Recap of Episode 3 of Ahsoka Season 1: Navigating Bureaucratic Red Tape

In the opening scenes of Ahsoka Episode 3, we find our titular character navigating through hyperspace aboard her ship. Inside, the droid Professor Huyang is engaged in lightsaber training with Sabine Wren. Ahsoka Tano joins the training session, eager to introduce a new technique, despite Huyang's reservations.

Ahsoka emphasizes the importance of embracing the Force by urging Sabine to rely on her other senses, particularly her hearing, as she hands her a training helmet that obscures her vision. The training session unfolds with Ahsoka circling Sabine, their practice sabers making contact, and Ahsoka delivering instructive hits. Eventually, Ahsoka employs a clever tactic, targeting Sabine's feet.

With a wise observation, Ahsoka imparts, "Anger and frustration can grant power swiftly, but they also disrupt your balance." They resume their training, and the episode is aptly titled "Time to Fly."

Shifting the scene to the New Republic fleet, Hera Syndulla prepares for a meeting with Chancellor Mon Mothma and a group of senators. Among them is Hamato Xiono, known as the father of Kazuda Xiono, a delightful nod to Star Wars Resistance.

Pleasantries are exchanged between Hera and Mon Mothma, with Mon mentioning Hera's son Jacen Syndulla. Senator Xiono seeks to begin the meeting, and Hera succinctly recounts the events of the attack on the Corellia shipyards from Episode 2, "Toil and Trouble."

While some senators dismiss Imperial activity as isolated incidents, tension grips the room when Hera mentions Grand Admiral Thrawn. Senator Xiono suspects Hera's true intention is to search for Ezra Bridger.

Hera calls out Hamato for never serving in the war, asserting that she has faced Thrawn and knows he's not an ordinary officer. She emphasizes the need to prevent another conflict if Thrawn returns. Temporarily, Mon Mothma adjourns the meeting for senatorial deliberation. As Hera steps outside, she is greeted eagerly by Jacen and Chopper.

Returning to Ahsoka and Sabine, Sabine is eager to accelerate her training, given her recent near-fatal encounter due to her lack of preparation. Frustration sets in as she realizes she can't harness the Force as effortlessly as Ahsoka. Ahsoka imparts a valuable lesson, echoing Obi-Wan Kenobi's words to Luke Skywalker in "A New Hope." She explains that while some individuals may possess natural talent, everyone has the Force within them, necessitating discipline and training. Ahsoka advises Sabine to start with small steps.

Aboard the ship, Ahsoka engages in conversation with Huyang, who reiterates a point made to Sabine in the previous episode - that a Mandalorian would not have been accepted into the Jedi Order. Ahsoka clarifies that she doesn't expect Sabine to become a Jedi; rather, she encourages Sabine to embrace her true self.

Unfortunately, the news is not in their favor as Hera informs them that the Senate did not approve their mission. Their situation deteriorates as the ship enters the Denab system, where their communications are jammed by adversaries.

Exiting hyperspace, they are immediately attacked by Shin Hati, the enigmatic Inquisitor Marrok, and their associates. A fierce battle ensues while Ahsoka imparts lessons to her Padawan. Frustrated by their lack of progress, Ahsoka adopts a new strategy: she allows Sabine to take the lead and communicate what's needed in the moment.

Master and Padawan begin to harmonize and systematically eliminate the enemy ships. As they circle the planet, they spot the Eye of Sion, the massive vessel constructed by Morgan Elsbeth to locate Thrawn.

Shin contacts Morgan, who prepares to open fire on Ahsoka. Sabine observes that their adversaries have broken away and rushes to the cockpit to assist Ahsoka in piloting. Tensions rise as Huyang scans the Eye of Sion for any valuable data.

When the scan is complete, Morgan delivers a direct hit to their ship, incapacitating Huyang and rendering their vessel inoperative. Shin and Marrok close in as Sabine races to get the ship operational again.

In a daring move, Ahsoka dons a spacesuit and leaps into the void of space to protect their ship. Her actions provide Sabine with just enough time to repair the ship and resume flight. Sabine showcases her piloting skills as they descend into the planet's atmosphere.

Suddenly, a group of Purrgil emerges from the clouds, offering Sabine and Ahsoka much-needed cover in their dogfight against Shin and Marrok. Sabine manages to elude their pursuers temporarily, while Huyang reboots.

They make a landing on Seatos, concealed by the cover of trees, evading Shin and Marrok. Huyang reviews the data he collected about the Eye of Sion. They conclude that this colossal hyperspace ring has the capability to traverse other galaxies, following the paths of the Purrgil they just encountered.

Meanwhile, Baylan Skoll dispatches his agents to hunt down Ahsoka and Sabine in the forest, setting the stage for the episode's conclusion.