The Star Wars franchise has grown in each path because it introduces new characters, expands the timeline, and explores completely different codecs. However one space that the franchise hasn’t totally taken benefit of is Star Wars: Visions. The anthology sequence options distinctive animation types from all kinds of anime studios, with every season containing a number of standalone tales. The franchise has at all times been delivering new content material, with some sequence specializing in new factors within the timeline whereas others increase the present galaxy. Some reveals haven’t fairly landed efficiently, however Star Wars has already quietly developed the right concept for a brand new sequence.
The not too long ago launched Season 3 takes Star Wars: Visions to new territory by revisiting two tales from Season 1, “The Duel” and “The Ninth Jedi.” Although every installment is often meant to be a one-off story, these sequels construct on the themes from the unique episodes and permit followers to grow to be extra invested within the characters, proving that some tales can profit from extra time. Additional creating Visions episodes is lengthy overdue, and although many tales could possibly be expanded, Season 2‘s “Journey to the Darkish Head” would make the right new Star Wars sequence.
“Journey to the Darkish Head” Affords a New Twist on Star Wars’ Basic Story
For the reason that starting, Star Wars has been concerning the conflict of excellent and evil, and “Journey to the Darkish Head” honors that. The fifth episode of Season 2 is a brief made by Studio Mir, and never solely is it visually gorgeous, however it’s paying homage to Star Wars’ most epic story. The episode includes a battle between a Jedi and a Sith Lord, however it takes a novel method. Throughout a conflict between the Jedi and the Sith, a lady, Ara (Ashley Park), proposes that the Jedi Council destroy the prophetic statue on her residence world that represents the Darkish Facet. The Jedi agree, sending Toul (Eugene Lee Yang) on a mission with Ara in hopes of fixing the tide within the conflict. Via this framework, the story explores the concepts of stability and destiny, forcing each characters to develop within the course of.
Toul’s storyline is especially intriguing as a result of it isn’t completely distinctive. Like so many Star Wars tales, “Journey to the Darkish Head” options the standard storyline of a Jedi tempted by the Darkish Facet, solely to flip it on its head. In some ways, Toul’s arc mirrors Anakin’s (Hayden Christensen) as he struggles with anger and worry that threaten to deprave him. All through the quick, Toul should face his previous as he fights Bichan (Daniel Dae Kim), the Sith who killed his Grasp. Nonetheless, in contrast to Anakin, Toul overcomes the temptation, acknowledging the stability within the Pressure. Whereas it’s a completely different conflict and a brand new solid of characters, the story is nearly a extra hopeful model of Anakin’s destiny. This leaves Toul in a novel place that could possibly be fascinating to discover, if his story had been to proceed.
“Journey to the Darkish Head” Creates a New Character Dynamic for Star Wars
Whereas the epic battle is the principle storyline, the episode is carried by the 2 essential characters, and although the story reaches an finish, Toul and Ara’s dynamic may solely profit from extra time collectively. Every is compelling, however they’re much higher collectively. Beginning as reluctant companions, they do not precisely get alongside, however develop to understand each other. Finally, regardless of their variations, they find yourself rescuing one another as Toul stops Bichan, and Ara saves her companion from crashing. Whereas their slowly creating friendship is enjoyable to observe, it is just simply starting as “Journey to the Darkish Head” ends. Between the ache in Toul’s previous and Ara’s expertise in deciphering visions of the long run, both may make an fascinating protagonist to discover extra deeply, so collectively, they create an ideal pair, greater than able to carrying a sequence.
Throughout their journey, Toul and Ara develop an entertaining dynamic, antagonizing one another but in addition constructing belief. Their relationship provides humor to the in any other case darkish episode as they bicker about Ara’s ability as a mechanic and the way Toul’s perspective is unconventional for a Jedi. This might simply translate to a bigger format, bringing highs and lows to a sequence based mostly on these characters. Toul and Ara are solely collectively for a short while in “Journey to the Darkish Head,” however the extra familiarity they’ve with one another, the extra hilarious their sarcastic arguments may grow to be, and with time, Toul and Ara may grow to be one among Star Wars’ most memorable duos.
“Journey to the Darkish Head” Is Already Set As much as Be the Good Enlargement for Star Wars
“Journey to the Darkish Head” could solely be 19 minutes lengthy, however it has so much to supply by way of potential. Whereas there are various tales within the three seasons of the anthology sequence that might go on past their allotted time, “Journey to the Darkish Head,” particularly, units up one other journey. On the finish, Toul and Ara have accepted their roles within the battle towards Bichan, however Toul then invitations Ara to accompany him on his subsequent mission. Contemplating that there’s a galactic conflict occurring, that storyline may fill greater than 20 minutes, justifying its personal sequence.
A continuation of “Journey to the Darkish Head” could possibly be precisely what Star Wars is on the lookout for. Technically, Star Wars: Visions is just not canon, so it’s not formally a part of the timeline, but this episode appears to align with the Previous Republic period, when the Jedi and Sith typically fought. No Star Wars present has explored this period, although it’s featured in The Knights of the Previous Republic video video games. Increasing the story may permit the franchise to maneuver additional again within the timeline, a lot like The Acolyte, although this is able to be even additional faraway from the principle saga, permitting it much more freedom. “Journey to the Darkish Head” leaves a lot to unpack, and the restricted time it receives in Star Wars: Visions simply is not sufficient, making it the right manner for the franchise to increase into a brand new period.
Star Wars: Visions is streaming on Disney+ within the U.S.
- Launch Date
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September 22, 2021
- Franchise(s)
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Star Wars
