REVIEW: ‘Star Wars Visions’ Volume 2 Episode 2 — “Screecher’s Reach”

Subverting expectations is not the easiest thing to do in the Star Wars franchise. At the end of every story, we hope, as fans, that the light will prevail over the dark. That despite our heroes’ circumstances, they will be able to ride off into the sunset, binary or otherwise. We root for that ending, knowing they fought the good fight and rose above the evil in the galaxy to overcome their past. Star Wars Visions Volume 2 Episode 2 takes this notion and flips it on its head in the best way possible.

From Irish animation studio Cartoon Salon, “Screecher’s Reach” examines what lengths individuals in the galaxy will go to free themselves from oppressive situations. Heading the team for Star Wars Visions Volume 2 Episode 2 is director and Cartoon Salon founder Paul Young who is joined by a host of voice actors who have been a part of various projects from the studio. The episode’s titular character is Daal (Eva Whittaker), a young woman looking to find more to life than her life on her industrial planet. She is joined by Baython (Alex Connolly), Quinn (Noah Rafferty), and Keena (Molly McCann) who follow Daal on an adventure filled with dangers the likes they have never seen before.

Characters looking to the horizon for more in life is nothing new for Star Wars. Through characters like Luke Skywalker and Rey Skywalker, we can see ourselves in their hero’s journey as they answer the call to adventure sweeping them away to a new life fighting for good. As they rise above their circumstances, the catalyst for their journey typically stems from a place of virtue. From the opening of Star Wars Visions Volume 2 Episode 2. Daal appears to be cut from that same cloth. As the main characters before her were tested, so too must Daal before she can realize her destiny. Like the Cave of Evil on Dagobah, Screecher’s Reach will be that ultimate test.

Daal and her friends make their way to Screecher’s Reach, a mountain thought to be haunted by a ghost. While on their adventure, Daal is devoid of the childlike whimsy that her companion still seems to possess. While they are content with the circumstances of their life knowing that it could be worse, Daal believes it could also be better. To find that better life in Star Wars Visions Volume 2 Episode 2, Daal is willing to go to the darkest of places to prove herself worthy of the life she believes she deserves.

Admittedly, I am not the biggest fan of horror elements mixed into the media I enjoy. However, Star Wars Visions Volume 2 Episode 2 may have changed my mind. Upon reaching the base of the mountain entrance, shifts away from a fun adventure to a much darker and frightening tone. The ghost that Daal faces very much resembles a banshee from Celtic folklore. Her piercing screeches and appearance that puts her somewhere in between life and death is a great implementation of Cartoon Saloon’s Celtic roots into a galaxy far, far away. Couple this with the shift from gorgeous water-colored landscapes to the near-total darkness in the cave; Screecher’s Reach makes the Cave of Evil look like a picnic on Naboo.

Seldom do Star Wars stories take the kind of liberties that director Paul Young and Cartoon Saloon in “Screecher’s Reach.” What starts as the typical hero’s journey for a Star Wars protagonist quickly shifts to provide an ending that viewers may not expect. It pushes the viewer to look at our choices to improve our circumstances. Sometimes those choices take us to some dark places. Sometimes those choices are selfish. Sometimes those difficult choices are easier to make than we may think.

Through the personal journey of Daal, the subversion of expectations from the norms of Star Wars, and the inclusion of Irish folklore horror elements, Star Wars Visions Volume 2 Episode 2 may be of the most rewatchable episodes of the second season. Second and third viewings of “Screecher’s Reach” will surely continue to add layers to the excellent storytelling from director Paul Young and Cartoon Saloon. Daal’s expressions and dialogue carry more weight when revisited, and it is hard to argue against Daal’s choices by the time the credits roll.

Star Wars Visions Volume 2 Episode 2 is streaming now exclusively on Disney+.