Ahsoka (TV Series) Part Five: Shadow Warrior (2023) User Reviews

Felt like a dream come true!

[and_mikkelsen · 10/10 · 14 September 2023]

As a huge fan of the animated series, this episode felt like the culmination of the relationship between Ahsoka and Anakin!

This episode gave me chills and made me really emotional as Ahsoka and Anakin interact, both knowing just how things turned out! This gave us some of the best dialogue since Andor!

I really loved how it was not just fan service, but it had a purpose! We finally got to see Ahsoka embrace Anakins training after she left the order! We see how she embraces Anakins recklessness and how she herself, does not like when others tell her what to do! She confronts him by confronting herself!

Seiing Clone wars in live-action was something I never thought i would get! Absolutely amazing! The fight, might be the best live-action duel since the prequels! Really well choreographed and shot!

Hayden is better than ever as Anakin and I love how Filoni combined his personality from The Clone Wars and Revenge of the sith!

This was one of the best Star Wars experiencez in quite a while, proving that good Star Wars content still excist! This was creative and new, which is very welcome!

More Hayden Christensen as Anakin, please!

[tiffany_na · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

Finally, we get to see Hayden Christensen as the Anakin we've always wanted to see. This starts to connect the dots in ways that are missing from the movies. I wish there had been more in the episode with Anakin and Ashoka, but I appreciate the opportunity to see Anakin in more depth and complexity. Hayden Christensen is perfect as Anakin - both charming and sinister. You can see Luke and Leia's father and Darth Vader in his performance. Jacen is also a great character and I hope we get to see more of his journey as an adult. Thank you Dave Filoni for bringing this part of the story to live action.

This was the best live action version of Anakin Skywalker. Hayden, you're amazing.

[poseyfan · 8/10 · 13 September 2023]

Well, I really didn't know what to expect going into this one. Let me start off by saying that the last 2 episodes have been on the level I was hoping this show would reach.

Hayden Christensen, you knocked it out of the park. Those cuts to Darth Vader as he approaches Ahsoka? Terrifying. The red lightsaber? The ferocity of his hits? The skill he has with the lightsaber? It just seemed so natural. And the flashbacks to CW Anakin were great as well. You could tell he was channeling Matt Lanter. The young Ahsoka actress did a fine job as well. And I would add, the effects team and costume team did a fantastic job as well.

I liked the message they were trying to convey; that Ahsoka needs to let go of her fear and regret to become something greater. Something I will say that would have made it even BETTER: a few more lines here and there from Ahsoka about why she is full of turmoil. She feels bad for leaving Anakin, she regrets almost everything that has transpired in her life. Just something like, "Anakin, I shouldn't have left you" or "You turning to the dark side was my fault"

As for the main story, we are finally getting to Thrawn and Ezra. The New Republic is as incompetent as ever and I would be ok with it except for the fact that Mon Mothma should be smarter than she is. I mean, look at her Andor counterpart!

I really loved the corner Ahsoka has turned. When Huyang asks where they'll end up and she's like "I have no idea" with a smile, I pointed at the TV and said, "now that's Ahsoka"

Dave Filoni and co, this was a great episode. Thank you.

Dave is the GOAT!!!

[kajc10 · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

I cannot express how much this episode meant to me. Anakin, the Clone Wars, that was my childhood. Seeing this in live action, and in a so-well made manner, made me tear up totally. The CGI was perfect, Hayden looked awesome, also the intensity of Anakin's fight was just like it was in ROTS. I was annoyed by fans complaining about Ahsoka's attitude.. now i hope they keep quiet. I also love Jacen's character, hope he gets his own stories in the future.

This one episode is better then the entire sequel saga.

I hope we can get Hayden back to star wars and that Dave gets to produce other shows as well because this is some top quality that he delivers. The story, the visuals, the character development, everything is on another level, thank you Dave!

