A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Sabotage," "The Jedi Who Knew Too Much," "To Catch a Jedi" & "The Wrong Jedi"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars"

We are ending the fifth season on a super strong note. These four episodes might be my favorite episodes of "The Clone Wars." Full disclosure, I still haven't watched the final season, so that may change when I do. But, they are my favorites so far. Let's get to it.

"Sabotage," Season Five, Episode 17

"Sometimes even the smallest doubt can shake the greatest belief."

Narrator: "Invasion! The planet Cato Neimodia is under Separatist attack! Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, rush to the rescue as they lead a squadron of starfighters to the planet below..."

After a harrowing space battle, Anakin and Ahsoka are called back to Coruscant to investigate a bombing in the hangar of the Jedi Temple. The bombing took the lives of Jedi and maintenance workers. There is concern that the culprit of the attack was a Jedi. Because Anakin and Ahsoka were not present when it took place they are charged with finding the perpetrator before the rumors tear the Temple apart from the inside out.

Law & Order: Clone Wars

This episode is really interesting because it pulls the rug out from under you. The opening narration makes you believe that we are going to get some episodes set on the homeworld of the Neimodians, those slimy creeps from the Trade Federation. And the episode certainly begins that way. It's been a hot minute since we had a space battle on "The Clone Wars" and it's nice to have that back. It's a pretty high energy opening. Anakin ends up getting knocked out in the cockpit of his starfighter and R2 i unable to pilot it. So it's up to Ahoska to stop it. Which entails her jumping on the fighter and getting Anakin out of it, physically. It's a great way to open the episode because the rest of it is pretty light on action, but that's just fine.

Once the Jedi are back at the Temple, the episode becomes a bit more cerebral. Anakin and Ahsoka meet with the Jedi Council who tell them about the bombing. They are put in charge of the investigation because they were not present when the bombing occurred so they are cleared as suspects. There hasn't been too much focus on how the regular folks of the galaxy feel about the Jedi going from peacemakers to soldiers and it's not shocking to hear that they aren't big fans of it.

Anakin and Ahsoka team up with investigation droid, Russo-ISC. Anakin is immediately trying to bully how the investigation is going to go. I am on board with Russo when he suggests he interview witnesses sans Jedi, but Anakin won't hear of it. While they are talking with the maintenance people, fingers are pointed at a worker named Jackar Bowmani, who no one can locate. Ahsoka and Russo start to look for him.

One of the coolest things in this episode is the large hologram of the crime scene that Ahsoka and Russo are able to manipulate. I think this hologram serves another purpose aside from being a cool visual. It really shows the scope of what happened and it's really shocking. And to it really just drives home what a disaster this was when you think that it happened inside of a building.

I really like that this episode is a true whodunnit. And it's fun watching Anakin and Ahsoka follow the clues and the crumbs as they try to figure things out. They find out about the microscopic nano-droids which leads them to Jackar's body, well his hand. This leads them to his home and the discovery of the nano-droids in the garbage disposal which leads them to his wife, Letta who fed them to him. It all makes sense and it all flows together really well. Letta reveals that she was approached by someone who felt the same way that she did about the turn the Jedi have taken during the war and that there is more than they know.

I have a couple of minor gripes about this episode. It feels like kind of a bonehead move to show a hologram of the suspect in front of a protest comprised of the victims friends and family. Great job, Anakin. Or to say you didn't mention Jackar was dead when you basically just said that he was the bomb. But overall this is a strong start to this arc and it's only going to get better from here.

Grade: A-

"The Jedi Who Knew Too Much," Season Five, Episode 18

"Courage begins by trusting oneself."

Narrator: "Terror at the temple! The Jedi Temple is in disarray after a vicious terrorist attack. Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano set out to find the truth of who was really behind this horrendous catastrophe. Their investigation led them to discover the true saboteur, Letta Turmond. Now the Jedi attempt to return the Temple to normalcy. But first, Master Yoda must give a eulogy to the fallen Jedi warriors..."

After Letta's apprehension and the funeral, Letta is taken into custody by Admiral Tarkin. It is determined that this is a Republic matter not a Jedi matter. Letta requests to speak to Ahsoka and only Ahsoka. Ahsoka goes to visit her in the detention center. Letta is ready to tell Ahsoka who got her to do the bombing when she is suddenly force choked to death. To the clones watching it looks like Ahsoka and soon she is taken into custody. When Anakin's attempt to see Ahsoka fail, she ends up escaping, but it is soon clear that someone is determined to make Ahsoka culpable for their crimes...

Run!

This episode begins with a memorial for the Jedi who were killed in the bombing. For some reason, I'm very interested in how cultures in various fantasy and sci-fi properties honor their fallen and so I was definitely invested in this and Master Yoda's eulogy. His words take on an interesting meaning when you think of what happens with Ahsoka for the remaining episodes of this arc. 

