Just the other day, I found myself deep in thought, rewatching the emotional climax of *Star Wars: The Clone Wars*. The camaraderie, the sacrifices, the sheer raw humanity of characters like Captain Rex and Anakin Skywalker always hits me right in the feels. It got me pondering, as it often does for many fans, about the true nature of their relationship. Specifically, a question that lingers for many: Did Rex respect Anakin?
The unequivocal answer is yes, absolutely. Captain Rex held immense respect for Anakin Skywalker, a respect that transcended mere military deference and blossomed into a profound, almost familial, bond built on shared trials, mutual trust, and a deep understanding of one another’s unconventional spirits. Their relationship was a cornerstone of the Grand Army of the Republic’s efforts, showcasing a unique dynamic between a Jedi General and his clone Captain, one that profoundly shaped both characters.
The Genesis of Their Bond: Early Encounters and Shared Adversity
From the moment they first crossed paths, a different kind of connection began to form between Captain Rex and General Anakin Skywalker. Initially, as with any clone trooper, Rex’s role was to follow orders, to execute the strategic directives of his Jedi General. However, Anakin wasn’t just *any* Jedi. He was known for his unorthodox tactics, his daring maneuvers, and a willingness to bend the rules if it meant saving lives and achieving victory. This approach, while often startling to more by-the-book Jedi, resonated deeply with Rex, who himself possessed a keen tactical mind and a pragmatic outlook.
Their earliest encounters, such as the Battle of Christophsis and the subsequent rescue of Rotta the Huttlet, showcased Anakin’s unique blend of bravery and recklessness. Rex, a seasoned clone veteran, observed Anakin’s tendency to lead from the front, to put himself in harm’s way alongside his men, and to improvise when the rigid plans failed. This wasn’t the detached, serene leadership often associated with the Jedi Order. This was active, engaged, and intensely personal. For a clone designed for war, seeing a General so deeply invested in the outcome and the well-being of his troops was a powerful motivator, fostering not just obedience, but genuine admiration.
What truly set Anakin apart for Rex was his consistent treatment of his clone troopers not as disposable assets, but as individual soldiers. Anakin made a point to learn their names, to recognize their unique skills, and to genuinely care for their lives. This was a radical departure from how some other Jedi might have interacted with their clone forces, and it immediately fostered an environment of loyalty and, crucially, respect. Rex, as the captain of the 501st, saw this firsthand and it undoubtedly solidified his own burgeoning respect for Skywalker. He wasn’t just a General; he was “our General,” and there’s a big difference in how that feels.
Beyond Orders: A Friendship Forged in Fire
The Clone Wars were, by their very nature, a crucible. Years of relentless conflict, facing impossible odds, and witnessing unimaginable horrors would either break a bond or forge it into something unbreakable. For Anakin and Rex, it was the latter. Their relationship evolved well beyond the typical military hierarchy, blossoming into a genuine friendship and a profound mutual trust.
Anakin, for his part, recognized Rex’s exceptional leadership abilities and his unwavering loyalty. He frequently relied on Rex’s tactical insights and judgment, not merely as a sounding board, but as an equal in strategic discussions. This level of trust from a Jedi General towards a clone trooper was, frankly, revolutionary. It showed that Anakin saw Rex not just as a subordinate, but as a capable and intelligent partner in the fight. Think about the countless times Anakin would turn to Rex for his read on a situation, or give him free rein to execute complex maneuvers. That’s not just delegating; that’s trusting implicitly.
Rex, in turn, developed an admiration for Anakin that bordered on reverence. He admired Anakin’s courage, his compassion, and his relentless drive to protect those under his command. He saw the burdens Anakin carried, the weight of the war and the often-conflicting demands placed upon him by the Jedi Council. Rex understood that Anakin was a good man doing his best in a terrible situation, and that understanding deepened his respect immeasurably. He wasn’t blind to Anakin’s flaws—his impulsiveness, his occasional disregard for protocols—but he saw them as part of what made Anakin so effective and, frankly, so human.
Consider the Umbara arc, for instance. When Jedi General Krell’s reckless and wasteful strategies threatened the lives of the 501st, it was Anakin’s principles that Rex ultimately upheld. Even when Skywalker himself wasn’t present, Rex defended the lessons and the ethos that Anakin had instilled in his men: that every life mattered, and that a good soldier shouldn’t blindly follow orders that betray their core values. This wasn’t just loyalty to Anakin, but loyalty to the *ideals* Anakin represented. It showed that Rex had internalized Anakin’s moral compass, demonstrating a respect that went far deeper than any chain of command.
