Ahsoka Episode 8: The Jedi, The Witch and the Warlord thrills with emotional nostalgia

Warning: Spoilers for Ahsoka Episode 8 follow below.

As I sit in a quiet Café sipping on some cây amidst the bustle of this vibrant Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, I'm contemplating the best phrase or choice of words to sum up the finale that was episode 8 of Disney's Star Wars: Ahsoka.

"Exactly where we need to be."

That's probably the only way to describe it. Overall, a thrilling and riveting episode that concludes the season with solid throwbacks and references to the Clone Wars and Rebels animated series and brings some important story arcs to full circle while still delivering an action packed, explosive finale.

As Senator Mon Mothma posed.in last week's episode: "How real is the threat of Thrawn's return?"

Hera: "We have to prepare for the worst"

And the worst has indeed arrived because before the end credits roll, the Heir to Empire has returned to the primary galaxy.

Dissecting this episode, we start off with a very Thrawn-like logical conversation between the Grand Admiral and Morgan Elsbeth as Thrawn makes it clear to her that Jedi are never to be underestimated, citing his current predicament of being stranded on Peridea as a result of a single Jedi's actions. "Even I fell victim to the heroics of a single Jedi".

Thrawn's cool, calculating mind is set on one thing and one thing only: reestablishing the fallen Empire and no force wielders or Jedi antics are going to hinder his methodically orchestrated plans. "Never again".

Next we see Morgan Elsbeth receive a duly promotion from the creepy Great Mothers who bestow her with a reward for hearing them across the stars. She receives "the gift of shadows" which imbues dark Dathomiri majiks onto her, bestowing onto honorable Morgan the rank of Sisterhood into the Witches of Dathomir fraternity complete with creepy black eyes. Additionally, Morgan also gets a powerful weapon: The Blade of Talzin, a throwback to the weapon wielded by Mother Talzin in the animated Clone Wars story arc.

Then we're back with our Jedi heroes who are still travelling along with the adorable Noti clan. There's some real Rebels humor here as Ezra and Huyang bicker about how best to construct a lightsaber with some emotional reference to Ezra's master Kanan Jarrus. Huyang hands Ezra the final part needed for his Saber construction, a part that was a spare of Kanan's and we see Ezra's lightsaber power up and emit a blue blade.

When Ezra prompts Huyang on how old he is, he gets this rather astute reply which Sabine immediately takes to heart:

"Old enough to know that the relationship between a master and an apprentice is as challenging as it is meaningful."

We then have a heartfelt discussion between Ahsoka and Sabine on the ship's exterior (seriously, Ahsoka spends more time hanging out on the wing and ship exterior than inside!) With Sabine feeling remorse for her actions which is immediately forgiven by Ahsoka with the rather infamous line: I know.

Ahsoka explains that Anakin stood by her side even when no one else understood her reasons at times when she faced challenges and had to make difficult choices.

This episode focuses heavily on the Master/ Apprentice dynamic and it works beautifully. 

Ahsoka prompts Sabine on whether or not she has kept up with her training to which the Padawan responds: "I try..." and after a pause and laugh: "I do. I do."

Of course, this is a throwback to words immortalized by Master Yoda's: "Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try"

Then we're back into action as the party are ambushed by a duo tie fighter squadron which Sabine manages to destroy but with excessive damage to their ship. All part of Thrawn's plan again to keep the Jedi stranded on Peridea. "An acceptable outcome", he comments.

But the Jedi trio are eager to stall the Grand Admirals schemes and they head off on howlers to the ancient structure below the Chimaera where the battle intensifies and also gets an interesting turn. As the Jedi battle through hordes of Thrawn's night troopers, we jump straight into zombie mode as the slain troopers convulse and contort grotesquely and get right back up, the effects of the dark Dathomiri magic of the night sisters at play here.