Ahsoka speaks with Barriss Offee after the memorial and she's fuming. One of the things I love about Ahsoka is how passionate she is, but she doesn't let them control her. She's not happy that Letta is not going to be tried by the Jedi. And she doesn't say anything, but I do think it's interesting that Tarkin reveals that the Chancellor is trying to disentangle the Jedi from military matters. Hmm... The conversation that Barriss and Ahsoka have in regards to emotion is much more eye opening once you know how this arc plays out, but again, Ahsoka is confident that no matter who dispenses it, justice will prevail.

It's not too long before Tarkin is calling Ahsoka to the prison to meet with Letta. Letta reveals that she was approached by another Jedi to do all of this, but she is killed before Ahsoka can get a name from her. This really launches the episode and the next two episodes and propels them. It looks to the Clones like Ahsoka did it and I'm not surprised they don't believe her when she claims she didn't do it. Even Anakin can't help. I will say we are used to seeing Anakin get his way and so getting shut down by Tarkin is kind of a shock. 

Ahsoka finds a key card left outside her cell that she assumes is left by Anakin and she uses it to escape. It becomes pretty clear to her that her Master is not behind this. Soon she is being pursued through the facility by clones and by Anakin. Anakin tries to convince Ahsoka to not run, but she is convinced that no one will believe her and you know, I don't really blame her. 

The last third of the episode is a thrilling chase as the clones and Anakin pursue Ahsoka. I am kind of obsessed with this entire sequence. It is extremely beautifully animated and every part of it is great. I love the rain and the flashes from Ahsoka's dual lightsabers and the flashes of stun bolts from the clones blasters. It's exciting and you're not really sure how it's going to turn out especially when Ahsoka loses one of her 'sabers. It really highlights Ahsoka's resourcefulness, particularly when she cuts through the top of a drain pipe and starts fleeing through the sewers.

My favorite moment of the episode is the confrontation between Anakin and Ahsoka at the end of the drain pipe. Anakin doesn't want Ahsoka to do this. He wants her to trust in the Jedi, which is kind of surprising honestly. Ahsoka is firm that she has to try to clear her name on her own. This whole scene is giving very "The Fugitive" vibes. Anakin is Tommy Lee Jones and Ahsoka is Harrison Ford. It's a pitch perfect homage and the fact that "The Fugitive" stars one of the "Star Wars" franchise's most recognizable actors just makes it even better. Ahsoka jumps and she's officially on the run.

Grade: A

"To Catch a Jedi," Season Five, Episode 19

"Never become desperate enough to trust the untrustworthy."

Narrator: "Ahsoka Tano on the run! After an attack on the Jedi Temple, Anakin Skywalker's young Padawan found herself accused of murdering the responsible for the bombings. With no choice but to run, she was chased by her Master, who begged her to turn herself in. Knowing there is little hope of being cleared of the crimes, Ahsoka decided to find out the truth and prove her innocence on her own..." 

Ahoska is searching the bowels of Coruscant for clues while being pursued by Anakin and Clone troopers. There has also been a bounty placed on her which brings her in to conflict with former Sith, Asajj Ventress. Ahsoka plays on Ventress's past with Dooku and convinces her to help her. Thanks to a tip from Barriss Offee, Ahsoka ends up at a munitions factory. Ventress is ambushed by a shadowy figure who steals her mask and lightsabers and attacks Ahsoka. Is this the Jedi really behind it all? Will Ashoska get away?

So much red.

So, we've all seen these episodes and we all know that Barriss Offee is the actual culprit. I will say that I have one criticism for the entirety of this arc is that I feel like they kind of made it pretty obvious that she is responsible. I mean, there's the conversation that she has with Ahsoka after the funeral. Then there's the fact that the only person she has contact with from the Temple while she's on the run is Barriss. It's like they weren't even trying to hide it and maybe they weren't. I don't necessarily think the point of this arc is to be cagey about who the actual person behind this is, but re-watching this episode in particular and seeing how much she talks to Barriss, it just kind of struck me.

This episode gives me so much of what I love about "Star Wars" particularly this era of "Star Wars." I love Coruscant and I especially love the lower levels. The griminess. Far away from the shine of the Jedi Temple and the Senate. Far away from what our characters are used to seeing. They touch on it a little bit when Anakin and Ahsoka visit Letta and Jackar's apartment in "Sabotage" but there's more of it here. Ahsoka buys a cloak from a homeless person. She's jumping levels. It kind of gives me "Blade Runner" vibes and I'm never upset about that.

And we get Asajj Ventress. You all know that I love Ventress and teaming her up with Ahsoka, my other favorite character, is just like a dream come true. It's almost like they wrote this episode for me. I think Ahsoka and Ventress really play so well off each other, maybe because they are so different. Ahsoka is very smart here leveraging Ventress's past with Dooku and comparing it to her current situation. It's the perfect way to get Ventress to help her.

There's a lot of great action sequences in here. I especially enjoy the fight between Ventress, Ahsoka and the clone contingent that finds them after Ahoska's holo conversation with Barriss. We have seen a lot of amazing lightsaber battles on this series, but we haven't really seen a ton of hand to hand fighting and this is all hand to hand aside from Ventress slicing off the barrels with her blasters. It's a testament to the prowess of these two amazing women. Honestly, if I have one critique of this episode is that I wish we had gotten more time with Ventress and Ahsoka.

