Here are all the best moments in Star Wars in 2020. The Star Wars sequel trilogy came to an end in 2019 with the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and 2020 should rightly be seen as the beginning of a new era for the franchise as a whole. While there will still be movies, it appears this is no longer the main focus, as The Mandalorian blazes the trail for a range of Disney+ shows. Meanwhile, Lucasfilm Publishing has prevailed in spite of disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and is soon to launch the new High Republic initiative.
There may not have been any new Star Wars films in 2020, but there have been some incredible moments realized on both the small screen and in the comics. Long-term Star Wars fans were reunited with old friends, with Boba Fett brought back from the dead and Rosario Dawson cast as the live-action Ahsoka Tano. The Clone Wars build to a head in a stunning final season, inspiring an animated spinoff of their own. And the comics began trying to unify the Skywalker story, by embedding ideas from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in the original trilogy era.
So here are the most unforgettable moments in Star Wars this year. Most of them are tied to the main characters, simply because they were not just created with care, but they also carry the emotional appeal that is only possible when viewers and readers care passionately about the people whose stories are being told. An honorable mention deserves to be made to Timothy Zahn's novel Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising, which is only omitted from this list because the whole book is excellent, and thus it's not possible to pull out individual scenes.
9. Skywalkers Die
Charles Soule's Star Wars ongoing series is set in the aftermath of The Empire Strikes Back, at a time when both Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are reeling from their confrontation on Cloud City. One entertaining scene in Star Wars #5 offers a new window into Darth Vader's quest for Luke, as he hears reports of someone claiming to be a Skywalker. In reality they are a smuggler who is attempting to capitalize on Luke's reputation in order to make money, and the Dark Lord of the Sith kills him for his presumption. "The rest of you survive because I wish you to witness," Darth Vader tells the rest of the clientele in the cantina. "Claiming the name of Luke Skywalker also claims his crimes against the Empire. This is the result." He pauses for effect, and then utters words that seem so very prophetic, for he is unknowingly pronouncing the fate of every Skywalker, every being destined to bring balance to the Force. "Skywalkers die." At first glance this scene feels like an aside from the main story, but in reality it speaks to the very heart of the Star Wars saga, explaining its inclusion at the start of this list.
8. The Mandalorian: Din Djarin Meets Ahsoka Tano
Rosario Dawson made her debut as the live-action Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 5, and she immediately demonstrated her combat prowess by taking on Din Djarin in one-to-one combat - and, although Mando got a few shots in himself, it was clear he was going to be overwhelmed. Directed by Dave Filoni, this scene draws upon the traditional comic book plot in which two heroes collide and fight one another, before teaming up against a greater threat. It's true the trope is a little overused, but there's a reason for its popularity; it works. That lack of originality is the only reason this moment isn't higher on the list.
7. Anakin Skywalker's Reunion With Ahsoka Tano
2020 featured the return of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, with Lucasfilm making the final season at last. Most episodes in season 7 are set immediately before Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, giving the show a real sense of tragedy. One of the most affecting and emotional scenes shows Ahsoka Tano reunited with her former Jedi Master, Anakin Skywalker, who gives Ahsoka back her old lightsabers ahead of the Siege of Mandalore. It ends with Anakin heading back to Coruscant in order to rescue Palpatine from General Grievous - and viewers know full well what Ahsoka does not, that this is the last time the two will set eyes on one another before Anakin becomes Darth Vader.
6. Palpatine Tortures Darth Vader
Greg Pak's Darth Vader run is set concurrently with Soule's Star Wars, and it sees the Dark Lord of the Sith return to his Master after his failure to turn Luke Skywalker to the dark side. Darth Vader #6 is the most powerful issue of the series to date, with the Emperor torturing Vader for his failure, attempting to stir him to anger once again. Palpatine's power and arrogance are perfectly displayed, with the Emperor revealing his personal view of the Chosen One prophecy; that the Chosen One is the one he has chosen as his agent. "You are but a tool, Lord Vader," Palpatine taunts his apprentice, "which can be discarded when it no longer functions." This is a breathtaking scene, demonstrating the Emperor's mastery of the dark side, confirming once and for all why he is the greatest threat the galaxy has ever known. The highlight sees him turn Vader's favorite Force-choke against him, rendered beautifully by Raffaele Ienco.
5. Boba Fett Suits Up In The Mandalorian
New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison played Jango Fett in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and he returns as his son Boba Fett in The Mandalorian season 2. Episode 6 sees Boba Fett finally reclaim his armor during an Imperial attack on the desolate, abandoned world of Tython, and he tears a bloody swathe through the Stormtroopers, demonstrating at last just how he became the galaxy's most feared bounty hunter. It's pure fan-service, but it paid off, delighting viewers and setting Boba Fett up as the star for his own Disney+ series, due out in December 2021.
4. Ahsoka Versus Darth Maul
As stunning as all the previous action scenes may have been, though, the best Star Wars battles are always lightsaber duels. The climatic confrontation between Ahsoka and Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7, episode 10 is stunningly well-animated, and all the more powerful because it is taking place against the backdrop of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Anakin Skywalker is falling to the dark side at the very moment Ahsoka confronts Darth Maul, listening to Darth Sidious' lies even as his former apprentice rejects Maul's offer of an alliance. The poetry of all this is remarkable.
3. Luke Skywalker's Battle With The Dark Troopers
The Mandalorian season 2, episode 8 ended with Din Djarin and his allies in serious trouble - and then receiving unexpected help when Luke Skywalker arrives to claim Baby Yoda as his apprentice. It's a delight to see Luke Skywalker at his peak, a powerful Jedi Master who cuts a swathe through the Empire's Dark Troopers. The ease with which Luke takes the droids on parallels Darth Vader's much-loved rampage in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, ironically emphasizing Luke is his father's son. While this is easily one of the most memorable moments in Star Wars in 2020, it can't take the first place simply because of some surprisingly poor CGI used to de-age Mark Hamill himself.
2. Baby Yoda Says Goodbye To Din Djarin In The Mandalorian
Emotion will always trump action, though, and The Mandalorian season 2, episode 8 ended with one of the most poignant scenes in Star Wars to date, likely leaving very few dry eyes amongst those who watched it. The long-form storytelling approach taken in a TV series has allowed viewers to come to really care for Din Djarin and Baby Yoda, and their final goodbye is absolutely heartbreaking. Mando even removes his helmet to allow Grogu to touch his face, the culmination of a character arc he's been going through for two seasons now, in which he realized being a Mandalorian doesn't mean cutting yourself off from the world.
1. Order 66 In The Clone Wars Season 7
But one moment in Star Wars 2020 stands above all the rest, simply because it has both emotion and action. Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7, episode 11 finally shows just how Ahsoka survives Order 66. Anakin Skywalker's Padawan senses the moment her old Master falls to the dark side, and even as she reels from the shock of what she has sensed, she finds her Clone Troopers turning upon her. The scene is all the more chilling because many of these Troopers are still wearing helmets spraypainted in her honor, and a shaken Ahsoka desperately seeks a way out without killing the people she loves. The original Order 66 is one of the most powerful scenes in the prequel trilogy, but Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7 actually improves upon it - which is an incredible achievement.