Warning: The below contains full spoilers for Ahsoka Episode 5, which is now streaming on Disney+.
Star Wars fans predicted that Ahsoka Episode 5 would be the biggest yet, given it had a limited theatrical release alongside its Disney+ debut, but there is one moment in particular that has triggered a debate.
The previous episode, "Fallen Jedi", delivered a twist ending, which was exactly what the series needed at the halfway mark, and that, spoiler warning, saw Ahsoka fall into the World Between Worlds and come face-to-face with the spirit of her old master, Anakin Skywalker, in a moment that garnered excited reactions from fans.
Episode 5 returns to the otherworldly realm, where the two engage in an epic lightsaber duel, furiously clashing their ignited blades until Ahsoka takes hold of Anakin's glowing red saber and turns it against him. However, fans noticed her eyes change colour, indicating her own inner battle with the Dark Side.
Did anyone catch this? Dark side #Ahsoka for a quick second. This episode gave more than I thought it would. pic.twitter.com/vPEwRJCbcm
— NikkiLA22? (@NikkiLA22) September 13, 2023
Star Wars "is like poetry, it rhymes". #Ahsoka had to go through the same test as #LukeSkywalker, to finally find themselves as Jedi, saving #Anakin from #DarthVader. They had to feel the dark side, to reject it. pic.twitter.com/NPykjMORkH
— El George (@ElGeorgeRiveraR) September 13, 2023
This scene was iconic man...#Ahsoka defo touched the dark side here, you can see it in her eyes, mirroring #Anakin
— Luke (@StreakyLB) September 13, 2023
So SO good. pic.twitter.com/SZmGOWxvqp
❗️S P O I L E R S ❗️
— Javi (@NoMasCholula) September 13, 2023
I absolutely loved this sequence! The temptation, the subtle clenching of the jaw, the red lightsaber reflecting in her eyes - the anger, the brief hint of hate. So much is said with so little! THIS is peak Star Wars! Thank you, @dave_filoni #Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/KfJSY4GjP7
While some people dismissed the moment as a simple lightsaber reflection, many returned to the clip and agreed it had a deeper meaning. Lots of people thought Ahsoka had to feel the Dark Side to reject it, while others suggested her eyes reflected what Anakin said about all of him now residing within Ahsoka.
Both their eyes had the sith orangeish yellow tints when holding the saber. Remember Anakin said "all of me resides within you, to ahsoka that very much meant his anger and hate too" this was a visual representation of that
— TheLordHeLiX (@ryan_tarvers) September 13, 2023
The discussion also gained traction on Reddit. Smartillo34 said: "I took it to be part of the legacy that Anakin was talking about so she can embrace it and not be shamed by it." While Sponger004 wrote: "I feel like she always held back because she was afraid of turning into him. But now she confronts it and is set free."
"I'm... not sure I'm convinced this was what was bothering her," SamuraiUX chimed in, raising a valid point about Ahsoka's fears. "It seems so unlike her. That all along, Ahsoka's big problem has been that she's afraid she's going to fall to the Dark Side because her Master did? When have we ever seen her worry about that?"
One thing fans could agree on regarding Ahsoka Episode 5 was that it featured one of the "best" shots in Star Wars history as viewers praised director Dave Filoni for his razor-sharp transitions, which resulted in Anakin transforming into his villainous alter ego, Darth Vader, as he marched through smoke-filled scenes.
#AHSOKA
— mads/ anakin (@VADERSWlFE) September 13, 2023
this is probably the best shot i have ever seen in star wars. pic.twitter.com/WDnc5eizmu
This transition is incredible yet terrifying and I love it! #StarWars #DarthVader #Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/MsiGDXYCIZ
— The Star Wars Academy (@TheStarWarsAcad) September 13, 2023
Dave Filoni just casually dropping one of the hardest transitions in Star Wars ???? #Ahsoka #TanoTuesday #AnakinSkywalker #Anakin pic.twitter.com/Ps6d5JG2lt
— ???????✖️✖️//?⏳?? (@giselleb1234) September 13, 2023
This single best shot in all of Star Wars!
— Samuel Furtado (@SamFurtado9) September 13, 2023
Anakin is surrounded by everyone and Vader alone.
Thank you Dave Filoni ??#ahsoka pic.twitter.com/THX6JRhMQN
IGN scored Ahsoka Episode 5, "Shadow Warrior", 9/10, praising Dave Filoni for "recapturing the character dynamics that made his animated shows so emotionally powerful" while also taking audiences back to Ahsoka Tano's origins in a way that taps into the "nostalgia for Star Wars: The Clone Wars to strong effect".
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