Their bond was also cemented through shared vulnerabilities. Anakin, despite being a Jedi Knight, was still a young man grappling with immense power and personal attachments. Rex, a clone designed for war, was constantly questioning his own identity and purpose. In moments of quiet honesty, they could speak to each other not just as General and Captain, but as individuals facing similar existential challenges within the larger conflict. These instances, often subtle, painted a picture of two men who genuinely cared for each other’s well-being and understood the unique pressures each faced.
Understanding the Nuances of Clone Loyalty and Respect
To truly grasp the depth of Rex’s respect for Anakin, one must understand the unique psychological makeup of the clone troopers. Bred on Kamino, they were designed for loyalty, obedience, and efficiency. The phrase “good soldiers follow orders” wasn’t just a saying; it was practically encoded into their DNA, a grim foreshadowing of Order 66. However, through their experiences, individual clones like Rex, Cody, Fives, and Echo developed distinct personalities, moral compasses, and the capacity for independent thought and emotion.
Rex’s respect for Anakin transcended programmed obedience. It wasn’t simply that Anakin was his commanding officer; it was that Anakin earned that respect through his actions, his empathy, and his recognition of the clones’ individuality. Rex didn’t just follow Anakin’s orders because he had to; he followed them because he believed in them, because he trusted Anakin’s judgment, and because he knew Anakin genuinely cared.
This distinction is crucial. Many clones followed their Jedi Generals out of duty. Rex followed Anakin out of conviction. This conviction was put to the ultimate test during the inhibitor chip crisis, particularly with Fives’s investigation. Rex, despite the overwhelming evidence seemingly pointing to Fives being unstable, trusted Anakin’s willingness to investigate, even to the point of getting Fives an audience with Palpatine. This required an immense amount of trust and respect—trust that Anakin would listen, and respect for Anakin’s integrity in pursuing the truth, even if it was inconvenient or dangerous. The fact that Anakin took Fives’s claims seriously, even for a moment, spoke volumes to Rex about his General’s character.
The “good soldiers follow orders” mantra was complicated for Rex by Anakin. Skywalker’s willingness to question authority, to trust his gut, and to prioritize lives over rigid protocols taught Rex that true leadership sometimes meant challenging the status quo. This made Rex a more effective, and arguably, a more ethical soldier, but it also laid the groundwork for his profound struggle when Order 66 eventually came. His respect for Anakin was not blind adherence, but an informed, deeply personal admiration.
Key Moments Demonstrating Rex’s Respect
Throughout *The Clone Wars*, there are numerous instances that powerfully illustrate Rex’s profound respect for Anakin. These weren’t just isolated events but consistent patterns of behavior that cemented their unique bond.
* Tactical Acumen: Rex frequently acknowledged Anakin’s strategic brilliance, even when those strategies were unconventional. He’d often express initial skepticism, perhaps a raised eyebrow or a sardonic comment, but always, he would execute Anakin’s plans with unwavering confidence, knowing that Skywalker often saw angles others missed. He trusted Anakin’s gut instincts implicitly, a testament to years of seeing those instincts pay off.
* Personal Care and Compassion: Anakin’s genuine concern for his men, including Rex, was a powerful factor. We saw Anakin worry about Rex’s safety, offer words of encouragement, and even share personal anecdotes. This reciprocal care fostered a deep loyalty. Rex saw Anakin not just as a powerful warrior, but as a leader who valued every life under his command, something Rex emulated in his own leadership style.
* Shared Vulnerabilities and Honesty: Anakin, famously, wasn’t the most emotionally reserved Jedi. Rex, in turn, was one of the few individuals Anakin seemed to truly open up to, even subtly. Their conversations often contained an underlying layer of understanding, a recognition of the immense pressure they both faced. Rex saw Anakin’s struggles, his moments of doubt, and still respected him deeply for shouldering those burdens.
* The Ahsoka Factor: Rex’s relationship with Ahsoka Tano, Anakin’s Padawan, was also instrumental. Rex’s immense respect for Ahsoka often mirrored his respect for Anakin. He saw the positive influence Anakin had on her, fostering her growth as a compassionate and capable leader. Witnessing their unique master-apprentice bond only reinforced Rex’s admiration for Anakin’s mentoring abilities and his capacity for deep connection. When Ahsoka left the Jedi Order, Rex saw firsthand the pain it caused Anakin, further solidifying his understanding of Anakin’s emotional depth.
