Star Wars: Visions season 2 episodes, ranked

Warning: This article contains spoilers from Star Wars: Visions season 2. 

The beauty of an anthology series like Visions is that every episode feels fresh. Every episode is a brand new story with new characters that is full of possibility. The range of stunning animation and diverse interpretations of Star Wars made each episode a joy to watch.

Of course, some episodes resonated more strongly than others. Every episode featured flawless and striking animation, meaning that these rankings will focus more so on the story and character development than the animation of each episode.

9. “Journey to the Dark Head”

A young Jedi and a mechanic teaming up to try and end a war by cutting off the head of a Sith statue is an intriguing premise. Unfortunately, the execution isn’t as strong as the premise. This is particularly apparent when the Jedi Toul has a revelation that should be impactful, yet it falls flat.

His bond with the mechanic Ara also does not feel as earned as it should. Their newfound friendship and partnership and the possibility of future adventures should feel more exciting.

From the compelling premise to the dramatic duel between Toul and Bichan, this episode seems to have a lot of great Star Wars ingredients, but the final product is not as delicious as it should be.

8. “In the Stars”

“In the Stars” ends with an uplifting message despite its bleak premise. Two sisters–Tichina and Koten–are all that remain of their kind. The Empire poisoned their planet’s water, and wiped out the planet’s denizens, including Tichina and Koten’s mother who tried to stand against the invaders.

It is predictable that they will have to work together to stop the Empire and restore their planet instead of one sister being hopeful and the other having given up all hope. The predicable ending makes the final moments not as effective as they could be.

Yet, it is still uplifting to see the sisters driving out the Empire and bringing life back to their planet through their unity, all while their mother and the others they lost look down on them from the stars.

7. “I Am Your Mother”

When the Visions season 2 episode titles were released, “I Am Your Mother” immediately stood out, a subversion of arguably the most iconic moment in all of Star Wars. The episode is much more lighthearted than the intense reveal that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father, but “I Am Your Mother” is still meaningful in its own way.

From Luke and Vader in the original trilogy to Din Djarin and Grogu in The Mandalorian, the father-son relationship has been a longtime focal point of Star Wars storytelling. Meanwhile, there have not been enough mothers and daughters in Star Wars movies and television, let alone exploration of the mother-daughter relationship.

This episode brings that relationship to the forefront as Anni is embarrassed by her clingy mother, but has to put aside those differences to work with her mother during family race day. She may be embarrassing, but she is always there for Anni and believes in her. This is a stark contrast from the more privileged mother-daughter duo they are racing against as the mother does not believe in her daughter and is angry and cruel when they lose the race.

“I Am Your Mother” is the only Visions episode to include an established character from Star Wars canon with legendary pilot Wedge Antilles hosting the race. It is fun that he is voiced by Denis Lawson who played Wedge in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker, but the character doesn’t feel like Wedge from the movies here, which makes his inclusion in the episode ultimately distracting.

It may be more low-stakes and less exciting than the other episodes in Visions season 2, but “I Am Your Mother” still has a great message that highlights the beauty of the mother-daughter relationship.

6. “The Pit”

“The Pit” does not shy away from showcasing the brutality of the Empire. They force prisoners to dig for kyber crystals. When these prisoners can dig no further and there are no more kyber crystals to be found, the Empire simply leaves them at the bottom of the pit. The Empires cares so little about these prisoners that they don’t bother to kill them or move them somewhere else for more slave labor; they just leave them there.

When one of the prisoners (Crux) escapes the pit, he makes his way to the wealthy city nearby, and is ignored when he tries to politely ask for help. It is only when he gets up in front of all the city’s denizens and shares the truth that they start to listen, and the Empire responds by silencing Crux and throwing him back into the pit to his death.

As dark as the episode gets, it still retains the core hope of Star Wars as those in the pit unite to have their voices heard and those in the city unite, now ignoring the Empire’s words and listening to the voices from the pit. Crux lit a spark of rebellion and that spark inspired those inside and outside of the pit to do the right thing and help one another.

In many ways, “The Pit” is reminiscent of the Narkina 5 prisoners and people of Ferrix uniting against the Empire’s brutality and fascism in Andor.

5. “Sith”

Every episode in Visions season 2 features stunning animation, with the animation in “Sith” particularly standing out for how it goes hand-in-hand with the story it is telling. The animation feels like a beautiful watercolor painting in progress. This works perfectly with the story of a former Sith apprentice working on her own art as she strives to leave her old life behind and forge a new path for herself.

