Re-watching all of these today. So many cool stories and different amazing styles. I wish they’ll do something like for live-action short stories one day soon.
“I’m already on my way out”
Wedge was great in ROTJ.
What is ironic is how The Rise of Skywalker was billed as “The End of Skywalker Saga” and ever since it’s the Skywalkers who get all the attention with Luke’s return in Mando S2 and BOBF and Anakin’s return in Kenobi and now Ahsoka.
The reality is the center of AGFFA is the Skywalker Family. Proof of that is no IP has been able to stand without Anakin/ Vader or a Skywalker.
I think this is why I enjoy Visions series, just fun Star Wars stories about anything and everywhere in the GFFA, that don’t really feature known or legacy characters. If we didn’t like one episode, there is always another. I wish there were more, and look forward to the 3rd season.
It could be why some of us are looking forward to Acolyte, and even Skeleton Crew? That it isn’t made or has input by Filoni or have that “Volume look”, and that is will be crafted by different talents, a different approach and look as well, I hope. Acolyte should definitely be free of the fan service or Skywalkers, and Mangold’s film too.
The Acolyte is on my watch list solely because I have wanted a treatment or story from the dark side or “larger view of the Force.”
I love Visions, and I agree they are refreshing in that they do not depend on any Major Legends characters or Legacy ones; in a way they go back to he fresh blank slate ANH gave us, when all was new and big reveals and secret bloodlines weren’t the focus.
I am crossing my kyber crystals that at some point Visions and The Acolyte will be the norm. New characters and points of view. That said I would be a liar if I said I have not enjoyed Hayden’s return as Anakin & Vader. He was the Tragic Hero I most connected with in the prequels, his duality and learning to accept it is something I aspire to; to come to terms with the Ashla and Bogan in myself.
Ah. I did not iike Anakin as the way he was portrayed in the Prequel films themselves, and he certainly was no “Tragic Hero” in them. Later, in the Prequel era itself, with all the animated shows, book and comics since, he became more of that tragic figure.
But I am happy too that Hayden got to return and show some good acting, to play the character as a more rounded or nuanced person than we originally got in his 2 PT films (I do not blame the actor, other better actors with long careers suffered in the PT also came across as stiff, flat or stifled).
I hope the Acolyte will be a hit, and be something a little different too.
What is ironic is how The Rise of Skywalker was billed as “The End of Skywalker Saga” and ever since it’s the Skywalkers who get all the attention with Luke’s return in Mando S2 and BOBF and Anakin’s return in Kenobi and now Ahsoka.
The reality is the center of AGFFA is the Skywalker Family. Proof of that is no IP has been able to stand without Anakin/ Vader or a Skywalker.
I think this is why I enjoy Visions series, just fun Star Wars stories about anything and everywhere in the GFFA, that don’t really feature known or legacy characters. If we didn’t like one episode, there is always another. I wish there were more, and look forward to the 3rd season.
It could be why some of us are looking forward to Acolyte, and even Skeleton Crew? That it isn’t made or has input by Filoni or have that “Volume look”, and that is will be crafted by different talents, a different approach and look as well, I hope. Acolyte should definitely be free of the fan service or Skywalkers, and Mangold’s film too.
I just don’t trust the people making this stuff with those characters. I thought I might like Ahsoka or (recent) Mandalorian more because they’re not movie characters so there’s less to “ruin” but I still think they did them dirty. So I have even less faith that they’ll do something good with Thrawn, Mara Jade, Revan, Plagueis, or whoever. I don’t get it when fans hate the existing stuff coming out and then turn around and say, “Give us KOTOR! Give us Mara Jade!” etc. as though just having those characters technically in something makes it good.
Quality is quality. It’s been said a lot but Andor went with a completely original story with almost all new characters, and receives almost universal praise. Would I trust the people making that show with making a clone wars show? Yes. Would I trust them to make a cool show with Kyle Katarn in it? Yes. Another completely original concept? Yes.
But if you hand the same stuff over to the people that made and approved Book of Boba Fett, Obi Wan show, Mandalorian season 3, then no. Dave Filoni, no.
I feel very much the same. I’d have to have seen the makers of Andor do some of the previous live action projects. Or other creatives as talented with different visions and takes on EU stories or legacy characters. Even in animation or short one-off live action specials.
77 episodes of Rebels
133 episodes of The Clone Wars
27 episodes of 2003 Clone Wars
7 episodes of Tales of the Jedi
6 episodes of Kenobi
8 episodes of Ahsoka.
258 episodes in total: mainly in an attempt to somehow try and fix, improve, save, repair, expand upon, mitigate, or flesh out the 3 awful Prequel Trilogy films from some 20/25 years ago.
If after nearly 258 episodes, the most ‘exciting’ and ‘best thing ever’ fans are talking about online is seeing Anakin appearing again in very brief, foggy, dream-like rehashed fight scenes, then the bar has become set very low for this particular era of Star Wars.