Ahsoka Episode 5: Shadow Warrior is Star Wars

[dennis_chiu1 · 9/10 · 13 September 2023]

Mr. Filoni hits his stride in Episode 5. Writing and directing this episode, he shows us why George Lucas chose him for Clone Wars. The scenes with Haydn Christensen are mesmerizing. Mr. Christensen is charismatic as Anakin-you can't stop watching him on screen. The lightsaber duel between Anakin and Ahsoka is choreographed like Jedi in their prime as opposed to a lost art form after Order 66. This is the kind of lightsaber action Star Wars fans have dreamed of since Obi-Wan and Anakin dueled on Mustafar in Star Wars Episode III.

If you want to see how good, Haydn Christensen's acting is, once you're done watching this episode the first time, rewatch it starting at time stamp 25:33 to 26:02 and watch Anakin's expression and body language turn from dark side to light side.

This is a highly symbolic episode where Ahsoka must face her fear that she caused Anakin to become Darth Vader and that she will fail her apprentice. This confrontation is similar to Luke's experience in the cave on Dagobah. In that scene, Luke's fear and anger caused him to cut down the shadow Darth Vader, only to find his own face in the helmet-this symbolized Luke's fall to the dark side because he was not ready to face Vader and had not progressed far enough in his training. This is what Yoda meant when he said, "remember your failure at the cave" when Luke leaves his training to rescue Han and Leia on Bespin.

In the climactic reunion with Anakin, she could cut him down, but she is a Jedi and chooses the light side--"to live."

Star Wars is at its best as a collection of cautionary tales of heroes who face a test between good and evil. In a world that seems so dark at times, it's nice to see heroes choose the light path.

The Soul of Star Wars

[WalterOtsego · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

One of the best hours of Star Wars ever for those who have been on the entire ride. The relationship between Skyguy and Snips is stregthened.

Filoni has taken the soul of Star Wars to new heights. I recently read that Filoni said that Star Wars should ultimately be uplifting. This episode followed that mantra.

Ahsoka through the first four episode was a brooding, lost soul, but after her experiences in this episode, she is again the optimistic free spirit we all have grown to love.

The force is strong in this one and I can't wait to see where this story will take us!

Filoni is indeed the torch bearer of the future of Star Wars.

These are the characters I know and love. CW/Rebels dream episode

[bishopnd · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

The last episode and this one, fixed my issues with the series thus far in one swooping motion.

The characters are finally feeling more like themselves, the direction is improved (thanks Filoni), the fight scenes and scenes of which I will not name (keeping it spoiler free) with a certain character from the past, in a certain world, we're beautifully handled and done.

Ahsoka in particular finally achieving that character growth I've been waiting for was such a great moment. Hera the last two episodes has been much more like herself. Hearing Kanan get mentioned finally was great, took long enough! The musical undertones during each heavy moment was masterfully crafted and honoured the original musics style with new purpose.

This show has had its issues but I think that's the Disney plus curse of these basically being stretched out films.

I have a feeling it's gonna be one of those shows that's better in a binge.

This episode was a pure 10/10 for me, especially as a huge CW/Rebels fan. Seeing Dave Filoni's creation come so far is such a joy to behold.

The best I've ever had

[nightstarproductions-97539 · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

This is easily the strongest piece of Star Wars content I've seen in a long time! This 100% brought me back to the prequels (of which i unapologetically love + grew up on). I think it did a great job of filling in even more of the story from different animated shows and moving a lot of the character progression forward!!

(spoilers ahead)

A few random thoughts:

• Hayden Christiansen is a BMF in this episode and they totally did justice to these two characters reuniting on screen

-the music and scoring. 11/10

-the scenes from the siege of Mandalorian was super sick! Loved all of the action and fighting, it felt super natural and the choreography was very strong!

The acting was very good and I'm liking the directions things are going for this show. Overall i think this is a 10/10 episode, looking forward to seeing how they move this along next!

A Stunning Spectacle. Star Wars at its finest.

[maxglen · 9/10 · 13 September 2023]

I went into this episode excited but with tempered expectations. I didn't want to be let down like I have with a lot of Star Wars content since the Disney buy out, but, I am glad to say, this was spectacular. I enjoyed the first three episodes and episode four made it clear that the show had real potential, but this? This episode was another level. If you don't want this episode spoilt i recommend not reading on as I'm going to mention a few of my favourite moments from this and if you are a Star Wars fan, you won't want to here them from me.

