Spoilers ahead for episode three of AHS°KA.

The third episode of AHS°KA has dropped and it features plenty of action and excitement, as well as some big callbacks to some classic Star Wars moments, leaving us with a feeling of big things to come.

In training

This episode picks up almost exactly where the last two left off, with Ahsoka, Sabine and Huyang starting their quest to find out what Morgan Elsbeth is planning. A big part of this episode involved Ahsoka training Sabine to use the Force, which had reflections of past training scenes with characters like Anakin, Luke, and Obi Wan.

There’s a long tradition of Jedi taking on difficult older students and trying to train them to use the Force, and that’s in good hands now with Ahsoka. There was definitely shades of the Star Wars Rebels episode ‘Trials of the Darksaber’ about it, especially as they were using wooden swords rather than real lightsabers like Kanan and Sabine did.

A big thing about this is how it appears to change the nature of the Force and who can use it. In the past it seemed you needed a strong natural ability to use the Force, but as Huyang said, Sabine’s aptitude for it is below any Jedi padawan. With this and what Ahsoka said in this episode, it seems to suggest that anyone can learn to use the Force with proper training and commitment. Whether this changes the idea a person can be ‘strong in the Force’ I’m not sure, but it definitely opens up a lot of questions about how this power works.

New Republic, old bureaucrats

It’s been barely five years since the Empire fell, but it seems that the New Republic has already forgotten the Galactic Civil War. It seems incredible that they would believe the Imperial military could have been destroyed so quickly, and that a leader like Thrawn couldn’t unite the remaining factions to start another conflict. With the way things are, it’s no surprise the First Order rose to power just a couple of decades later.

You would think Mon Mothma would have more respect for Hera’s concerns after what they went through together, and that she would better understand the resilience of the Empire after seeing it from both the outside and the inside. As for Senator Xiono, he seems one of the most complacent, and his suggestion Hera only wanted to find Thrawn for personal reasons was rather unpleasant. You can see why Kazuda went and joined the Resistance so eagerly.

A nice inclusion was the appearance Kanan and Hera’s son Jacen Syndulla. His role in the show was teased a while ago, and it’s interesting to see he has green hair like his animated version. I imagine he’ll go on to have an important part in future episodes.

Who is Marrok?

Marrok is still alive, which is more than can be said for some Inquisitors who’ve met Ahsoka. He’s definitely skilled, and his rusty armour makes him look like he’s a survivor. Perhaps it’s only his skills that have kept him alive since the collapse of the Empire. I think his true identity is being hidden from us, however. The fact he never removes his helmet is a big clue, as is the way it disguises his voice. It all makes him a very mysterious figure who must have something to hide.

What next?

The appearance of Purgill was a big thing. As Sabine said, the last time she saw them was when Ezra disappeared, and it’s possible this time they will lead her back to him. Certainly their appearance next to the Eye of Sion, and the hyperspace route Elsbeth will be taking to Thrawn is a big clue, but what will they find at their destination?

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