All The ‘Revenge of the Sith’ Connections in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Episode 9
The final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is obviously a big deal because it’s the last one in series. It’s also very instrumental because it finally shows how the events of The Clone Wars coincides with Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Throughout the series, Anakin’s turn to the Dark Side is gradually shown. Now, with mere episodes away from his transformation into Darth Vader, the connections to the final prequel are more evident. And Episode 9, “Old Friends Not Forgotten” is full of them. [Spoiler alert: Spoilers for The Clone Wars Season 7, Episode 9 ahead].
Outer Rim Sieges
The opening narration tells the audience why all the master Jedi are in the Outer Rim. The Separatists are hammering away at the Outer Rim, and giving the Republic a serious run for their money. So, the most powerful Jedi are sent to various planets in this region to stop the Separatists’ advances.
In Revenge of the Sith, Padmé and Anakin are very happy when he comes back from the Outer Rim Sieges after months apart. This also goes back to the second episode this season, when they had a holochat meeting, something they did when he was away especially for long periods of time.
Plo-Koon and Aayla are in the place where they die during Order 66
Going back to the Jedi being spread out through the Outer Rim, the episode specifically focuses on Plo-Koon piloting a starfighter and Aayla Secura on the planet Felucia. It’s a way to show that Jedi Masters on the Council were far from Coruscant, as a way to make sure the Jedi had less power when Palpatine’s final plan came into play. It’s also very familiar for fans of Episode III.
It looks familiar because this is where they are when they die during Order 66, aka the Jedi Purge. Once Palpatine gives the command, Plo-Koon’s Wolfpack — his team of Clone troopers — and Aayla’s Clone troopers lead by Commander Bly turn on them. While it was just a split second in Revenge of the Sith, The Clone Wars gives more context to their lives. And most importantly, more context into the bond they had with their troops, making it far more painful.
Chancellor Palpatine is kidnapped by General Grievous
Right when Anakin is about to give Ahsoka her lightsabers back, the alarms sound in the ship and Obi-Wan lets them know that General Grievous was attacking the capital of Coruscant. It’s obvious that he’s going after Chancellor Palpatine, and Master Yoda is calling on backup from Anakin and Obi-Wan.
For Ahsoka, this isn’t what she wanted since Obi-Wan was still refusing to send troops to Mandalore because of this. She’s angry that they’re choosing to save the Chancellor over many individuals. Obi-Wan said that isn’t fair, but Ahsoka doesn’t miss a beat, saying she’s not trying to be. As we see, Anakin comes up with the solution to let Ahsoka take the 332nd Company, while promoting Rex to Commander so that it still falls under a Republic-lead mission. This explains why Obi-Wan and Anakin are sent to rescue the Chancellor and why they’re a bit late.
Another connection is that Shaak-Ti is supposed to be with Palpatine, but Obi-Wan said they can’t reach her comms. In a deleted scene, from Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas wrote that Shaak-Ti was with the Chancellor, but is killed off by Grievous as a way to taunt Anakin and Obi-Wan. Since it was cut, her death wasn’t canon. Now, fans can assume it is.
Anakin’s departure in ‘The Clone Wars,’ parallels Obi-Wan’s departure in ‘Revenge of the Sith’
Another parallel is that the end to Anakin and Ahsoka’s short reunion is very similar to Obi-Wan and Anakin’s in Episode III. After Anakin backs Ahsoka up — something he never fails to do — Ahsoka thanks him for the support. He replies, “That’s what friends are for,” and then shares his hope for a quick end to Maul and Grievous. Then, when he goes to walk away, Ahsoka calls him back and wishes him good luck.
In Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan is heading off on a mission to finally end Grievous on the planet Utapau, and right before he leaves, Anakin also calls him back. They exchange “May the Force be with you” and Obi-Wan says “Goodbye, old friend.”
These are both the last times Ahsoka and Obi-Wan ever see Anakin before he turns to the Dark Side, and it’s eerie how similar they are. It’s, of course, on purpose, and means so much more.
Audiences are seeing how this season and Revenge of the Sith click together, and there will most likely be Easter eggs each episode from now on. But this first one was just so full of them, it’s a treat for fans. It also meshes perfectly with Episode III because we now have the definitive answer as to why Ahsoka and Rex aren’t in the movie and why the Jedi are spread out in the Outer Rim. It’s all a part of Palpatine’s plan in the end, and we’re just waiting for that foot to drop at this point.
