Ahsoka Season 1 Episode 6 - Far, Far Away

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode due to the fantastical and philosophical nature of it. A new galaxy, a new world with all of it's complicated interworking intricacies. There are only 2 episodes left and this one sets up for a great grand finale. This episode mainly centers to set up Thrawn as the big bad which we knew all along, but to give him color, if you will excuse the expression as he is quite a colorful blue anyways. He certainly does a good job of coming across as very evil, calculating and an ever strategist. He seems like the true heir to the empire as compared to the ever bumbling, arguing and indecisive new republic.

This show does a good job of introducing new characters starting with Enoch, the captain of the guard and the extremely cool looking Great Mothers who seem to be enemy of the Jedi. There are frequent allusions to old Jedi stories told at the temple and the Great Mothers seem to be extremely historic. The show does a good job of fanfare as Baylan Skoll is revealed to be a Jedi General who Thrawn does not completely trust and views as expendable.  The show ends on a cliffhanger as Thrawn is made aware of Ahsoka's soon arrival.

Analysis

• This is the first episode without a light saber fight but there is gratuitous use of a light saber.
• We're seen Sabine Wren try to use the force to move objects at least three times now, and each time has been a comedic failure. I suspect in the final episode she will be able to finally use to force to save everyone, after making a choice...correctly this time.
• My question of how they will get back after reaching Thrawn is somewhat answered as Morgan Elsbeth says it would take roughly three days to build something to take them back.
• We were able to find Ezra Badger after all! Sabine puts off explaining the circumstances of how she got there.
• The light saber fight between Ahsoka and Baylon Skoll will be really exciting as she was "trained" with the dark side of the force by Anakin in the region between worlds.

Characters of interest in this episode

Ahsoka - Feared by Thrawn. Is not in this episode much.
Grand Admiral Thrawn - appears kind of charming, which makes him seem all the more evil. Certainly comes across as a very accomplished calculating strategist.
The Great Mothers - also have the gift of insight through the use of their "Dark Magic" and speak of threads. Referring to changeable points in time as "loose threads."
Enoch, captain of the Guard - decked out in golden gear, he appears formidable.
Commander Sabine Wren - Comes across as very head strong and stubborn in this episode which matches her demeanor throughout the season. She leans more on the Mandalorian side of things and uses a light saber as last resort.
Huyang - My favorite supporting character. He simply rains wisdom and understanding telling Ahsoka that maybe Sabine made the only choice she could have in betraying Ahsoka and not destroying the map.
General Baylan Skoll - very disciplined and seems to hear a calling from the Force on the planet of Peridea. He philosophically opines "As you get older, look at history, you realize it is all inevitable."
Shin Hati - apprentice of Baylan Skoll, utters the enlightening and highly entertaining words "More witches"
Morgan Elsbeth - extremely loyal to Grand Admiral Thrawn, as she was born in another galaxy, the customs and culture carried down from the great Kingdom of the Dathmiri is ever impressive.
Ezra Badger - has survived on Peridea amongst the little Noti, a roaming and scavaging tribe. Can speak Noti. He was trained as a bokken jedi after the jedi order was destroyed.

Tribute to the Never Ending Story

I sort of feel that riding the star whales is referencing the Never Ending Story where the boy rides Falkor the luck dragon.

Lingering questions...

• Once they get to Thrawn, how exactly will they get back? Is there another hyperloop ring at the other end? will they just jump on the back of a star whale?
• Will Jacen be trained to home his use of the force?
• Will all be forgiven with Sabine and will she continue her training?
• How will General Hera Syndulla handle the new republic after stealing a bunch of ships and having some of them destroyed? Or will all be forgiven as she is seen to be telling the truth when Thrawn returns?
• Will we see Anakin again as a force ghost?