This Week in The Clone Wars: The Power of the Dark Side

In last week’s episode, Ahsoka Tano is visited by an older version of herself, warning her that training with Anakin has planted seeds of the dark side within her. And the promotional materials for the second half of this season (pic; — video) make clear that this isn’t an idle threat. This week’s episode continues […]
The Son
The Son embodies the Force’s dark side in “Altar of Mortis,” an all-new episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premiering at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT Friday, February 4 on Cartoon Network. TM & © 2011 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

In last week's episode, Ahsoka Tano is visited by an older version of herself, warning her that training with Anakin has planted seeds of the dark side within her. And the promotional materials for the second half of this season (pic; – video) make clear that this isn't an idle threat. This week's episode continues the Overlords story arc, with The Son, representing the dark side of the force, kidnapping Ahsoka to try and force Anakin's hand. Will he compel her to join him in the dark side? Can he turn the Padawan against her master?

The Son is voiced by Sam Witwer, already familiar to Star Wars fans for his work as Starkiller, Darth Vader's apprentice in The Force Unleashed games. Witwer explains that the Son is *much* less conflicted about the dark side of the Force:

“The character of the Son has very similar motivations [to the Emperor]. . . . You have the Son, who's the dark side of the Force, you have the Daughter, who's the good side of the Force, and then you have the unifying Father, who's the balance between the two. The Son believes that the balance is skewed and that he should have more influence – and if he could have more influence, the galaxy could be a better place. For that reason it is chiefly important for him to get his hands on Anakin and influence him as fast as he can. My character, the Son, absolutely targets Anakin.”

And if that sounds familiar, it's because Witwer sees the current 3-episode story arc, Overlords, as reprising the entire arc of the live-action movies:

“Clone Wars is continuing to push the limits of what’s possible in Star Wars. . . . It is the best kids show ever made. Ever. I take it very seriously. What I love about this Mortis story is that it is all of the Star Wars movies wrapped up into three Clone Wars episodes, and completely mythological. It's going to be something that's really exciting.”

This week's episode premieres tonight, Friday, February 4, at 8.30pm ET/PT on The Cartoon Network. Here's a preview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI_2oP49_aY