Need to ramble about SW to distract myself from everything going on.
Something that's stuck with me about Ahsoka beyond, like, everything is how happy I am for Genevieve O'Reilly? Because I mean, look at how insane the last twenty (!!!) years have been.
She was cast as young Mon Mothma around 2003 (I don't remember exactly when, but I remember seeing a pic from them doing a wig test that was dated 2003 a little while ago). She got all but one of her scenes cut out of Revenge of the Sith (don't get me started on that I'm still mad about those scenes being cut for so many reasons) and the only one that stayed in is a scene where she doesn't even speak, and that's it. There's publicity photos and some deleted scenes, and that was her Star Wars legacy for eleven years.
And then she gets a co-starring role in Rogue One, getting to play the character again.
And then again in Rebels, getting to deliver half of what I think is one of the best dialogue exchanges about the Rebellion's philosophy—so basically half of Star Wars itself's entire philosophy—that I've ever heard.
And then again in Andor, as a main character, with all her complexities and just like everything about it because it's so flipping good.
And now here she is again in Ahsoka, playing the character past the timeframe of the original role, as a leader, getting to build on practically everything she's done before now.
And now she's not just portraying 'younger Mon Mothma', she is portraying Mon Mothma, she's the definitive version (at least to me, no shade to OG actress Caroline Blakiston) and everyone I've seen and heard talk about her since Andor loves the character.
Just. I love Mon Mothma. I am so happy for Genevieve O'Reilly.
Star Wars: Andor (episode 7, "Announcement") / Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma
I had mixed feelings about the design work in this show overall, but I really liked Mon Mothma's costumes! This golden gown, which she wears for a party that she is hosting, is a particular standout. I love the asymmetrical cape/jacket, particularly the way it drapes in back; unfortunately, we only get a full-length back view in an out-of-focus shot. And the subtle texturing of the fabric on the main dress makes it look very luxurious.
The costume designer for this series was Michael Wilkinson. He commented: "She come from a wealthy family on Chandrila, but she is now stationed on Coruscant. The idea was to bring elements of clothing from her home. We came up with a set of colors and textures mostly drawn from other iterations of Mon Mothma. I really leaned into the pale neutral tones. I loved all of those slightly shimmery organic textures, hints of metals. But what I really was fascinated about for her costumes was the fact that she's playing a role. That sense of the public self, the private self."