Ahsoka Season 1- Or is it Rebels Season 5?

As Anabelle and I wildly texted each other "WOO HOO!!" and various other exclamations while watching each episode of the latest Star Wars television series, I couldn't help wonder if those who hadn't watched any of the two animated series that introduced most of these characters could follow what was happening.

I've seen all the episodes of Clone Wars, Rebels and the Bad Batch, and Anabelle has watched a large cross section of Clone Wars, but has seen Rebels multiple times and counts it as her Star Wars.

Meanwhile every week:

Rosa, who has only see  Bad Batch-  "I have no idea who these people are."

My Mom, who has seen no animated Star Wars- *phone calls the next day after each episode about which characters she dislikes (frequently based on versions that don't apply to this show, actions inspired by shows she hasn't seen or relationships predating this version)  while mispronouncing many of the characters names*

Well, that answers that.

The connectivity with current storylines is as strong as it has been through the current Star Wars serieses-es.

They brought good old Carson in (WOO HOO!) during a hearing to more or less throw out the question-

"Hey, haven't you been watching the Mandalorian?"

And more importantly, to keep Chopper from taking out most of the New Republic government

There was even a reference to Resistance giving Anabelle extended reasons to cheer, as that cartoons biggest, and on some days only, fan.

Many of the new Star Wars series have been leaning heavily on the franchise's western inspirations. It was fun to see another of the original inspirations take the forefront in this show:

Samurai films.

With all the focus on recognizing (or not recognizing) Star Wars items from the past, it was easy to not notice the new stuff that Dave Filoni was throwing at us. 

A whole other Galaxy in Star Wars!

This has NEVER happened in cannon before!

There's also been a building up of what's going on in the New Republic...

slowly, in the background, without having multiple, long Senate scenes.

(As one of the few of my generation who defended the Prequels,

I get some license to poke fun at them.) 

We got some other cool new stuff, like the fun Hermit Crab people! YAY!  

Baylan, Shin, and Zombie Stormtroopers, AAAAH!

(Yeah, I know they were sorta in the cartoons, but still, AAAAAH!)

Mon Mothma's appearances are always fun.

And I almost exploded when C-3PO ambled in.

But it was mostly highlights on stuff from the animated series brought into live action where the show excelled.

Such as:

Purgil! WOOOOOO!

Ahsoka, as a youngster was the focal point of the Clone Wars, then she played a key role in several arcs of Rebels. Now as an experienced "Not Jedi" she takes the focal point again masterfully.

The Night Sisters being terrifying.

Huyang bringing yet another sass filled droid into live action, and helping another fan base fall in love with David Tennant.

THRAWN Thrawning all over the place, being multiple steps ahead of everyone!!!! 

The Specter group!!!!!!!

Hera being a competent yet still subversive leader!

Jacen being a combination of his folks!

Kanan having some respectful name drops (including Caleb)!

Chopper being on the verge of war crimes every minute!

Sabine being the queen of bad decisions that put her where she needs to be!

Ezra with his unique, and in tune to nature version of the force!

Hayden Christiansen proving he could have played the "cool Anakin" from the animated series that was the hero to an entire generation of Star Wars fans!

It was a wild tale, that resolved some stories stretching back to the Clone Wars cartoon, but also left openings to bring in even more of the mythology.

How will the gods of Mortis figure into the next chapter?

And that owl...there were too many cartoons, I can't remember everyone's name.

The World Between Worlds exists! Time travel in Star Wars is a real possibility!

Between Mandalorian Season 4, Ahsoka Season 2, and whatever movie Dave Filoni has planned to wrap this whole shebang of this era of Star Wars up, it should be a wild ride.

I'm sure those who missed out on the whole animated cannon won't care about much of this stuff... Rosa read stuff online during every episode and Mom has already stated she's not watching if there's a season 2.

Meanwhile, Anabelle keeps repeating:

"MY BOY IS HOME!!!!"