Ahsoka Episode 4: Of Fallen Jedis & Epic Lightsaber Battles

The latest episode in Dave Filoni's Star Wars: Ahsoka brought us an epic showdown and loads of nostalgia as he weaves together the overall story arc in a glorious symphony of emotions that had my inner Star Wars fanboy geek spirit whooping!

While there were a few slow moments with the dialogue and pacing mostly as a result of the main characters being stranded, with no comms, on the planet Seatos. However, it is quite clear as to where the plot is heading. Inevitably it will culminate in the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, the true "Heir to the Empire". This episode definitely felt a lot more "grounded" with less of the over-the-top space battle sequences that we saw in last week's installment and more focused on Ahsoka, Sabine and the importance of obedience and duty before emotion.

The episode starts off slow but picks up quickly and then erupts into intense lightsaber fights and action. First off with Ahsoka and Sabine facing off against some droids (making it feel a lot more Clone Wars-ish)  and we also get to see the awesome Mandalorian side of Sabine taking charge. Huyang also gets to shine, delivering some fashionable robo-punches - all of this in a beautiful cherry-blossom-like forest setting. 

In reference to Japanese cherry blossoms, the fight between Ahsoka and the mysterious Marrok plays out like an old school Samurai showdown. Despite Marrok's boastful wielding of a spinning double-bladed lightsaber, Ahsoka delivers a swift killing blow causing the fallen Marrok to go out in a screech and a puff of smoke, Inquisitor style.

Sabine's face-off against Shin did feel a little cut-off and short. I was hoping for something a little more intense but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

On the other side, Ahsoka's face-off against Baylan was pure cinematic bliss. The late Ray Stevenson is such a fantastic actor and his presence on screen just demands you to sit up and pay attention. They're both evenly matched but one can't help but get the feeling that Baylan has and always had the upper hand in this battle.

The episode's climax is emotionally charged, with Sabine making a heart-wrenching decision that will have repercussions further on. The plot thickens as Hera and her crew arrive, leading to a thrilling chase sequence and of course, the highlight of the episode as Ahsoka finds herself in the all-too-familiar setting of the "World between worlds".

"Master?" we hear her ask and the emotions on her face are accentuated by the awesome acting of Rosario Dawson.

There's a pause and then...

"Hello snips"...

OMG. I screamed, kicked, cried and howled with absolute glee. I'm not giving anything further away in spoilers. Just do yourself a favor and watch Ahsoka on Disney Plus.

As for the "Fallen Jedi" in the title of the episode, I suppose that does leave room for speculation: Is it a reference to Ahsoka who well, literally fell from the clifftop? Or is it Sabine, who, after failing to destroy the map and instead handing it over to Baylan, has "fallen" from the Jedi way in her obsession in finding Ezra Bridger, despite the peril of Thrawn's return? Or is the fallen Jedi Baylan Skoll himself, who has this captivating presence which at times seems conflicted? Or is it even Anakin Skywalker, the original Fallen Jedi who went on to become the most feared Sith lord in all the galaxy? I guess we'll just have to wait and see! 

If you're finding yourself in the dark around the buzz and need a primer on what to watch to catchup on all things related to Star Wars: Ahsoka, then please see my post here.

Catch Star Wars: Ahsoka streaming on Disney Plus now!