Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars have done a lot to redeem the Prequel Trilogy.
And just like Darth Vader, the prequels were eventually redeemed.
In fact,Star WarsRebelsandThe Clone Warssaved the prequels from the dark side.
(Actually, shes framed for an act of terrorism she didnt commit, but same difference.)
We saw her as a very young teenager inThe Clone Wars, and now shes a full-on adult inRebels.
Which includes Ahsoka, but notably, Anakin Skywalker, too.
To that, I say, whoopdey-do.
In theRebelsTV movieThe Siege of LothalVader senses her presence and says menacingly, the apprentice lives!
Their impending duel has been a major subject of discussion for fans of the show ever since.
(A look atthis thread on IGNback in 2011 will give you an idea of what I mean.)
Add to that the fact that this Anakin gets an apprenticeAhsokawith whom he has an affectionate, real friendship.
All of this really rounds out his character in ways the prequels never even come close to demonstrating.
With Ahsoka, we felt that love.
So, how does all of this redeem the prequels?
MaybeThe Clone WarsandRebelsare just independently awesome, and the prequels are still crap?
And this isnt just about emotional character development/plot context stuff either.
This is because the art direction and production design on the prequels are totally amazing.
This zombie-mode is unrealistic and almost idiotic in the film.
The good clones still love Ahsoka, too.
The Anakin of the films was committing crimes against the audience just by complaining too much.
But, the Anakin ofThe Clone Warswas a bighearted hero who loved his friend and student.
Seeing these two fight while Anakin is in full-on Vader-murder mode is beyond tragic.
Star Wars Rebelsairs on Wednesdays at 9 pm ET on Disney XD.
Ryan Brittis the author of the bookLuke Skywalker Cant Read and Other Geeky Truths( Plume/Penguin Random House).
He lives in New York City.
