Ahsoka ponders the consequences of her quest…

Episode 4 has it all. Thrilling fights, mystery, temptation and ties ins to previous shows and films. In terms of what happens, Ahsoka and Sabine travel a short distance to try to stop Baylan and Morgan from using a hyperspace map.

It’s not really a spoiler to say that it doesn’t go according to plan.

This episode ends the first half of the season with more than one bang. Decisions are made that feel in keeping with the characters and there is brilliant continuity with Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian and the first six movies (even Andor has had a nod).

You might think all this world building runs the risk of hampering the show’s ability to tell a story. Instead, it sits comfortably in what has gone before and rather than hem it in, it allows Ahsoka to build in new directions that feel fresh and different.

More to the point we’re about to see something completely new from the show and that is fantastic, not only for the show but for the franchise more generally. At last we get about as far from repeated visits to Tatooine as is possible and I’m all in.

The cast continue to do good work and I have to note (H/t to my friend Alex G) that Skoll and Hati are likely named after the wolves from Norse mythology who chase and eventually devour the sun. That now has me scanning the show for other references.

I want to stop a moment and say how much we’re going to miss Ray Stevenson. His death was very sad – not that I knew him personally – but for me, there is added poignancy because in Ahsoka his presence provides a foil to Rosario Dawson that I think few others could have managed. The character is written beautifully – the similarities between his journey and that of Ahsoka’s are well drawn but Ray Stevenson brings Baylan Skoll to life.

So. There’s a lot to say but I’m going to refrain because nearly all of it is spoilertastic and I want to avoid that where I can. What I’ll finish on is that this is the kind of Star Wars the franchise needs. Epic without being stupid, meaningful without losing its joy. And, most of all, adventurous without losing its focus.

Verdict: With shows like this, Andor and Bad Batch, Star Wars feels like it’s in good hands and has me excited for where they’re going.

Rating? 10 Snips out of 10.

Stewart Hotston