It’s also one of its best episodes.
Ahsoka’s fifth episode, ‘Shadow Warrior,’ garnered significant attention when it was announced that it would be screened in select cinemas across the US and UK. This, combined with Hayden Christensen’s return as Anakin Skywalker in episode four, set the stage for the most highly anticipated entry in the series.
However, despite some impressive flashbacks and strong performances, this episode ended up accentuating the broader issues we have with the series.
Bringing Anakin back into the story and pairing him with Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka was an exciting concept and a massive opportunity for the show. But it also posed a unique challenge. The beloved chemistry between the former Master and Padawan, which fans adored, was originally built by two other actors, Matt Lanter and Ashley Eckstein, who are absent here. Instead, Dawson and Christensen had to recreate Ahsoka and Anakin’s relationship with little prior experience.
The odd de-aging technology used on Christensen’s face further strained the believability. It sometimes appears as though the two were never in the same room or only briefly shared space on the set.
Their interactions are often kept at a distance in wide shots, and close-ups during their conversations are framed over shoulders, potentially hinting at the use of body doubles.
The fundamental issue is that it’s challenging to build chemistry when the actors aren’t physically together.
Surprisingly, in episode five, there is minimal dialogue between Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka and Anakin. Instead, the episode chooses to depict the pair in a lightsaber duel, using choreography to convey their unspoken feelings. While visually striking, this fight wasn’t what fans were hoping for.
The audience wanted a heartfelt conversation, an exploration of their complex history, but instead, they got an action sequence. Ahsoka and Anakin’s story is filled with layers of regret and betrayal that deserve deeper exploration, not just a physical confrontation.
This episode should have been the moment fans had been yearning for, offering genuine closure through a heartfelt conversation.
The framing, where Anakin teaches Ahsoka her final Jedi lesson, doesn’t align with the character’s established development in previous shows by Dave Filoni.
The narrative suggests that Ahsoka leaving the Jedi order was a regrettable mistake, contradicting her logical decision after being falsely accused of murder. Furthermore, considering Anakin’s history, it’s questionable if he’s the right one to teach anyone.
The lack of meaningful dialogue in these scenes is reminiscent of the awkward Luke and Ahsoka exchange in ‘The Book of Boba Fett,’ hinting at something important but failing to deliver.
This pattern of writing, characterized by monologues rather than authentic conversations, is prevalent in Dave Filoni’s live-action Star Wars projects. Characters struggle to communicate naturally, undermining the authenticity of their interactions.
Despite these issues, the episode is salvaged and elevated by its Clone Wars flashbacks. Ahsoka falls into her past during the duel, where actress Ariana Greenblatt portrays a younger version of the character.
These scenes take place in a captivating space between memory and dream, shrouded in fog and illuminated by distant explosions. For fans of Star Wars animation, witnessing these moments in live-action is undeniably thrilling. The appearance of Darth Maul’s Mandalorian Super Commandos and mention of the ‘Siege of Mandalore’ are particularly exciting.
Greenblatt’s portrayal of young Ahsoka captures her earnestness and frustration, reminiscent of the character’s earliest iterations. Additionally, her portrayal emphasizes the oddness of the Jedi’s recruitment of child soldiers.
This dynamic is explored in a rare moment of engaging dialogue when Ahsoka says, “This isn’t what I trained for,” and Anakin replies, “To win this war, I have to teach you to be a soldier,” highlighting the tragedy that befalls them.
However, Greenblatt’s compelling take on the character underscores the current flaws in the show’s depiction of Ahsoka, particularly Rosario Dawson’s somber portrayal.
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