This week on “Ahsoka,” we go far, far away to another galaxy. 

After episodes of buildup, we finally get a grand introduction to series big bad Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) and “Rebels” protagonist Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi), who we meet on a planet outside the main “Star Wars” galaxy. 

For about a decade, Thrawn and Ezra have been surviving, with Thrawn’s stormtrooper ranks dwindling. though those who remain are hardcore, featuring patched and painted armor. Ezra has meanwhile befriended a legion of hermit crab aliens who are constantly on the move. 

Thrawn smartly lets Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) escape, allowing her to find Ezra on her own. But she is being followed by mercenaries Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno), who are instructed to eliminate them both. Thrawn doesn’t care if Baylan or Shin survive or return or are successful at all, he just wants to get back home, but killing Ezra and Sabine would be a plus. 

Mikkelsen excels at portraying Thrawn’s subtle menace. He is a calm, cool and calculated villain that had to be taken off the chess board in order the the Rebel Alliance to succeed in taking down the Empire in the Original Trilogy, and poses a massive threat to the galaxy if he returns. 

Esfandi has limited screen time as Ezra, but he does fine. Compared to Thrawn’s entrance, his seems underwhelming. 

This is another excellent episode that sees the payoff of Sabine’s quest to find her friend and the live-action introduction to once of the most terrifying villains in the franchise. “Ahsoka” does serve as the connecting tissue between Dave Filoni’s “Star Wars” cartoons and what will presumably be a major saga when Thrawn returns to the main “Star Wars” galaxy, but so far it’s done a great job of building characters and delivering some of the best moments in the franchise.

“Star Wars: Ahsoka” Season 1: Episode 6 “Far, Far Away” gets a 9/10