Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 welcomed back Ahsoka Tano on Friday, March 20th. Let’s revisit her Top 5 moments in the series so far!
Padawan. Commander. Exile. Fulcrum.
Ahsoka Tano has worn a number of impressive titles throughout her tenure in Star Wars : The Clone Wars. Throughout that time, we have been lucky enough to witness a complete character evolution.
Whether it was fighting alongside Anakin Skywalker on the fields on Christophsis, leading a mini-rebellion in the face of bloodthirsty Trandoshans, or slinging a crackling one-liner alongside Padmé Amidala, Ahsoka Tano’s presence was essential in every frame of The Clone Wars that in which she appeared.
With her triumphant return to screens everywhere on Disney+ this past Friday, we thought it was time to take a look back at some of our favorite memories with Snips as she carved her own path through a galaxy far, far away as well as the modern media landscape.
5. Taking Charge When Anakin Falls (S1 E13: Jedi Crash)
When Ahsoka, Anakin, and General Aayla Secura are unexpectedly blasted across hyperspace, Ahsoka is forced to take charge when her Master is devastatingly injured. The young Togrutan must transition from student to savior in this episode, and her ability to calmly accept this new leadership role shines at the forefront.
Until this point, we had seen Ahsoka swing lightsabers behind the safety of Skywalker, but not only does she live up to the challenge of saving Anakin’s life…she far exceeds such simple expectations.
She continuously advocates for the worth of his life in the face of Aayla Secura and the Jedi Order’s archaic history of detachment. Although the road ahead seemingly appears simpler without lugging Skyguy behind as luggage, Ahsoka never falters.
By the end of the episode, she has recruited a healer, made peace with an indigenous population, and ensured Anakin’s continued survival as she and Secura await their imminent rescue.
4. Saving Padmé From Aurra Sing (S3 E7: Assassin)
Ahsoka’s trust in her own value and abilities is put to the test when the image of an assassin long thought gone begins to haunt her visions. The safety of Senator Amidala is put into Tano’s hands as she accompanies Padmé to Alderaan where the acclaimed bounty hunter, Aurra Sing, attempts to exact revenge for an unknown employer.
This episode emphasizes the astounding level of trust that Ahsoka has gained amongst her peers. When she initially confronts Yoda with her vision of Aurra’s plan, the ancient Jedi Master never doubts or ridicules her findings. Rather, he encourages her to further meditate upon the meaning behind her visions and even praises the progression of her abilities within the Force.
Trust in Ahsoka is echoed further still through Padmé’s unwavering belief in her. Despite numerous false alarms where Ahsoka seems to be just a bit quick on the draw, Padmé never considers distrusting her husband’s apprentice. She chooses rather to take every opportunity to mentor Ahsoka in the ways of leadership and fundamental belief in oneself; a lesson that is employed time and time again throughout the series.
All of this faith in Ahsoka pays off when she successfully thwarts the attempted assassination of the Senator and goes toe to toe with Sing within Padmé’s quarters. Despite her initial apprehension about stepping out from Anakin’s shadow, Ahsoka proves more than capable as she safely returns her friend back to Coruscant and reveals Ziro the Hutt as the grand designer of the whole affair.
3. Leading the Youngling Rebellion (S3 E22: Wookiee Hunt)
The transition from student to teacher is perhaps never more evident than when Ahsoka must call on every piece of Anakin’s training as she attempts to lead a group of younglings in a quest for survival. Trandoshan hunters relentlessly hunt the Padawans as Ahsoka enlists the help of an unlikely ally in an attempt to escape a deadly captivity.
Ahsoka’s leadership qualities dazzle the audience throughout this episode as she inspires those around her to overcome the most dreadful of obstacles. Despite the fact that she is the newest addition to the group of prisoners, she acts with the skill and wisdom of a military commander with twice her experience.
It is this remarkable display of leadership and poise that allows Ahsoka to remain calm and confident throughout the many struggles the young rebellion faces. They are able to honor the sacrifices of their lost friends by uniting under Ahsoka’s banner and taking over the Hunger Games-style arena into which they have been thrust.
However, Ahsoka’s contributions to this effort are far from purely managerial as she frequently joins the fray, herself. Without a lightsaber at her belt or her traditional battle companions at her side, Ahsoka relies on her athletic ability paired with Anakin’s training to deftly disarm and defeat a number of deadly Trandoshan.
Rarely in the show do we witness Ahsoka assume such absolute control of a dire situation, but Wookiee Hunt proves that she is ready to accept that mantle as the need arises.
2. Confronting Death Watch (S4 E14: A Friend in Need)
Although the Jedi continuously preach the virtues of nonattachment, Ahsoka more than occasionally falters in her attempt to walk that path. Lux Bonteri taps into this side of Ahsoka more often than not, so when he embarks on a daring escapade to enlist the help of the murderous Death Watch, our favorite Togrutan has no choice but to shield her friend from the extreme danger in which he finds himself.
A Friend in Need brings us an Ahsoka who is extraordinarily comfortable in her own skin. Beginning the episode side by side with Padmé further concretes their professional and personal relationship, and her solo decision to help Lux is never questioned by anyone who could claim to be her superior.
Ahsoka’s sense for moral justice also shines brightly from the moment the pair enters the Death Watch camp on Carlac. Whether it’s the use of droids for barbaric target practice or the kidnapping of the local population for sport and service, Ahsoka’s disgust at the mistreatment of others is apparent every moment.
The episode’s climactic battle between Ahsoka and the leaders of Death Watch (including our introduction to the fascinating Bo-Katan) serves as an action-packed encapsulation of everything that we’ve learned about this Jedi through this point in the series. She springs into action when the locals are slaughtered despite having no weapons, she pulls no punches as she devastatingly beheads her Mandalorian captors in a move that would make Anakin blush, and once her friend is out of danger, she gladly chooses to fly rather than indulge her anger by fighting Pre Vizsla to the death.
Ahsoka’s final decision to let Lux go could have eroded her faith and trust in her friends going forward, but her resolved sense of calm shows us that she is more than willing to accept and understand the gray areas of the conflict — a lesson far more Jedi should have taken to heart.
1. Leaving the Jedi Order (S5 E20: The Wrong Jedi)
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A devastating blow to the Jedi and the hearts of every fan, Ahsoka’s choice to leave the Order remains one of the most memorable and harrowing moments of The Clone Wars.
The entire arc up to this point has seen Ahsoka in self-imposed isolation as she attempts to clear her name of the ghastly accusation of bombing the Jedi Temple. Even after the conclusion of the trial to prove her innocence, we immediately see that Ahsoka’s trust in her found family has been shaken beyond possible repair.
And why wouldn’t it?
For her entire life, Ahsoka has put her faith in an Order that holds true to the tenants of truth and justice, and with a single accusation, that bedrock was ruptured. Even Anakin’s plea, as heartbreaking and earnest as it is, cannot mend the wound in Ahsoka’s heart that was so callously ripped open by the Order, and the result brings us a moment of strength, heartache, resolve, and crippling loneliness.
Ahsoka Tano’s decision to leave the Order that has raised her from birth is not made lightly, but rather it builds upon every lesson that she has learned over the past five seasons. This is a choice to believe in herself and trust that she will find her way.
After all…her story is just getting started.
Ahsoka Tano returns to the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars now premiering every Friday only on Disney+.