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:: An ongoing episodic story of fan-fic set after Episode VI Return of the Jedi, and inspired by George Lucas' historical draft concepts ::
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| October 2023 |
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Nat's thoughts on Ahsoka.....
31st October 2023 |
The climactic episode of AHSOKA aired, and I must admit I was left feeling surprised and puzzled. The episode - and the series - was great fun, but it seemed drawn out, clearly setting up for a second series (or the "climactic 'Mandoverse' movie" that's been promised) even though the show was billed as a singular stand-alone run ; where I was (perhaps naively and erromeously) expecting a 'happy ending' of sorts, at least wrapping up the heroes' stories, Ahsoka and Sabine were left in exile on Peridea in the Second Galaxy, along with Dark Side villains Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati, while Thrawn and the Dathomiri Witches had successfully returned to the familiar galaxy, along with Ezra Bridger.
The eighth episode brought us 'zombie stormtroopers', which personally I did not care for ; apparently they have a precedent in comic form, but seeing them undead made me wonder about their comrade 'Night Troopers' and whether they were undead too, or living fodder willing to give up their lives for Dathomiri magick. The zombie troopers were simply killed twice over, they didn't seem to have any other arsenal than being numerous and time-consuming.... which, plotwise, was apparently all they needed to be.... yet, for two to three Jedi, the troopers could have been Force-pushed, or cut down, very easily and quickly. Likewise, the turbolaser bombardment , although visually impressive and dramatically tense, became redundant all too quickly - more of this as a delaying tactic, if not a killing tactic, could have been made.
Much was made of deliberate mystery, not all of it revealed, which was frustrating ; even if the series isn't going to be 'closed-ended', it's satisfying to the audience for there to be some pay-off and at least some clarification or further hint to the enigmas. The characters, even the locales and the plot, all had so much potential, and they were richly drawn. The cliff-hanger aspect to the climax meant one is of course eager to learn more, which is no bad thing, but a fair amount of detail and even backstory was mising, that, if present, would have helped empathise with the (relatively) new faces and aded our investment into the story. Thrawn's Captain Enoch [whose name has mythical connotations] was clearly presented with significance, yet his role and actions did not progress beyond being the captain of the guard ; the fallen Jedi, Baylan Skoll, and his apprentice (Force sensitive non-Jedi) , Shin Hati, although had mercenarial duties, clearly had been employed by Morgan Elsbeth for presumably counter-acting Ahsoka or any other Jedi, but who obviously had their own agenda too. The closing scenes of Baylan amongst huge statuary representing the godlike characters from Mortis [a world visualised in the CLONE WARS series to illustrate the Balance of the Force, and later hinted at in the REBELS series] , leads us tantalisingly to a whole new subplot that was barely referred to earlier. Interesting Thrawn ally, Morgan Elsbeth, introduced in the one-off Ahsoka episode in the MANDALORIAN series, becomes expendable as yet more loyal canon fodder against the Jedi. Even Ahsoka and Sabine's prior mentoring relationship and history was hinted at but never really clarified. The deal made between Thrawn and the WItches was never explicitly revealed, other than cargo - more witches ? - being ferried from Peridea to the remains of Thrawn's Star Destroyer. One has to assume that the cargo could not be pre-loaded on to Thrawn's ship until a means of extra-galactic transportation had been guaranteed ; but again, in doing so, it provides a time frame and time constraint for the heroes' actions.
Seeing Anakin again was wonderful, as was the clever re-casting and de-aging for Ahsoka, representing the Clone Wars era. Even seeing Anakin's Force Ghost on Peridea was lovely. Once again, it begs the question of the dynamic between the Cosmic Force and the two galaxies and Peridea and the Witches (whose apparent homeworld is Peridea) and even the Space Whales. I found the live-action 'World Between Worlds' frustrating - in REBELS this was used as a parallel universe transportation concept, allowing the writers to rescue Ahsoka from certain-death, and introducing a specific attunement to the Force by Ezra ; as well as indicating that Palpatine had also been aware of and hunting this distance (if not time) travelling portal. Yet in the AHSOKA series, this locale was used not to transport but to reveal past events and teach lessons from this ; my consternation, however, was that it seemed Ahsoka needed to be more of a 'washed-up loser', reluctant and jaded and fearful, prior to her lesson from her former Master, for her to then become re-focused and centred and able to continue with her mission with clearer sight. She had appeared to me to be a focused warrior from the outset. I was no doubt naive and not comprehending the true purpose of the scenes, but this pivotal section almost failed for me, I felt Ahsoka needed to have been seen to have progessed from one state to another more explicitly.
