Let's Talk About THE CLONE WARS Season 7 Episode 9 - "Old Friends Not Forgotten"

We’re finally getting to the amazing stuff. The latest episode of The Clone Wars, “Old Friends Not Forgotten,” is what I was expecting to see this whole season. If you haven’t watched it yet, this is your spoiler warning. New episodes of The Clone Wars premiere on Fridays on Disney+.

This episode was awesome. First, did anyone else notice the change in animation quality? Everyone seemed less Dorito-like and the animation just looked better. Am I crazy? I really enjoyed this episode. It was so much to see characters have meaningful interactions.

First, we’ve got Anakin being a punk with the droids in order to draw out the strategy droid to throw the forces into chaos. Anakin and Obi-Wan then meet up with Ahsoka and Bo-Katan to see if they can help. Here we learn that Darth Maul has taken over Mandalore, and it’s really interesting to see Obi-Wan in this moment. He has every right to just run over there and bring Maul down. It would help Mandalore, Maul is his rival, and Maul killed his love, Satine (Bo-Katan’s sister). There’s a lot pulling Obi-Wan there. However, his reaction is to not let his emotions get in the way. This of course doesn’t sit well with Ahsoka and Bo-Katan. Heck, Anakin isn’t too happy about it and wants to find some way to help out. This is in such great contrast to Anakin’s behavior in the days/weeks to come during Revenge of the Sith. It also helps fuel Ahsoka’s character though as she’s seeing the problems with the ways of the Jedi as Obi-Wan exemplifies them in this moment.

Another cool part is when Anakin takes Ahsoka to the 501st, who painted the orange markings on their helmets to acknowledge their appreciation of her. I found it a little funny when Anakin says that the clones value loyalty. They really do, until they’re told to execute Order 66. Speaking of, this made my wife and I wonder if the clones actually try taking Ahsoka out. She’s not a Jedi anymore, but does use lightsabers (that Anakin held onto for her) and the Force. That’s going to be interesting to see.

We get to Mandalore, and the siege is really cool to watch. It’s so fun to watch Ahsoka get to the ground-floor and then to just have the fight between Bo-Katan and Almec. Then, Ahsoka follows some clones into the tunnel network that is totally not a trap (it totally is a trap, what were they all thinking!). I really liked Gar Saxon’s new armor by the way. It was awesome. Anyway, eventually, the clones come under heavy fire and many are killed. Then, Ahsoka is surrounded by Mandalorians and Maul comes out to confront her exclaiming that while she is a Jedi (even though she’s not really anymore), she’s the wrong Jedi. Of course it’s Obi-Wan that he’s wanting, and it is funny to me because Maul did everything right to get Obi-Wan here as I already explained. This must’ve been a real disappointment to him. I am very excited to see what happens this week. I’m guessing a cool duel between Ahsoka and Maul that end with Ahsoka escaping, but who knows.