While this arc was in early development during the original run of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, it evolved for the revival, adding new and heartfelt moments such as Anakin returning Ahsoka’s lightsabers with new blue blades.
This episode begins with the classic green “A Lucasfilm Limited Production” card, which was featured on the initial theatrical runs of the original trilogy. The intro also diverts from the traditional Star Wars: The Clone Wars intro by using a red logo, John Williams' main title theme from the films, and an episode title card.
Attention, Star Wars Rebels fans! During the recap, there is a new shot -- featuring a young Caleb Dume standing next to his master, Depa Billaba. Following Order 66, Caleb will change his name to Kanan Jarrus and join up with Hera Syndulla and the Ghost crew to take on the Empire in Star Wars Rebels.
Fulcrum is a codename used by both Saw Gerrera and Ahsoka Tano. Later, the codename becomes a staple within the Rebellion, being employed once more by Ahsoka Tano, Agent Kallus, and Cassian Andor.
Ahsoka has a new Mandalorian-inspired look in this arc, featuring beskar armor plates and the iconic Mandalorian hexagonal shape on her chest.
The Chancellor’s kidnapping is an event referenced in the opening crawl of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: “In a stunning move, the fiendish droid leader, General Grievous, has swept into the Republic capital and kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine, leader of the Galactic Senate.”
During production, the internal nickname for the red-armored Mandalorians loyal to Maul was “Mauldalorians.”
Mandalorians Gar Saxon and Rook Kast made their first appearance in the Son of Dathomir comic series, which was based on unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Gar would later show up in Star Wars Rebels.
