Star Wars: Ahsoka

[ajp4mgs]

[...]The bit with Hera in Corurscant was stupid and pointless. Why does that "subplot" even exist? All Filoni had to do was just say that her rank allowed her the authority to mobilize fighters and embark on excursions like the one she made to try and help Ahsoka a few episodes back. None of this "trial" nonsense needed to be a part the story at all.[...]

I think it's because Filoni has to establish in-universe credibility for the idea that Thrawn can restore the Empire in short order and overthrow the New Republic. If he's supposed to present a threat worthy of a crossover movie event, that sort of galactic consequence needs to have a foundation set up first. Can't do that without planting seeds that there are people at the highest levels of the NR who are corrupt and working to undermine anyone who would potentially help keep Thrawn from taking over.

Trying to court martial Hera would be in an effort to not only take her (a capable and proven combat veteran) off the board, but would send a message to others letting them know not to go digging into this Thrawn "nonsense." Of course, this is pretty much undermined completely by having the idea of court martial undone so easily, but I think that's the ultimate narrative purpose of this subplot.

And since we know that Thrawn will eventually be defeated anyway, this also establishes why a Resistance was needed and how a First Order would be capable of stepping into the void left by Thrawn's attempted coup. I know ST detractors want no part of that, but I think it's an eventual certainty where all roads lead.

 

[Harlockfan]

https://screenrant.com/why-ahsoka-is-star-wars-gandalf-according-to-dave-filoni/
It is not just just a fan thing, Dave Filoni is writing her that way. So yeah, there is a lot lifted from Tolkien.

 

[HPGR_Thrawn]

I really liked this episode. Especially the time with Ezra and Sabine with their turtle buds. Really felt like Star Wars.

I did not get the vibe that this was the penultimate episode, though. No sense of dread or escalation really. So I am very curious to see what the last episode is going to do.

At the moment I am really hoping for a second season of this show. Thrawn needs to show off some fleet command skills. That is the one thing we still really haven't gotten from new canon Thrawn. Enough of these little skirmishes, give me a space battle with capital ships!

 

[Khev]

I really enjoyed the running battle with the nomads on wolfback against the crab people in their beetle cars. I remember George lamenting the lack of any newness in the ST with all the battles being mostly direct recreations of OT battles.

But the nomads and crabs with Ezra, Sabine, Ahsoka and Shin entering the fray not to mention all the funky new Stormtroopers was a lot of fun and seemed like something that Lucas would have endorsed.

 

[jye4ever]

I think it's because Filoni has to establish in-universe credibility for the idea that Thrawn can restore the Empire in short order and overthrow the New Republic. If he's supposed to present a threat worthy of a crossover movie event, that sort of galactic consequence needs to have a foundation set up first. Can't do that without planting seeds that there are people at the highest levels of the NR who are corrupt and working to undermine anyone who would potentially help keep Thrawn from taking over.

Trying to court martial Hera would be in an effort to not only take her (a capable and proven combat veteran) off the board, but would send a message to others letting them know not to go digging into this Thrawn "nonsense." Of course, this is pretty much undermined completely by having the idea of court martial undone so easily, but I think that's the ultimate narrative purpose of this subplot.

And since we know that Thrawn will eventually be defeated anyway, this also establishes why a Resistance was needed and how a First Order would be capable of stepping into the void left by Thrawn's attempted coup. I know ST detractors want no part of that, but I think it's an eventual certainty where all roads lead.

I’m calling it right now, Baylan on his way to wake up Palpatine!

I was craving so much to see where Baylan was heading too that I went looking for a post credit scene knowing very well there probably wasn’t one!

 

[Khev]

I’m calling it right now, Baylan on his way to wake up Palpatine!

I was craving so much to see where Baylan was heading too that I went looking for a post credit scene knowing very well there probably wasn’t one!

I hate wanting Baylan to die in a blaze of glory to give closure to his character but fear he'll forever be unresolved. RIP Ray.

 

[ZE_501]

I really enjoyed the running battle with the nomads on wolfback against the crab people in their beetle cars. I remember George lamenting the lack of any newness in the ST with all the battles being mostly direct recreations of OT battles.

But the nomads and crabs with Ezra, Sabine, Ahsoka and Shin entering the fray not to mention all the funky new Stormtroopers was a lot of fun and seemed like something that Lucas would have endorsed.

While I think the writing is quite weak overall with some lapses in direction and cinematography, the action is often pretty good. The big set piece worked well, I think. For a moment I thought Thrawn's stormtroopers might be effective.

Ezra being a Force Ninja vs. armed opponents wasn't terrible.

What did they call this episode? "Shin's No Good, Very Bad Day" ??

 

[The Buffinator]

I hate wanting Baylan to die in a blaze of glory to give closure to his character but fear he'll forever be unresolved. RIP Ray.