Of course, we get a follow on from that brilliant final scene in the previous episode, Ahsoka finally reunited with Anakin. We are to assume that Ahsoka has passed on into the Jedi afterlife but part of her is still holding on to the mortal realm. Anakin offers a final lesson and a chance at life and thus we get a string of sublime scenes that made me giddy like a child. Seeing the Clone Wars in live action again? Fantastic. Seeing Hayden in Anakin's animated attire? Perfect. Seeing the SEIGE OF MANDALORE?! Sorry... allow me to compose myself. If you, like me have watched all the Star Wars movies and animated shows, this episode will feel like a heartfelt thank you from Dave Filoni himself for sticking with it. I can't close out this review without mentioning how perfectly Hayden portrays Anakin here. He feels like a mixture of his portrayal of the character and Matt Lanter's in the Clone Wars series, and it just works. Not to mention, he's certainly not lost his touch with a lightsaber.

The final scene with the Purrgil was spectacular and left me desperate for next week. If Filoni is being trusted with the future of Star Wars from here on out? I think we're in good hands.

I'm gonna give "Shadow Warrior" a decent to strong 9/10.

Thank you Dave Filoni!

[jasonfein · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

I'm still in disbelief over what I just watched. Dave Filoni has once again saved Star Wars. This episode from top to bottom was incredible.

I was originally afraid that Hayden Christensen's return in his role as Anakin Skywalker would be minimal, but boy was I wrong. The fight scenes where he flashes between Vader and Sith Anakin are amazing and the CGI de-aging was very good. Seeing the clone wars in live action too was unreal... major props to the child actress who played Ashoka as well. We also finally get to see captain rex in live action, even if it was just for a short second during the flashback.

Getting to see more of Jacen and his force sensitivity was great and I'm glad Dave is using this show to dive deeper into his character.

The ending with Ahsoka going with the purgill to find Ezra and Thrawn has me on the edge of my seat for next week.

Once again, thank you Dave Filoni for this. We appreciate it more than you know.

Ariana Greenblatt was perfect

[jami-imaj · 10/10 · 14 September 2023]

I've posted before that Rosario Dawson is perfect as Ahsoka and I still believe that but for a young Ahsoka, yep, Ariana. I would never have thought, I mean yes she's been great in everything I've seen her in but I would never have thought to make her the live action heroine of the clone wars but she did a perfect job; emotions, facial expressions, body language hell even her fighting, perfect.

I have watched everything star wars related for 45 years now including rebels, bad batch, even the lego stuff (laughed out loud as darth vader kept walking into things because of his new legs) and to be honest some of it was a kind of a letdown but this episode was awesome. I liked it so much that I watched it twice, very few things I will watch twice in a row, the mandalorian chapter 13 was one of those things, I've even watched 'fans react to chapter 13' twice in a row.

I've read a lot of reviews on here talking about how Hayden Christensen was awesome, and yes, I do agree with that 100% he did a phenomenal job in this episode but I'm here to stick up for the little guy, or in this case the little actress, Ariana you were awesome. Oh and by the way I'm a 'borderlands' fan so , please be awesome at that too ;)

Just fan service that doesn't advance the narrative.

[Uzer_error404 · 6/10 · 22 September 2023]

Seems like all the 10 stars are purely because Hayden is back as Anakin and we get to see young Ahsoka. Outside of that, what else did this episode do to push the narrative forward?

You can sum up Anakin's lesson to: "if you die/give up, you lose," well duh, Anakin. I see you're still the boy who hates sand because it gets everywhere.

Hera's part of her episode feels like a drag. It's just incompetent politicians being incompetent for the sake of the plot. Hera's a whole general in the New Republic and yet the senators keep treating her rank like it's purely ceremonial and not without powers. In fact, why the heck is she even reporting to a group of Senators to begin with who keep accusing her of being out of order when she's literally doing what she's paid and expected to be doing?

Why is the NR so quick to sweep the threat of the Empire under the rug when the Empire was never truly defeated? They were just reabsorbed into the New Republic. Why is the NR seemingly as weak as the old Republic?

