REVIEW: Star Wars Rebels "A World Between Worlds"
OK, this episode has SO MUCH to talk about. I don't even know where to start. I'm not sugarcoating this. This episode truly changes what we know about the force, as well as the universe of Star Wars as a whole. This episode will be discussed by fans for a long time. This episode will lead to new stories and possibilities. It is that insane. Is it good? Well, how does being one of the best episodes of Star Wars television sound?!
Ezra is transported to a dimension outside of the known galaxy as a whole. It is described as a world between worlds...roll credits. Basically, the world exists out of time and space, allowing people who enter it to not only communicate with people light years away, as was the case with Ezra and Yoda earlier in the series, but could also allow someone to literally go through portals to change outcomes in history.
Yes, time travel is now officially canon in Star Wars! I'm not sure if this was ever brought up in Legends, but I know it's never been addressed in canon. Do you not realize the potential of this power? This forever changes how we view the force. It's no longer a force to use for fights and/or abilities, or even to survive past death. It is truly a power that binds EVERYTHING together and has the potential to unbind, rebind, or alter.
Ezra literally uses an example of this power when, through a portal, he sees the fight of Vader and Ahsoka from Twilight of the Apprentice. As Vader is about the kill her, Ezra literally reaches through the portal, grabs her, and pulls her into the world between worlds, saving her. My mind was blown at this moment, because, one, Ahsoka lives...for now. Also, do you not realize this potential. People could literally rewrite all of Star Wars history if they were to take advantage of this power.
Still, it is great as always to see Ahsoka again, as this confirms she did survive her duel with Vader. Obviously, Ezra has to explain a lot to her what exactly happened. She is then confronted by an owl we've been seeing throughout the series names Morai. Ahsoka says she's an old friend, and I can explain this. Going back to the Mortis arc, Ahsoka actually dies, but is later revived by one of the beings, the daughter, the embodiment of the light side.
Therefore, this owl represents the spirit of the daughter, and her connection to Ahsoka.
Also, one thing I got to mention. Throughout the episode, there is quotes that echo in the background in the world. These quotes are from all nine live action movies, Rebels and the Clone Wars, truly bringing every thing together as one.
I should also mention Sabine is captured by the Empire, and she is forced to work with Hydan to uncover the meaning of the painting and the world. They both correctly come up with the idea that the wold basically allows someone to control time and space, and thus the universe.
Meanwhile, after saving Ahsoka, Ezra feels he can save Kanan from his death. In a truly powerful scene, he sees his death firsthand, but is stopped by Ahsoka to truly honor his memory and sacrifice. They both admit they couldn't save their masters, which is heartbreaking, and both believe this place is too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands.
Yes, I've been building to this. Of course the Emperor wants to use this world to control time and space. I mean, that's what he does. He creates a portal and tries to capture the two of them, so they can help him enter the world. I guess that's my only true nitpick with this episode. How was Ezra able to enter the world, but Sidious couldn't. We, in a truly badass move, literally create force fire to try and pull them both through his portal. If that's the case, why couldn't he just enter.
Regardless, Ahsoka saves Ezra and both go through their respective portals. Ezra returns outside the Lothal temple, while Ahsoka returns to Malachor right when we see her enter the temple in the season 2 finale. She promises Ezra she will find him again, though, technically, when she returned to her time, it was two years in the past. I have the feeling we might not see her in the final three episodes, thus putting her final fate in limbo once again. Despite that, it was amazing to see her again, as well as show the final outcome of her duel.
During this whole spirit journey, Zeb, Chopper, and Hera cause a distraction that frees Sabine. Later, the four of them help Ezra close the portal, which, as a result, causes the temple to collapse. This leads to Hydan dying, as well as lead to an awesome action sequence where the crew have to escape before the temple collapses around them.
This all leads to the crew waking up to find the temple gone. The only known way to connect to the world between worlds gone. Key word is known. Eventually, Ezra and Hera see the white lothwolf for the final time. As it turns out, it is heavily implied, or confirmed, that the spirit of Kanan was possessing the white wolf. I don't know exactly how long, considering Kanan saw it when he was alive. Ezra however, in another powerful moment, sees goodbye to the wolf, thus, saying a final goodbye to his master and friend, Kanan. That's how the episode ends.
I'm not kidding, this is something I've wanted from Star Wars for a long time. Something different, something that truly changes how we view the franchise. Obviously, we still have Ezra, as well as now as Ahsoka's fates up in the balance, but, Filoni truly achieved his goal of creating something truly unique and special to the franchise.