Even in this series set in the New Republic era, part of the Mandoverse series that appears to be attempting to fix, improve or expand the Sequel Trilogy much in the way the listed shows above did for the PT: the most crafted and thought-out set-piece so far is a needless call-back about the Prequel era once again. That is such a pity, even though it was done well.
Without this particular memberberry, dripping in fan service, I have to ask myself just how good has this series been so far? Not very.
5 episodes in and it is mundane, shallow, predictable. Albeit with some okay, fun parts occurring in places. Much like Mandalorian seasons 2 & 3, Kenobi, and BOBF, it is overall disappointing and underwhelming. Lacking in substance, care, quality. It is also safe, formulaic, uninspiring, and risk averse. The clunky dialogue, and slow stoic acting prevents any emotion and tension. And worse of all, the story has nothing to say. Even at best, it contradicts itself: the episode 5 memberberry message of ‘live in the present - or die trapped with the weight of the past’, is ironic given Filoni’s Star Wars projects often use fan service and call-backs to the past events and characters to illicit an emotional reaction from the viewer. Projects that are still unable to stand on their own, that still require those “fan-wish” call-backs even now, nearly 20/25 years after the Prequels.
Ahsoka is now reborn as #AhsokaTheWhite, baptised and cleansed of the guilt, controls and burden she placed upon herself. Cool, but as we haven’t really seen that other than Ahsoka acting slow and stoic in the previous four episodes, it doesn’t have much of an emotional impact or weight. And we are now at the same character point we were at the end of the Rebels epilogue: #AhsokaTheWhite. 3 more episodes to go.
I have to say the actress playing young Ahsoka was great, and Hayden was also good, very good in the WBW scenes. The cinematography and visuals for the call-back battle scenes were very nicely done. Gif/meme-tastic!
Sabine, the two villains, and young Ahsoka are most engaging of all the characters in the series so far, which is a problem. Maybe now we will see Ahsoka come to the fore? I like Rosario Dawson as an actress, she is a good actress, great in Daredevil. But not in this, so far. I hope that changes in the 3 last episodes.
They appear to have a lot to do in those 3 remaining episodes.
And all 3 episodes were so enjoyable. Darth Angelus is doing some fantastic work with these videos!
AHSOKA Is Half Over And So Far It’s… - a 13 minute YouTube video from Jeremy Jahns (for Episodes 1-4).
I don’t usually like the delivery style, but he does mention some good points in this video; especially the inconstant use and appearances of “Force Ghosts” in Star Wars, the reliance of memberberries. That the animated versions of characters seem more lively and interesting than the live action series. Maps again. Some problems with it being a “Rebels season 5”. The villains being the better more engaging characters. And a bit more.
These are NOT the same scene.
#AhoskaTheWhite
Different clothes and her staff. Filoni isn’t that dumb to mess up his own canon.EDIT: Plus with Filoni being funny about when this scene takes place… I could see it being the closing scene of S1, setting the stage (with more context) for S2 or his movie.
I thought they would be different scenes too, but then Lucasfilm came out and said:
“It’s a moment that’s familiar to ‘Star Wars Rebels’ fans, with a few shot-for-shot recreations of the animated series’ epilogue.”
https://thedirect.com/article/ahsoka-rebels-retcon-lucasfilm
I’m guessing it was more important for Dave Filoni to show Ahsoka become #AhsokaTheWhite in this series, and retcon his own canon in Rebels instead?
I thought the original Rebels epilogue was Ahsoka and Sabine going off to try and find Ezra shortly before the Original Trilogy era; a valid reason why they were not around or seen in the OT. Now that has been altered or retconned to be 5-6 year after the destruction of Death Star II, what were they now doing during the Original Trilogy era?
I’ve realized that the biggest issue I have with this show is the lack of reason to fear Thrawn. I know him from the books. Some fans know him a bit from Rebels. But in this show we have been given no information or evidence of his clout beyond his rank. Even from Rebels we know that he has with him one Imperial class Star Destroyer - what difference does that make? I’m sure there were plenty after Endor that had to be dealt with.
I’m loving the prospect of seeing a new region of space in Star Wars, and I want to see Thrawn in live action, but the threat just isn’t something I feel.
I agree, I want to see him in action in the remaining episodes, to see him be this feared, impressive tactician and leader, and not simply be told about it. Unless that is what the “wrap-up film” from Filoni is going to be, and this is just laying the groundwork for that? That will will be underwhelming if it does.
