Star Wars: Loitering

Last night's episode of Ahsoka was supposed to be a big event. Written and directed by Dave Filoni, it also played in select cinemas in the US. It was 52 minutes long (around 42 minutes if you subtract credits). So I guess if you caught an 11am show you could still get lunch at a reasonable time. And since there's not much to distract you in the episode, you'll have plenty of time to consider what restaurant or fast food joint you want to go to.

It really is astounding that someone could get into the position where he could make an expensive, effects laden entry in a major action adventure franchise while having absolutely no instinct for crafting tension or excitement or emotional depth.

I kind of liked the moment where Jacen can hear the lightsabres in the waves. Maybe it was just because they squeezed out one drop of John Williams music for it. Though they were still unwilling to spring for "Anakin's Theme" or "The Imperial March". But the moment is followed by Hera giving instructions like they need to hurry and Filoni gives us this shot:

Just, you know. Standing around, chatting. It's a water cooler moment. How 'bout that little Force using kid? I thought he was blue-screened into the whole series, who knew he'd actually make a contribution?

And there's Ahsoka's flashback to the Clone Wars where, loitering amongst a bunch of troopers, she and Anakin hear sounds of battle nearby. What does the body language of the troopers tell us?

"You hear about those new T16s? I hear they're quite a--what was that? Oh, it was nothing."

When a whole Rebel fleet turns up for some reason to round up six AWOL X-Wings and General Syndulla, the lead X-Wing pilot has a casual chat with the commanding officer. He's supposed to be stalling for time while Ahsoka's making a desperate attempt to communicate with the space whales. Is there a hint of nervousness in his voice? Are there beads of sweat on Ahsoka's brow as she tries to focus? Nope. Everything's serene, everything's casual. Break out the Grateful Dead records.

I think Filoni sees himself as spiritual but even on that score, what is he ultimately saying in Anakin's "Choose life or death" lesson for Ahsoka? She throws her lightsabre away at the end just like Luke did, making it clear that this is just a meandering imitation of Luke's arc in the original trilogy. It's a shame because Hayden Christensen was primed and ready for a comeback.

His reflexes and showmanship with a lightsabre are still top notch and Rosario Dawson looks even slower and clumsier next to him. Maybe Filoni did put something of himself into the character after all.

Overall, this series reminds me of some of the students in my high school art class who would be very proud of themselves for drawing a really nice looking arm or leg but then be too timid to actually finish the picture, worried they'll screw up what they so impressed themselves with. But that "impressive" thing itself was really just a first, rudimentary lesson. Ahsoka always feels like it's telling us, "Nothing much might be happening now, but just you wait!"

Ahsoka is available on Disney+.