Each of the three Jedi shine as the battle ensues. Sabine using both a combination of force wielding as well as Mandalorian blaster action and Ezra with his force win Chun style of fighting that works surprisingly well and that we really want to see much much more of. Ahsoka, the white cloaked Jedi, is calm, collected and in perfect balance in the battle as she harnesses her abilities from the Clone Wars Era training with Anakin in true Ahsoka style. 

Morgan, now a fully powered Dathomiri Witch, joins the fight and the battle between her and Ahsoka is pure kung fu style gloriousness. Morgan wielding her blade of Talzin and Ahsoka with her duel sabers makes for a fantastic battle that was for me the true highlight of this episodes action sequences. 

Meanwhile, Ezra and Sabine use a cool Rebels throwback maneuver for force pushing and pulling each other onto Thrawn's departing cruiser. Sabine's jedi skills start to peak as she manages to get Ezra across. The score and soundtrack is on par and makes this scene a total screaming fanboy moment for Rebels fans. There's a brief moment soon after where we assume Sabine joins Ezra on the Chimaera, leaving Ahsoka alone to complete the battle but then, in a surprising and totally Rebels like twist, she appears at her master's side to aid her in the final fight against the night troopers. Sabine is in perfect Mando-Jedi form harnessing both blasters and her lightsabers to full use while Ahsoka battles Morgan. Thrawn later references Ahsoka as a ronin which I thought was a perfect and fitting description to sum up all of Ahsokas story arc in one word. The Ronin Jedi lives up to her title and, in a swift clean samurai-like strike, defeats Morgan.

Huyang makes a quick rescue appearance but by the time they catch up to Thrawn, it's already too late. The Grand Admiral commends the Jedi on their resilience and spirit but ultimately the day's victory is his. He has won. With a final "long live the Empire" Thrawn and his crew blast off into hyperspace and back to the familiar galaxy not so far away anymore where they arrive at Dathomir along with the precious cargo which we can only speculate to be an army of Dathomiri powered soldiers, Ezra obviously secretly on board as well.

Ahsoka, Sabine and Huyang touch back down on Peridea in the company of the delightful Noti. Then...a total fan moment when Ahsoka spots the familiar looking convor bird, Morai in the distance before it flies away.

Morai is obviously a throwback to the Mortis saga from The Clone Wars, being the spirit guide form of The Daughter, the embodiment of the light side of the Force. This obviously hints at Ahsoka being the avatar for this role.

We then see Morgan's mercenary Jedi. Firstly, Shin Hati, arrives at a camp of red armored bandits, announcing herself as somewhat a leader.

And, on the topic of Mortis, we finally get a scene with Baylan Skoll, who is seen high atop mountains standing on the hand that a sculpted to resemble 'The Father' and the other mountain resembles 'The Brother'. Season 2 of Ahsoka will definitely be diving into more Star Wars force philosophy by the look of things!

Then we get a really sweet reunion between Ezra, Hera and Chopper with the former Jedi remarking that he is home, much to Hera's amazement. Well..he could have mentioned that Thrawn was home too...ya know!

Finally, we get one last shot of Sabine and Ahsoka as the master assures the apprentices that even though they are galaxies apart, Ezra is exactly where he needs to be and so are they. Sabine senses something in the distance which she dismisses as Shadows in the starlight. 

However, Ahsoka takes a closer look and then turns around smiling and walking away...almost sage-like.

The camera pans on her for a while before opening wider to show us Anakin Skywalker's Force Ghost, beaming at his departing former apprentice.

The Mortis story arc features heavily in this final episode and it's going to be really interesting to see what direction Filoni takes us next. Is Anakin now The Father, the embodiment of balance between light and dark and thus a fulfillment of the prophecy? If so, then is Ahsoka The Daughter - the light and Baylan The Son - the dark?

Only time will tell. Either way, the stage is now set for Filoni's Mandoverse movie with Thrawn now officially back. And then we will hopefully get Ahsoka season 2 to explore and explain and hopefully conclude this saga before we head on to whatever is next for Star Wars!