Ahsoka episode 5 is not just the best episode of the series so far, it is the best Star Wars fans have gotten in years. Cinematically stunning and emotional.
Star Wars fans that thought Ahsoka episode 4 was the best of the series, and extremely emotional, were in for a rude awakening when they sat down for Ahsoka episode 5. Titled Shadow Warrior, this episode is not just the best of the series so far, but the best Star Wars that fans have seen in years. There were select screenings around the country of Ahsoka episode 5 in theaters, which makes absolute sense because it is cinematically stunning from beginning to end.
For those who know the animated stories of Clone Wars and Rebels, the whole series has been a love letter playing out in front of our eyes. These are relationships and characters that we invested years — decades even — in. Ahsoka episode 5 features flashbacks to the Clone Wars and the Siege of Mandalore as Dave Filoni brings his animated stories to live action. A truly unforgettable episode, this one will go down in the history books.
Ahsoka Episode 5 “Shadow Warrior” Recap
Ahsoka episode 5 starts off with Hera, Jacen, Chopper, and crew inspecting the area where Ahsoka and Sabine were last seen. They are late to the party, and realize that the two and missing. As Chopper scans the area, looking for them, Hera hears movement. We then see Huyang holding Sabine’s helmet, visibly upset, saying that he told them to stay together, but they never listen. They aren’t sure if they are alive or dead at this point in time, but have hope.
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As we saw at the end of Ahsoka episode 4, she is in A World Between Worlds and came face to face with her old master, Anakin Skywalker. Once we are back with them, he tells her that he is there to finish her training and that she has to make a choice – to live or die. The two have an amazing light saber battle and then they drop into a flashback of the Clone Wars. Here we see one of their first missions together and Ahsoka is much younger, highlighting just how little she was at this point in her life.
Ariana Greenblatt once again proves just how incredible she is. We have seen her as young Gamora before, and now this. Marvel and Star Wars – the girl is creating a great resume for herself.
Anakin and Ahsoka interact exactly as they did in the Clone Wars animated series, something that makes the fans very happy. It is amazing to see, and very nostalgic. He talks about how he is training her to fight, and she says that she doesn’t want to only fight, and that there has to be more to being a Jedi.
She also asks if this means she will only be able to teach her Padawan to fight. Anakin jokes that having one is not all it is cracked up to be, to which she takes offense.
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After the Clone Wars, Ahsoka and Anakin are transported to the Siege of Mandalore. By this time the two had split ways, which Ahsoka tells Anakin when he says he doesn’t remember this battle. She is a commander now and kicking serious butt. We also see and hear Rex, who calls her Commander, and that is when every animated Star Wars fans will have their heart swelling with joy!
When Anakin tells her that she is a warrior now, and that she is part of him just as his master is part of him, she gets worried. She tells him that he is more powerful and dangerous than anyone ever imagined (To be fair, Yoda was worried, but moving on). He asks if that is what this is all about, and it doesn’t take long for him to show his evil side.
There are visuals that show him flashing between Anakin and Darth Vader that will send a chill down anyone’s spine. His eyes turn red and he reveals a red lightsaber. The two have yet another incredible lightsaber battle. When Ahsoka bests Anakin, she doesn’t strike, and says that she chooses to live. Anakin then reverts back to himself and disappears.
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Jacen uses the Force to listen to the waves, and hears lightsabers behind it all, showing that he truly does take after his father (who Huyang mentions later on in the episode as an explanation as to why they trust Jacen’s word). Jacen and Chopper instruct Hera and Huyang, as well as the X-Wings and their pilots that are there with them, to get as low as they can to the water. There they discover Ahsoka, who has finished her training with her master.
She is now Ahsoka the White, having completed what she needs to have faith in herself and accept her path. When Ahsoka tells her that she used the Force to discover that Sabine was taken with Baylan and Shin, Hera tells her to think of a way to find them. It doesn’t take long for Ahsoka to come up with one.
The New Republic is not happy with Hera, and send some representatives to get her and Ahsoka. They want them to return for trial, where they will decide if Hera will be stripped of her General status. Hera isn’t overly concerned though.
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Ahsoka’s plan includes the Purrgil. We already learned that the star map used their migration path, so Ahsoka wishes to communicate with them, as Ezra did in the past. She is able to and one of the Purrgil invites her ship into its mouth, taking it with her when it jumps. Ahsoka trusts them to take her where they need to go, and Hera and Jacen stay behind — awaiting her fate with teh New Republic.
Rating: 5 out of 5
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About Ahsoka
Former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.
Ahsoka premieres on Disney+ with two episodes on August 22nd at 6pm PT / 9pm ET, with new episodes releasing every Tuesday night, through October 3rd.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.