Ryan Shoots First: The Clone Wars (S7 Ep9) “Old Friends Not Forgotten”
Here we go, it’s all been worth it as we strap in for the final Clone Wars arc of the series, the infamous Siege of Mandalore with Maul, Ashoka, Anakin, Obi, Ashoka Clone Troopers, Mandos. Let’s get to it!
At the very start the whole thing is treated as a movie. We get the old old vintage Lucas film limited logo you can only find on the original VHS copies and a proper Star Wars Jump start. We jump quickly into the patented Clone Wars narration style and you’ll notice as they dart around certain Jedi are in their places when Order 66 is broadcast. Plo Koon and Ayla Secura are shown in similar shots that they are in Revenge of the Sith when the order is given. Holy crap it’s going down. We cut to the ground where Commander Cody is attempting to take a bridge from the Seps and right before he is taken out by a rocket Obi-Wan jumps in and saves him. Man the visuals, Obi is held down and asks “Where is Anakin?” Just then Anakin shows up standing up straight dodging lasers and asking Obi why he is hiding in cover? He tells him he ONLY has a couple thousand droids and him and Rex are here to help. Awesome Bad Ass Anakin moment here. Anakin walks out on the bridge by himself and all the Seps take aim. He stalls for time saying he is surrendering while R2 and Rex sneak under the bridge. This draws out the command droid that has been hiding. Just then all of Rex’s squad fly out with their jetpacks and begin taking out droids. This is gorgeous, the wind blowing across Anakin’s hair and robes, the explosions and smoke effects, man. After winning, Anakin receives a transmission from a code named “Fulcrum” which anyone from Star Wars Rebels knows is Ashoka. Anakin shows up on the command ship and is shocked to see Ashoka on a hologram with Bo Katan.
Ashoka informs them they have located and think they can take Maul. Anakin is excited and believes this gives everything Ashoka has gone through purpose. Obi is cautiously optimistic as Ashoka and the Mandos arrive. R2 runs to greet Ashoka and the two share a moment. Anakin is very excited to see Ashoka but she appears to be all Business. Obi tells Bo this will essentially draw them into another war and Bo responds “What’s one more”. Bo pulls up Mauls murder of Duchess Satine to Obi-Wan and he says while he still has feelings it is up to the council wether they act. With everyone gone Ashoka and Anakin are able to catch up and Anakin tells her he has a surprise for her. As they walk around clones continue to smile and salute her, she says they shouldn’t since she left the order and Anakin tells her they don’t care, the clones are loyal. Just then the doors open and there stands Rex and the whole 501st with the Ashoka themed helmets and I’m crying like a baby. She tells Rex he doesn’t have to call her Commander anymore and Rex answers “Sure thing Commander”. Anakin then goes to give Ashoka one last gift, a box that I’m sure holds her lightsabers. Before she can open it a siren blares as there is an emergency. Grievous has begun his attack on Coruscant, yes that attack that is at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith. Ashoka is upset that the Jedi are abandoning them to go save the Chancellor but Anakin proposes they promote Rex to Commander so he can take part of the 501st to help Asoka. For those keeping track this explains why Rex is not with Anakin in RotS when he turns to the darkside and storms the Jedi temple. I wonder if Rex does not turn on Ashoka when Order 66 is given since she TECHNICALLY is not in the order anymore? We will find out soon!
Before Ashoka leaves Anakin returns her Sabers to her and the two share what is presumably their final meeting before Rebels when they face off and she finds out he is Vader. As the troops descend onto Mandalore Gar Saxton and Mauls troops begin their counter attack. An awesome fight in the air with ships and troopers and Mandos flying all over. Rex tells Ashoka he’s sorry he didn’t bring her a jet pack and she says she doesn’t need one. Rex smirks as Ashoka jumps from the ship and starts bouncing from ship to ship taking out Mauls Mandos. She finally reaches a crashing republic ship and after freeing the pilot steers the ship into the platform of the base. She bails out at the last moment and lands sabers ignited as the ship explodes behind her in a moment that made me audibly yell “Holy S$#&!” The troops force Saxton away and take the platform. The Mandos go to take down the counselor as Ashoka goes to find Maul. Bo takes down the Counselor who has his own awesome Gold Mando armor and the Counselor tells Bo this was all part of Maul’s plan but he brought the wrong Jedi. He wanted Obi-Wan. Ashoka is heading into a trap as her troops are taken out by Maul and his Mandos. Ashoka ends up surrounded as Maul enters the room. The credits roll as he asks Ashoka why she is here instead of Kenobi.
Holy crap… Ok, if Filoni was sandbagging some of this season to give us this final arc I bear no ill will. I will have to let my hands stop shaking but that is likely the best episode of the series if not Top 3. Everything from the connections directly to Revenge of the Sith to set the timeline, to the tidy way you can see it setting up questions we’ve had for years. Where was Rex, Maul and Ashoka during RotS? We are finding out right now. Beyond the visuals which have been great all season the character moments from everyone were so great. Ashoka being uncomfortable with being back in this world, Anakin and the clones so excited to see her again and Obi-Wan’s Man of reason approach were all pitch perfect. Bo Katan, who was already a Badass, stepped up her game big time. We had connections to virtually every Star Wars Era from Prequels to Rebels to Modern. The only thing we’re missing is the Mandalorian which I’m sure is coming as we get into the Dark Saber. Filoni is a genius and continues to remind me why I love Star Wars so much. This was a fantastic episode big on action, curiosity, joy and an overwhelming sense of dread at what is around the corner. For years fans have said this series salvaged the prequels and while it was true the moments like Obi-Wan and Anakin on the bridge siege perfectly encapsulates why. When this arc is done it very well may be up there with the best two hours of Star Wars ever. Is it next Friday yet?