Star Wars-and other Sci fi shows/games what have you always keep up the trend of the "good guys" possessing incompetent leaders/few on resources/ limited support, whereas bad guys (who've already been defeated, multiple times mind you) have super determinate leadership, seemingly infinite resources/manpower. Like how did Morgan Elsbet hire out a small army of mercenaries, ships and supplies seemingly without much effort at all, whereas Hera a whole freaking general with a whole political power at her back, can't field no more than a literal handful of X-Wing pilots and apparently the ONLY New Republic scout pilot in the Outer Rim? Why???

Where tf are Hera's troops? She's a general, yes? LET HER LEAD TROOPS!! You're telling me the NP is so frugal (or so stupid) that they can't spare a garrison of actually soldiers to accompany Hera and Ahsoka on their investigation into Morgan Elsbeth??

I think later on it's explained that the NP demilitarized it's forces-why tf would do this?? A whole galactic society with no standing military force... hmm it's not like that failed before, right guys?

Why the heck did Hera tell Monthma that she had no evidence of imperial activity? They arrested a guy who was running off the book jobs for a known Nightsister imperial supporter, who escaped custody from the NP! Lmao. They have a former inquisitor's body. What else do they need?

Man, if it weren't for the nostalgia bait, this episode would be a 7 on a good day.

Rant over.

Is Everyone Serious?

[gwzct · 4/10 · 19 September 2023]

The flow of this show is bizarre. Why the heck is everyone walking so slow? Why all the overly long shots of people just staring or pacing? Why the insanely long pauses between dialogue? Also, the acting is hit and miss. Dawson is okay I guess. Winstead isn't given much to do but stand awkwardly. The child actor playing her son needs lessons. Also, and I know some folks love this but this whole deal with everyone being able to tap into the force ruins some of Lucas' magic for me. The kid's dad was a Jedi so I get him being able to use the force but his mom closes her eyes for a few seconds and suddenly she can do it too? Nonsense. Not a fan of the space whales. I think I have been spoiled by the greatness that is Andor. The acting and the dialogue surpassed anything we've seen in Star Wars in a very long time. This stuff is good to look at but it's not anything great. (Ray Stevenson is awesome by the way. He will be so missed).

WOW...

[dannymurphy-95508 · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

Masterpiece Dave filo I wow wow wow... when I tell you I cried the story telling the fans are gonna lose there kinds this was what we have been asking for since George Lucas released clone wars this is unreal absolutely 10/10 story telling from start to fines the build up in this series is perfect and he has stuck to what makes Star Wars so special the acting is 10/10 I'm already ready to say this is the best Star Wars since Disney took over unreal season 2 should already be in the works can't wait for what is next is this roller coaster.... AND ANAKIN SKYWALKER JUST WOW... Dave should be given the keys.

By far the best episode of the show

[AmyJenson1995 · 9/10 · 21 September 2023]

I'm not a big fan of the show to be truly honest with you: I find it sluggish, boring, not very imaginative and also to be honest treacherous as a non force wielder called Sabine Wren who isn't even able to pull a small cup of coffee through the force is somehow allowed to carry a lightsaber and be called a padawan.

But that episode however is reaching the heights. It's thrilling, it's fan service, it's full of nostalgia and what a blast to retrieve Hayden as Anakin.

The big highlight is Hayden starring as Anakin/Darth Vader. He's breathing power and wisdom throughout the episode, the epitome of the struggle between the light and the dark side. Having him back on the show is the boost it needed so badly to bring some excitement back.

Too bad it lasted only one episode as I feel with the return of Sabine we're going back to mediocrity.

More than fan service to fawn over

[sevskirita · 10/10 · 14 September 2023]

This episode is a pretty good exploration of the theme of indecision and dissociation.

Ahsoka has been staying aloof, detached, for so long, and now we get a deeper delve into why. She's afraid of Anakin's influence on her, and continuing to be part of his legacy of death and destruction.

Anakin's message in the World Between Worlds is that there is no decision to be indecisive. You either rot and decay as a person or choose to really live your life.

Not that the fan service isn't fun, but *that* is what makes this episode great. The dressing is also good, the visuals were stunning and man did they nail the appearance of the Clone Wars characters. My only gripe is that 17 year old Ahsoka is still just kiddie Ahsoka Tano, it could've helped a lot I think to have the original voice actor to at least make her voice sound more mature.