It was lovely and insightful to be given New Republic centric subplots, subtly insinuating that the loyalty of the Imperial Empire does not disappear overnight. Personally, I wish Mon Mothma's appearance by Genevieve O'Reilly was closer to that of the older Caroline Blakiston from the ROTJ timeframe, and not of the former's visage of ROGUE ONE or ANDOR. It was fun seeing Hera Syndulla and her son Jacen, as well as the lovely cameo of Threepio, but it was frustrating that we didn't see a re-aged Leia or Luke.... perhaps these two will make an appearance in a second series of the show, or for the 'climactic movie event'.
The 'Disney era' has given us several 'death' scenes only for the characters to be resurrected again. To my mind this is lazy writing and sensationalist melodrama, that doesn't really provide any purpose to the plotting. If the character is to be only injured, but severely, by a lightsabre, then the opponent should be able to demonstrate their sword fighting prowess and inflict a 'clean injury'. But all the injuries have been abdomen, and all have resulted in relatively quick restoration times.
Overall, my impression of the Ahsoka series has been favourable. It's certainly been exciting, with some great world-building, and further exploration of lore. A variety of worlds, a new galaxy no less, and abstract concepts visualised in live action such as the Force-attuned Purrgil and the World between Worlds. As I've said previously, any filler episode, or more writing / direction / editing, makes the viewer feel cheated when there are to be so few episodes in a short run series. Such time needs to be managed as efficiently as possible. But the series was presented in a 'slow-burn' fashion over only eight episodes, and for this style then it should have been planned over a longer episode period, akin, say, to ANDOR. A shorter run also encourages the writer to 'rush' certain plotting or reveals which perhaps would have benefitted from a longer and more detailed exploration and explanation.
If a second series is indeed to go ahead then I'd certainly look forward to watching it and learning where the characters go and how the plot develops. Equally, I'd like to think that LFL is attentive to the fan response - favourable and critical - and improves its writing and structure in this 'long form story-telling' for the TV format.
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| As I did with the progression of the Virtual Edition Episode X, I will post below sections of the prose for Episode XI as I draft it.... |
The moon Bastion was an oddity in that it was a partly-naturally hollowed out rock forming a ring shape, with additional excavations brought about by mining. Imperial engineers had drilled posi-grav rods deep into the circular profile, and had, in effect, wrapped much of the torus in habitable structures ; since the creation of the Remnant following the Alliance victory at Endor, such structures were added to, supported by an increase in landing pads and a generated breathable atmosphere. Looking up from a street or airstrip one would see similar structures and buildings on the corresponding side.
The moon orbited the larger planet designated Imperium, the political and socio-cultural centre of the Imperial Remnant. The territory existed under the rule of Palpatine as a luxury destination for military and senatorial officers either affluent in wealth and standing, or as a much sought-after reward when earning the Emperor’s favour. The world’s ecology was a warm temperate and savannah, affording luxurious wildlife parks. Now, though, the land was squeezed for munitions factories and early-stage shipyards, as well as the central citadel that served as Governor Tagge’s base of command.
Bastion now acted as the sole gateway to Imperium, with smaller moons and orbiting gun platforms providing defensive coverage against any vessel not transitting through the singular entry point. Two orbital ship yards provided end-stage construction services.
From his office window in its high tower, Tagge could see Bastion glinting in the pale blue sky. A line of air traffic ferried back and forth. He longed for the day when this view would be replaced by the similar, but denser, more central, more authoritive view, provided by Coruscant.
“Soon, my friends, very soon, my plans for our resurgence will take effect, and the Remnant will step out of the shadows and we will have our revenge !”
He turned back to face the centre of his office and regard the few members of his inner circle who were present, seated around a crescent table.
Robbiee-Luiee was a tall slim lady with long dark brown hair. Her manner was meek for she sat with a mental docilator wrapped about her head. This not only pacified her, but augmented her already-incomparable mathematical and tactical mind. She was the last surviving member of the family that ran the Troig pirate gang, and although that now meant her time as Tagge’s hostage was over, her usefulness to him outweighed any sense of decency or honour he might have possessed.
