You don’t have to be a Jedi Master to understand Star Wars: Ahsoka on Disney Plus
It’s okay to be a Star Wars novice when watching the Ahsoka Tano-fronted TV show
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Light spoilers follow forStar Wars: Ahsoka and other Star Wars TV shows.
I’m not a diehardStar Warsfan. Sure, I’ve seen plenty of what Lucasfilm’s legendary sci-fi franchise has to offer, including its nine movies (10 if you includethatlackluster animatedClones Warsflick) and every live-actionDisney Plusshow. I’ve also played my fair share ofStar Warsvideo games, such asRepublic Commando,Jedi: Survivor, andRogue Squadron.
Even then, I’m far from the most clued-up fan of that famous galaxy far, far away. There are numerouscanonand non-canon books I’m yet to tackle, and that’s before I get on to the animated TV shows, some of which – I’m looking at you,The Clone Wars – comprise 100-plus episodes across multiple seasons.
It’s that latter series and its pseudo-sequelStar Wars: RebelsI was most worried about missing before I watchedStar Wars: Ahsoka’s first two episodes. Lucasfilm’s latest TV show is a live-action follow-up to events in that pair andThe Mandalorian, and while Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy andAhsokashowrunner Dave Filoni suggested that fans don’t need to do their homework leading up toAhsoka’s release, I was wondering whether I’d understand who everyone (sans Ahsoka) was, key moments in their history, and howThe Clone WarsandRebelswould impactAhsoka’s plot. In short: maybe I should have taken my own advice andprepared properly forAhsoka’s arrival.
Needless to say, I didn’t need to fret.Star Wars: Ahsokaproves that you don’t need to be a Jedi Master to understand the vast majority – yes, there are caveats – of the story its first episodes tell. Equally, the gaps in myStar Warsknowledge didn’t lessen my enjoyment ofAhsoka’s terrifically entertaining and well-assembled slice of Force-fuelled space opera.
Step this way, Padawan
Before I dig into whyStar Wars: Ahsoka’s first two episodes are so great – they’re immediately accessible toStar Warsnovices (or Padawans, if you will), too – what are the very basics you need to know?
Without getting into the minutiae of previousStar WarsTV shows, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) is a former Jedi Knight and ex-Padawan of Anakin Skywalker. InThe Clone Wars, she walked away from the Jedi Order after being falsely accused of a terrorist attack on the Jedi Temple. In the years that have followed, Ahsoka has become a nomadic, samurai-like Jedi who maintains the peace in the wider galaxy. She also keeps tabs on greater evils lurking in the shadows; and, when rumors reach her of one such threat re-emerging after the Empire’s fall, the respected Togruta warrior sets out to investigate if they’re true.
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Now, in the interests of transparency, I didn’t go intoStar Wars: Ahsokacompletely blind. I was aware of what happens inRebels' final episodes, either from talking to those in the know or doing some light reading around the subject (hey, it comes with the territory of being an entertainment reporter). So, I had a vague idea of who certain characters are, their relationships to one another, and their place in the wider context ofStar Wars' bustling universe.
Star Wars: Ahsoka has the feel of an old-school Star Wars movie
However, there’s plenty I wasn’t aware of heading intoAhsoka– but, ultimately, that didn’t matter. The show does a great job of delivering enough exposition to help you understand the story it’s telling, who’s involved, and why it all matters.
Just think back toStar Wars: A New Hope. Nobody knew anything about the history that existed between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader prior to its release. Yet, over the course of the movie, you realize the complex and tragic past the pair share, even though this wasn’t explored in-depth until the prequel film trilogy arrived.
Star Wars: Ahsokaapproaches its narrative, character relations, and universe-building in much the same way. Yes, there’s lots that devotedStar Warsfans will already know about Ahsoka, Sabine, Hera, Thrawn, and Ezra, especially if they’ve watchedThe Clone WarsandRebels. Those that haven’t, though, aren’t left behind. As I said,Ahsokagives you sufficient material to appreciate what’s come before without being overbearing. For newcomers who aren’t clued up, learning about these individuals and the series' wider mysteries is all part of the fun, too.
