Star Wars: Ahsoka

[ZE_501]

I really love Rogue One and Andor, but they're ultimately (especially Andor) cynical, postmodern deconstructions. Although I'm aware they both play off the real grit to be found in the original, pre-tamper releases of the OT and its novelizations.

As such they're part and parcel of the fact that we can't go back. I see this all the time with film, with music (specifically music social scenes) and other media. A little bit of nostalgia every now and then is fun, maybe cathartic. There are such things as standards and classics that resonate into the present, even though they're of their time.

The problems arise when some Don Draper wannabe tries to repackage and resell your past to you, over and over. Copy of a copy of a copy and it's too late, the world has changed and so have you.

Why do directors revisit and maybe wreck works that could have been left alone? Star Wars and Alien immediately come to mind. Maybe they're also victims of time, trying to recapture a feeling and past glory. I don't know.

When some band or some DJ comes out of the shadows of the past to "do it all one last time", and I see people with gray hair, receding hairlines, extra pounds, mortgages, divorces and babysitters belting their hearts out, I don't know whether to be sad or charmed at the sight of it. But loss and sadness are built into nostalgia, that's how it works. So maybe both.

I can't think of a more exploitative or worn out property than Star Wars, or a more thirsty fandom. Maybe Star Trek but I don't know it well enough beyond being a relatively casual fan.

It's not that I'm completely cynical about it, but I'm reacting to the excess, the poor quality and the greed that drives it.

Disclaimer: well aware of the sacred OT's many failings. It was of a time and place.

 

[Otomofan]

Has anyone heard Doomcock's latest wild fantasy about what's going on behind the scenes?

It's so hilarious that it's quite entertaining.

He says the plan is for something to happen in the Filoni-Ahsoka-Mandoverse that will reset everything. He's said this crap before, but this time he says that somehow the space whales and world between worlds is gonna suck everything into another galaxy, but the Force doesn't work there anymore. No more Force as we knew it. BUT....there's a NEW Force...and it's "magic." And it'll be taught by witches. And only women will be able to wield this new magic version of the Force, of course, so all the heroes and villains will be women and there won't be male Force users. The new Star Wars will be like a mix of Harry Potter and Disney Plus Willow.

I think the fumes from that guy's plastic helmet must be getting to him if he actually believes this. But I doubt he does. He just desperately needs to keep making up stuff that will outrage his viewers that he can blame on Kathleen Kennedy. Cause all of his other "scoops" from his "sources" all turned out to be so accurate, after all.

Still. I have to admit I laughed.

I have to give credit where credit is due, he pretty much called it as far as The Acolyte goes.

 

[jaztermareal]

I have to give credit where credit is due, he pretty much called it as far as The Acolyte goes.

Guess he was fed a couple details about Ahsoka and Acolyte and assumed the details were from the same show rather than 2 separate shows.

 

[davejames]

I just finished up a rewatch of Ahsoka, and I still think it's a pretty solid series that did a good job bringing that Rebels storytelling style into live action. At least for those who loved that show.

But of course there are still a few frustrating character moments, like Sabine risking the fate of the entire galaxy to save Ezra. Even a throwaway line to Thrawn like "Eh we stopped you before, we can do it again" would have helped, but instead she doesn't give any defense or rationalization at all. Which is just bizarre.

 

[newapelles]

I just finished up a rewatch of Ahsoka, and I still think it's a pretty solid series that did a good job bringing that Rebels storytelling style into live action. At least for those who loved that show.

But of course there are still a few frustrating character moments, like Sabine risking the fate of the entire galaxy to save Ezra. Even a throwaway line to Thrawn like "Eh we stopped you before, we can do it again" would have helped, but instead she doesn't give any defense or rationalization at all. Which is just bizarre.

I loved Ahsoka! I thought the first 5 episodes were perfectly paced. Things got a little worse and rushed at the end though. It's like the show was originally 10 or 12 episodes and they had to cut it down to 8.

 

[Asta]

I've watched the full length series three times but it was only when watching the Patterson cut I realized Baylan had his own theme, though so far I only noticed it play twice and very briefly.

It's just a few keys on the piano but it stood out so much this time I had to rewatch the original to make sure it wasn't a Patterson addition.

It plays the first as he force grabs the Rebel's blaster hand:

The next was when he stops fighting Ahsoka and talks to her:

 

[pixletwin]

Interesting observations. What does it mean?

 

[Asta]

Interesting observations. What does it mean?

To me it implies the mystery surrounding his purpose.

I just finished the cut and it plays the last time Baylan is shown, as he stands on the hand of the Argonath-like statue and looks out.

The piano is playing beforehand when Warg-riding Shin raises her saber to the encampment, then changes to Baylan's higher notes. Though this time they're almost being drowned out by heavier, ominous tones that may be hinting at an uncertain future.

