Star Wars: Ahsoka Season 1 Episode 5 Review

Star Wars: Ahsoka™ raises the bar this week from last week’s propulsive, thrilling installment. Season 1 episode 5, “Part Five: Shadow Warrior,” exceeds its predecessor with leaps and bounds. Ahsoka Tano™ reminisces on her time in the Clone Wars™ while reuniting with Anakin Skywalker™ for one last training session, where she must choose between life and death. It’s fitting, given how the World Between Worlds™ surpasses time and space — perhaps it is beyond even life and death, considering Ahsoka could fight a tangible Anakin.

We also get an exciting nod to Leia Organa™, now a senator, which also feels fitting since her father is featured heavily in this episode. The purrgil™ return to transport some interesting cargo into hyperspace. And the score! I’m a sucker for a stirring musical score, and Ahsoka provides that in spades. I love the music accompanying the purrgil scene in the episode’s final moments. It gave me goosebumps.

All in all, episode five does not disappoint. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s a testament to the dizzying, exciting narrative heights Star Wars™ can achieve.

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Part Five: Shadow Warrior

We open with Hera Syndulla™, Carson Teva™, and their crew landing on Seatos™ shortly after the Eye of Sion™ jumped into hyperspace. They’re looking for Ahsoka and Sabine Wren™ in the precise spot where Ahsoka traveled to the World Between Worlds — and where Baylan Skoll™ destroyed the map. Hera’s son, Jacen™, asks if he can explore the area. Hesitantly, Hera allows it, but only if he doesn’t stray too far and if Chopper™ is with him.

Suddenly, Hera hears a noise. She orders Jacen to stay put. Hera points her weapon at the invisible threat. However, she finds Huyang™ standing on the cliff’s edge, holding Sabine’s Mandalorian™ helmet. He’s assuming Sabine and Ahsoka are dead.

But dead they are not.

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A Reunion Written in the Stars

Meanwhile, Ahsoka stands before her master, Anakin Skywalker, in the World Between Worlds. It looks gorgeous in its live-action debut. After trading a few lighthearted remarks, Anakin reveals he wishes to continue Ahsoka’s training. He still has a lesson or two up his sleeve. Anakin withdraws his lightsaber™, which is blue, while Ahsoka brings out her white-bladed saber. Ahsoka tells him she won’t fight him. Anakin responds that he’s heard that line before. Indeed, he has: in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith™, when he fought his own master, Obi-Wan Kenobi™. Obi-Wan didn’t want to fight him, either.

While they battle it out on the mystical plane, Hera continues her search on the ground. Carson approaches her, revealing that Senator Organa (our girl Leia) can’t cover for them much longer. They must head back to HQ. But Jacen senses something in the water. He asks his mom to listen to the waves. Jacen hears lightsabers crashing together.

Hera orders Carson and his crew to search the water again, this time remaining as close to its surface as possible. Huyang will join Hera in the Ghost, while Jacen and Chopper will stay in their current location. I’d love to see a future Star Wars series focus on Jacen and his unique abilities.

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A Good Togruta Goes to War

Later, Anakin smashes the glass-like bridge Ahsoka was standing on, sending her falling headfirst into a flashback from her time in the Clone Wars. A younger Ahsoka sees clone troopers™ run past her as smoke hangs in the air. Anakin sidles up beside her. He orders her to fight. It’s part of her training. After battling the enemy, Ahsoka notices an injured trooper. She holds his hand. Anakin reappears, urging his apprentice to stay in the fight. However, Ahsoka’s unsure if she wants any fighting to be her legacy. She doesn’t even know if she wants a padawan™ to train.

My favorite moment from this scene, hands down, is when Anakin walks into battle after his conversation with Ahsoka. For a split second, his silhouette transforms into that of Darth Vader™, red-bladed saber and all. It’s eerie. Ahsoka already knows what he’ll become, which certainly explains her reluctance to fight.

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Searching for a Sign

Next, we see Hera, Carson, Huyang, and the others searching the waters and the surrounding area for our missing heroes. Huyang learns that Hera carried out an unauthorized mission, which could get them all into trouble. You know how Huyang is a stickler for adhering to protocol.

Meanwhile, after Ahsoka seamlessly slays a few baddies, we see Commander Rex™ compliment her on a job well done, claiming his crew can take it from there. Oh, and this is the Siege of Mandalore™. Anakin wasn’t present for this one, but Ahsoka was. Fun fact: Sabine’s mother, Ursa Wren™, served as a general during the Siege. Also, during this flashback, Ahsoka’s dual lightsabers are now blue.

