodes of Ahsoka showcase highly anticipated action, alongside fresh portrayals of characters already known and loved following their appearances in The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels. There is already so much to unpack and dissect coming out of the first two installments.

Ahsoka has quickly become one of the most beloved characters in all of Star Wars. Now, it’s her turn to take the spotlight in the highly anticipated Ahsoka series, set to premiere on Disney+. Let’s break down the undeniable excellence of Star Wars’ latest series in our spoiler-free Ahsoka review.

From the second it was announced the beloved Rebels would appear in Ahsoka, intrigue has been prominent surrounding their refreshing live-action appearances and relationships.

It is safe to say that the chemistry between Dawson’s Ahsoka, Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Hera Syndulla and Natasha Liu Bordizzo’s Sabine Wren is striking and head-strong, vital factors in order for the series to satisfy Rebels fans.

Furthermore, the opening episodes are full of easter eggs and references relating to Star Wars: Rebels, all of which are bound to keep knowledgeable viewers on their toes. They also create endless possibilities as to how the plot of Ahsoka could develop.

Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren is one of the best things to happen to Star Wars in recent years. She effortlessly captures Sabine’s rebelliousness and determination, and simultaneously her compassion and care to do the right thing. Sabine is destined to be a fan favorite of the series, alongside Hera.

Whilst Hera’s live-action appearance in Ahsoka leaves much to be desired, Mary Elizabeth Winstead has perfected Hera’s natural ability to lead and reason with her companions, all fundamental characteristics established in her character during Star Wars: Rebels.

It is apparent from the early episodes that the Ahsoka series will carry one of the best scores in Star Wars television. Every moment of action is flawlessly accompanied by a chilling piece of music from the incredible Kevin Kiner.

Kiner also provided musical masterpieces for both The Clone Wars and Rebels. This makes his work in Ahsoka even more monumental, contributing once again to the continuation of these characters and their stories through beautiful music.

It wouldn’t be classic Star Wars without a few lightsaber duels and some force choking, and Ahsoka seamlessly delivers that iconic, suspenseful action to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The series’ villains, Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) are the standouts thus far. Their combat skills instantly showcase why they are a force to be reckoned with and not a pair to be taken lightly. The development of Shin and Baylan as antagonists is something to look forward to during the rest of the series.

Similar to her work in The Mandalorian, Rosario Dawson demonstrates incredible lightsaber action and hand-to-hand combat throughout the initial Ahsoka episodes. These sequences make for some of the most notable moments with their explosive tension and stunning visuals.

Based on the first two episodes, Ahsoka already has an intriguing story with so much potential to deliver an incredible series. Hopes are high with this one, and so far Ahsoka carries the possibility to pull through and impress viewers.

Ahsoka and Dave Filoni are a match made in heaven, and my anticipation to witness this new story unfold is on a non-comparable level to previous Star Wars series, (besides The Mandalorian.)