2. Ahsoka Arc
Now truthfully, Im a little sorry that Ahsoka couldnt be placed at the top of this list. The arc certainly was a significant section of the season, but there is a fifth and final arc that I just couldnt place lower than first. Nonetheless, this was a great arc that gave Ahsoka the send-off she deserved; maybe not giving her a happy ending, but giving her an ending that brought many a tear to the eye and a weakness in the heart. Overall, the flow of the episodes was not as constant as other arcs have been, yet each and every one of them were spectacular in their own way. What I simply mean is, there were episodes that were significantly better than others, which tends to happen anyway, but the difference between them was too great to judge its consistency as perfect. The opening episode Sabotage started off the finale with a bang, delivering a fantastic dogfight that premiered the new Jedi starfighters and even showcased a scene with the Buzz Droids that directly echoed Episode III. Upon returning to the Temple the episode becomes a CSI investigation, featuring a beautiful set piece that showed a holographic recording of the explosion while Anakin and Ahsoka walked through it. It felt like a moment from Inception. It was similarly thrilling to the see public opinion turn against the Jedi. The protest outside the Temple has got to be one of my favourite scenes (I have a lot) and really laid the groundwork for Episode III when the Chancellor finally vindicates the order. I always wondered why the Senate were so quick to turn on the Jedi, but the events of Sabotage started to answer. The Jedi Who Knew Too Much was arguably the best episode of the bunch, with The Wrong Jedi coming in close second. The entire episode was eerie and dark toned. The designs of the military outposts and the prison cells all had the Imperial style and through Tarkins appearance really brought forth the presence of the soon-to-be Empire. One thing that I was a little annoyed with in regards to Tarkin was how vile he was towards Ahsoka. I mean this in the context that Ahsoka saved his life back in Citadel Rescue, so I thought there would be some leniency in the way he acted around her. Having said that, his character was menacing and authoritarian, becoming the face of the future Empire. There was also a brief moment when Anakin was trying to see Ahsoka and the clones simply refused on Tarkins orders. This not only sees the clones acting outside the sphere of influence of the Jedi, but Anakins anger bled out of his expressions that really showed the dark side to his character. But what has to be the highlight of this episode was Ahsokas escape. The weather and water effects, the lighting and Ahsoka blocking those stun blasts all fit together beautifully to make an epic piece of cinematic genius that was dynamic, tense and stunning. Despite it being a considerably long sequence, not once was I bored or uninterested. The dialogue between Anakin and Ahsoka was supremely done. The desperation of both characters created one hell of an ending scene, Ahsoka desperate to be listened to and clear her name, Anakin desperate to protect her. Its been difficult to watch both characters struggle with their situations which is what made this episode and arc so spectacular.
How to Catch a Jedi, while remaining to be brilliant episode, seemed to go by so fast, not allowing for a more deeper exploration of the setting or the characters. Of course Im mainly talking about the relationship between Ahsoka and Ventress, which was nice to see her back in the season. Since The Clone Wars movie and the first season, the team seemed to be setting up Ahsoka and Ventress to be constant rivals, similar to that of Obi-wan and Grievous, which is what made their reunion so special. The reason I say that it felt rushed is probably just my desire to see more interaction between Ahsoka and Ventress. I thought that would be an interesting partnership to explore, especially since I believed that it was going to be Ventress duelling Ahsoka, as the misleading trailer decided to convey. Then again the final duel between Ahsoka and the masked hooligan was another great duel, showing Ahsoka at her most vulnerable, getting beaten and battered worse than any other time. On the other side of the conflict, I enjoyed the disputes of the Jedi Council. Seeing Windu question the decision to send Anakin after her seemed to be planting the seed of doubt that the Jedi Master has in Episode III, explaining the mistrust between them. It was also a nice little touch to add Plo Koon into the mix, tying into the history that it was he who brought her to the Temple. Finally, I cant wrap up this episode without mentioning Level 1313. Though the action was split between many levels around that area, in relation to the gameplay release of the upcoming game Star Wars 1313, it was nice little teaser for those fans that cross from format to format. Simply the scale of the underground levels was incredible and though didnt tease any plot features for the game, certainly hinted that there was plenty to explore. And here we come to the final episode, The Wrong Jedi. This was the emotional highlight of the arc, or quite frankly the season in general. Having been captured, Ahoska faces the judgement of the Council, who, in a gut-wrenching moment, turn against her and leave her to face the wrath of the Senate. The sequence in which Ahsoka was dismissed from the order was painful to watch. Anakins protests, Obi-wan and Plo Koons looks of regret and Ahsokas padawan braid being wrenched from her head. The look of abandonment on her face was enough to make any fan cry and for the first time, I generally hated the Jedi Council. Without going too much into the political aspects, it was nice to finally see Padme this season, with her Clovis arc being pulled back for what would have been season 6 and this episode acted as Tim Currys debut as Palpatine. But I would now move on to Anakin and Ventress. Anakin has never looked further from the light when he stands behind Ventress, hooded and cloaked in the darkness, reminding me of his appearance in Episode III, but what was worse was when Ventress told Anakin that Ahsoka felt betrayed and he understood. The shock of realisation of his face showed the pain in his heart, one that turned into darkness when he faces the real culprit, Barriss Offee, in the final showdown. Again, I wear this out, but what another great fight sequence which was fought throughout the interior of the Jedi Temple. I was a little annoyed that they had turned Barris to the dark side, but her testimony to the Senate about her crimes all rang true, maybe not as exaggerated as Barris put it, but the groundwork of the truth was still there.
So to finish, I want to talk about that final scene between Anakin and Ahsoka. Not only was the moment when Ahsoka closed Anakins hand around her braid one of the most horrible weve ever had thrown at us, watching Ahsoka walk away from Anakin was the greatest moment of the season. The music, the landscape, the voice work and the animation all came together to give Ahsoka the send-off she deserved. Felt betrayed by the Council, Ahsoka decides to walk off into the sunset and find her own way out of the tunnel. Though I was expecting, and rather anticipating, her death in this finale, Im now eternally grateful that they didnt. Her exit was so beautifully executed that its hard to see it being done any other way and even though she has left the Order, she has not left the series. But even if she doesnt return for the bonus content, she will remain in the universe forever.