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“I Choose to Live.”

Anakin and Ahsoka reunite to discuss the latter’s progress. Anakin is pleased; Ahsoka is the warrior he trained her to be. However, as we’ve seen earlier, Ahsoka’s unsure if she wants to pursue that path. They start fighting each other amid the smoke of war. This time, Anakin’s lightsaber is the infamous red, while Ahsoka’s retains somewhat of a bluish tinge. Anakin pushes Ahsoka, who winds up in the World Between Worlds again.

Anakin’s blade is still red. Our boy’s looking very Sith-like™. On the other hand, Ahsoka’s lightsabers return to their signature white. Ahsoka overpowers her master during their battle by seizing control of his saber and thrusting it under his chin. The Sith red drains from his eyes, and he looks like himself again. Ahsoka has passed his final lesson about life and death with flying colors. “I choose to live,” Ahsoka declares. “There’s hope for you yet,” he says, which feels like a nod to his daughter’s plea to his master in A New Hope™. Anakin Skywalker vanishes.

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Return to Seatos

Ahoka returns to the waters below the cliff on Seatos. Thankfully, she’s saved by one of Hera’s people. Later, after a rest, Ahsoka emerges from the ship to find Hera, Jacen, and Chopper goofing around outside. I love the change of attire for Ahsoka — instead of her trademark gray ensemble, she’s sporting white/cream-colored clothing. Her demeanor has changed, too. She seems lighter. Hera asks Ahsoka about Sabine’s whereabouts. She shows Ahsoka the map that Baylan split in two. Ahsoka’s memory is cloudy, which will certainly happen when someone shoves you over a cliff and you wind up on a mystical plane, existing between time and space.

However, once she holds a fragment of the map, her memories prior to falling return, and she gets a sense of what transpired after her fall. She learns that Baylan promised to reunite Sabine with Ezra Bridger™. So, Sabine accompanied our antagonists to Grand Admiral Thrawn’s™ location.

While staring at the sky, Ahsoka spots a purrgil. Hmm. She has an idea.

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A Chat With the Boss

Then, Hera talks with Mon Mothma™, via hologram, about what’s awaiting her at HQ. Command plans to send a fleet to retrieve her. There’s also talk of permanently suspending her position as general. But if Hera can offer evidence of Thrawn’s return, notably in the form of Morgan Elsbeth™, she might be able to retain her position. Unfortunately, Hera doesn’t have Morgan — but she does trust Ahsoka to devise a plan.

As it turns out, Ahsoka does have a plan, and it involves a pod of purrgil. There’s a chance they can transport Ahsoka to Sabine’s location, where Thrawn and, hopefully, Ezra will be. Ahsoka communicates with the Purrgil Ultra, the pod leader, hoping it will carry them in the right direction.

We see the Command Fleet sitting in Seatos’ orbit. The captain makes contact with Carson. She orders to speak with General Syndulla. Carson tries to hold them off for as long as possible while Ahsoka works her magic. They don’t want HQ scaring off the purrgil.

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Moby Purrgil

Next, the Purrgil Ultra opens its massive mouth, granting access to Ahsoka and Huyang. Ahsoka orders Huyang to fly the ship inside. Here’s hoping the whale doesn’t inadvertently swallow them. Once the beast closes its jaws, we see Ahsoka and Huyang sitting in the dark. It’s probably super hot inside a purrgil’s mouth. Anyway, Huyang asks Ahsoka if she has any semblance of certainty, but she’s just winging it. She’s going wherever the purrgil takes them.

Carson urges the Command Fleet to make way for the purrgil. Hera reaches out to Ahsoka and wishes her well. “May the Force be with you,” she says before Ahsoka and Huyang vanish into hyperspace with the pod of purrgil. Here’s hoping they find Sabine and Ezra soon.

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I’m not sure how next week can top “Shadow Warrior,” but I’m intrigued to see where this narrative takes us. I love Ahsoka’s arc in this episode. Her evolution is significant; you can see how her interaction with Anakin in the World Between Worlds has changed her. She seems more content, focused, and clear-headed. I love this direction for her.

Do you think our heroes will find Sabine and Ezra in time? Become one with the Force with other fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!