Title: The Jedi
Director: Dave Filoni
Chills! I got chills in the first 5 minutes of the episode. This is the one folks. The one we have all been waiting for. We all knew it was coming so I don’t mind implying it before the spoiler warning. While I thought Filoni would pull one of those TV tropes of teasing a major character but delaying the revelation until the finale, it didn’t happen. Hence the spectacular opening scene.
Besides, there is quite a bit more this episode teases which implies a much bigger finale. Before we go any further …
The following content contains spoilers for The Mandalorian S2E5.
Ahsoka, Sans Ashley
So the big concern among most fans of The Clone Wars and Rebels is the casting of Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka. The fans of TCW and Rebels knows Ashley Eckstein as the voice of Ahsoka. When the word spread that Dawson was cast, the Internet kind of freaked out. However, Dave Filoni created Ahsoka and we have to trust his choices because he’s not going to ruin one of his greatest creations. Personally I feel like Dawson nailed it. She has the look and I know she doesn’t exactly have the same voice but Ahsoka is about 45 by this point in the timeline; voices change with maturity. The one criticism I have, which the Internet was quick to point out, is the length of Ahsoka’s lekku. They do seem rather short, but again, she’s 45 at this point, perhaps lekku begin to shrink with age.
By the way, if you haven’t read the book “Ahsoka” by E.K. Johnston, I would recommend it. This episode further solidifies this book as canon as it explains the origin of her white lightsabers.
Also, I get the feeling Filoni is either setting up a spin-off for Ahsoka (which would be amazing) or he has plans to somehow incorporate Ahsoka’s post-Rebels search. If that’s the case then that has some pretty serious implications of more TCW and Rebels characters brought to live action.
What’s In A Name
There are so many things happening in this episode! The Easter Eggs in this episode are all about names. For starters, “The Child” finally has a name. After Ahsoka communes with him through the Force she learns that his name is Grogu. I like it. It’s a cool name and I’m glad Ahsoka is the character that first speaks his name. If that wasn’t enough, there are more name drops to come!
Tython
Ahsoka drops more pretty big names in this episode and I have some pretty big questions too. Ahsoka battles the Magistrate at the end of this episode and she’s seeking the location of the Magistrate’s “master”. She wants to know the location of Grand Admiral Thrawn! This can mean a couple of things. Is she still looking for Ezra? If she is, where is Sabine? Does this mean Thrawn will make a live-action appearance in The Mandalorian? If that is true, I expect that to happen in Season 3 … or an Ahsoka spin-off? I think, if Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka is successful enough, there will be a spin-off. I’d love that, even if it’s only a one-season mini-series.
The final name drop is the planet Tython. I am very excited about this. We first learn about Tython in The Old Republic, so does that make SWTOR canon? I guess it all depends on how Tython is depicted. My prediction is the season finale will take place on Tython which will likely tease another Jedi. Luke, perhaps? Or does Ahsoka know of another Jedi that might “hear” Grogu through the Force? Perhaps Ezra? So many questions!!
[Update – 12/2/20] Today I learned that the actress that played Morgan Elsbeth is Bruce Lee’s goddaughter! Diana Lee Inosanto is even named after him.
(Click here to see my Chapter 12 post)
This is the way.