15 Mind-Blowing Star Wars Rebels Episodes That Redefined Clone Wars Season 7
Discover the seamless connection between Star Wars Rebels and Clone Wars with these 10 captivating episodes, showcasing the rich storytelling and beloved characters that tie these two animated series together
Here are 10 episodes of Star Wars Rebels that essentially featured Clone Wars stories.
10 Star Wars Rebels Season 2, Episode 3, “The Lost Commanders”
9 Star Wars Rebels Season 2, Episode 4, “Relics of the Old Republic”
Star Wars Rebels season 2 took significant inspiration from Clone Wars, evident from the premiere where Ahsoka Tano and Darth Vader sensed each other's presence. However, the true resemblance of a Clone Wars episode was felt in the third episode of Star Wars Rebels season 2, titled "The Lost Commanders." This episode showcased a reunion between Ahsoka and Rex, two iconic characters from Clone Wars. The emotional impact of Ahsoka and Rex coming together resonated deeply for those familiar with their history from Clone Wars. Notably, Dee Bradley Baker, known for voicing every clone in Clone Wars, reprised his role in Rebels.
The fourth episode of season 2 of Star Wars Rebels delved further into Ahsoka's backstory with Rex, as well as the Jedi's history with the clones. While Revenge of the Sith should have provided enough explanation for why Kanan distrusts the clones, the clones' perspective resonated more with those who had watched Clone Wars. Having followed the clones for six seasons, viewers were now reacquainted with three of them in a completely new context. "Relics of the Old Republic" served as an epilogue for that Star Wars era, revealing what happened to the clones after Order 66.
8 Star Wars Rebels Season 2, Episode 6, “Brothers of Broken Horn”
Star Wars Rebels season 2, episode 6 revisited Hondo Ohnaka, a well-loved character from the Clone Wars era. Without the background of the Clone Wars, "Brothers of Broken Horn" simply portrays Ezra Bridger interacting with a pirate reminiscent of Han Solo and Lando Calrissian. However, for fans of the Clone Wars series, this episode offered the opportunity to reconnect with a beloved character whose fate had been left unresolved when the Clone Wars was cancelled. Hondo would go on to make appearances in subsequent Star Wars Rebels episodes, including the final story arc, and it is revealed that the character survives even after the events of Return of the Jedi.
7 Star Wars Rebels Season 2, Episode 10, “The Future of the Force”
"The Future of the Force" focused on Ahsoka and served as a seamless continuation of Clone Wars. The significant link between Star Wars Rebels season 2, episode 10 and Clone Wars stems from the Empire's scheme to abduct newborns with Force abilities. As Ahsoka astutely observed, the Sith employed a similar tactic during the Clone Wars. Ahsoka referred to the Holocron Heist arc in Clone Wars, where the bounty hunter Cad Bane successfully stole a Jedi Holocron containing vital information about Force-sensitive infants across the galaxy. Additionally, "The Future of the Force" unveiled Ahsoka's new set of lightsabers, which can be seen in action within the timeline of The Mandalorian.
6 Star Wars Rebels Season 2, Episode 16, “Homecoming”
5 Star Wars Rebels Season 2, Episodes 21-22, “Twilight of the Apprentice”
In the 2008 show Clone Wars, Hera Syndulla's name held significant meaning for those familiar with the series. She is the offspring of Cham Syndulla, a brave rebel combatant who played a crucial role in liberating Ryloth from the Separatists during the Clone Wars. Cham Syndulla made appearances in two episodes of Clone Wars, but now his character was revisited in the episode "Homecoming" of Star Wars Rebels season 2, episode 16. This installment revealed the connection between Hera and her father, explored the impact of the Galactic Civil War on Ryloth, and depicted Cham Syndulla's transition from a Clone Wars fighter to a rebel against the Empire.
Considered as one of the finest episodes in the Star Wars franchise, both in animated and live-action content, "Twilight of the Apprentice" in season 2 of Star Wars Rebels (episodes 21-22) brought together the culmination of the Clone Wars and Rebels. This two-part Star Wars story was particularly captivating. Notably, the arrival of Darth Maul, last seen in Clone Wars' "The Lawless," strengthened the connection to the Clone Wars. The fate of Darth Maul after the Clone Wars remained a mystery until "Twilight of the Apprentice," which confirmed his survival.
A previously untold Clone Wars storyline was hinted at in "Twilight of the Apprentice" through Ahsoka's interactions with Maul, as the show had not covered the conclusion of the Clone Wars in its original run. These casual remarks made by Ahsoka and Maul were later explored in Clone Wars season 7. Furthermore, the heartbreaking climax of Ahsoka and Anakin's story, absent from Clone Wars, was depicted in the Ahsoka Tano vs. Darth Vader battle in "Twilight of the Apprentice." Matt Lanter, the voice of Anakin in Clone Wars, shared the portrayal of Darth Vader's voice alongside James Earl Jones. Additionally, there was a reference to the Morai owl from the Mortis arc.
4 Star Wars Rebels Season 3, Episode 6, “The Last Battle”
Out of all the Star Wars Rebels episodes that resemble Clone Wars, "The Last Battle" is the most obvious example. In season 3, episode 6 of Star Wars Rebels, the crew of the Ghost, led by Captain Rex, encounters deactivated Separatist droids from the Clone Wars that are still operational. These droids are still programmed to fight a war that ended 17 years ago. "The Last Battle" is filled with meta-jokes referencing the fact that the Clone Wars is now in the past, and the ongoing conflict between the rebels and the Empire has taken its place.
3 Star Wars Rebels Season 3, Episode 16, “Legacy of Mandalore”
"Legacy of Mandalore" concluded a two-episode arc in Star Wars Rebels that delved into the story of Sabine Wren and the Mandalorians. Considering that the Clone Wars made significant changes to the Mandalorian lore in the "George Lucas canon," any Mandalorian narrative is essentially building upon the events of the Clone Wars. In season 3, episode 16 of Star Wars Rebels, we witness the aftermath of the fall of the Republic on Mandalore, how the Empire brought doom upon the planet, and the ongoing conflicts among the Mandalorians. The preceding episode, "Trials of the Darksaber," sheds light on the significance of this legendary weapon previously wielded by Pre Vizla in the Clone Wars.
2 Star Wars Rebels season 4, Episodes 1-2, “Heroes of Mandalore”
"Heroes of Mandalore," like its predecessor "Legacy of Mandalore," was an episode of Star Wars Rebels that focused on the character Sabine Wren. In Season 4, episodes 1-2 of Star Wars Rebels, more information about Sabine's family was revealed, and this storyline also introduced Bo-Katan Kryze. Bo-Katan, who originated from the Clone Wars series, played a significant role in the Mandalore plotline. The events surrounding Bo-Katan and Mandalore were revisited in Season 7 of Clone Wars with the "Siege of Mandalore" arc, drawing inspiration from certain events in Rebels. By the conclusion of "Heroes of Mandalore," Bo-Katan wielded the Darksaber, aiming to unite her people.
1 Star Wars Rebels Season 4, Episode 12, “Wolves and a Door”
The twelfth episode of season four of Star Wars Rebels was part of a larger storyline set on the planet Lothal leading up to the conclusion of the show. Titled "Wolves and a Door," the episode delved into the Ghost crew's relationship with Lothal, a theme explored in many of the final episodes of Star Wars Rebels. However, there was a significant connection between "Wolves and a Door" and Clone Wars, a previous animated series. The depiction of the Gods of Mortis from the Mortis arc in Clone Wars was featured on the door of the secret Jedi Temple on Lothal, which granted access to the World Between Worlds. Without the context of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the painting held no significance.
