4 Best Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episodes

"The choices we make, the actions we take, moments both big and small shape us into forces of destiny."

This is the narration that appears at the beginning of every Star Wars: Forces of Destiny episode. Forces of Destiny is an animated micro-series stretching across all eras of the Star Wars universe. The stories told in each episode are considered part of the overall canon, and are broadcast through Disney's YouTube channel. Many episodes follow prominent female characters such as Leia Organa, Padme Amidala, Ahsoka Tano, Sabine Wren, Jyn Erso, and Rey, but there are still some stories that I think will resonate with dedicated Star Wars fans of all ages as they provide some welcome context to themes and events from the main films and television shows. Listed below are four episodes that stand out for their significance to the greater story of Star Wars. 

Season 1 Episode 8: Bounty of Trouble

In this episode, Princess Leia is being escorted by a pair of stormtroopers when they are suddenly attacked by rebel fighter Sabine Wren. Sabine snatches Leia away, and traps the stormtroopers behind a door. Throughout the attack, Leia remains unfazed. In fact, the entire incident was planned so that Leia could secretly give Sabine a datatape containing several Imperial base locations. 

They are interrupted by the arrival of bounty hunter IG-88 who is also interested in the datatape. Sabine and Leia return to the spot they left the stormtroopers, who by now have managed to cut through the door. Sabine hides while Leia orders the troopers to attack IG-88. While the stormtroopers are occupied, Sabine leaves after Leia expresses her wishes to someday fight openly alongside the Rebellion.

This episode provides a window into Leia's difficult life of secretly aiding the growing Rebellion while still openly supporting the Galactic Empire. Many books and comics have depicted this aspect of her life, but this is a simple yet effective way for young Star Wars fans to learn what it means to serve two sides of a conflict.

Season 2 Episode 2: Unexpected Company

Anakin and Padme are about to board a Jedi shuttle for a mission when Ahsoka runs up to them. Ahsoka explains that Obi-Wan requested that she tag along. Anakin is not too happy about this change of plan. He was hoping that this mission would allow him and Padme to spend some precious time together by themselves. His mood soured, he changes the shuttle's flight path so that they will get to their destination sooner. Noticing what Anakin is doing, Ahsoka warns that their new trajectory will put them into an area where a Separatist fleet was recently spotted. 

Sure enough, they come out of hyperspace in front of several Separatist capital ships. Padme orders Anakin to fly while she and Ahsoka use the shuttle's cannons to take out the enemy weapons. A shot hits Padme's position, resulting in a cloud of smoke. Anakin jumps up to see if Padme is okay. When the smoke clears, Ahsoka sees Anakin and Padme in a loving embrace. Satisfied that they are okay, Ahsoka mans the ship's controls and flies them safely past the fleet. Once they land at their destination, Anakin says that he is glad Ahsoka came with them. Padme adds that Anakin and Ahsoka make a good team. Ahsoka remarks that Padme and Anakin make a good team, too.

I like this episode because it is the first time canonically that Ahsoka becomes aware of Anakin and Padme's romantic relationship. It retroactively adds weight to The Clone Wars season 5 finale when Ahsoka decides to leave the Jedi Order. Anakin begs her to stay, claiming that he understands what it feels like to want to leave the Jedi. Ahsoka replies simply that she knows, which is her way of saying that she knows about Anakin's feelings for Padme.

It is surprising how few people in either Anakin or Padme's circle of acquaintances can figure out that they're in love. Obi-Wan probably suspects it, but he doesn't want to believe it. Palpatine knows it, and uses it to his advantage to lure Anakin to the dark side. By the time of Revenge of the Sith, both Padme, who is now pregnant, and Anakin know that they can't keep their relationship a secret much longer. One can only wonder how the fate of the galaxy would be different if they divulged their secret relationship and retired from their professions to raise their children in peace.   

Season 2 Episode 6: Bounty Hunted

Seeking help to rescue Han from Jabba the Hutt, Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 meet up with Han's old friend, Maz Kanata on the planet Ord Mantell. Leia is skeptical of how Maz can help, when the group is suddenly attacked by Boushh. It turns out that Maz's plan was to set a trap for Boushh so that Leia can steal the bounty hunter's armor for a disguise. They manage to overpower Boushh, and Leia takes the armor.

This episode is great backstory for casual fans who may have wondered where Leia got her disguise from in Return of the Jedi. Well, this episode provides the answer with a brief, easy to understand explanation. It also introduces Leia to Maz, further cementing Maz's connection with the Solo family in the years following the fall of the Empire.

Season 2 Episode 7: The Path Ahead

Deep in the swampy jungle of Dagobah, Luke Skywalker is practicing navigating along the tree branches several meters above the ground. Suddenly, Luke misses a branch and falls painfully to the ground. Yoda explains that Luke fell because his mind got ahead of his body. Instead, Luke's mind needs to work with his body to stay on the right path. Yoda tells Luke to go again, but this time he wants Luke to carry him in a backpack. Luke doesn't like the idea. He says that he can barely look after himself. Yoda retorts that in that case, Luke needs to concentrate extra hard. Once they ascend into the canopy, Luke asks Yoda which way he should go. Yoda puts his hands over Luke's eyes and tells him to see his surrounding through the Force. Luke takes off running again, making several impressive leaps from branch to branch.

It's unclear how long Luke trains with Yoda before leaving to face Darth Vader on Cloud City. What this episode is meant to show, is that Luke was able to learn a few things about the Force in a short amount of time. Also listening to 60 year old Mark Hamill attempt to voice his 30 year old self is quite funny, even if the result doesn't really work.

Those are my picks for best Forces of Destiny episodes aired thus far. Which ones stand out the most to you? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading this post, and I'll get back to you all soon.