Purpose must come before feelings if you hope to win.
To celebrate the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Disney+, we’re undertaking a full chronological rewatch of the five original seasons, The Lost Missions, and the theatrical release. We’d be honored if you would join us for the weekly #CloneWarsRewatch -- you can watch this week’s episode on Disney+ now -- and share your thoughts on the award-winning series.
91: “The Soft War” (Season Five, Episode 4)
"Struggles often begin and end with the truth."
Synopsis:
After a rebel attempt to rescue Onderon's true king, Ramsis Dendup, an unexpected ally steps forward to halt Dendup's execution and aid the rebel cause.
Analysis:
Even in the darkest times, a few well-placed sparks can ignite a blazing fire. On Onderon, Steela Gerrera and her brother, Saw, lead the charge to free their people.
In the big picture, the needs of the many usually outweigh the needs of the few. But there are times when that cannot hold, and the plot to execute the former King Dendup is one of them. He alone represents much more than a single life.
Saw is reckless, maybe even a touch selfish, but he believes he must swoop in to save the imprisoned monarch before his planned execution. That only lands Saw in the same predicament.
Steela sees the public forum as a more beneficial venue from the start, but with her brother under Separatist torture, she makes the hard choice to stay the course. "Purpose must come before feelings," as Ahsoka reminds the rebels. Instead of saving her brother, Steela must continue to concentrate on the task at hand.
Luckily, their initial failed attempt at freeing Ramsis Dendup and Saw inspires a change in those watching the spectacle unfold. Even General Tandin refuses to stand by as he sees the tide changing, the public outcry against King Sanjay Rash growing louder. And Ahsoka, instructed to advise but not interfere, must leap into action as well.
A leader is powerless when the people turn against him. There is more hope than ever before that the will of the people will win out.
But the real fight, Obi-Wan warns, is only really just beginning.
Intel:
- General Kalani is the first super tactical droid to be seen in the series, but Season Five includes several more. Keep your eyes open!
What did you think of the episode? Tell us in the comments below and share on social with #CloneWarsRewatch!
Next up: Come back next Thursday when a rebel hero is lost in "Tipping Points."
Associate Editor Kristin Baver is a writer, host of This Week! In Star Wars, and all-around sci-fi nerd who always has just one more question in an inexhaustible list of curiosities. Sometimes she blurts out “It’s a trap!” even when it’s not. Want to talk more about The Clone Wars? Hop on Twitter and tell @KristinBaver what you thought about today’s episode.
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