Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 5.
Ahsoka episode 5 utilized the World Between Worlds to full effect, taking the titular character on a trip down memory lane through iconic moments from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, including the Siege of Mandalore. Since Ahsoka was announced, many had secretly been hoping for live-action The Clone Wars to be included in some fashion. Be it through references to Ahsoka’s past as part of the Jedi Order or flashbacks to pivotal moments from the war, Ahsoka was expected to be as much a sequel to The Clone Wars as it is for Star Wars Rebels.
After Ahsoka episode 4 ended with the titular Jedi stranded in the World Between Worlds confronted by her former master Anakin Skywalker, hopes were raised even further that flashbacks to Anakin and Ahsoka’s long Star Wars history would be part of Ahsoka episode 5. As it turns out, this is exactly what Dave Filoni had planned for Ahsoka episode 5. In a way that tied Ahsoka‘s story, characters, and themes to Ahsoka and Anakin’s past, the World Between Worlds offered plenty in the way of live-action flashbacks to Star Wars: The Clone Wars, culminating in the recreation of the iconic Siege of Mandalore.
The Clone Wars Season 7’s Siege Of Mandalore In Ahsoka Episode 5 Explained
Unlike the earlier recreation of another The Clone Wars scene, Ahsoka episode 5 included an iconic event from the end of the war in live-action that was much easier to decipher. While similarly shrouded by smoke and smog, it quickly became clear that Ahsoka episode 5 was recreating the Siege of Mandalore from The Clone Wars season 7. From Ahsoka’s outfit and blue lightsabers to the Mandalorian warriors emulating their leader Darth Maul and Ahsoka’s confirmation of such, the Siege of Mandalore came to Star Wars live-action in Ahsoka episode 5.
In The Clone Wars season 7, the Siege of Mandalore served as the final arc of the entire show. Ahsoka had been contacted by The Mandalorian‘s Bo-Katan Kryze to enlist the aid of the Republic in reclaiming Mandalore from Crime Lord Darth Maul. Ahsoka went with Captain Rex, half of the 501st Clone Battalion, and Bo-Katan to take back control of the world, resulting in the arrest of Maul and Bo-Katan becoming Regent.
Given that the Siege of Mandalore was such an integral part of Ahsoka’s Star Wars journey, it makes sense for Ahsoka episode 5 to replicate this. Despite Ahsoka leaving the Jedi Order much earlier than the Siege of Mandalore, the climactic battle of The Clone Wars was one of her final Jedi acts before the events of Order 66. As much of Ahsoka episode 5’s flashbacks served as a way for Ahsoka to regain balance in the Force and continue fighting for the New Republic, the Siege of Mandalore was a perfect setting to flashback to The Clone Wars to drive this theme home.
Why Anakin Didn’t Fight In The Siege Of Mandalore Alongside Ahsoka
In Ahsoka episode 5, Anakin states that he doesn’t remember the Siege of Mandalore, and there’s a good reason for that. The Siege took place concurrently with Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, which explained both Ahsoka’s omission from the final prequel film and Anakin’s absence from the final arc of The Clone Wars. While Ahsoka was on Mandalore, Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi left to rescue Chancellor Palpatine, who had been kidnapped by General Grievous, during the Battle of Coruscant. This is the battle that takes place at the very beginning of Revenge of the Sith, with the entire Siege of Mandalore arc taking place concurrent to the film.
Ahsoka Episode 5 Saw The Clone Wars’ General Anakin Skywalker Return
While Ahsoka episode 4 already saw the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka episode 5 delved even further by showing the character in his prime as a Jedi General of the Clone Wars. Through the first three seasons of Filoni’s animated The Clone Wars, Anakin was often shown in his Jedi General armor. This look quickly became synonymous with Anakin’s character in animation, with many wishing to see Christensen wear the outfit in live-action. After a brief stand-off with Anakin within the World Between Worlds, it quickly became clear that Ahsoka episode 5 would see this wish become a reality.