We get one of those aforementioned amazing lightsaber battles at the end of this episode. The Jedi disguised as Ventress attacks Ahsoka at the warehouse and they go at each other. It's extremely intense and I love how the animators utilize the environment in this fight. It's how they do a great job of keeping these battles feeling fresh even though we've seen so many of them throughout the series.

Ahsoka ends up crashing to the ground right in front of boxes of nano-droids which is where the Clones and Anakin find Ahsoka. They take her in but you can tell by the look on his face, Anakin still isn't convinced of Ahsoka's guilt.

Grade: A

"The Wrong Jedi," Season Five, Episode 20

"Never give up hope, no matter how dark things seem."

Narrator: "Ahsoka Tano captured! While on the run to prove her innocence, Padawan Tano teamed up with the deadly Asajj Ventress to find the rogue Jedi who framed Ahsoka for murder. The Jedi Council sent Anakin Skywalker and Master Plo Koon to track Ahsoka down and bring her back to the Temple. Now captured and imprisoned, Ahsoka faces crimes for punishments she did not commit..."

Bowing to pressure from Tarkin and the Senate, Ahsoka is expelled from the Jedi order and is set to face a military tribunal. Padmé Amidala represents her while Anakin searches for clues. He finds Asajj Ventress who tells him about her ambush and suggests he look for someone carrying her lightsabers. She reveals that Ahsoka was in contact with Barriss Offee. Anakin confronts Barriss and they duel with Anakin taking her down and getting her to the Senate trial just in time. Ahsoka is exonerated, but has the damage already been done?

When I was originally watching the movie that began this series and you would have told me that Ahsoka's story would include her leaving the Jedi Order, I wouldn't have believed you. But that is exactly what happens in this episode. And really, this episode, heck this entire arc and to an extent, the series up to his point in regards to Ahsoka has been leading up to that final scene between Anakin and Ahsoka that ends with her turning her back on her Master and the Order and walking off into the sunset.

That last scene is so freaking well done. It's not very long but it says so much and a lot of that is said in the silences and the looks between Anakin and Ahsoka. I give a lot of credit to the animators on "The Clone Wars" and they absolutely deserve it. This particular scene. In the early days, sometimes the facial animatics, particularly for the humans weren't great, but this scene is a great example of how far they've come in a relatively short time. The pained expression on Anakin's face. The reserved but sad look on Ahoska's. They wouldn't have been able to do this in season two so kudos for them. It's exceptional.

I don't talk to much about the voice work on "The Clone Wars" and I really should because it has been fantastic since episode one. Ashley Eckstein and Matt Lanter are fire in this scene. I'm curious if they were in the room together when the dialogue for this episode was recorded. I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't. They each inject so much emotion into every word and you feel it. You feel the love and history between them. You hear a tinge of potential jealousy when Anakin says that out of everyone he knows what it's like to want to leave the Order. Maybe he's really upset because his Padawan is doing the thing that he never had the courage to do.

None of this would matter if this episode wasn't exceptionally written. Charles Murray knocks it out of the park. I'm sure there is a desire to maybe write more in a scene like this. To give one or both of the characters a big speech, but by holding off on that and allowing the spaces between what Anakin and Ahsoka are saying to breath, the whole sequence becomes that much more impactful. You couple all this with the masterful direction of Dave Filoni and you have peak "The Clone Wars."

The rest of the episode is phenomenal as well. If you've never hated the Jedi Council before, you definitely will now. They come off as spineless cowards except for Obi-Wan Kenobi, who never wavers from Ahsoka's side. I've never been more on Anakin's side ever. He knows exactly what is going on when they are brought to the council of judgement and for a minute I though, you know, maybe these people deserve what is coming to them.

It is even worse when they are talking to Ahsoka at the end of the episode before she leaves. They try to twist it to make it seem like this was some great trial that she was meant to face. And maybe it was, but that doesn't mean that you all don't owe her an apology. That maybe a little bit of light prostrating would have convinced Ahsoka to stay in the Order, but instead they are just as sanctimonious as ever. 

We are starting to see things take a turn towards the Empire in this episode. Ahsoka's trial sees a lot of that. From Tarkin's prosecution of Ahsoka to Palpatine basically declaring her guilty. I have to give it up to Padmé. I've been harsh on her portrayal in "The Clone Wars," but she's a great defense attorney here, bringing up lots of salient points that are not considered at all. 

There's not much to say about the Barriss Offee reveal that I didn't say already. It was fine. It was obvious. We get a great duel between Barriss and Anakin that ends in front of the younglings from earlier in the season, which was a nice callback.

This was a great way to end season five and I could have seen it ending the series. But, we still have two seasons to go.

Grade: A+

Next up, we have a book! The first in a trilogy starring not yet Admiral Thrawn. Then, we start season 6 with Fives uncovering something troubling on Kamino. 

What do you all think of these episodes? Anyone who doesn't like them? I'd love to hear why in the comments. Or if you enjoy them too and want to chat about something I may have missed you can do that too!