Yeah I do agree that’s an issue. It’s the problem with making Ahsoka a direct sequel to Rebels because if you haven’t seen that show Hera and Sabine are completely new, and while the show does an admirable job of trying to introduce them to new viewers it doesn’t quite work. Also because it’s a sequel to Rebels it doesn’t feel the need to show why Thrawn coming back is such a big deal because it assumes you’ve watched Rebels and therefore know why Thrawn is so intimidating. If you haven’t seen Rebels he’s pretty much the main villain of the later half of that show. I haven’t read his original trilogy, but from what I saw of him in Rebels he was a fantastic villain. He doesn’t get defeated due to anything he does wrong, it’s other characters in the Empire who screw up his well-laid plans.
Yes, the setup of Ahsoka series infers it is about finding Ezra and Thrawn and stop Thrawn returning to unite the broken Empire against the New Republic. Instead we are half way through and haven’t really seen that yet. We also seem to be dwelling on Ahsoka and contrasting issues with masters and apprentices in the past and present, something which occurred offscreen with Sabine, and is something of a mystery, which is something else we are not going to delve into? Now it appears we’ll get an Ahsoka/Anakin episode for chapter 5.
So only 3 episodes left? That is a lot of groundwork to cover for both Ezra and Thrawn, a new galaxy, and what has occurred there since we saw last saw them. And how it will play into events for the New Republic and broken Empire. All while keeping Ahsoka front and center as a character.
I’ve realized that the biggest issue I have with this show is the lack of reason to fear Thrawn. I know him from the books. Some fans know him a bit from Rebels. But in this show we have been given no information or evidence of his clout beyond his rank. Even from Rebels we know that he has with him one Imperial class Star Destroyer - what difference does that make? I’m sure there were plenty after Endor that had to be dealt with.
I’m loving the prospect of seeing a new region of space in Star Wars, and I want to see Thrawn in live action, but the threat just isn’t something I feel.
I agree, I want to see him in action in the remaining episodes, to see him be this feared, impressive tactician and leader, and not simply be told about it. Unless that is what the “wrap-up film” from Filoni is going to be, and this is just laying the groundwork for that? That will will be underwhelming if it does.
Has Ahsoka always had Psychometry (aka ‘force echo’) as a force power or is it a new ability of hers for this show? (in episode 2).
I thought it was something you were born with, and that it was a power that couldn’t be learned or achieved through training. Only a few individuals outside the Kiffar have it?
Disney Star Wars is horribly inconsistent and doesn’t adhere to any rules
Agreed. Even its own 2014 canon rules, as Caston posted about Filoni and Lucas overwriting or retconning others’ work in Star Wars (some before and some after the 2014 canon/legends announcement):
Has Ahsoka always had Psychometry (aka ‘force echo’) as a force power or is it a new ability of hers for this show? (in episode 2).
I thought it was something you were born with, and that it was a power that couldn’t be learned or achieved through training. Only a few individuals outside the Kiffar have it?
I’m fairly sure this is the first time we’ve seen her use it but I definitely could be wrong. I love the ability, honestly even if she’s able to use it out of nowhere I’m happy.
Thanks. I thought the scene itself was well done and even liked it. But it does seem strange to give established characters new and rare force powers who haven’t previously shown them. Once is okay I suppose, but I wouldn’t want to see more unique force powers given to characters this way. Force Speed for Obi Wan to use just that once in TPM still feels odd to me! 😃
1971, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1981…
I was referring to Star Wars, both on-screen and his retconned and made-up claims off screen, as well as the lack of cohesive story of the 6 main films.
or 9 films, 12, 13. or 1 film and a cheap sequel, or just 3 films. Then back to 6 films, then “I never said 9 films” 😃
“Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, in danger, in love, in Star Wars” : 30 second 1977 trailer on YouTube. Before the story was changed to make them brother and sister, and before their father was changed to become Vader, and then made all about their father instead.
Yeah, we understood what you meant.
Thank you. Such a weird trailer seeing that back again. Are you glad Lucas sold up too?
Yeah, that magical awe vanished when the Prequels came out. Like so many other have commented on over time, GL suffers from not having those talents and creatives around him to challenge him, say no to him, offer alternatives, bring their insights to the fore and so on. To go back and continue needlessly altering that work is a stain on what they all achieved together.
Lucas’ content since the mid 1990s hasn’t been engaging and lacked that magic “he” once had. So he may as well have handed over the reigns to someone else and do whatever it is he is doing now, whatever that is I do hope it makes him happy. The Disney era of SW has been a very mixed bag, but I’ll happily take R1, Solo, Andor, Visions, and even TFA & TLJ. Even though I’d probably only re-watch R1, Andor and Visions.
Yourself?
Zero interest from me. Does every origin story need to be told? Can’t something ever be left to the imagination?
After seeing the Prequel Trilogy, I completely agree.
I do have some hopes for this. Mainly because it is Mangold doing his own thing. I hope so anyway.
Why don’t people put the titles of videos when linking to them? Or who they are by? Or how long they are if a lengthy video?
