Disney and the Star Wars Universe on Television Screens
Following the lukewarm reception of the latest Star Wars movies, Disney has been somewhat hesitant to dive into producing new feature films.
Conversely, the studio has found much greater success in the television format, as evidenced by three successful seasons of The Mandalorian, the outstanding spy drama Andor, and the series about Obi-Wan Kenobi that fans have long wished to see.
Star Wars Series Adaptations
If we overlook the minor disappointment of The Book of Boba Fett series, Disney has been adept at handling the Star Wars universe on small screens with great skill.
This trend continued with the latest series, Ahsoka, which expands on stories known from Rebels.
Ahsoka: From Unpopular Character to Beloved Heroine
Ahsoka Tano, who first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie and subsequent series, was not initially met with much favor. In the first series, she was seen more as an annoying addition to her master, Anakin Skywalker.
Gradually, however, she gained importance and her character underwent significant development, culminating in the last series of The Clone Wars.
The Ahsoka Series and Its Connection to Rebels
The Ahsoka series directly follows the plot of Rebels, which can be slightly confusing for new viewers. Although Disney has stated that knowledge of Rebels is not necessary to follow Ahsoka, uninformed viewers might still feel a bit lost.
To understand the connections, it is definitely worth watching Rebels, at least the last two seasons. While it is a series aimed more at a younger audience, there are strong episodes that adults will appreciate too.
A Safe Bet Without Big Surprises
Although the title might suggest that the series focuses mainly on Ahsoka, that is not the case.
She is indeed the central character, but she appears on screen less than one might expect. However, this is not a criticism. The series is well-written and directed.
How could it not be, when Dave Filoni, who was in charge of both Clone Wars and Rebels as well as The Mandalorian, held the reins.
And that may be the biggest issue with this series. Dave Filoni almost always plays it safe and does not try to experiment at all.
Although the story is fine, it lacks room for any unexpected twists or other surprises, which is a bit of a shame. There is not much to criticize in terms of art or special effects.
The cast does not disappoint either. Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka evidently plays with gusto, and the same can be said about her colleagues.