I also admit that I mightve been wrong about death not having lasting and extreme change on Ahsoka. It seems that, maybe, death has made Ahsoka more involved and optimistic and cheerful, and I appreciate death having a lasting positive effect on a character.

Other than that, the episode was mostly standard fare. Huyang really shone this episode though. Also I really wish unique force abilities were more specific to certain characters from each generation, it dilutes the coolness of things like Kylo Ren's force stasis if every new Star Wars writer's favorite character gets all the new toys even when it wasn't ever before a part of their character (like Vader using said force stasis in Kenobi).

But really, great episode. I would rate it a 10/10, not because it's perfectly executed but because it so well executed a core and deep character theme. Maybe I give it too much credit, but that's how I feel about it right now.

Just an absolutely beautiful episode

[PacoSteiner · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

The latest Ahsoka episode is a long-awaited treat for fans of the animated Clone Wars and Rebels series. Rosario Dawson nails Ahsoka's live-action portrayal, and the episode's nods to the animated series are spot-on. The action and storytelling are on point, making it a must-watch for any Star Wars fan as it continues to feel like an extended season of Rebels.

The flashbacks and world between worlds obviously stole the show with amazing sequences of fighting and dialogue between Anakin and Ahsoka. This is everything super fans of Star Wars could hope for. The only complaint is I wanted more time with flashbacks as it was so compelling. Wonderful episode.

superb

[brutalistic · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

Tone, music, choreography, nostalgia... wish it was even longer. Compared to previous episodes, there is much more focus on her this time. Rosario Dawson is doing great in bringing Ahsoka to life and of course, always a pleasure to see more of Hayden Christensen.

As a Star Wars fan, I am delighted to see how much love The Clone Wars and Rebels animations are getting, back then I never imagined we would see live action series such as this. No doubt there will be more coming, so here's me hoping for a series based on Maul.

Thank you George Lucas and Dave Filoni for creating this wonderful character.

AVOID SPOILERS AT ALL COSTS

[mataidixiong · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

This episode was fantastic and while it wasn't perfect, it was what Star Wars has always been about at its best. There are some decisions in here made by certain characters that make a whole lot of sense at times but this is nit picking.

The characterisations in this episode was phenomenal and without spoiling anything, Hayden Christensen REALLY shines. He has quite the job to combine so many different portrayals of Anakin through various forms of media and he nails it. He really shows his acting ability here.

Ahsoka, all of her in this episode is really well done and Star Wars continues to find some fantastic actors in the 'Mandoverse'. There are some really hard hitting moments throughout this episode and it all works. Ahsoka as a character arrives with impact.

The pacing of this episode is excellent and I really want to pay homage to the use of lighting and music in this episode, absolutely top notch. But the symbolism in colour is what nails it all. The colours as a through line are just brilliant.

And then the back end of the episode sets us up cinematically for basically this show's third act now. Really, that last few minutes that HEAVILY links into Rebels was beautiful and would have been stunning to watch at a cinema.

Just wow

[julfisch · 10/10 · 13 September 2023]

Beyond expectations.

Must watch!

So much old feelings comin up in that episode.

Characters matching up perfectly in past and present timeline. Most stunning episode so far, throughout completely matching actions and sequences. I heard a lot of roumor belongin' to the awaitings towards the new episode. Also the CGI is made nearly perfectly and matches the "old animated vibe".

If you are really into the whole star wars story, you won't be able to avoid getting goosebumps at some scenes.

I hope the show continues with that much old "tale" what star wars is all about.

I would totally recommend watching that show.

Have fun!