It's quite sad in retrospect now that Ray has gone.

 

[Asta]

The first time I watched the series it was a matter of getting through each episode quickly, often while doing other things, because they were being discussed here.

The second time was when the music in general really impressed me.

The third watch was a distracted binge prior to the arrival of Hot Toys' Baylan, but by then I'd realised that Ahsoka had become my favourite of the Disney series.

But with the Patterson cut Baylan's notes really stood out. They sounded so un-Star Wars like, which was why I doubted they were part of the original score, yet at the same time so fitting for the mystery of the character.


Baylan: "Contact Thrawn. Kill Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger. And take your place in the coming Empire."

Shin: "You won't help?"

Baylan: "Your ambition drives you in one direction, my path lies in another."



That line is also another sad portent, since it echoes Obi-Wan's words to Luke before parting, and eventually letting Vader kill him.

 

[Wor-Gar]

"Be patient, Luke... stay and watch over the droids..."

Luke failed at that too.

 

[xipotec]

Rewatching it also now, Baylen arrived yesterday.

This is an excellent series for fans of Rebels , but it's really it also good for those who have not watched Rebels at all.

So sad part of the fandom cannot relax enough to stop nitpicking every detail of every show Disney does.

Really enjoying it again, and looking forward to the final parts.

So sad about Ray, I hear he will be recast, which is better than a distracting CGI attempt.

But it will alway be an obvious hole in the story of one of the most interesting character to come along in DSW.

 

[Asta]

It's crazy how much of Lord of the Rings appears to be in Ahsoka. Too much for mere coincidence.

The Mortis gods:

The Argonath:

Howler:

Warg:

Ahsoka's spiritual journey:

Gandalf the White after his resurrection following his struggle with the Balrog, and Ahsoka the White after her enlightenment following her experience in the World Between Worlds:

Baylan looking out to where his path leads, at the mountain with the flashing beacon:

Frodo looking out to where his path leads, the light of Barad-dûr and then the end of his quest, Mount Doom:

 

[goatchumby]

It's crazy how much of Lord of the Rings appears to be in Ahsoka. Too much for mere coincidence.

 

[ScoutingForToys]

I'm not sure Filoni has an original creative thought in his head.
He stands on George's shoulders, steals what he wants from Legends, steals from other movies and literature and packages it up as if it was all his.

 

[davejames]

Eh original or not, I'd gladly watch his version of SW over anyone else's right now. Since he's actually been able to bring back a sense of magic and wonder to the universe.

 

[xipotec]

I think those are intentional parallels .....

But again , when you looks for nitpicking you will find it in any show.

There's a ton of original ideas in there as well. And OF COURSE he is borrowing from George .....they are his character and stories......

And all these stories borrow from King Arthur and Beowulf.,...

 

[ScoutingForToys]

Eh original or not, I'd gladly watch his version of SW over anyone else's right now. Since he's actually been able to bring back a sense of magic and wonder to the universe.

Well it's subjective I suppose. There's no one currently involved with Lucasfilm that I think can be trusted with Star Wars.

 

[goatchumby]

Well it's subjective I suppose. There's no one currently involved with Lucasfilm that I think can be trusted with Star Wars.

Gilroy.

 

[loki2371]

Gilroy.

A man who has said outright he could care less about Star Wars? I don't think so.

He took the most grounded Star Wars concept and made a super slow burn boring ass show. Yes it was well made, but man was it boring. I almost fell asleep during a few episodes. I'm hoping s2 will be a faster pace. He really didn't do anything new and creative or different.

I'm not much of a fan of Filoni anymore, but he's way more creative than Gilroy. Whether it be good or bad.

 

[goatchumby]

A man who has said outright he could care less about Star Wars? I don't think so.

He took the most grounded Star Wars concept and made a super slow burn boring ass show. Yes it was well made, but man was it boring. I almost fell asleep during a few episodes. I'm hoping s2 will be a faster pace. He really didn't do anything new and creative or different.

I'm not much of a fan of Filoni anymore, but he's way more creative than Gilroy. Whether it be good or bad.

I can see your points.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the high adventure and action of Star Wars as much as much as I did when I was a kid. But scenes such as Tarkin’s briefing on the stolen plans during ANH remain equally intriguing to me; perhaps more so now as an adult (even before Vader chokes out Lt. Santino ). I never knew how rewarding a series that focused on the bureaucratic core of the Empire and the desperation of those rallying to fight it could be until I saw Andor.

I don’t know about Gilroy’s level of admiration for the source material, but IMO he is crafting much-needed depth for the existing SW universe. Making sense of how that fits in with space witches and death-escaping astral planes is something that I’ll leave to the Wiki writers .