History Recap / StarWarsTheCloneWarsS7E9OldFriendsNotForgotten

* FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling: Trace and Rafa are introduced with this dynamic (with Trace the responsible to Rafa's foolish), as Rafa is digging through washing machines for things to steal while Trace manages the shop and has to fight off Rafa's creditors. As the episodes continue, this will be subverted as Trace is much more a dreamer and Rafa a feet on the ground criminal.

* InstantExpert: As should be expected of a Jedi, Ahsoka figures out how to run a load lifter and save Trace's life despite never having driven one before.

* TheSeventies: Between Rafa's gorgeous fur coat, Ahsoka's sensible bell bottom pant suit, and the episode's ''Series/SanfordAndSon'' vibe, we return to the ''Star Wars'' roots in the seventies.

* BlingOfWar: Almec's armor is perhaps the most ornate of any Mandalorian, with lots of shiny gold accents befitting his status as a CorruptPolitician and figurehead. However, in this case [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking authority does not]] [[SubvertedTrope equal asskicking]] and, while he puts up a far better fight than his previous NonActionGuy appearances would suggest, it's clear that he's no match for Bo-Katan.

* InsistentTerminology: The clones insist on addressing Ahsoka as Commander, even though she no longer has rank in the Grand Army of the Republic. As Anakin explains, it's a sign of how much respect they still have for her.
* {{Interquel}}: This story takes place after the events of the Crime Lord arc, indicating that this story plays into Palpatine's plans, that he left Maul alive for this arc.
* ItsALongStory: This is Ahsoka's response to Anakin when he asks why she was on Oba Diah, adding that it isn't relevant at the moment.

* CasualDangerDialogue: As usual, Anakin and Obi-Wan are extremely calm about the fact that Obi-Wan is pinned down and Anakin has come to the rescue.
-->'''Obi-Wan:''' What are you up to? Where's Captain Rex?\\

* ArtEvolution: In his brief cameo shot in the OpeningNarration, General Grevious looks more like his design in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' than his more cartoonish appearance in the series' original run.

* ThemeTuneCameo:
** This episode begins with the original theatrical ''Star Wars'' film opening in place of the series' version.
** A variant, in that [[https://twitter.com/LightsCameraPod/status/1251569837626753024?s=20 a modified the Battle of Coruscant's theme from the opening]] of ''Revenge of the Sith'' plays when Ahsoka jumps into the fray during the Siege of Mandalore.

-->'''Obi-Wan:''' What are you doing here? Where's Captain Rex?\\

!!Tropes:

** In the opening, Anakin walks out onto the bridge alone and faces down the droid battalion by himself to distract their commander, [[Film/TheLastJedi mirroring how his son, Luke, will do the same to the First Order fifty-three years later on Crait.]]

** [[WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels Caleb Dume]] accompanies his master Depa Billaba in the Jedi holoprojector meeting. Accompanying them are Plo Koon, Ki-Adi Mundi, Commanders Bacara and Bly, and Aayla Secura.

* SpecialEditionTitle: The opening announces the episode as a Lucasfilm Limited Production, using one of the very first versions of the logo from the initial run of the original trilogy. The ''Skywalker Saga'' films' opening theme plays instead of the series' own variant on it, there's no AnAesop line or ''A Long Time Ago...'' line, and the logo is red again instead of yellow, adding that this is only part one of the story arc. Also, there's no ending theme.

* UndyingLoyalty: The 501st to Ahsoka. The clones are clearly happy to see her again, and even members of the 212th salute her and address her as "Commander" as though she never left. Rex and the 332nd Company even paint their helmets to mimic Ahsoka's facial markings as a "welcome back" gesture.

* BothSidesHaveAPoint: When The Republic forces are withdrawn from Mandalore, Ahsoka is quick to point out that this is why people have lost faith in the Jedi; as they are simply playing politics and prioritizing the Republic leadership. Obi-Wan retorts that Coruscant (the capital of the Republic) has a lot of people who need them too, with Ahsoka merely responding their ''Chancellor'' needs them[[note]] of course this subverted when one remembers that that the Jedi are generals in a War and if the Separatists succeed in their task the war ends in their victory, and the republican support Ashoka wants will never come [[/note]]. It takes Anakin, of all people, to come up with a [[LoopholeAbuse compromise]] both sides can agree with.

* DontCallMeSir: The clones still address Ahsoka as "Commander" even though she's no longer part of the Republic Army or the Jedi Order and doesn't think she should be addressed as such. It shows how much they still respect her.

* ForeShadowing: The opening shows the Jedi spreading Council members around the galaxy to battlefronts...the very Jedi who will be shown slaughtered by their clones in ''Revenge of the Sith.''

* SpannerInTheWorks: Thanks to Grievous mounting an attack on Coruscant, Obi-Wan and Anakin are recalled before they can offer aid in capturing Maul. Maul's elaborate plan to lure Obi-Wan into an ambush thus fails because it's Ahsoka, no longer affiliated with the Jedi Order, who steps in to fill the gap.

** This episode begins with the classic theatrical ''Star Wars'' film opening in place of the series' version.

* YouAreTooLate: The squadron Ahsoka leads into the lower city is ambushed by the Mandalorians, and Ahsoka barely saves them from a rocket attack. By the time Ahsoka manages to get back up, they've pressed ahead and are systematically wiped out seconds before she can catch up to them.

** In ''[[Literature/StarWarsAhsoka Ahsoka]]'', Ahsoka's lightsabers were described as being the original blade colors of green and yellow. In this episode, they now have blue blades, implied to be because of Anakin tinkering with them.

* TookALevelInBadass: Prime Minister Almec, who was always portrayed as a slimy corrupt politician and a NonActionGuy, dons his own set of Mandalorian armor during the siege. He even fights Bo-Katan hand to hand when she invades his throne room, though he clearly isn't her equal in combat.

** The pilot movie began with a battle on a narrow road and Obi-Wan offering a fake surrender to the Separatists. The final story arc of the series begins with a battle on a narrow bridge and Obi-Wan's apprentice Anakin does the same.

** [[WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels Caleb Dume]] accompanies his master Depa Billaba in the Jedi holocall meeting. Accompanying them are Plo Koon, Ki-Adi Mundi, Commanders Bacara and Bly, and Aayla Secura.

* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: Bo-Katan's Mandalorians and the 332nd Division clone troopers wear blue armor (since they're a detachment of Anakin's 501st Legion), while the Loyalist Mandalorians have red armour inspired by Maul, with Saxon in particular having a spiked helmet to mimic Maul's horns.

* FailsafeFailure: One of the clone pilots is trapped in his gunship as it's in freefall, the explosive bolts on his canopy failing to activate. Ahsoka cuts open the canopy with her lightsabers, allowing him to eject safely.
* HopeSpot: This episode retroactively makes the opening act of Revenge of the Sith into one for Anakin. Reuniting with Ahsoka visibly elates him, and he is clearly happier than he has been in a ''very'' long time. The idea that she could return to the Jedi Order, or at least come back into his life on a permanent basis (if Ahsoka captured Maul for the Republic, she would instantly be elevated to war hero-status, even if she wasn't a part of the Jedi Order, which would put her in good standing in Coruscant) seems to give him the sort of hope for the future that he hasn't had in a while, and that coupled with being the MVP of the Battle of Coruscant and learning that Padmé was pregnant gives a new context to the line "This is the happiest day of my life." Even considering the uncertainty regarding his future with the Jedi Order once it's found out that he's the father of Padmé's children, Anakin's life finally seems to be on track. And then the dreams start...