In Ahsoka episode 5, Christensen donned the iconic outfit for the first time in live-action as the general renowned for his actions against the Separatists during the Clone Wars. Anakin was shown at the peak of his powers, charging the Separatist line with his 501st Clone Battalion, blue lightsaber in hand, and his classic armor finally being shown in live-action. Ahsoka episode 5 provided a perfect blend of animation and live-action concerning Anakin Skywalker, with Christensen donning the Clone Wars-era armor of the former with his black Jedi robes of the latter, all made possible through Ahsoka’s journey in the World Between Worlds.
Why The Clone Wars’ Captain Rex Returns In Ahsoka Episode 5’s Flashbacks
Besides Clone Wars-era Anakin Skywalker, another major cameo synonymous with the animated show made a brief cameo alongside young Ahsoka in episode 5. During the moments that flashed back to an iconic event of Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7, clone Captain Rex made a live-action appearance. When Ahsoka was first announced, many hoped for an appearance from Rex in live-action, given the strong bond he and Ahsoka shared throughout The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. With Ahsoka episode 5, this dream came to fruition through Rex’s short, but sweet cameo during the World Between Worlds’ The Clone Wars flashbacks.
Despite Rex being portrayed by Dee Bradley Baker throughout The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, original clone actor Temuera Morrison returned for Ahsoka after being the face of the clones in George Lucas’ Star Wars prequel trilogy.While Baker’s work as the clones in Star Wars animation is outstanding, seeing Morrison play the role (if only in voice) that many have longed for the actor to bring to life was a treat for The Clone Wars fans. As Rex urged his best friend into battle just as he did several times throughout the titular war, Ahsoka episode 5 provided yet another Easter egg to Filoni’s The Clone Wars.
Ahsoka Episode 5 Features A Darth Maul Easter Egg
Via the Siege of Mandalore in Ahsoka episode 5, an Easter egg to Darth Maul can be spotted. Initially, Ahsoka is shown fighting against the enemy forces on Mandalore. One of these soldiers is shown in detail, wearing the iconic Maul-inspired Mandalorian armor introduced in The Clone Wars season 7. This is an obvious hint to the leader of Mandalore during the Siege, Darth Maul himself. With Maul playing a pivotal role in Ahsoka’s final battle during the Clone Wars, an Easter egg alluding to the former Sith in Ahsoka episode 5’s flashbacks is a perfect way to tie the titular character’s Star Wars journey together.
Ahsoka Also Returned To The Battle Of Ryloth In Ahsoka Episode 5
Ahsoka episode 5’s Ryloth flashback was unclear at first, with some context clues in the scenes providing an insight into which part of the Clone Wars was being showcased in live-action. Initially, the battle sequence was clouded by the fog of war. Anakin, Ahsoka, and the clones charged against unseen Separatist droids as they evaded explosions, blaster bolts, and the horrors of the war that raged across the galaxy, the two Jedi donning their early Clone Wars-era fatigues.
At one point, the fog briefly cleared in order for Anakin and Ahsoka to rendezvous with other leaders while tending to their wounded. During this brief moment of respite, Twi’lek soldiers can be seen aiding injured soldiers and talking with Anakin Skywalker before charging into battle alongside the Jedi General, his Padawan, and the clones. As such, the Twi’lek soldiers imply that Ahsoka episode 5 included flashbacks to the Battle of Ryloth, a conflict shown in Star Wars: The Clone Wars during season 1’s Ryloth arc.
Another element of Ahsoka episode 5’s The Clone Wars flashback that supported this was the appearance of the clone troopers in Anakin and Ahsoka’s division. The clones were depicted in Phase I armor, something that was not phased out of The Clone Wars until around season 3, when the clones began wearing their Phase II gear. Clone troopers wore their Phase I armor throughout the Battle of Ryloth, with this appearance combining with the other context clues throughout Ahsoka episode 5 to place this specific scene on the Twi’lek homeworld.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.
