The future of The Clone Wars is clouded by the Dark Side. We know it’s not returning to Cartoon Network, and while people behind the show have spoken about a sixth season, there is still no official word from Disney if it’ll show up on Disney XD for a sixth season. So that makes today’s season finale, The Wrong Jedi, a possible series finale for the excellent Star Wars series. Thankfully it goes out in a way that answers one of the biggest questions the series presented fans, and if it ends up being a series finale; it leads into Episode III well.
The episode is the end of the current arc in the series where Ahsoka was on the run after being accused of murder. She decides to set out on her own to clear her name and get to the bottom of the mystery, which leads the Jedi to pursue her; including Anakin on the hunt. She was captured last week in section 1313 on Coruscant, and this episode is her trial.
When The Clone Wars began with the theatrical movie, we were introduced to Anakin’s Padawan Ahsoka. As there was no mention of him having a Padawan in Episode III, everyone wondered what would happen to her at the end of the series. Would she be killed off? Become a Jedi? Or something else. That’s what this episode is meant to answer, and it does it in a somewhat satisfying way although I question the real motives for the decision.
Ahsoka is initially thrown out of the Jedi Order prior to being put on trial by the Republic. While Padme defends her in the trial, Anakin goes back to the underworld to track down Ventress and find out who the real traitor is. As Ahsoka made a call to Barriss, that leads Anakin back to the temple and a spectacular saber duel with Barriss who is the real traitor.
Barriss Offee as a traitor? But what about the MedStar books? Sorry EU fans, but screen canon always trumps the books, which are basically licensed fan fiction. The Clone Wars is 100% G-Canon level as the stories come from Lucas, so this is yet another example of why you shouldn’t cling so closely to what the books say. The TV shows and movies can always wipe that out, just as they did in this episode.
When Anakin brings Barriss to the trial, she confesses. Her speech shows us that she saw through the Phantom Menance and knew that the Jedi were being used as puppets to fight for the Dark Side. With the confession out of the way, the Jedi offer to bring Ahsoka back in and knight her; as this was her great trial.
Ahsoka decides to leave the Jedi Order on her own. She and Anakin have a goodbye on the steps of the temple, as Anakin tells her he knows what it’s like to want to leave the Jedi. Ahsoka’s final words to her former master are, “I know.” Does she know about Anakin and Padme?
In the back of my mind, I sort of knew the would never kill off Ahsoka. Sure, some fans would want a dark and gritty end to her story, but Star Wars is also a very lucrative business and Ahsoka is a fan favorite. With keeping her alive, Lucasfilm has opened the doors to years worth of Ahsoka EU material from books, comics, games, etc. The all powerful dollar sign is likely what drove keeping her alive…
The episode hammered home how excellent The Clone Wars as a series, and as a Star Wars story, was. If you bash this series, sight unseen, for being connected to the Prequels; you simply aren’t a Star Wars fan. From the storytelling to the acting, this is the best Star Wars has been since The Empire Strikes back. This series makes me very excited for the new movies, as it shows how excellent Star Wars can be with fresh minds and new creators taking the reigns.
If this is the final episode of The Clone Wars, it does end on a good note and the somber tone to the final moments is a good way to transition into Episode III.
