Ahsoka episode 5 review: Shadow Warrior

Ahsoka episode 5 sets up a lot to be taken care of for the remainder of the show, and I am very excited to see where the Space Whales will lead us.

Ahsoka has been consuming a lot of brain space in my head, especially after the absolute masterpiece that episode 5, “Shadow Warrior”, is.

While a lot of folks are die-hard fans of the Rebels series, The Clone Wars has always had a very special place in my heart as my all-time favorite Star Wars show (closely followed by Andor, might I add). When I say that within the first 20 minutes of the episode I had to pause twice because I became overly emotional (to nobody’s surprise) and was hit with a gigantic wave of nostalgia, I am telling you the honest truth.

I’ve had my gripes with Ahsoka and have been pretty vocal about them, even though I have enjoyed the show as a whole, but “Shadow Warrior” could definitely be the episode to completely set the show right from here on out.

What am I talking about?

Let’s find out in MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW  land. There’s also a fun theory at the end.

Ahsoka episode 5, “Shadow Warrior” review

I’ll start this off by saying that, though definitely flawed, this was my favorite episode from a Star Wars show since The Clone Wars ended. While Ahsoka has drawn inspiration and characters from Rebels for the majority of the time, this one was truly special for those of us who adore The Clone Wars.

We see Anakin and Ahsoka interact and their incredible rapport and chemistry that we saw in the animated series was instantly back. Anakin calling her Snips, being a little rough on her both during their fighting and in the flashback to the battles they fought in the Clone Wars period – it was perfect. For what it’s worth, the de-aging in this episode was barely noticeable and much, much better than the one at the end of the fourth episode.

Hayden Christensen completely nailed his role. It was much better written for him, the dialogue was absolutely great. The essence of Clone Wars period Anakin that you don’t get to see unless you watch The Clone Wars was very strongly present – he wasn’t a whiny Jedi Knight.

Worth a mention: the one scene where he’s walking away from her and we briefly get a Darth Vader/Anakin transformation was extremely well-timed and well done.

We get to see Anakin in teacher mode, trying to both protect Baby Snips’ innocence while still trying to teach her that she has to adapt to the times and learn how to survive. He’s trying to continue her training in the World Between Worlds, testing her mind, spirit, and body with fights, philosophy, and even a chance for her to give in to the Dark side. That was such an amazing scene!!!!!

We are witnessing Ahsoka become a Jedi once more. She gave up on the Jedi title the moment she left the Order, but now we see her understanding that she has the potential to adapt her training and potentially change the Order, or make a New Order, to reflect what it’s supposed to be.

We’re witnessing Ahsoka being reborn. Literally. She even dons her white armor after she’s rescued by Hera and crew. She has that snark and snippy attitude that got her the nickname “Snips” as a Padawan, her smile is contagious, and she seems happier and filled with new purpose.

Our Snips is finally back.

We are witnessing a real trial – the trial she never had while in the Jedi Order, not the “oh, this was your trial” bullshit excuse the Jedi Council gave her after she had been cleared of all the false accusations and charges in The Clone Wars. That “trial” made her question the Order and leave. This trial is speaking to her on a personal level: adapt with the times. Live or die. Become greater or die with wasted potential.

However.

The major flaw with this episode and Ahsoka, in general, is the New Republic. THEY. ARE. AWFUL.

My friends, you just had an awful government die and now you have a new government and it is just as bad! Actually, it’s worse! By now, you know how the Sith work. You know about infiltrators and how the Dark Side works in the shadows, manipulating, sneaking, lying – and you still don’t trust someone who fought against this first-hand (paging General Syndulla) to do what she needs to do to dig out these loose ends to the Empire. And they do it with the worst excuses.

The New Republic was badly written into the show just to cause very forced political and military tension. That’s it. That’s the sole reason they’re even involved in the show at all. If you want to do political Star Wars right, then watch Andor and take notes.

I did end the episode with a theory, though.