Overrated

[kylescott-49830 · 13 September 2023]

I feel like all the writers have to do to make Star Wars fans go wild is to insert hayden christensen and you get a high rated episode. While I enjoyed the flashback scenes of Anakin and Ahsoka the episode was not without its limitations of plot logic. First we have the imperial "Eye of Sion" ship which has Wren onboard that just jumped to hyperspace destroying a pair of X-wings yet when Syndulla is asked for any evidence she offers nothing on this event which Huyang can be used to support. Then with the map destroyed Ahsoka seeks out space whales with which she plans to hitch a ride to find them to follow Wren and the "Eye of Sion", don't get me started on the fact that the space whales can travel intergalactically through hyperspace, there's no explanation of how they're able to follow. Ahsoka admits she has no idea where it's going and when Huyang states "it could go anywhere" Ahsoka responds "I know, but that better than going nowhere" ??? Uh what? The logic seems so pointless and lazy scriptwriting. This has marked the difference for me between the "mandoverse" and "Andor" where Andor had a captivating plot and strong script writing Ahsoka has made the same mistake as the Mandalorian with lazy script writing and questionable logic. Entertaining episode but certainly not worthy of a 9.

Fan service for cartoons I don't care about

[zathscorp · 7/10 · 13 September 2023]

This episode exemplifies the problem I have with this show. It's just designed for fans of the cartoons and not constructed well as a stand alone show.

This means they haven't earned the character moments for non cartoon fans.

Everything feels so cliche, with the bad acting little boy, the quirky robot(s), the do good general, the CGI anakin training ahsoka, leadership wanting to punish the do good general.

The scores people are giving this episode are simply absurd. The only thing I really liked was the portrayal of young Ahsoka.

Maybe these types of generic stories work in cartoon form, but man they just don't work in this show.

Indicative of a growing problem with Star Wars

[colinbischoff · 3/10 · 19 September 2023]

I'm convinced that all some people want out of Star Wars is to see the same 5 characters over and over again. To start this off, I'd like to say that Ahsoka and Anakin are genuinely my 2 favorite characters in all of Star Wars. So I should love this episode, right? Nope.

This episode had nothing to say. There was nothing below surface level, nothing to truly learn about that characters, nothing that requires above a 7th grade writing level. I almost rolling my eyes every time Anakin was on screen, it just felt like I was being pandered to. Like they thought that upon hearing the word "Snips", I would start crying and throw my money at Disney.

This is the same problem that was in Kenobi. People widely regard Episode 6 as great, simply because Vader showed up. Despite the fact that the actual fight was blatantly contradictory to canon, not to mention the dialogue being borderline nonsensical.

If you want some actual good Star Wars, and I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but you should watch Andor. Or if it's that Ahsoka kick you're looking for, rewatch the final 4 episodes of the Clone Wars. But I'd like for Lucasfilm to feel as though the standards for good television are slightly above jingling keys in my face.

Star Wars Strikes Back

[christian-pearson-928-308366 · 10/10 · 24 September 2023]

After a couple years of somewhat rocky Star Wars TV shows (except Andor), Ashoka is refreshing. But I never thought it would get as good as this episode is. It's at a nexus of entrenched lore and fresh blood that work together beautifully.

The episode addresses so many questions I have about how Ashoka's departure from the Jedi Order and her abandonment of Anakin affected her, but it never definitively answers them. Gotta love that emotional push and pull. Her journey is not over. Anakin will be with her, always, and watching her deal with that makes this show so much more interesting.

Speaking of my favorite Sith Lord, Hayden Christensen has, at long last, grown into the role of Anakin in a way I would not have predicted 20 years ago. Being dead since ROTJ has not slowed down the Chosen One.

I think the thing I love most about this episode is that it left me thinking maybe Anakin learned a bigger lesson than Ashoka. Will that matter down the road? I hope so. I am a fervent believer that Vader deserves a show. Say what you will about diluting the impact of the character in the films, but this episode has to give some hope that, if done right with Christensen in the role, Vader could be the best subject matter for a Star Wars series yet.

Dynamite episode. 11 out of 10. It give Star Wars the punch in the nerf herders it needed.

Also, space whales rule.

Finally!

[mrbbashir · 9/10 · 14 September 2023]

Simply...finally an episode that make sense in "Star Wars" episode... Seeing real life representations of classic characters and the return of "you know who" to play his role was an act of splendor. Thank you David Filoni.

With this episode I can say that the show needs more content, the previous episodes were just...not what they were supposed to be.

I am genuinely looking forward to more content next week BUT please don't mess it up with unnecessary elements like someone gets stabbed by lightsaber and walks it off. Perfection and satisfying everyone is not possible but going near them can be done.