Ahsoka Part Three Review: Time to Fly Thoughtfully Navigates a Tricky Question and Continues Full-Throttle Into More Action

The third episode of Ahsoka aired Tuesday night and with it some valuable detail that (mostly) answered a major fan question that’s been circulating since the first trailer was released. Directed by Steph Green, Part 3: Time to Fly enters into new narrative territory after getting both new and old fans caught up with our characters in the two-episode series premiere. This episode was chock-full of original trilogy charm, nail-biting maneuvers, and a healthy portion of camp.



Many questions remain unanswered, such as the background of our secondary villains Baylan Skoll, Shin Hati, and their assassin, Marrok, as well as when and why Ahsoka and Sabine began training together offscreen. However, it’s obvious that the story is picking up speed. It’s also abundantly clear that Filoni and team are now carefully crafting a larger narrative in earnest. This episode began to explore what it means to be a Jedi, reckoned with the history of the Jedi Order and the history of the Mandalorians, and how those two creeds and cultures have intersected in the past, and may yet intersect in the future.



At the end of Part 2, Ahsoka and Sabine are on their way to Seatos following a tracking beacon that Hera and Chopper placed on one of the hyperdrives intended for installation in the Eye of Sion, Morgan Elsbeth’s galaxy-jumping superstructure. Our heroes encounter challenges on the way, but not without collecting some vital intel. We also have a visit from some old friends, including one much-anticipated character cameo.



Unfortunately, we haven’t seen the last of the trailer and promo footage yet, and Thrawn and Ezra remain firmly out of reach.



SPOILERS AHEAD



Ahsoka and Sabine training in Ahsoka Part 3: Time to Fly



We begin the episode with a training sequence between Ahsoka, Sabine, and Huyang. This cold open had me hanging on every word and movement. Will the answer to Sabine’s Force-sensitivity finally be revealed? In the scene, Ahsoka suggests Sabine train with a helmet that shields her vision. Sabine struggles initially, but seems to progress some towards the end, blocking a couple of Ahsoka’s strikes and landing a few well-placed blows, albeit some of the latter may have been a result of anger combined with luck. Still, the capability is there with the potential for growth.



Sabine attempting to use the Force in Ahsoka Part 3: Time to Fly



Despite the conjecture swirling in recent weeks with the introduction of Ahsoka and Sabine’s master and apprentice relationship, I still found myself reeling from this huge reveal. Ahsoka further confirms Sabine’s potential to use the Force in their next scene together, responding to Sabine’s question regarding why if everyone has the power to use the Force, don’t they all use it? Ahsoka responds “Talent is a factor, but training and focus are what truly define someone’s success.” Even if Sabine’s power with the force never grows to the scale that we’re accustomed to seeing in most Jedi, the fact that she has the capability to grow it at all is hugely significant.



Ahsoka and Huyang in Ahsoka Part 3: Time to Fly



Later in conversation with Huyang, it’s evident that Ahsoka still harbors resentment toward the Jedi Order with her acceptance of Sabine as a Padawan in part a radical questioning of the Order’s methods and priorities. As Sabine struggles with opening herself up to the Force, so too does Ahsoka struggle to reconcile her past with her present. There is growth here for all.



Finally, the cameo we’ve all been waiting for, complete with green hair, Jacen Syndulla. It’s a short scene, but it’s fun to see him older and with enthusiasm for both his “Aunt Sabine” and becoming a Jedi. If, uh, anyone wanted to write a comic about the supposed trouble that Jacen and Chopper get up to, I would happily hand over my money.



Jacen Syndulla in Ahsoka Part 3: Time to Fly



We also see Mon Mothma, as New Republic Chancellor, with a group of Senators, including Senator Xiono, father to Kazuda Xiono from Star Wars: Resistance. It’s nice to see Mon Mothma a little happier, despite her concerns about the looming threat of Thrawn. No Perrin, no problem.



Mon Mothma and New Republic senators in Ahsoka Part 3: Time to Fly



Once Ahsoka and Sabine arrive in Seatos orbit, trouble rapidly finds them in the form of Shin Hati, flanked by fighters and attempting to shoot down their ship. This dogfight is filled with fun homages to the original trilogy from celebratory cheers when an enemy fighter is downed to giving the droid attitude, and astonishingly rapid repair jobs. Perhaps my favorite moment in this sequence is when Ahsoka dons a space suit, tailored to fit lekku and all, and hops up on the wing of the T-6 to deflect fire with her lightsabers. It’s goofy to be sure, but I smiled the whole way through it, so mission accomplished.



Ahsoka donning a space suit in Ahsoka Part 3: Time to Fly



Once they enter Seatos airspace, they immediately meet a pod of purrgil, which I thought looked amazing in live-action. Down on the ground and hiding for the moment from Shin Hati and Marrok, Huyang informs them that the Jedi archives spoke of intergalactic hyperspace lanes between galaxies, which used to follow the migration paths of purrgil. If Seatos is part of the migration path of the purrgil, that explains how the Nightsisters could have stumbled upon them and studied them enough to create a map. They also now know about Morgan Elsbeth’s massive hyperspace ring, The Eye of Sion, which has the capability to travel between galaxies.



Purrgil in Ahsoka Part 3: Time to Fly



The episode ends with a determined-looking Baylan Skoll, intent on finding Ahsoka and Sabine and protecting the precious map.



Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka Part 3: Time to Fly



I continue to really enjoy Steph Green’s directing and thought this episode was fun and informative. I’m beginning to become a little more invested in Ahsoka and Sabine’s master and apprentice relationship, which I was struggling to do after the first two episodes. That said, this episode felt a bit abrupt and I was left wondering how far we actually traveled in the story. I’m thinking that the use of “part” instead of “episode” or “chapter” was chosen with intention. Hopefully, we get a little more substance next week.



In the meantime, check out our spoiler review on last week’s premiere and stay tuned for the latest and greatest on Ahsoka.



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