4 hours for any video is a long time. Especially one from Rick Worley.
Shouldn’t this be in “Theatrical Cuts vs. Subsequent Releases”? Or deleted as there is already a thread on it?
Has Ahsoka always had Psychometry (aka ‘force echo’) as a force power or is it a new ability of hers for this show? (in episode 2).
I thought it was something you were born with, and that it was a power that couldn’t be learned or achieved through training. Only a few individuals outside the Kiffar have it?
3 episodes in 2 weeks is awesome news. Looking forward to seeing them all.
1971, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1981…
I was referring to Star Wars, both on-screen and his retconned and made-up claims off screen, as well as the lack of cohesive story of the 6 main films.
or 9 films, 12, 13. or 1 film and a cheap sequel, or just 3 films. Then back to 6 films, then “I never said 9 films” 😃
“Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, in danger, in love, in Star Wars” : 30 second 1977 trailer on YouTube. Before the story was changed to make them brother and sister, and before their father was changed to become Vader, and then made all about their father instead.
Yeah, we understood what you meant.
I’ve had some recent changes to my circumstances, and thought I’d miss having Disney+. I was wrong, I haven’t missed it at all and doubt I’d subscribe again until Andor’s 2nd season is out.
Other subscriptions too, I just haven’t missed any of them.
I don’t know why anyone has their hopes up on this show…given the track record of their writers recently. But I guess even I hope it’ll be cool. 🤷♂️
It is all relative, but as this show is in its own timeline, doesn’t have Filoni working on it, isn’t a crossover show, does not much fan service to include, is using real sets and locations as opposed to the Volume, and that Headland has a good reputation going on her previous work, I do have my hopes up a bit. They are not high hopes.
If it is anywhere near approaching the quality of Andor; production, writing, characters, acting, compelling storylines, risk taking, having something to say that resonates, even the use of sound and things like that, then I’ll be happy.
Christ, that is a low bar in modern Star Wars, isn’t it? Those things should be the minimum expected.
What is the status with defeating the DRM on D+ anyway? Is that pretty well sorted by now? Hard to pirate without a source.
There is DRM on Disney+?
If there is DRM, it doesn’t stop the content appearing on torrent sites and stream sites just hours after release.
I was gonna say if they have any streaming protection it hasn’t stopped all the fan edits.
Good point, I forgot about all the fan edits!
I wonder what region will be next to follow after Australia. Europe?
What is the status with defeating the DRM on D+ anyway? Is that pretty well sorted by now? Hard to pirate without a source.
There is DRM on Disney+?
If there is DRM, it doesn’t stop the content appearing on torrent sites and stream sites just hours after release.
Star Wars: The Old Republic has a new developer
In a BioWare blog, the developer stated it’s moving development on the Star Wars MMO to Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot studio Broadsword.
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'The Star Wars MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic is changing development studios. In a developer blog on the BioWare website, BioWare general manager Greg McKay wrote that while EA will remain the game’s publisher, active development will move from BioWare to Broadsword — the studio known for its work on Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot.
“Players will continue to enjoy the SWTOR they know and love,” McKay wrote. “There are also exciting new features planned that the team is not quite ready to talk about yet, but suffice it to say that players can expect improvements and new content into the future.”
SWTOR’s studio move was long rumored. Earlier this month, IGN reported that EA and Broadsword signed a letter of intent indicating that SWTOR would indeed be changing developers. In a statement to IGN, EA wrote:
“We’re evaluating how we give the game and the team the best opportunity to grow and evolve, which includes conversations with Broadsword, a boutique studio that specializes in delivering online, community-driven experiences. Our goal is to do what is best for the game and its players.”
In addition to that statement, McKay posted on the SWTOR forums reassuring players that the game would still be actively supported. “All future content updates are also moving forward as planned.”’
I know they are denying the game is going into to “maintenance mode”, but it sure seems like it is.
Fans on their forum have done their homework, and think it will be dead soon, that it has been mistreated for a while now, note the layoffs (it will be around half the number of devs over the past few years; 80 down to 40?), that Broadsword have a history of being the place where games go for “maintenance mode” too, and Broadsword’s silence on the issues, questions and in general:
https://forums.swtor.com/topic/929816-an-update-on-the-development-of-swtor
Respawn Star Wars FPS Is Single-Player & Inspired by Dark Forces Games - in The Escapist, March 2023.
‘The single-player Star Wars first-person shooter in development at Respawn Entertainment will be inspired by FPS games like Star Wars: Dark Forces and Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2, according to a recent LinkedIn job post. The post, which seeks to recruit a lead technical artist for the project, also provides more hints about the AAA story-driven title, including that it will utilize Unreal Engine 5. You can read the full description of the currently untitled project below:’
I really hope this happens. No cancellations. No stuck in development hell, A good solid FPS Star Wars game.
