‘Ahsoka’ Recap – ‘Part Eight: The Jedi, The Witch, and The Warlord’

10/4/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(L-R): Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), Huyang (David Tennant) and Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) in Lucasfilm's STAR WARS: AHSOKA, exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Finale of ‘Ahsoka’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

One particular aspect of the Star Wars Universe that we collectively don’t discuss enough, is its bravery when it comes to telling its stories. Because it is, one of the few franchises out there that will throw caution to the wind and take incredible risks with its stories. Which has brought forth moments that divide fans but is welcome and refreshing. Since it means we will be treated to real storytelling surprises, such as seeing heroes turn into the same jaded individuals that everyday people can when life doesn’t go their way, or we are treated to love stories for the ages. But of the many unique risks that this franchise takes, there it is one it indulges in often, one that the season finale of Ashoka on Disney+, took part in.

For ‘Part Eight: The Jedi, The Witch, and The Warlord’ happened to be a story that served to remind us that sometimes… the heroes in these stories, don’t always get what they want, and sometimes, they outright lose. And it reminded us of that message shortly after giving us… one epic and incredible battle between Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ahsoka Tano’s newly formed, mini-Jedi Order. For Ezra built himself a new lightsaber, one that paid tribute to Kanan Jarrus no less, and once he had his new gear in hand, the trio made their way to Thrawn’s location to stop him from returning to their home galaxy and met some incredible resistance along the way. For Thrawn tried to blow them out of the sky, and when that didn’t work, he tried turbo lasers and when that didn’t work… well he dove deep into a unique bag of tricks. Because he could not stop this trio.

Which allowed for another big moment to come to life in Star Wars Canon. Because in order to properly delay the Jedi long enough for Thrawn and his lackeys to depart, the wily Grand Admiral had the Mothers… bring the dead back to life. For the Jedi quickly tore through his forces, and well… that which cannot die not only strikes fear into the hearts of one’s opponent but slows them down considerably. But more importantly, we saw Death Troopers finally come to fruition in the SWU, and it was glorious and well… that part of the plan, helped the villains of the story greatly. Since it kept Sabine and Ahsoka on the ground, fighting the undead and Morgan, to the point where Thrawn was able to get into the air. And while our heroes did indeed chase him valiantly, it was too little too late and Grand Admiral Thrawn returned to his home galaxy and Dathomir to do nefarious things.

Ergo… the bad guy won in this tale. In fact, the only positive here was that Ezra did get aboard that rotten old Star Destroyer, and escaped Thrawn’s clutches. Allowing for him to swing by the New Republic and greet an old friend and warn of things to come. Which made, for a unique ending for certain, one that will undoubtedly stir some controversy, as will the coda to this tale. Since it saw a pair of Fallen Jedi take unique paths on that barren world. Wherein one desperately worked to belong and lead while the other searched for that mysterious power. And of course, our heroes just made do. Yet, they were content in their decision to save Ezra and the outcome, for it was as they saw it… the will of the Force and that, is where we leave Ahsoka Tano, and Sabine Wren and Huyang. Alive and thriving on a foreign world, and watched over by the Chosen One, and that was indeed… a unique and fascinating way to end this story.

In part because it does leave the door open for more of Ahsoka’s adventures, and more answers. And clearly, the franchise is indeed invested in Grand Admiral Thrawn and bringing the Heir to the Empire saga to either the small or large screen, depending upon what the brain trust decides. But if by chance, there is no second season granted, we will be left with a story that saw a pair of broken heroes, reassembled, and who did right by an old friend and did enough to warn the New Republic of a grand and horrifying threat before losing to the villain. Which is quite non-traditional, but that is what this franchise does. After all, the prequel trilogy ended with darkness, the Empire won the day in Episode V, and love it or hate it, The Last Jedi took some risks. Making this nothing short of the right ending from a saga that has no qualms surprising us and truly… it was quite the magnificent ride. One that offered up a bevy of amazing and iconic moments, and a wondrous story of redemption.

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