* The Fives’s Legacy: This was arguably the zenith of Rex’s demonstrated trust and respect. When Fives uncovered the truth about the inhibitor chips and went rogue, Rex, despite the grave accusations against his brother, never lost faith in him. He knew Fives to be a good soldier and a loyal friend. Crucially, he trusted Anakin to listen to Fives’s wild claims, to not dismiss them out of hand, and to seek the truth. This was a profound display of Rex’s belief in Anakin’s integrity and his willingness to consider even the most uncomfortable truths, a trait Rex deeply admired.
The Shadow of the End: Order 66 and Its Heartbreaking Irony
The ultimate testament to Rex’s respect for Anakin, and the profound tragedy of their bond, comes with Order 66. When the chips activated and the clones turned on their Jedi commanders, Rex was among the few who managed to resist the programming, thanks to Ahsoka’s quick thinking and his own unwavering will. What followed was a desperate race against time to warn Ahsoka, and a horrific internal battle.
Imagine the psychological torment for Rex. His mind, conditioned for loyalty to the Republic, was suddenly overridden by a directive to kill the very Jedi he had fought alongside for years, including the one he deeply respected, Anakin Skywalker. The heartbreaking irony is that Rex’s loyalty to Anakin, the person, clashed violently with his programmed duty to the Republic, now twisted by Palpatine. While he didn’t witness Anakin’s fall firsthand, the knowledge that his General, his friend, was now gone, transformed into something monstrous by the Sith, must have been utterly devastating.
Had Rex known the full truth of Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader, would he have tried to save him? It’s a tantalizing, albeit grim, question. Given Rex’s character and his profound understanding of Anakin’s inner struggles, it’s not a stretch to imagine him, alongside Ahsoka, attempting some form of intervention, even if it was a fool’s errand. His respect for the “good” Anakin ran so deep that he likely would have held onto hope for redemption, or at the very least, sought to understand what had driven his respected General to such darkness. The very fact that he fought so hard to save Ahsoka, knowing she was Anakin’s apprentice and someone Anakin cared for deeply, speaks volumes about his underlying regard for Skywalker.
Why Their Relationship Matters: A Brotherhood Unseen
The relationship between Rex and Anakin is more than just a footnote in the sprawling Star Wars saga; it’s a critical narrative element that underscores the true human cost of the Clone Wars and the unique tragedy of Anakin Skywalker. For Anakin, who struggled with attachment and a sense of belonging, Rex was one of the few truly stable and genuine connections he had. Rex didn’t judge him, didn’t try to change him, but rather supported him, fought alongside him, and genuinely believed in him.
This was a brotherhood forged in the crucible of war, a bond of mutual respect that transcended their different origins and stations. Anakin often struggled to form healthy relationships, but with Rex, it was different. He found a steadfast ally, a loyal friend, and a highly capable soldier whose opinion he genuinely valued. This bond offered a rare glimpse into the “good” Anakin, the one capable of deep compassion and leadership, rather than the volatile, conflicted figure he often presented to the Jedi Council.
Rex, in the aftermath of Order 66, carried the legacy of that relationship. His continued defiance of the Empire and his eventual alliance with the nascent Rebellion can be seen, in part, as a continuation of the ideals instilled in him by Anakin Skywalker—ideals of justice, protection, and fighting for what’s right, even against overwhelming odds. Rex never forgot the man Anakin was, and his continued fight against tyranny was, in a way, a tribute to the General he so deeply respected. Their separation by the ultimate betrayal was one of the most poignant tragedies of the entire saga, a testament to a brotherhood that should have endured.
My Take: A Deep, Unspoken Admiration
From my perspective, having absorbed countless hours of *Star Wars* lore, the respect Rex harbored for Anakin was profound and enduring. It wasn’t just the respect of a soldier for his commanding officer; it was the admiration of one warrior for another, of one leader for a true battle brother. Rex saw beyond Anakin’s status as a Jedi and recognized the inherent goodness, the bravery, and the deeply human core of Skywalker. He understood Anakin’s drive, his frustrations, and his sometimes-reckless impulses, interpreting them not as flaws, but as facets of a uniquely gifted individual trying his best in an impossible conflict.
I believe Rex’s respect was so deep because Anakin, unlike many others, truly *saw* Rex. He saw him as an individual, not just a number or a piece of Republic property. This reciprocal recognition of humanity, in the midst of a war that often dehumanized everyone, was the bedrock of their relationship. Rex trusted Anakin with his life, and just as importantly, with his beliefs. He believed in Anakin’s leadership, in his compassion, and in his dedication to his men. This wasn’t a fleeting admiration; it was a deeply ingrained respect that shaped Rex’s own moral compass and his understanding of what it meant to be a good soldier, and ultimately, a good man. The story of Rex and Anakin is, for me, one of the unsung heartbreaks of Star Wars, a testament to a brotherhood that deserved a far happier ending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s dive into some common questions about this extraordinary duo and the nuances of their bond.
