Hayden Christensen’s performance as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels received a lot of criticism over the years. Still, he had no hand in George Lucas’s dialogues for Anakin. In his return to Star Wars, he’s worked with different writers and directors, and the results speak for themselves. Cringe dialogues weren’t an issue for Hayden in Ahsoka, which was full of many fantastic quotes from Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader.
Here are the most memorable Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader quotes from Ahsoka:
“One is never too old to learn, Snips.”
Spoken like a true Master, Anakin reminds Ahsoka that age is nothing when it comes to learning, and he’s here to complete her training years after it started. What an exciting and intriguing way to begin Ahsoka Episode 5. It’s also our first glimpse of Hayden as Master Skywalker, something we can’t get enough of.
“I’ve heard that before.”
An emotional callback to the original trilogy, this line clears up any confusion fans may have had about Anakin. This version of Anakin has all the experiences of Darth Vader and remembers that Luke Skywalker also refused to fight him. It also makes it clear that Ahsoka is facing off with the redeemed Anakin Skywalker.
“There’s always a price to be paid.”
When Ahsoka questions Anakin on how he feels about the number of lives lost in battle, he reminds her that there’s always a price to be paid for war. It’s not just a good quote, but Hayden delivers it with the perfect amount of Jedi compassion and wisdom.
“Ahsoka, within you will be everything I am. All the knowledge I possess. Just as I inherited from my master, and he, from his.”
This quote perfectly sums up the purpose of Ahsoka Season 1. The entire season is about the legacy of one master to the next and the relationship between a master and Padawan. Whether she likes it or not, Ahsoka is part of a long line of Masters. They include Anakin Skywalker and all the good and bad he represents. It’s also heartwarming to hear Anakin mention his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
“But you’re more than that because I’m more than that.”
This touching line highlights that Anakin has made peace with all his choices and understands that he represents more than what he eventually became. Ahsoka is his legacy, and the more she evolves as a person, the more he can feel like he did something right in his lifetime.
“You lack conviction!”
Imagine having a suitless Darth Vader walking towards you in all his glory and telling you you lack conviction! That’s what Ahsoka faced near the end of her World Between Worlds trip in Ahsoka Episode 5. I guess we’ll call it tough love from Master Anakin Skywalker, and he succeeded in driving home the lesson to Ahsoka, who fought back and decided to live.
“I know you can do this, Ahsoka”
In Episode 7, Ahsoka watched the last training videos Anakin recorded for her, and the video ended with some final words of encouragement for her. These words will be essential for her going forward after being stranded on Peridea with no way of returning home. The entire touching video showed any Star Wars fans who haven’t seen the animated shows just how much Anakin cared for Ahsoka and what a great master he was.
Ahsoka is streaming on Disney+.