Ahsoka Episode 5 Review The fifth episode of Star Wars’ ‘Ahsoka‘, ‘Shadow Warrior’, is a nostalgic journey for fans of the show.
The episode, which has received positive reviews from Star Wars diehards, takes place on the surface of Seatos, where the star map was cracked open.
Hera Syndulla, accompanied by Jacen, Chopper, Huyang, and their squadron, endeavours to uncover the whereabouts of their missing comrades.
The episode also explores Ahsoka Tano’s relationship with Anakin Skywalker, as well as the search for answers and lost friends. [Ahsoka Episode 5 Review]
Ahsoka Episode 5 Review
The lightsaber fights in this episode are easy to follow and well-choreographed, with classic moves from Anakin and a distinct style when using a single sabre or dual wielding.
They strike a balance between raw and visceral (like in the sequels) and dance-like (what George Lucas constantly gunned for in the prequels).
Hera and her team are getting frustrated in their search for Ahsoka and Sabine, finding no life signs near the location where they disappeared. The New Republic command comes after them, as the mission is unsanctioned despite Hera’s rank.
The episode begins with Ahsoka being knocked off a pathway by Anakin and landing as a younger version of herself right in the middle of the Clone Wars.
She is initially played by Disney veteran Ariana Greenblatt, who is also enjoying success with Barbie.
The show presents the battles of the Clone Wars in a similar fashion, with most of the action happening in the background around Ahsoka and Anakin, with dust surrounding and clouding the entire battlefield.
Lady Tano is not experiencing the real events, and these flashbacks aren’t about the battles at all.
Instead, she contemplates her emotions during the enduring conflict and the lessons she gleaned from her unconventional mentor. [Ahsoka Episode 5 Review]
In summary, ‘Ahsoka’ season 1 episode 5 is a nostalgic journey for fans of the show, focusing on Ahsoka Tano’s relationship with Anakin Skywalker and the search for answers and lost friends.
The episode also highlights the importance of democratizing the Force and reminds viewers of Lucas’ more religious and less mechanical views about a mystical energy that everyone can tap into.
The main lesson in this episode is that, much like Anakin, Ahsoka must keep fighting to survive, even when she doesn’t want to. The galaxy needs her, and she’s part of a larger legacy.
Anakin’s descent into the dark side of the Force was unrelated to his conduct as a dedicated warrior during the war.
Revenge of the Sith made this clear, with the Jedi Order’s judgement being clouded by the ongoing war. [Ahsoka Episode 5 Review]
The episode also features Temuera Morrison as our favorite clone ever, as well as Dee Bradley Baker’s performance over the years.
At some point during the Siege of Mandalore sequence, Ahsoka blames Anakin for his fall to the dark side and brings up the matter of Darth Vader.
Consequently, she obtains the rematch she desired, leading to a swift yet significant duel between Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka and an alternate version of Darth Vader, one who never suffered the burns of Mustafar, all within the enigmatic realm of the World Between Worlds, which is memorable enough for us.
Like in Return of the Jedi, Vader is bested by compassion and not just raw strength or technique. Ahsoka extends forgiveness to Anakin and wholeheartedly embraces his teachings, unburdened by the fear of descending into the darkness he once became.
She recognizes the need to continue her relentless fight, but with a rekindled sense of purpose and unwavering trust in her allies, particularly Sabine, who is her Padawan.
Ahsoka embodies all the virtues of Anakin while avoiding his darker inclinations, as long as she stays true to her path. [Ahsoka Episode 5 Review]
The back half of the episode is a bit weird in the pace at which the events are told. The rundown is that Ahsoka “exits” the World Between Worlds and is rescued from the ocean by the New Republic pilots.
After a period of rest, she awakens with a sense of renewal and opts for an attire resembling that of Gandalf’s. She then figures out how to make an intergalactic jump the old way.
Dave Filoni prefers to let scenes and characters breathe thanks to the extra minutes not available when making cartoons, but it seems to be limited to the episodes he directs, so it may become a bigger problem in his upcoming event movie.
The final scene, with the entire pod of purrgils leaving Seatos and making the jump to hyperspace, is full of wonder that Filoni excels at invoking when he really goes for it.
