@rebelsofshield / rebelsofshield.tumblr.com
Ahsoka is Dave Filoni's prequel trilogy. It's an idiosyncratic space fantasy that's visually creative, filled with complex lore and interesting ideas, and sometimes emotionally stirring. It's also often incomprehensible to anyone not willing to do the extra reading, makes strange moves regarding characters and mythology, and is filled with awkward performances portraying beloved characters.
He really is George's apprentice.
Ahsoka delivers a long awaited moment for Star Wars fans that is at times moving but often cut down by the cloudy storytelling that surrounds this series.
I really want to be proven wrong, but the Ahsoka show is fighting such an uphill battle for me. Everything about it just makes me wish we were watching the continuation of Rebels in animation. Regardless of the transphobia allegations against her, Rosario Dawson's portrayal of Ahsoka feels very stiff and lacking in a lot of the passion and energy that defined Ashley Eckstein's take on the character for so many years. I'm also just worried that the entire thing may just feel like one of those live action Disney movies that are competent but feel grafted onto a medium that isn't really suited for the story being told. And it's such a huge ask for a show to demand that viewers have at least some familiarity with two different animated shows in addition to the live action series that it's sharing a continuity with.
There's also just the matter that of the four seasons of Favroni shows we've gotten so far, I've only really been happy with the first season of The Mandalorian and even then that took a while to click. I'm hoping that Dave Filoni is more comfortable in live action now and that his storytelling instincts from The Clone Wars and Rebels will shine through in a way they haven't in The Mandalorian or The Book of Boba Fett, but I'm not entirely confident that it will play out like this. I desperately want to be proven wrong. The trailers have been cool. I'm just anxious.
So, I’m choosing to believe that the awkwardness of The Mandalorian is more of a Jon thing than a Dave thing. I hope Ahsoka proves me right. I’d love to be fully on board for his New Republic/Mandoverse movie.
What’s odd is that, even though I’ve been largely disappointed by everything in the Favroniverse so far, I actually really like how the New Republic era is being set up? It’s neat to see all these different factions cropping up and trying to make sense of this galaxy after the collapse of an authoritarian government. And it’s really interesting to see the New Republic portrayed as this well meaning but largely ineffectual government that is both trying to be a functioning democracy but also simultaneously rebuild a galaxy and prevent any return to power for the Empire. So much potential there and on paper I think there’s good stuff that can be done, but the execution has been so mediocre so far.
Do you ever just cry about how Rebels’ narrative won’t be finished in animation but instead in some crossover heavy live action Ashoka show that stars a transphobic actress and, if Dave Filoni’s past live action direction is any indication, looks to be stale and impersonal as hell?
I’m sorry for being so negative on here, but I’m just very tired of Lucasfilm learning the exact wrong lessons from every bit of feedback they receive
The Book of Boba Fett tosses aside its title character for the second week in a row for a well directed episode that is filled with ambitious and questionable story telling turns.
Someday. Somehow. Someone has to join Din on his little ship. Please. Give us an ensemble. I’m begging you Dave and Jon. Mostly Dave.
A beloved Star Wars character makes their live action debut in a strong episode that still adheres a bit too closely to the series’ tired formula.
But for real, if The Bad Batch show doesn’t finally give us the continuation of Barriss Offee’s story... Like what are you waiting for Dave? Is she also going to be in The Mandalorian season two? Is she getting her own spinoff show? Is she chilling with Ezra and Thrawn? Hmm? Dave? Hello?
Also *sips tea* The Clone Wars is legitimately great and Dave Filoni is honestly one of the few contemporary storytellers that really gets Star Wars, but the reason why he and The Clone Wars are held up as this bastion of quality for lots of toxic fans is because it’s also one of the unabashedly violent Star Wars creations in the saga. It gives the most airs of seeming adult. “This can’t be a kids’ show the girl just cut off four heads at once.” It’s why part of the reason why, in addition to nostalgia, that Ahsoka gets a pass that most other female protagonists don’t. She beheads and stabs people. She’s a violent badass. It’s Arya Stark syndrome. Notice how much vitriol is thrown at less dramatic story arcs featuring her. The violent hate felt to the (admittedly kinda mediocre) Trace and Rafa arc from The Clone Wars.
Also, you frequently hear that Rebels was holding Filoni back, but that show is just as wild and strange as The Clone Wars and arguably features better character writing. The only restrictions that Dave had for Rebels were a smaller budget, which hardly if ever actually affected the storytelling of the show, and a stricter control on the level of violence shown. This is why it gets called a “kiddy show” or why lots of older fans write it off despite the still large amount of onscreen death. It doesn’t behead, stab, shoot people to bits, devour, etc. its characters on a regular basis, so the true Filoni, the one that knows how badass Star Wars actually is, doesn’t get to be his true self.
After twelve years, Star Wars: The Clone Wars comes to a close in a finale that is high on tension and somber atmosphere.
(Review contains spoilers)
The true tragedy of The Clone Wars makes itself known in the tense and traumatic penultimate episode of the series.
(Review contains episode spoilers)
Kill me good tonight Dave. I’m ready for it. So ready. Bring it.
I’m not ready.
