Ahsoka Episode 5 Reveals Surprising Link to George Lucas' Final Star Wars Film (Hint: Not Revenge of the Sith!)
Ahsoka Episode 5 pays tribute to George Lucas' final Star Wars film with THREE captivating Clone Wars flashbacks, not just two Discover the significance and depth of these nostalgic moments
Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka episode 5
Summary
Ahsoka episode 5 honors George Lucas and his last Star Wars film, The Clone Wars, by showcasing live-action flashbacks of significant battles. These flashbacks not only feature battles from the animated series but also include one from the original feature film. The flashbacks encompass the Ryloth Campaign, the Siege of Mandalore, and even the lesser-known Battle of Teth from the 2008 film The Clone Wars.
The 2008 release of The Clone Wars movie not only served as a pilot for the series, but also marked George Lucas' final contribution to the Star Wars film franchise. This film holds a special place in the hearts of Star Wars fans, as it signifies the beginning of a beloved era.
In episode 5 of Ahsoka, a subtle tribute is paid to George Lucas and his last Star Wars movie. Through a key flashback to the Clone Wars, the show cleverly acknowledges the significance of this often overlooked film. While Revenge of the Sith marked the end of the Skywalker saga produced by Lucas, it is important to recognize that his true last Star Wars movie was 2008's Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
George Lucas made the decision to release a feature film version of the initial storyline of the first season of the show before its television premiere. This film, which was released in 2008, was meant to serve as a way to introduce the audience to the upcoming animated series. In episode 5 of the show, titled "Ahsoka," there are live-action flashbacks to the Clone Wars that pay tribute not only to the show itself but also to George Lucas' movie. These flashbacks feature Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker and a younger Ahsoka, played by Ariana Greenblatt. However, compared to the other Easter eggs and references to the Clone Wars animated series, this movie homage is more subtle.
Ahsoka Episode 5 Featured THREE Clone Wars Flashbacks - Not Just Two
Ahsoka's flashbacks to Clone Wars depict major battles such as The Ryloth Campaign and the Siege of Mandalore. Ahsoka's Mandalorian attire and blue lightsabers, along with the presence of Clone Commander Rex and the 332nd Company, confirm the Mandalorian conflict. The opposing force of Mandalorians, inspired by Maul, also adds to this confirmation.
The preceding battle is easily recognized as the Battle of Ryloth because of the desert landscape, rock formations, and the presence of native Twi'lek resistance fighters. Ahsoka's guilt over the fallen clone troopers under her command refers to the Battle of Ryloth, which was first shown in The Clone Wars season 1, where her first command experienced heavy casualties.
However, contrary to initial assumptions, the very first Clone Wars sequence does not take place on Ryloth. Instead, it unfolds during the Battle of Teth, where pink mists and partially visible trees serve as a backdrop to the ongoing conflict. Notably, the Battle of Teth marks one of Ahsoka and her master's early missions together, prominently featured in Lucas' Clone Wars movie shortly after Anakin and Ahsoka's initial meeting during the Battle of Christophsis. Given the explosions and overall limited visibility, it is quite easy to overlook this shorter sequence on Teth compared to the other flashbacks on Ryloth and Mandalore.
The Clone Wars Movie Was George Lucas' Last Star Wars Film
The Clone Wars movie released in 2008 acted as a pilot for the subsequent animated series. This series aired for five seasons on Cartoon Network, with a sixth season initially streaming on Netflix, and a final seventh season exclusively on Disney+. Therefore, The Clone Wars movie can be considered as the last Star Wars film created by George Lucas, as he later sold Lucasfilm and the Star Wars intellectual property to Disney in 2012. Despite mixed reviews, the movie kickstarted a significant legacy and introduced a new era of Star Wars that has since garnered a devoted following.
This legacy, undoubtedly, encompasses the emergence of a character who has gained tremendous popularity over the years, especially now that Ahsoka Tano has her own live-action series. Therefore, it is highly exciting to witness Ahsoka episode 5 acknowledging its humble beginnings, as one of the final Star Wars projects created by Lucas himself.
New episodes of Ahsoka are released on Disney+ every Tuesday at 6pm PST / 9pm EST.