They’ve invested too much into Baylan’s journey to just leave it hanging after this season. As it seems very unlikely that it will be resolved in Episode 8 I think they’ll be forced to recast him for Season 2 (or the movie if that’s what comes next). As Filoni has borrowed liberally from LoTR, perhaps Filoni could recruit a grey bearded Viggo Mortensen to take up the role?

 

[The Buffinator]

What did they call this episode? "Shin's No Good, Very Bad Day" ??

You forgot to lead with "Terrible, horrible,..."

 

[Khev]

For a moment I thought Thrawn's stormtroopers might be effective.

If this were an Andor type show Thrawn would immediately have those troops executed the moment they returned to base for belaying Shin's order to gun down Ezra and Sabine (at Ezra's request no less.) If they had simply followed her command then they would have been down to Ahsoka alone who they all just might have been able to take.

I know there's probably a lot that could be picked apart and part of my brain is even telling me that this might all be a glorified "Ewok Adventure" type show but I don't care, I'm enjoying the characters, action, stakes, and overall aesthetic too much to fret over any flaws.

One thing that stuck out to me rewatching last week's episode is just how freaking cool the pilot droids of the Eye of Scion are. I freaking love those guys. Imagine if the PT Battle Droids had that same level of all-business badassery.

 

[Khev]

They’ve invested too much into Baylan’s journey to just leave it hanging after this season. As it seems very unlikely that it will be resolved in Episode 8 I think they’ll be forced to recast him for Season 2 (or the movie if that’s what comes next). As Filoni has borrowed liberally from LoTR, perhaps Filoni could recruit a grey bearded Viggo Mortensen to take up the role?

If Baylan was destined for the big screen then maybe they could shoot for the stars and get someone like Clooney. Or Russel Crowe if he could get his ass back into shape. Maybe even Hugh Jackman. I'd definitely take Viggo. Not many guys in that age range that can pull off the badass elder statesman quality that Stevenson brought to the role.

 

[chrisstbh]

If Baylan was destined for the big screen then maybe they could shoot for the stars and get someone like Clooney. Or Russel Crowe if he could get his ass back into shape. Maybe even Hugh Jackman. I'd definitely take Viggo. Not many guys in that age range that can pull off the badass elder statesman quality that Stevenson brought to the role.

I keep seeing Liev Schreiber's name thrown around.

Personally I hate recasts though, I'd rather they just continue the character in another medium like animation - or just retire him entirely.

But we'll see what his fate ends up being here.

 

[Khev]

I keep seeing Liev Schreiber's name thrown around.

I could see that.

 

[ScoutingForToys]

Personally I'm not interested in seeing anyone else playing Baylan.

 

[Khev]

Personally I'm not interested in seeing anyone else playing Baylan.

I don't think any of us are. We're just theorizing how they could salvage his arc if they are forced to recast.

 

[hen88]

I don't think any of us are. We're just theorizing how they could salvage his arc if they are forced to recast.

Ray Stevenson is absolutely pitch perfect as Baylon. What a fantastic role to cap off his legacy as an actor. It's also incredibly sad because we could have gotten so many more stories with him in the role.

If they absolutely need to recast, then my vote is for Gerard Butler. He's around the same age and height. He's also no stranger to being a badass in action films. The only thing is can he do a British accent? I don't remember him playing British.

 

[chrisstbh]

That’s no moon…

 

[Khev]

Ezra: "Keep firing! I'll tell you when to stop..."

 

[MeatHookGekko]

I don't think any of us are. We're just theorizing how they could salvage his arc if they are forced to recast.

Throw him down a reactor shaft?

Apparently that's the one absolute way someone will definitely live in the SW universe. ( Palpatine and Maul)

Come to think of it, the Emperor was thrown down the shaft, you could see him "blip" and detonate at some point, then not long after, the half finished Death Star blew up.

I mean Mace Windu coming back is a cakewalk compared to Palpatine, Maul and Boba Fett. All he needed is a hang glider.

( There's a book version of short stories about Jabba's Palace and the Bounty Hunters, and Dengar, in that version, finds Boba Fett, after he survives the Sarlacc, and saves him, cleans him up, fixes him up, and brings him back to health. I thought that was a far more interesting "fix" compared to what happened in BOBF)

 

[MeatHookGekko]

Personally I'm not interested in seeing anyone else playing Baylan.

Obviously Ray Stevenson is a joy to have in the SW universe, and he will always be beloved as Titus Pullo of the 13th.

But I'd like characters who are clearly written out of the SW universe, to just stay out. I'm at the point now, where I expect one of the future Spiderman movies to have Tom Holland prepare to deal with Uncle Ben coming back to life.

"Uncle Ben is back!" - Peter

"They stopped protesting those little boxes of rice at the grocery store finally?" - Ned

"Will I look like a 15 years old the rest of my life? I don't want to have to compete for the same 2 roles a year with Maisie Williams anymore" - Betty