REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’ Episode 6 — “Far, Far Away”

Five years have passed since the enigmatic disappearance of Thrawn and Ezra aboard the Star Destroyer Chimaera, thanks to the spacefaring purrgil. Since then, and with the inception of this series, the burning question on every fan’s mind has been: Where are Ezra and Thrawn? Ahsoka Episode 6, titled “Far, Far Away,” directed by Jennifer Getzinger and written by Dave Filoni, this long-awaited answer is finally unveiled. The episode transports viewers to a new galaxy, introducing a planet and creatures previously unseen in the Star Wars universe while also delving into the ancient mysteries that lie at the heart of the saga.

Ahsoka Episode 6 opens with Ahsoka and Huyang inside the colossal purrgil, hoping these creatures will lead them to Sabine, who is in enemy hands. Ahsoka seems to grapple with understanding Sabine’s decision, a matter that feels somewhat perplexing considering her growth over the season and her recent transformation, as symbolized by her white attire, following the profound lesson from her master in the previous episode.

One might expect her to understand Sabine’s choice, having been trained by Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi who, despite his selfish decisions, found redemption. While it’s a delight to listen to David Tennant deliver what feels like a follow-up lesson to Ahsoka as Huyang, it’s hard to escape the feeling that Ahsoka should already have moved past dealing with such a difficult decision, considering her own choices in previous episodes. Regardless, this interaction may have been a setup for one of the most memorable “they said the thing” moments in Star Wars history, as Huyang drops a line that transitions viewers to Morgan Elsbeth and her companions as they exit hyperspace.

As the ship drops out of hyperspace, Elsbeth reveals to Baylan and Shin, as well as the audience, that they have arrived on Peridea. Through concise exposition, we learn that this planet was once the ancient home of the Dathomiri and also served as a purrgil graveyard. The sight of long-decayed purrgil bones is chilling and hints at the introduction of a totally alien world that pushes the boundaries of what we know about the Star Wars galaxy.

More importantly, this brief exchange cleverly explains how the purrgil that took Thrawn and Ezra and the purrgil that Ahsoka and Huyang are riding in ended up in this place. As the largest and likely oldest of the purrgil, capable of carrying starships through hyperspace, it’s reasonable to assume that they would eventually find their way to this graveyard, akin to Earth’s legendary elephant graveyards.

As the trio of villains descends to the planet with Sabine in tow, viewers are treated to their first glimpse of this truly distant world. Jennifer Getzinger’s brilliant directorial choice bucks convention by introducing the planet through the viewpoint from the cockpit, echoing the sensation of emerging from hyperspace. It’s a subtle choice, as the break in the clouds is brief, transitioning to more familiar landscape shots. Nevertheless, it effectively places viewers in the shoes of the characters, even if they are the story’s antagonists. Further, it is the first look at Getzinger’s prowess of capturing the magic of the moment.

Ahsoka Episode 6 provides little time for awe-inspired contemplation of this new planet’s implications. Instead, it rapidly advances the plot, delivering on the anticipation of Thrawn and Ezra‘s return. Thrawn’s (Lars Mikkelsen) reappearance is marked by a chilling moment when his Star Destroyer, the Chimaera, reveals a samurai-like army of troopers, weathered by years stranded in an unfamiliar galaxy. These ‘Night Troopers,’ as labeled in the episode’s closed captions, ominously chant Thrawn’s name, led by the gold-faced Captain Enoch.

This introduction communicates that Thrawn is no ordinary Imperial Grand Admiral, setting a tone of unwavering devotion akin to biblical references like that of Enoch. Thrawn’s hold over his followers, not even classified as stormtroopers, distinguishes him further from characters like Grand Moff Gideon, whose troops displayed remarkable loyalty in The Mandalorian.

This scene evokes imagery of a shogun acknowledged by his legion of samurai, a nod to Dave Filoni’s effort to return Star Wars to the essence of Kurosawa films while inviting viewers to ponder the loyalty of these samurai-like troopers: to Thrawn or to the Emperor? A thought that has resonated even with Emperor Palpatine himself in the expanded Star Wars universe, and one that this episode encourages viewers to explore.

Ezra’s (Eman Esfandi) reentry into the narrative is more subtle, as Sabine unknowingly becomes bait in Thrawn’s plan to lure them both to one location. Sabine’s search leads her to a village inhabited by the Noti, crab-like aliens whom Ezra has seemingly integrated with to survive.

This subtle reacquaintance with Ezra feels fitting, highlighting his ability to adapt to diverse environments, a trait he shares with Thrawn as seen in Star Wars Rebels. Ezra’s adaptation, however, comes from kindness and helping those in need, qualities that have endeared him to the Star Wars fandom. There couldn’t have been a more fitting way to introduce and reintroduce Ezra to the fandom. This understated reunion masterfully reintroduces Ezra, setting the stage for further exploration of his character in the episodes to come.

If there were an award for an outstanding directorial debut in the Star Wars universe, Jennifer Getzinger would undoubtedly earn it in Ahsoka Episode 6. Her choices, from framing the entry into the planet’s atmosphere to the introductions of Thrawn and Ezra, are immersive, placing viewers squarely in the characters’ perspectives. The Noti, with their undeniable cuteness, are bound to become instant fan favorites, and even creatures like the Howler, which Sabine rides, blend CGI and practical effects seamlessly, creating a sense of authenticity.

While some scenes may seem a touch heavy on CGI, these instances highlight the effectiveness of practical effects rather than shortcomings in CGI usage. The episode’s sound design is impeccable, from the mesmerizing moans of the purrgil in the opening moments to the ominous aura surrounding the name “Thrawn” and the subtle incorporation of familiar Star Wars scores, reminding viewers that, despite the new galaxy, they are still within the beloved franchise they’ve cherished for decades. Amidst all the grandeur of the episode, it’s these small details that shine the brightest, firmly establishing this new era of Star Wars.

Although “Far, Far Away” finally answers one of the most significant questions in Star Wars history, there are undoubtedly more mysteries to unravel. While Ahsoka’s conversation with Huyang may have left some scratching their heads, and there is room for minor CGI improvements, these issues don’t detract from Ahsoka Episode 6‘s overall success in meeting the lofty expectations surrounding Thrawn and Ezra’s return.

The episode’s cinematography, direction, and sound design are outstanding, matched by the performances of Eman Esfand and Lars Mikkelsen as Ezra and Thrawn, respectively. Now that the whereabouts of Thrawn and Ezra have been revealed, it’s time to see what this new, even more distant galaxy holds for the franchise.

Ahsoka Episode 6 is available now on Disney+ with new episodes every Tuesday.