“No gift is more precious than trust”

At the start of the episode, Ahsoka instructing clone troops, but Anakin keeps interrupting. Aksoka complains to Anakin about his interruptions, saying he doesn’t trust her, but Anakin says, “It’s not about trust. It’s about getting the job done right.” This statement begins an argument that is the basis of the episode’s moral tale.

Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee, who we last saw assist in fighting Asajj Ventress, arrive to help Anakin and Ahsoka destroy a Genosian weapons factory.  As they are discussing the plan, tension between Anakin and Ahsoka is evident. Barriss has memorized the catacombs beneath the factory while Anakin chides Ahsoka for not being prepared for this mission. Any blame for Ahsoka’s unpreparedness falls on the Master and the Padawan, but Anakin appears not to notice his role. Anakin’s do-it-yourself attitude and hubris will lead to his downfall in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Chronometers, watch like devices that measure time, will be used to keep track of the Padawan’s movements in the underground catacombs.  Anakin and Luminara charge the weapons factory straight on to distract from the Padawans’ mission. Anakin does some simple algebra and states, “As long as we can destroy them faster than they can make them we’ll come out on top.“

Barriss and Ahsoka, meanwhile, are journeying through catacombs to eerie music. As they pass through a hall of sleeping geonosians, one sleepily puts his hand on Barriss’ head.  They narrowly escape but disturb the geonosians slumber.  They arrive at an intersection and pause momentarily before realizing they have to go up not left. Barriss’ attitude mimics other Jedi like Obi-Wan whose emotions are more in check than that of Ahsoka or Anakin.

Suddenly, the supertanks are ready. Poggle’s aid TX-21 pushes for the deployment of the tanks because the Jedi and troops are holding the bridge. The super tanks are discovered to be impervious from Republic weapons. Anakin hypothesizes that they are ray shielded.

Ahsoka and Barriss set the bombs on the reactor at the base of weapons factory using their chronometers (Star Wars all purpose devices!), while the clone troops suffer under a barrage of fire from the super tanks.  Another super tank is driven in the reactor room to destroy the young Padawans. The genosians remove the Padawans’ bombs. Ahsoka desperately grabs onto Geonosians’ legs, but falls.  To dispose of the super tanks, Anakin and Luminara plant bombs under the earthy-looking bridge that sounds as if it is made of metal. Although impervious to fire power, the super tanks are not impervious to the force of gravity. Nor are they impervious to light sabers which struck me as odd. Ahsoka and Barriss destroy the reactor causing the factory to collapse with an explosion of dust.

Although Anakin was criticized for no preparing his Padawan for the mission at the start of the episode, Ahsoka has acquired a unique skill set under Anakin’s tutelage and is able to extend the reach of the communicators. Anakin, now filled with confidence and pride in Ahsoka says, “We cannot abandon our Padawans… I refuse to let Ahsoka die…I still plan on celebrating this victory with my Padawan in person.” Luminara and her padawan have a larger vision. While she and Ahsoka are trapped, Barriss says, “We’ve saved countless lives,” seemingly at ease with her imminent death, a product of her cool Jedi nature seen earlier in the episode.

Anakin and Luminara save them. Luminara again criticizes Anakin saying,”When the time comes I am prepared to let me student go, can you say the same?”

Anakin and Ahsoka may not keep their emotions in check but the episode leans toward approval of their emotionality over the poise of Luminara and Barriss.

I’d have graded this higher if they explained how the siege weapons could not penetrate the tank shields but a lightsaber could.

Four out of five green lightsabers.