Inside the Epic Siege of Mandalore: Unveiling Anakin's Hidden Role in the Battle

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 5.

Summary

In Ahsoka episode 5, Anakin Skywalker returns as a Jedi General in the Clone Wars, wearing his famous armor. Additionally, Captain Rex from the Clone Wars makes a brief appearance, with actor Temuera Morrison once again providing his voice from the prequel trilogy.

In episode 5 of Ahsoka, the World Between Worlds was skillfully utilized to immerse the main character in a nostalgic journey. This journey included significant scenes from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, such as the Battle of Ryloth and the Siege of Mandalore. Fans had anticipated the inclusion of live-action Clone Wars elements in Ahsoka, whether through references to her past as a Jedi or through flashbacks to crucial moments of the war. Consequently, Ahsoka became not only a sequel to The Clone Wars but also a continuation of the narrative started in Star Wars Rebels.

After the fourth episode of Ahsoka, which left the Jedi stranded in the World Between Worlds and facing her former Master and Clone Wars General, there was hope that flashbacks to Anakin and Ahsoka's extensive Star Wars backstory would be featured in the fifth episode. This hope was fulfilled, as Dave Filoni had indeed planned for Ahsoka episode 5 to include these flashbacks. By connecting Ahsoka's story, characters, and themes with her and Anakin's past, the World Between Worlds provided an abundance of live-action flashbacks from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, ultimately leading up to the iconic recreation of the Siege of Mandalore.

5 Clone Wars Season 7's Siege Of Mandalore Appeared In Ahsoka Episode 5

Unlike the previous recreation of a Clone Wars scene, Ahsoka episode 5 featured a much clearer depiction of the iconic Clone Wars event in live-action. The Siege of Mandalore from The Clone Wars season 7 was recreated, with Ahsoka's attire, blue lightsabers, and the Mandalorian warriors emulating Darth Maul. This significant event finally came to life in Ahsoka episode 5.

In The Clone Wars season 7, the Siege of Mandalore was the final arc of the entire show. Ahsoka was approached by Bo-Katan Kryze, a character from The Mandalorian, to seek help from the Republic in reclaiming Mandalore from Darth Maul. This Siege occurred simultaneously with the events of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, explaining Ahsoka's absence in the final prequel film and Anakin's absence in the last arc of The Clone Wars. Ahsoka, together with Captain Rex and half of the 501st Clone Battalion, joined forces with Bo-Katan to free Mandalore from Maul's control. Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi were occupied with rescuing Chancellor Palpatine, who had been captured by General Grievous during the Battle of Coruscant, which sets the beginning of Revenge of the Sith. The entire Siege of Mandalore took place during the timeline of Revenge of the Sith.

4 Ahsoka Episode 5 Saw The Clone Wars' General Anakin Skywalker Return

Considering the significance of the Siege of Mandalore in Ahsoka's Star Wars journey, it is only fitting for Ahsoka episode 5 to recreate this pivotal event. Despite Ahsoka's departure from the Jedi Order long before the Siege of Mandalore, this climactic battle during the Clone Wars marked one of her last acts as a Jedi before the fateful events of Order 66. Given that the flashbacks in Ahsoka episode 5 primarily served as a means for Ahsoka to restore her connection to the Force and continue her fight in the New Republic, the inclusion of the Siege of Mandalore as a flashback from The Clone Wars further emphasizes and reinforces this underlying theme.

While Ahsoka episode 4 had already witnessed Hayden Christensen's comeback as Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka episode 5 delved even deeper by showcasing the character during his prime as a Jedi General of the Clone Wars. In Dave Filoni's animated series The Clone Wars, Anakin was frequently depicted wearing his Jedi General armor. This appearance quickly became synonymous with Anakin's animated persona, prompting many fans to yearn for Christensen to don the same outfit in live-action. Following a brief confrontation with Anakin in the World Between Worlds, it became evident that Ahsoka episode 5 would indeed fulfill this desire.

