Ahsoka episode 8 recap (2023) – the hero the galaxy wants and deserves

We knew it was coming. Deep down, we knew this was how Ahsoka would end. With a bang, however on a cliffhanger, establishing one other season. Episode 8 of the present offers closure on Ezra Bridger, no less than, and a number of doorways are open for what’s subsequent, even when it’s all on the identical uneven floor as earlier than.

Thrawn takes one other huge step in direction of being the Star Wars huge unhealthy Dave Filoni desires him to be. The menacing overlord nonetheless doesn’t do an entire lot, however we see barely extra of the ruthlessness within the Star Wars collection than earlier than. Lars Mikkelsen has gotten good at onerous glares and letting his face do the heavy lifting.

He’d must, since that’s all Grand Admiral Thrawn ever does in Ahsoka. Underwritten in comparison with the baddies of the Star Wars motion pictures so as, there’s an argument that he creates intrigue by not exhibiting any actual emotion. I stay unconvinced, nonetheless, the supporting Ahsoka solid compensate to spherical out the season.

To start out episode 8, Sabine, Ezra, and Ahsoka have all escaped Thrawn, Baylan, and Shin. They know they’re being chased, and that they should get to Thrawn’s ship in the event that they need to get away from that planet. In a neat little little bit of character work, Ezra, Sabine, and Huyang bond over constructing a lightsaber.

Huyang skilled Ezra’s grasp, making his perception essential to ending the weapon. Ezra has shaken off some reluctance over lightsabers and the Jedi, if solely in service of serving to his associates. That, I consider, has been Filoni’s nice thematic shift concerning the brand new era of Jedi, making the order about camaraderie relatively than a type of monkism.

Morgan Elsbeth undergoes a unique type of awakening, formally turning into a Nightsister. For many of the Disney Plus present, I believed she was underwritten, however I is likely to be satisfied in any other case over the course of this episode. She’s understated as a result of she’s given herself wholly to the Galactic Empire and Thrawn. There may be nothing else for her.

She makes for probably the greatest Star Wars villains right here, too. Ahsoka, Sabine, and Ezra handle to storm Thrawn’s base, first taking out a wave of stormtroopers. Morgan and the Nightsister then resurrect the our bodies, turning them into zombified troopers. Sure, zombie stormtroopers.

Ahsoka turns into a zombie film for a time because the gang tries to deal with the undead cronies. The following struggle is superior, artistic and tense since everybody’s as bowled over as we’re. This specific scene feels so paying homage to basic Expanded Universe materials, the place the artistic is doing one thing as a result of it’d be cool to see in Star Wars. Filoni’s worship of the previous could be contentious, however right here he will get it so proper, and director Rick Famuyiwa handles it completely.

The zombie assault flows into Morgan and Ahsoka having a duel whereas Sabine and Ezra run forward. Morgan involves a grim realization when she tells Thrawn the Nightsisters spell has failed. “For the Empire,” he tells her, revealing all she must know. Like all cowardly fascists, Thrawn believes in self-preservation above all else, and Morgan seems like she knew it. Diana Lee Inosanto has been an unsung hero of the Star Wars solid in Ahsoka.

Morgan and Ahsoka’s struggle is quick-footed, each aiming for loss of life on each swing. Morgan manages to destroy considered one of Ahsoka’s lightsabers, however fails to get the higher hand. As stormtroopers rally across the Nightsister, Ahsoka begins to appear to be she is likely to be struggling. In the meantime, Sabine manages to get Ezra aboard Thrawn’s ship earlier than it takes off. In a twist, she stays behind to assist Ahsoka.

They defeat Morgan, and hop into their now repaired ship with Huyang to attempt to chase Thrawn’s Imperial behemoth. They fail, however crucially, Ezra manages to stay on board Thrawn’s vessel, thus returning residence.

Thrawn is now one step nearer to resurrecting the Empire, composer Kevin Kiner utilizing some minor strings to really tell us evil has landed. Ezra takes small ship to rendezvous with Hera Syndulla, and we lower to the remaining characters.

Baylan and Shin are each stranded, however they give the impression of being prepared to coach and construct a military of their very own. Ahsoka and Sabine cool down for additional coaching, to organize for his or her rescue mission and no matter new Star Wars motion pictures convey.

Within the final shot, Anakin’s drive ghost watches on. I’ve been cynical of the nostalgia in Ahsoka, however this remaining body places distance between Ahsoka Tano and Anakin that feels worthwhile. She was his apprentice, however she’s develop into her personal hero, and the teachings are evolving as they’re handed on. We’re not dwelling purely within the shadow of the Skywalkers any extra.

They’re nonetheless current, like all our reminiscences reside inside us, however they don’t outline the Star Wars story. We don’t must reside by anybody else’s requirements or expectations. Ahsoka discovered one other means, and he or she’s handing that to Sabine. Identical to on the finish of The Final Jedi, Star Wars feels prefer it’s on the cusp of evolution, and I’m excited to develop together with it.

Now that Ahsoka is streaming completely on Disney Plus, take a look at our guides on the Skeleton Crew launch date, the Acolyte launch date, and the Andor season 2 launch date for extra from a galaxy far, distant. Or stay up for the brand new Star Wars motion pictures, and different new motion pictures like The Marvels and Avatar 3.