The episode’s message about both the light and the dark side of the Force being necessary is captured perfectly through the protagonist’s realization that both color and darkness need to be part of the paintings she’s creating.

The animation, character development, and theme all work well together, and are made even better with a lovable droid character and an unforgettable moment with the former Sith apprentice’s double-sided lightsaber.

4. “Aau’s Song”

This episode is reminiscent of the High Republic era in all the best ways. The High Republic has focused on how practically every Jedi perceives the Force differently, whether it is as a song, an ocean, or through using mechanical skills.

“Aau’s Song” furthers this idea by having Aau channel the Force through her singing, which enables her to purify kyber crystals corrupted by the Sith. The Jedi Master Kratu also feels like she belongs in the High Republic era as she has the energy of a Wayseeker, Jedi who traveled around the galaxy and operated outside the confines of the Jedi High Council.

Beyond the immaculate High Republic vibes, “Aau’s Song” tells a great story about a young person finding their voice (both literally and figuratively). Not only does Aau have great character development, but so does her overprotective father Abat, who ultimately realizes he is doing more harm than good by constantly trying to stop his daughter from singing.

Aau leaving Korba to train with Kratu feels more wholesome than the usual scenario of Jedi taking Force-sensitive young children with them as both Aau and Abat are on board with the decision, with Aau being genuinely excited, and Abat being so proud of her.

3. “The Bandits of Golak”

“The Bandits of Golak” contains many tense moments, from the stormtroopers pursuing Charuk and Rani on the train, to the Imperial Inquisitor confronting the siblings. The episode not only has edge-of-your-seat tension, but also makes the audience care about that tension because of Charuk and Rani’s endearing sibling relationship.

Charuk and Rani are the heart of the episode, while the Inquisitor is a formidable villain and Rugal is an invaluable ally. Rugal vs. the Inquisitor is the best lightsaber duel in all of Visions season 2, a fast-paced duel between two experienced and powerful Force users, the feeling of which is enhanced by frenetic music.

When Rani and Charuk have to part ways, it is a truly bittersweet moment. Rani is finally safe and where she belongs and Charuk successfully completed his mission. At the same time, the person Charuk dedicated his life to protecting is now gone and the siblings can no longer rely on each other. The earlier scenes in the episode with the “feast and plunder” shtick and Rani’s attachment to the flute come full-circle and make their goodbye even more heart-wrenching.

2. “The Spy Dancer”

“The Spy Dancer” is reminiscent of Andor‘s rebel espionage and its characters grappling with trauma caused by the Empire.

Inspired by the real-world story of entertainer and World War II spy Josephine Baker, “The Spy Dancer” follows the beloved dancer and rebel spy Loi’e placing tracking devices on unsuspecting Imperials during her riveting performances. It is fascinating to see how entertainment is used to perform espionage, especially when keeping the real-world influences in mind.

Much like the trauma that the Empire inflicted on young Cassian Andor, Loi’e has her own past trauma from when the Empire stole her son from her. When that trauma resurfaces, it compromises the rebels’ spy operation and Loi’e’s thirst for vengeance nearly consumes her.

After Loi’e realizes the Imperial officer is the son she lost–brainwashed by the Empire and with no memory of his mother–she still refuses to give up on him. Despite the episode’s dark turns, the ending is filled with hope for the future of Loi’e and her son, and for the Rebellion.

1. “Screecher’s Reach”

After escaping the cruel conditions of the workhouse, “Screecher’s Reach” turns into a seemingly lighthearted adventure, then becomes a mini horror movie, and is then revealed to be the origin story of a Sith apprentice. This final reveal is the best plot twist in Visions season 2.

The ending is equally surprising and heartbreaking as Daal leaves her friends behind and goes with the Sith Mother because it is the only way she thinks she can be free. The episode does a fantastic job showing how the Sith manipulate good people in their desperation to escape bad situations.

Star Wars fans know how the Sith operate, but Daal has no idea what she’s signed up for. It hurts even more after seeing the heartwarming bond she shares with the friends she convinces to come along with her, only to choose the Sith Mother over them.

“Screecher’s Reach” is just as strong during a rewatch as the amulet Daal wears feels more sinister and the conversations about Daal wanting more out of life take on a new meaning. These elements now fill the episode with dread instead of a hero’s generic good luck charm or longing for bigger things, and this dread brings even more payoff to the powerful ending.

What was your favorite episode of Star Wars: Visions season 2? Let us know in the comments!