Was Rex more loyal to Anakin or the Republic?
This is a complex question with an answer that evolves throughout the Clone Wars. Initially, Rex’s loyalty was to the Republic, and by extension, to his commanding officers like Anakin Skywalker. However, as the war progressed and Rex developed his own sense of self and morality, his loyalty became far more nuanced.
Rex’s loyalty to Anakin deepened to a personal level, almost akin to familial loyalty. This wasn’t just about following orders; it was about shared experiences, mutual respect, and a belief in Anakin’s character and leadership. When Order 66 hit, Rex’s actions clearly demonstrated that his personal loyalty to Ahsoka (and by extension, the ideals that Anakin and Ahsoka represented) superseded his programmed loyalty to the Republic, which had become corrupted. He chose his friends and his conscience over a corrupted military directive. So, while he served the Republic diligently, his ultimate, deepest loyalty was to the principles of justice and to the individuals he genuinely respected and cared for, with Anakin being paramount among them.
Did Anakin respect Rex as much as Rex respected him?
Absolutely, Anakin held Rex in exceptionally high regard, a level of respect that was quite rare for a Jedi General toward a clone trooper. Anakin consistently demonstrated this respect in several ways:
Firstly, he treated Rex as an equal in strategic discussions, often deferring to Rex’s experience and tactical judgment. This wasn’t merely a formality; Anakin genuinely valued Rex’s input. Secondly, Anakin showed profound care for Rex’s well-being and that of the 501st, often putting himself in harm’s way to protect them. This level of personal investment was a clear indicator of his respect for their lives and their individual worth. Lastly, Anakin entrusted Rex with significant responsibilities, gave him autonomy, and allowed him to question orders when necessary, which further solidified their unique bond. Their relationship was built on mutual trust and respect, a true brotherhood in arms.
How did Rex react to Anakin’s fall?
Rex never directly witnessed Anakin’s fall to the dark side and transformation into Darth Vader. At the time of Order 66, Rex was with Ahsoka Tano on the *Tribunal*, attempting to deliver Maul to the Jedi Council. When Order 66 was executed, Rex, thanks to Ahsoka’s intervention, had his inhibitor chip removed, allowing him to resist the command to kill his Jedi commanders.
His reaction, therefore, would have been one of profound horror and heartbreak upon learning of Anakin’s fate, likely pieced together through rumors and the devastating realization of what the Jedi Purge truly meant. For Rex, the idea that his beloved General, a man of such courage and compassion, could fall to such darkness would have been unfathomable and deeply painful. He wouldn’t have seen Vader as Anakin, but as a monstrous perversion of the man he respected and loved. This profound sense of loss for the Anakin he knew undoubtedly fueled Rex’s continued fight against the Empire in the subsequent years.
What made their bond unique among Jedi/clone relationships?
The bond between Anakin Skywalker and Captain Rex stood out for its depth, mutuality, and the clear personal affection they held for each other. While many Jedi Generals formed strong bonds with their clone commanders (e.g., Obi-Wan and Cody), Anakin and Rex’s relationship transcended the typical military hierarchy in several key ways:
Anakin’s unconventional nature allowed for a less rigid dynamic. He often sought Rex’s advice as an equal, a rarity. He genuinely cared for his men as individuals, fostering a loyalty in Rex that was personal, not just programmed. Furthermore, Anakin often revealed aspects of his own struggles and vulnerabilities to Rex, creating a level of trust and understanding that was exceptional. Rex, in turn, mirrored this by often acting as Anakin’s moral compass and confidante. This genuine human connection, where both saw and valued each other’s individuality beyond their roles, made their bond truly unique and impactful within the vast Clone Wars narrative.
Did Rex ever regret his service under Anakin?
It is highly unlikely that Rex ever regretted his service under Anakin Skywalker. On the contrary, Rex consistently demonstrated pride in his service with the 501st Legion and under General Skywalker. Even after Order 66 and the rise of the Empire, Rex never expressed regret for the time he spent fighting alongside Anakin.
What he would have regretted, and deeply so, was Anakin’s tragic fall and the corruption of the Republic he fought for. Rex’s continued fight against the Empire in *Star Wars Rebels* can be seen as a testament to the ideals instilled in him by Anakin and Ahsoka—ideals of justice, freedom, and protecting the innocent. His actions post-Order 66 reflected a continuation of the good fight, honoring the memory of the General he respected and the principles they fought for, rather than regretting his past service. His commitment to fighting tyranny was, in a way, a lasting tribute to the man Anakin used to be.