I gave episodes 1 & 2 a B- primarily for pacing issues.
Episode 3 resolved my pacing concerns (dialogue seemed to move at a better pace), and the characterization of Hera (the bit we got of her) seemed more consistent with my expectations.
Most importantly, this episode was fun. I enjoyed the interactions between Ahsoka, Sabine, and Huyang. The dynamics of the three are interesting, and Huyang’s pessimism in regards to Sabine’s training gives Ahsoka a chance to be more optimistic than we saw in her interactions with Hera. It’s a good dynamic, and I look forward to seeing it play out further.
Less play with Baylan than I would have liked, but overall I think episode 3 exceeded the expectations I had coming out of the first two episodes.
Between Sabines training montage with a "blast shield down" helmet, and firing off anticipatory shots from a swivel gun, this episode was a love letter to A New Hope and I am totally here for it. Filoni manage to make the movies better every single time he touches the material.
The training scene in particular was a choreographical masterpiece when you consider the last time we saw something similar in live action - a young Luke able to instinctually repel training droid blaster shots as a mere novice. The scene with Sabine helps to show just how unlikely and exceptional that is. I also love the implication that Mandalorians in general have trouble surrendering to the will of the Force, as a warrior people it makes perfect sense that they would generally rail against anything else controlling or manipulating them.
Even little things like powering the ship and droid down to avoid detectoon, much like 3PO and the Falcon in Episode 5, just help to reinforce this idea that people do shit for reasons in this universe and I LOVE it. They even found time to give Ahsoka a stupid Anakin badass moment cutting a freaking starship in half with a lightsaber. I have had a giddy grin on my face for every episode of Ahsoka and hope they keep on with it.
Agreed on all accounts. I’d not thought of the powering down in those terms, but it certainly makes sense.
I loved the training scene. I think it does such a good job of highlighting the difference between a skilled fighter and a force adept individual.