Ahsoka Ep 5 Review
Ever since the announcement about the Ahsoka miniseries, fan expectations have remained high. There were plenty of things fans hoped to see happen in the show, but one remained consistently at the top: the reunion of Anakin and Ahsoka. Even though Anakin has been dead for years, fans hoped that he would appear to Ahsoka at some point to guide her. Not only would this provide closure regarding their relationship as master and student, it would also give fans the chance to see Hayden reprise his role as the Chosen One once more.
Needless to say, Dave Filoni didn’t disappoint, as what occurs in this episode calls back to the legendary Clone Wars cartoon before setting up for Ahsoka’s final transformation into the person she was always meant to be. Let the “Dave Filoni, our lord and savior” memes begin.
Jacen Really is his Father’s Son
Having arrived too late to Seatos to help Ashoka, Sabine, and Huyang, Hera Syndulla and Phoenix Squadron watched helplessly as Morgan Elsbeth jumped into hyperspace, destination unknown. Worse, there’s no sign of either Ahsoka or Sabine on the planet’s surface. As a result of this and the fact that Hera did all this without permission, General Syndulla’s in hot water with the New Republic. Just when it begins to look like this whole trip is in vain, though, Hera’s son, Jacen, ends up being the MVP of the episode.
Fans of Rebels should remember that Jacen is the son of the late Jedi Knight, Kanan Jarrus. As a result of his heritage, almost everyone expected for Jacen to possess a strong connection with the Force. It thus comes as no surprise when Jacen displays this untapped potential by helping her mother locate the missing Ahsoka, something that Ahsoka is very grateful for once she’s rescued. While the story of Jacen Syndulla has yet to be fully written, many fans speculate that he may follow in the footsteps of his father and Ezra and become a Jedi himself. This entire episode lends credence to this idea, to which I am not opposed. So long as he’s not among those killed by Kylo Ren in the Sequel era, I’m all for Jacen becoming a Jedi.
There’s someone else, though, who needs to finish their own training as a Jedi.
The Anakin-Ahsoka Reunion Fans Wanted
Ever since the end of Rebels, Star Wars fans have hoped to one day see the spirit of Anakin reunite with his former Padawan, a feeling that Dave Filoni seemed to share. The last time Ahsoka saw her former master, he was a Sith Lord trying to kill her, an experience that has left a deep scar on her mind that has yet to heal. In fact, much of the first half of the episode’s dedicated to showing how badly Ahsoka’s life experiences have affected her. From being thrust into a war as a teenager to learning to fend for herself, Ahsoka’s life hasn’t been easy, and what fans see at the start of the series is the end result: someone who tries to keep going, but lacks the will to do so.
It’s only fitting that Anakin, someone who had an incredible will to live while he was alive, steps in to help his one-time Padawan.
The episode doesn’t make it clear whether Ahsoka’s vision’s of Anakin and her younger self are the product of her mind or Anakin reaching out as a Force Ghost. However, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that Ahsoka has spent so long letting her losses hold her back and keeping her from unlocking her full potential in the Force. Thus, it’s only fitting that Anakin has her fight through memories of the Clone Wars.
It might seem cruel to make her relive so much pain and death, but those who know Anakin understand that this is his way of teaching her. He’s reigniting the will to live in his Padawan by reminding her far she’s come. It’s not only a series of emotional moments culminating in a lightsaber duel between the two, but it’s also the ultimate fanservice for those that grew up watching The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network.
Ahsoka the White!
The second half of the episode, while not as exciting as seeing Ahsoka and Anakin together again, is nonetheless a pivotal moment in the former’s story. From the rising sun peaking into the bed where Ahsoka’s sleeping to her switch to an all-white cloak, the episode’s full of symbolism. Having spent so much time gray and somewhat jaded by her life experiences, Ahsoka’s return marks her rebirth and renewal. It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to now call her Ahsoka the White. For like Gandalf, Ahsoka faced a great foe, died (symbolically, at least), and returned stronger than ever. In addition, she also seems happier than she was before, smiling more.
The timing couldn’t be better, either. Rather than return to the New Republic, Ahsoka now fully opts to go after Baylon, Morgan, and Sabine to find Ahsoka. Her solution is a rather obvious reference to the Old Testament tale of Jonah, right down to the use of the giant whale.
While the show has yet to give us a live-action Thrawn or Ezra, it’s clear that this episode is a high point for the miniseries. Ahsoka has returned with a renewed sense of confidence, and there’s nothing stopping the show from taking us to Peridea. While the episode did drag on a little in the second half, there’s no denying the facts. This is the best episode of the series, and irrefutable proof that Dave Filoni knows what he’s doing. In a way, this episode reflects an even bigger idea behind the series: Filoni’s trying to renew fans hope in Star Wars after years of bad decisions. And it’s working.
Also, even though he doesn’t appear in the present day, we got to see Rex in the series.