The wiry gentleman with sharp features and trimmed white moustache dressed in olive-green uniform was Tagge’s highest-ranking military general. He had served Emperor Palpatine loyally in the latter years of the First Empire, retaining positions of authority under Admiral Vantos and Amedda, the Second Emperor ; when the latter slipped into the ways of sorcery, the newly appointed General Addler aligned his interests with the bureaucrat Tagge, preferring tried and trusted mechanical means of authority over intangible paranormal.
Beside Addler sat Admiral Tyne, slightly younger, black hair flecked at the sides with grey. His was the voice of Tagge’s navy. Tyne had helped secure Palpatine’s top secret weapons research facility, the XHT-8311, the contents of which, even in theoretical or prototype stage, had been instrumental in accelerating the arsenal of the Remnant. A third Star Destroyer was now under construction, and many squadrons of TIE ships had been assembled over the last few years.
The fourth member of the Governor’s audience wore a white tunic, for Tagge recognised that an investment in science and engineering was crucial for the Imperial Remnant if it was to quickly turn around its current predicament and reshape its future. Professor Renzance carried a portly frame, his reward for many richly succulent consumables gifted to him over the years by various institutions.
“But we are on a tight schedule,” Governor Tagge continued. “It is imperative that all the elements synchronise.”
He glowered at the professor.
“Project Transartillus has endured several test failings, Professor Renzance, and its window for successful test launches is closing fast. The latest reports conclude that the hyperspatial reversion recoil was too much for the drone net to contain. This must be rectified to allow us any leverage over the Pan-Alliance.”
The professor dipped his head in acknowledgement. “Our latest theoretical simulations propose a smaller packet of hot plasma would survive for longer... but would be reduced in its output productivity,” he conceded.
Robbiee-Luiee interjected, her eyes fixed ahead. “Then its significance would also be reduced. However, a smaller packet aimed at the optimum target would still provide a maximum emotive response.”
Renzance gestured expansively with his hand towards Tagge. “If the Governor would allow for a... smaller yield... targeted more strategically... then I am certain the positive results you have been waiting patiently for will be delivered.”
General Addler leaned forward, rubbing one moustache tail vigorously. “After all, Governor, initial smaller strikes will no doubt be followed by an increase in size and scale and effectiveness. Utilise the time from the reaction of the first deterrent to accelerate the research and development of heavier packets.”
Tagge turned his attention to the head of his military. “Time, General ? Time ? You know as well as I that we don’t have more time. I want an effective demonstration of the power at our disposal, I want the Third Empire to rise majestically and unopposed. The construction yards are on schedule. Will your battalions of infantry be ready to fill those ships and perform their duty ?”
Addler knew Tagge was referring to the less than glowing training reports. He narrowed his eyes. “They will, my Lord. On the battlefield, my troops will perform. The recruits take their lead from the veteran soldiers, and will support them without question !”
“Promoting social loyalty in small groups of colonists and Remnant volunteers headed by the veterans will pay off,” agreed Robbiee-Luiee.
The Governor looked to his Admiral. Naval construction had been the most successful element simply due to the skill sets of the colonists and the automatons.
“Flight training and command ship competencies, Admiral ?”
Tyne smiled confidently. “Improving daily, my Lord.”
Tagge nodded, and then chuckled to himself. “Well said,” he announced.
He returned his attention to the professor. “Reduce the packet sizes, make them work, and give me the results I want.”
“Very good, my Lord.” He tipped his head slightly. “The new droidai are performing well and show great promise, do they not, Governor ?” Renzance was keen to illustrate the success from the engineering department.
“Ahh, yes, our solution for the Jedi,” remarked Tagge. “Robbiee-Luiee ?”
“The results are theoretical,” confirmed his aide. “We don’t want to show our hand just yet, but we think the Pan-Alliance’s supernatural guardians will find them interesting.
Our intelligence reports show the PA have begun investigating the increase in plasma mining, so we have assigned a unit from the first production line to the mining teams as additional protection.”
“Nothing like testing in the field, eh General ?” noted the Governor. His voice hardened. “The Peace Accord is nearly upon us. I want everything ready by then. No excuses.”
Tagge took a step back, and planted his hands on his hips. The meeting was over.
“Glory to the Empire !” intoned Addler, Tyne, and Renzance together.
“The Glorious Empire,” responded Tagge solemnly.
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| Nathaniel Reed, 31st October 2023 |
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