TV Review: The Clone Wars 3.16 – “Altar of Mortis”
Episode: The Clone Wars 3.16 – “Altar of Mortis”
Original Air Date: February 4, 2011
Screencaps from The Clone Wars Screencap Gallery.
Just when you thought it was over, they pull you back in.
Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka are set to leave Mortis, but shortly after Anakin has a dream about the Son, the Son appears for real and brings down their shuttle, kidnapping Ahsoka in the process. After the crash, Obi-Wan wants to seek out the Father for help, while Anakin is hell-bent on pursuing the Son and getting his Padawan back.
Meanwhile, back at the Son’s fortress, Ahsoka is chained up. She’s freed by a strange, small creature who attempts to instill her with doubt. However, once free, the creature bites her, saying “You are mine now!” and morphs into the Son.
While Obi-Wan searches for the Father’s fortress (turns out all you have to do on Mortis is ask where something is), the Son arrives at the Father’s fortress and attacks him. Obi-Wan arrives in time to see the Son fly off and attempts to help the Daughter in saving the old man’s life. While the Father is asleep and recovering from his injuries, the Daughter offers to help Obi-Wan. She then takes him to the “Altar of Mortis” which contains a sword that can control the Son.
Anakin reaches the Son’s fortress and isn’t happy with what he finds. The Son’s bite has infected Ahsoka with the Dark Side and she attacks Anakin. As they battle, Obi-Wan and the Daughter confront the Son and Obi-Wan runs out to assist Anakin. As soon as he leaves, the Son attacks his sister. In the middle of the battle with Ahsoka, Obi-Wan pulls out the Altar Sword.
The Father then arrives and sends both his children through a stained-glass window in the Son’s fortress. He and the Son begin fighting again, and as Obi-Wan throws Anakin the sword, Ahsoka catches it and gives it to the Son. The Father is horrified that Obi-Wan was shown the altar. The Son then seemingly kills Ahsoka, and as the Son throws the sword’s blade down on the Father, the Daughter steps in and takes the blow instead, mortally wounding herself.
The Father laments his choice to bring the Jedi to Mortis, understanding that this has “destroyed” everything he worked for. Anakin begs with him to save Ahsoka’s life before she is consumed by the Dark Side. He then uses Anakin as a conduit through which the Father transfers what’s left of the Daughter’s life force to revive Ahsoka.
Before leaving, the Father offers a cryptic warning to the Jedi. Now that the balance has been upset on Mortis, the war will escalate and the Sith will become stronger.
What seemed like a single episode now appears to be a trilogy, with this episode as part II, and next week’s “Ghosts of Mortis” wrapping up the story. I’m not entirely sure what this episode did, other than forecast the growing darkness in the galaxy. A darkness, as most Star Wars fans know, will eventually consume Anakin and turn him into Darth Vader.
Speaking of which, it seems the future Ahsoka’s prediction came true with her corruption by the Son. One can’t help but wonder if that was sped along by Anakin’s influence as her master.
The episode seemed large concerned with the fights, which were pretty friggin’ cool. You always wonder what would happen if certain people fought, so Anakin vs. Ahsoka was nice. Of course, we never really see the end of that, but one would have to assume that Anakin’s experience and skill would overcome his Padawan’s.
I didn’t realize last week that in addition to Sam Witwer, we also got Nathalie Cox, who voiced Juno Eclipse in The Force Unleashed video games as the Daughter. A nice touch and good reference to the larger Star Wars universe.
Ultimately, while I’m not sure what the entire point of this episode was, it was pretty good and an enjoyable viewing experience.
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
