‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’ Episode 3 Breakdown: More Mystery & Padawan Training
This week Ahsoka is getting closer to finding some long-lost Rebels characters–physically and metaphorically.
This week’s episode of Ahsoka is continuing to build towards the return of Ezra Bridger and Thrawn. But while it continues to feel like a set-up and groundwork for what’s to come, there were still a few moments and details worth highlighting.
In order to break down this episode I will have to spoil large portions of what happened this week. If you haven’t watched the episode yet, read at your own risk.
The Force Resides in All Things
@vote4milhouse Sabine force user #sabinewren #ahsokaseries #rebels #starwarsedit #mandalorian #fyp #foryou #foryoupage
This week Sabine Wren is jumping right back into her training, first with Huyang, and then with our star Ahsoka Tano. And she’s doing…. fine. Because of Sabine’s Mandalorian upbringing, she has a more natural ability with sword-style weapons than a complete novice, but she doesn’t open herself up to the Force enough to utilize it. This immediately brings us to the fandom’s favorite question this week–since when does Sabine have any connection to the Force at all?
Turns out her minimal Force connection was illuded to all the way back in Rebels when Kanan attempted to take on a second Padawan–being both Ezra and Sabine. Sabine had come into possession of the Darksaber and needed to know how to wield such a weapon. But while Ezra’s connection was somewhat natural, Sabine struggled through these lessons. But now she’s back to being trained by Ahsoka and continuing the line of unusual Jedis (Sabine is trained by Ahsoka who was trained by Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Count Dooku, and back to Yoda).
Jacen Syndulla
At the very end of Rebels we are briefly introduced to Jacen Syndulla, the child of Hera Syndulla and Kanan. By the time of this show, he is likely about ten years old and, “causing trouble” with Chopper while Hera attempts to convince the higher-ups in New Republic that she needs to go find Thrawn (and Ezra). By ‘causing trouble’ I assume they mean starting small fires and tormenting New Republic officers. Jacen mentions wanting to train to be a Jedi like “Aunt Sabine.” But perhaps more importantly, he would train to be a Jedi like both his father and his namesake.
You should know by now that Kanan Jarrus (horn Caleb Dume) was a Jedi and survivor of Order 66. Throughout Rebels he took on Ezra as his padawan and the two uncovered all sorts of secrets of the Force together.
But you may not know about Jacen Solo. Back in the days of the Legends books, Leia Organa and Han Solo had three children named Jaina, Anakin, and Jacen Solo. Jaina and Jacen were of course twins and Jacen eventually fell to the Dark Side of the Force as Darth Caedus. While the new timeline has made it clear that the original Solo children won’t be making a return, Jacen Syndulla was named for the now-unwritten Jacen Solo.
Purrgil
This episode was also our first live-action sighting of the Purrgil.
While Hera failed to convince the senators that Thrawn was still an ever-present threat, Ahsoka, Sabine, and Huyang were found and locked into a dogfight with Shin and Marrok. They narrowly escape after seeing a pod of Purrgil and use them as cover before quickly landing on an unnamed forest planet to make some ship repairs and regroup.
These space whales showed up a few times in Rebels and were surprisingly important. At the end of the series, Ezra uses their natural hyperspace jumping ability to throw Thrawn (and himself) as far into the next galaxy.
But even before that Purrgil had a mixed relationship with space-farers. Some could grow as large as the size of Star Destroyers and were known for periodically and accidentally crashing into ships. But they were also some of the first known creatures traveling through hyperspace, and likely inspired early hyperspace travelers to figure that travel out for themselves. These abilities are references in this episode when compared to the hyperspace ring being built by Lady Morgan and Co. in an attempt to find Thrawn.
What did you think of this week’s episode? Where do you think it’s all going? Since we have a Jacen, do you want to see someone named for Jaina now, too? Let us know in the comments!
May the Force be with you, adventurers!
