Twin Suns Outpost is pleased to bring you a weekly write-up covering each episode of The Mandalorian Season 2. Each week three members of the TSO team will prepare a short reaction to the most recent episode of the award-winning series.
THE JEDI - Directed by Dave Filoni - Aired November 27, 2020 on Disney+
*SPOILER WARNING*
JESSIE SANFILLIPPO: Podcast Host, Space Buns Host
I promised Eric I wouldn’t just write full paragraph of “ AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH” for my reaction…..but BOY IS IT HARD NOT TO DO JUST THAT! MY ALL TIME FAVORITE STAR WARS CHARACTER HAS BROKEN OUT OF ANIMATION AND INTO LIVE ACTION! Not shouting about it is not an option! As someone who considers Ashley Eckstein one of her heroes…I will say that to me, she will always be Ahsoka. Ashley breathed a life not only into Ahsoka Tano, but into all Star Wars fangirls that was both fierce and pure. The reality is that in order to bring the gift that is Ahsoka into live action, there had to be some alterations. First of all, we all know Dave Filoni had to be at the helm of all things Ahsoka…so we know that every change made was done with deliberation and consideration to her authenticity. The new version of Ahsoka will take some getting used to, but wow did she make an entrance into the world of live action! Right off the bat you can tell that Rosario Dawson did her homework…she had Ahsoka’s mannerisms, fighting style, and facial expressions down…and those silhouette shots…gave me actual goose bumps. Every smirk, every flip, every glare, every fold of the arms screamed Ahsoka to me! I truly hope and believe that now that Ahsoka Tano has broken into live action and been exposed to a larger audience…that this is only the beginning of where her story could go. Ahsoka fans rejoice….because this a new day…a new beginning. Ahsoka lives.
KYLE SCULLY: Blog Writer, Comic Reviewer
Originally introduced back in 2008 on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ahsoka Tano has grown and evolved throughout the years finally arriving in live-action form on The Mandalorian.
Her appearance did not disappoint. The show, appropriately titled The Jedi, opened on some impressive lightsaber action featuring Tano’s iconic white blades. Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) works to liberate a small village from Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) and her associate, Lang (Michael Biehn).
Meanwhile, the Mandalorian simply wants to unload the Child and move on with his life. Unfortunately for him, he realizes he actually has feelings for the cute, little green guy. This episode featured some important revelations like the Child’s real name (Gorgu) and the notion that Grand Admiral Thrawn somehow fits into the story.
Dave Filoni’s transition to live-action filmmaking appears seamless. He never misses a beat whether it’s the lightsaber battles or the more the nuanced emotional moments. The episode itself is lit rather dark and almost murky. There were times when better lighting would have helped give clarity to a scene. Tano was as strong as ever and the show served as a reminder why she ranks as one of the best Star Wars characters. Dawson embodied her so well. She’s seen a lot and it shows. Unfortunately, she’s not as snappy as she was in the past. It could be chalked up to character growth but it’s an aspect of her personality that’s sorely missed.
The Magistrate was also a wonderful addition to Star Wars canon. Her mysterious past and cold, unremorseful approach left me wanting more. On the other hand Biehn’s Lang felt wasted. A terrific character actor, he’s barely on screen and his personality hardly shows through.
The show gave off strong samurai vibes. The village’s bell, its fearful townsfolk and the Magistrate’s stronghold are all evocative of the classic samurai films. Filoni tops it all off with Tano’s long walk towards the final battle and the duel itself.
The Mandalorian continues to fire on all cylinders. I’m excited to see what happens next but I just hope the show keeps pushing the pace as we near the end of the season two.
AMANDA DiFONZO: TSO Book Club Creator, Space Buns Host
Hang on while I pick my jaw up off the floor. What an episode!!! Not only did we get Ahsoka in all of her butt-kicking glory in the first 30 second,s but we ALSO got a name for our favorite little green baby, Grogu. I LOVE it. Throughout this episode we had some beautiful Kurosawa callback imagery and a gorgeous cutscene western/samurai showdown between Mando/Lang and Ahsoka/Morgan. I also have two new favorite sounds after this episode. The sound Grogu makes when Mando says his name, and the sound of lightsabers on beskar. For me this episode really gave some insight into the Force wielder Ahsoka has become since Rebels. The line “I wont give you that choice” she said to Morgan Elsbeth really struck a chord with me. She has redefined herself from the Ahsoka we once knew, while still holding onto all the things we love about her character. So far this is one of my favorite episodes of the new season and I can’t wait to see what else Favreau and Filoni have in store for us.