3 Ahsoka Episode 5 Featured Clone Wars' Captain Rex

In the fifth episode of Ahsoka, we witnessed a monumental moment as Hayden Christensen embodied the legendary character in live-action, wearing the iconic attire. This marked the first time Christensen portrayed the General, renowned for his valiant efforts against the Separatists during the Clone Wars, in a live-action setting. The episode showcased Anakin at the pinnacle of his abilities, fearlessly leading the 501st Clone Battalion, armed with his powerful blue lightsaber, and finally revealing his iconic armor to the audience. As a result, Ahsoka episode 5 flawlessly blended animation and live-action, presenting Anakin Skywalker's character through Christensen's portrayal, incorporating both the former's recognizable armor and the latter's distinctive black Jedi robes. All of this was made possible through Ahsoka's journey in the mesmerizing realm of the World Between Worlds.

In addition to Clone Wars-era Anakin Skywalker, another beloved character from the animated show made a thrilling appearance in episode 5, alongside the young Ahsoka. As the story took us back to a pivotal moment in Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7, clone Captain Rex came to life in live-action. This was a long-awaited moment for fans who had hoped to see Rex and Ahsoka together on screen, considering the strong bond they shared in both Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. The dream finally became a reality in Ahsoka episode 5, as Rex made a brief but impactful cameo during the Clone Wars flashbacks in the World Between Worlds.

Despite having Dee Bradley Baker portray Rex in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, clone actor Temuera Morrison, who was originally the face of the clones in George Lucas' Star Wars prequel trilogy, returned for Ahsoka. While Baker's exceptional portrayal of the clones in Star Wars animation was commendable, seeing Morrison embody a role, even if only through his voice, was a delightful experience for Clone Wars fans. As Rex encouraged his best friend to join the battle, as he had done numerous times during the war, episode 5 of Ahsoka presented yet another Easter egg for Dave Filoni's Clone Wars.

2 Ahsoka Returned To The Battle Of Ryloth In Ahsoka Episode

In addition to the return of Anakin and Rex, Episode 5 of Ahsoka also incorporated various iconic locations and events from the animated series. Initially, it was unclear which specific part of the Clone Wars was being depicted in live-action. The battle sequence was initially obscured by a fog of war, as Anakin, Ahsoka, and the clones charged forward, facing unseen Separatist droids while dodging explosions, blaster bolts, and the brutal realities of the war that engulfed the galaxy.

During a brief respite, Anakin and Ahsoka reunited with other leaders amidst the cleared fog, attending to the wounded. Twi'lek soldiers could be observed assisting injured comrades and conversing with Anakin Skywalker before joining him, his Padawan, and the clones in battle. These actions indicated that Ahsoka episode 5 included flashbacks of the Battle of Ryloth, a conflict portrayed in Star Wars: The Clone Wars during season 1's Ryloth arc.

Additionally, the presence of clone troopers in Anakin and Ahsoka's division during the Clone Wars flashback further supported this notion. These clones were depicted wearing Phase I armor, which was not replaced by Phase II gear until around season 3 of The Clone Wars. The continuous use of Phase I armor by the clones throughout the Battle of Ryloth, combined with other contextual cues in Ahsoka episode 5, firmly placed this specific scene on the Twi'lek homeworld.

1 Ahsoka Episode 5 Features A Darth Maul Easter Egg

In Ahsoka episode 5, during the Siege of Mandalore, there is a subtle reference to Darth Maul. While Ahsoka is engaged in combat against the enemy forces on Mandalore, one of the soldiers stands out. This particular soldier is wearing the distinctive Mandalorian armor inspired by Maul, which was first introduced in Season 7 of The Clone Wars. This serves as a clear nod to Maul, who was the leader of Mandalore during the Siege. Given Maul's significant role in Ahsoka's final battle in the Clone Wars, this Easter egg in Ahsoka episode 5's flashbacks effectively connects the character's Star Wars journey. New episodes of Ahsoka are released every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.