As someone sitting firmly in that latter camp, I never felt alienated by the gaps in myStar Warsmemory bank prior to watchingAhsoka. Every time something important was brought up,Star Wars: Ahsokahandily (albeit briefly) explained what I needed to know.
Who’s this Ezra Bridger everyone keeps banging on about? You find out through snippets of dialog or the playing of a poignant hologram recording. What’s the deal with Grand Admiral Thrawn? And – without spoilingtoomuch – where he’s been exiled to, and why are the Empire’s remnants searching for him? All starts to become clear asAhsoka’s villains chart a course to track him down. So, if you’re worried about not being an expert on the above and more, don’t be. You’ll learn what you need to know asStar Wars: Ahsokaprogresses. An accessible series for first-time viewers, this most certainly is.
Masters of the universe
Star Warsfanatics shouldn’t be concerned thatAhsoka’s first two entries comprise filler material that they’ve seen and heard before, though. There’s plenty of fascinating lore – new and old – to wrap your head around, call backs to otherStar Warsprojects, and even the odd hint about how Ahsoka could redefine what you thought you knew about Lucasfilm’s iconic franchise.
From the first episode’s archetypal opening crawl and dread-inducing attack on a New Republic Heavy Star Cruiser, to nods toRebels' finale and the role that the hyperspace-traveling space whales known as Purrgil play in it,Ahsokais stuffed with references to classic and more recentStar Warsfare. If you’ve watched every singleStar Warsfilm and TV show, this connective tissue will amplify your enjoyment ofAhsokaand the story it tells.
Star Wars: Ahsoka gives you sufficient material to appreciate what’s come before without being overbearing
And that’s only the tip of the iceberg as far as references that diehard fans will understand go. Again, without heading too far into spoiler territory, there are nods toStar Wars' expansive range of novels and specificClone Warsepisodes, including those centered on the Outer Rim planet known as Dathomir.
Above all else,Star Wars: Ahsokaretains the core elements of what makesStar Warssuch a beloved franchise.
Its roots in Akira Kurosawa-inspired action ensure that its lightsaber battles are thrilling and unique. Its rich themes, including the vital bond shared by a master and their apprentice – shown here by Ahsoka rekindling her strained relationship with former student Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), and fallen Jedi Baylan Skoll and his apprentice Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) – are explored extensively. Its incorporation of the franchise’s vast timeline of events, whether that’s High Republic Era-based information teased by the millennia-old robot Huyang (David Tennant), or recent expository material from Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), broadens viewers' understanding of the wider universe as well.
My verdict
Star Wars: Ahsokahas the feel of an old-schoolStar Warsmovie, which older fans will absolutely revel in. Equally, though, it’s equipped with a new-age flavor and attitude that – like The Mandalorian andAndor– breathe new life into Lucasfilm’s franchise, and will appeal to younger viewers and/or first-timers.
Yes, it helps to have streamedThe Clone Wars,Rebels, and evenThe Mandalorian(three of thebest Disney Plus showsaround)before watching Ahsoka. But it’s not vital to do so, nor will it impact how entertained you’ll be by what’s on offer. If, like me, this is your first introduction to some of these fantastic characters and the stories they’ve shared, you’ll eat up what’s on show. It might even make you want to watch the aforementioned animated shows, too, which I’ll certainly be doing.
If this isn’t your first rodeo with Ahsoka and company, you’ll adore the transition they make from the animation space to live-action format, plus the numerous references on show. Long story short: it’s useful being a Jedi Master heading intoStar Wars: Ahsoka, but it isn’t necessary in order to be able to savor every electrifying minute.
Star Wars: Ahsoka’s first two episodes premiere on Disney Plus on Tuesday, August 22 in the US (August 23 elsewhere). New episodes air weekly.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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