The return of Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll, intriguing plot developments involving Sabine Wren and strong lightsaber duels in Fallen Jedi carry Ahsoka to new heights.
One of the age-old conundrums facing every Jedi is the idea of attachments and the danger they pose. Attachments can influence someone to push aside logic for mere sentiment. Ahsoka finds some new wrinkles in Fallen Jedi.
Following the aftermath of Part 3, Ahsoka and Sabine are stuck in the forests of Seatos. Skoll orders Hati and Marrok to find Ahsoka and Sabine. Ahsoka and Sabine try to find the star map. Ahsoka is willing to destroy the map if it prevents Thrawn from returning to the galaxy. Destroying the map would eliminate the faint possibility of saving Ezra Bridger.
There is a trio of fun lightsaber duels in Fallen Jedi. Ahsoka faces off against Marrok and Skoll in separate duels, while Sabine engages in a rematch with Hati.
Fallen Jedi is full of tense moments aided immensely by Kevin Kiner‘s terrific score. Furthermore, Fallen Jedi builds up to a thrilling climax involving Skoll, Ahsoka, Hati and Sabine. The first meeting between Skoll and Ahsoka doesn’t disappoint.
Their divergent views on peace and their duel represent two masters of the force sizing each other up. Fallen Jedi ends by offering Sabine the choice Ahsoka warns Sabine about at the beginning of the episode. Sabine chooses attachment to Ezra over her master and joins Skoll and Hati on their treck to a new galaxy. Ahsoka is left for dead but receives a blast from her past.
Meanwhile, Hera corrals a group of rebels to aid Ahsoka and Sabine. The rebels are able to reach Seatos, but can’t stop Skoll, Hati and Morgan Elsbeth from jumping into hyperspace. All hope isn’t lost. Chopper’s tracker is still attached to Elsbeth’s ship.
The only blemish is the at-times stilted dialogue. Stevenson is making a meal out of this dialogue style. Unfortunately, every other character also speaks in the same dialogue cadence, which robs the characters of individuality at the dialogue level. Fortunately, the subtle performances by Rosario Dawson and Natasha Liu Bordizzo are rising above the dialogue shortcomings.
Overall, Fallen Jedi is Star Wars at its best. Compelling action, deeper dives into the lore and smart twists propel Ahsoka into the upper echelon of Star Wars television.
Ahsoka Part 4 Review Score: 9.5
Outstanding
With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into standout moments in Fallen Jedi. There may be some minor spoilers. Ahsoka is streaming on Disney Plus.
Attachment leads to Fallen Jedi
Showrunner Dave Filoni and director Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) set up Sabine’s dilemma from the jump. Ahsoka divulges her plan for the star map. As much as Ahsoka wants to find Ezra, she won’t risk subjecting the entire galaxy to Thrawn. Ahsoka asks if she can trust Sabine. Sabine tells Ahsoka she can.
Attachment is a common Star Wars theme. Anakin’s fall to the dark side occurs due to his connection to Padme. Sabine’s betrayal of Ahsoka is due to her inability to sever her attachment to Ezra.
Filoni does provide a few wrinkles on the conundrum. Ahsoka doesn’t just order Sabine to abandon her feelings. She asks Sabine about them and asks for Sabine’s trust. For most of the episode, Ahsoka and Sabine are in lockstep. When Sabine chooses to accept Skoll’s offer, it hits harder than if they were arguing.
Lost in the woods
Skoll orders Hati and Marrok to lead a bevy of troops into the woods in search of Ahsoka and Sabine. Meanwhile, Ahsoka and Sabine concoct a plan to work their way through the forest to secure the map.
A pair of simultaneous lightsaber duels take place. Both duels are rematches. Ahsoka takes on Marrok. Sabine faces off against Hati. Ahsoka defeats Marrok with surprising ease. Hati once again possesses the upper hand over Sabine. However, once Sabine begins relying on her Mandalorian arsenal over her lacking Jedi skills, she begins to even the playing field. A distraction delays Hati long enough for Ahsoka to pursue the map.
The lightsaber duels are a step above the previous duels in the series. Not only are the moves impressive, but there’s clear character development through these fights as well.
Peace
Skoll and Ahsoka finally face each other in Fallen Jedi. They’re evenly matched for most of the duel. However, Skoll eventually gains the upper hand after Ahsoka suffers an injury after trying to destroy the map.
The duel and their conversation essentially serve as the two former Jedi sizing each other up. Skoll is keenly aware of Ahoska’s past. However, from his perspective, Ahsoka abandoning Anakin is what dooms the galaxy.
Skoll and Ahsoka are aiming for similar destinations but are using different goals. Ahsoka wants to preserve peace by severing Thrawn’s ties to the galaxy. Skoll wants to usher in a new era of peace. He will destroy the galaxy by bringing Thrawn back, leading to a new universe blooming in its wake.
Currently, Skoll is without a doubt the most interesting villain in Star Wars since Darth Vader. His calm demeanor and quest for peace make Skoll noticeably different than other Star Wars villains who are grasping for power and control. I say currently because it’s possible for Skoll to turn good by the series’ end.
Fallen Jedi final thoughts
The ending of Fallen Jedi with the reveal of Hayden Christensen‘s return as Anakin means next week’s Part 5 can’t get here soon enough.
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