‘Old Friends Not Forgotten’ brings things back to center
We find ourselves on Yerbana as Commander Cody and Obi-Wan Kenobi struggle to maintain position on a bridge against Separatist artillery. Suddenly Anakin Skywalker arrives having won his battle and urges Obi-Wan to let him do things his way, which apparently means walking directly into the line of fire and pretending to surrender. Utilizing the droids’ surprise, he’s able to take out their Tactical Droid and turn the tides for the Republic forces. (It’s pretty dope.)
Later, they learn of Ahsoka Tano and Mandalorian warrior Lady Bo-Katan Kryze’s plan to track and capture Darth Maul. Anakin is, understandably, very surprised to see Ahsoka. When they meet up in person, Ahsoka is also surprised to have all the clone troopers saluting her despite her no longer being a Jedi. Anakin shows her Captain Rex’s unit who have all painted their helmets to match her markings. He also presents her with her old lightsabers, which he’s kept for her all this time, repaired and with blue crystals that match his.
Kenobi tells her there is a more pressing threat against Chancellor Palpatine’s life and therefore the Jedi must focus their forces and efforts there. She’s disgusted that the Jedi continue to put political matters before the good of the people. Anakin suggests using a portion of the 501st to send a small force to Mandalore to hunt Maul, but Kenobi can’t spare anyone to lead the mission. Since Ashoka is no longer a Jedi, she can’t lead a regiment, and Anakin recommends promoting Rex to commander so he can lead the incursion and Ashoka can act as an advisor.
The dogfight over Mandalore is quite a sight with clones and Mandalorians flying around with jetpacks and destroying ships but culminating with Ashoka kicking serious butt and finishing it off with her own “superhero landing in front of an explosion” moment. Seriously, I had chills. Republic forces drive the Mandalorians back into tunnels below the city, but it seems they were waiting for them, though they’re told they’ve brought the wrong Jedi.
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