Does Star Wars: Ahsoka do right by the beloved character?

9:53Does Ahsoka do justice to the beloved character?

Lucasfilm's new live-action series, Star Wars: Ahsoka, charts a new path within a familiar corner of franchise's galaxy.

The series is a continuation of The Mandalorian, and the first standalone Star Wars TV series based on a storyline from the animated titles in the fictional universe.

The titular heroine Ahsoka Tano first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels as a secret Jedi apprentice of Anakin Skywalker. In this series, set after the events of Return of the Jedi, Tano travels around the galaxy trying to prevent the reemergence of the Empire.

Culture critics Ryan Britt and Hanna Flint join guest host Talia Schlanger to review the first two episodes of Ahsoka, and discuss whether this take on one of the franchise's most beloved characters does justice to her legacy.

We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion, listen and follow the Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud podcast, on your favourite podcast player.

Talia: The first two episodes of Ahsoka dropped earlier this week. The reviews have kind of been a mixed bag. Ryan, what do you love about what you've seen so far?

Ryan: I'm the father of a six-year-old daughter, so I love that there's three female leads on a show and there's not a big deal being made of it. I love Sabine and Hera and Ahsoka, and I love all the lightsabers. I like what the show represents for Star Wars.

WATCH | Official trailer for Ahsoka:

Talia: Cool. Anything you think falls short in the series so far?

Ryan: I wish it wasn't a story about another space map. That was a little frustrating to me; I felt like we've kind of seen that trope. I worry that Star Wars is sort of stuck with "a quest to get a thing to take you to another thing."

Talia: Oh, interesting. Hanna, what did you love and what kind of fell short?

Hanna: Like Ryan said, I love the female leads. I love that we've branched away from the white-brunette-lead trope; we've become a bit more diverse here. I love that we explore more of the galaxy. I think these series are really opening it up. I understand Ahsoka was the Padawan to a Skywalker, but I do like that we are moving beyond that saga. I love the Loth-cats; I always love it when they introduce a new creature…. It's basically a cat that's got really tall ears, and it's native to [the planet] Lothal.

Talia: And it's really, really cute. It's interesting to hear the tone of Rosario Dawson's voice [in the series]. She has this command that is very peaceful and very straight ahead. Do either of you want to speak to her performance in the series?

Hanna: It's very different.… It kind of reminds me of how in Top Gun: Maverick, we saw Tom Cruise playing a Maverick who has seen things, has been in some battles; he's world-weary. And I like the fact that with this performance, that's where we see Ahsoka. She's been through a lot. It's quite subdued, the tone. There's been losses, grief, trauma … so I kind of like the fact that she's matured and grown up.

Ryan: We got a little Ahsoka doll in the mail that has her saying, "May the force be with you," in Rosario Dawson's voice, and it is very different than what we're used to but I kind of dig it. My daughter keeps pressing it and it's just like she's telling you, "Calm down. The force will be with you." It's really cool.

WATCH | Ahsoka and Darth Vader duel in Star Wars Rebels:

Talia: I want to talk a bit more about the difference between the animation and the live-action. This all started with a cartoon character, and we know that sometimes things can get lost in translation from animation to live-action. Ryan, do you feel like anything was lost for you in the translation?

Ryan: It lacks some of the goofiness of The Clone Wars and Rebels.… There's a humour and lightness to Rebels and The Clone Wars — which is strange, because they are about these huge intergalactic conflicts, violence, betrayal and all these things. But I do feel there is an inherent goofiness that feels a little tamped down in these first two episodes. I'm hoping that Ahsoka gets to lighten up as a result.

Talia: This is a complex world that's built through the Star Wars franchise. Hanna, I'm wondering: for you, how accessible does Ahsoka feel in that respect of bringing in people who aren't super-fans into the fold and making something entertaining for them?

Hanna: Well, Star Wars is very much known for its exposition; they do make sure that everyone knows what's happening…. But I also feel Star Wars, at this point, is for fans. People are invested in it. It's kind of like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, jumping in at Phase Five and not going back to the beginning: it might be a bit difficult. I suppose that's the difficulty with having these series and films that all connect with each other. So I wouldn't say it's the most accessible. Maybe do a quick read-up on what you need to know before watching Ahsoka.

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Panel produced by Ty Callender.