Friendship Comes to The Clone Wars

Matt recently asked how we can help our kids become good adults, which is certainly a question any parent thinks about regularly. The familiar question contains a key assumption: that parents are the most significant factor in how children turn out. Judith Harris, the provocative developmental psychologist, has called this the "nurture assumption," and argues that children's peers may well matter more than parents.

This tension between parents and peers emerges in this week's episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, according to Meredith Salenger, who voices Barriss Offee, a Padawan of Luminara Unduli:

Her Jedi Master is Luminara Unduli, who is very by-the-book and ordered. As a loyal student, Barriss tends to be just as structured in her approach to dealing with situations. . . . However, I think the more time she spends with Ahsoka, the more she tends to improvise a bit and trust her own instincts. Like most relationships, you are always learning from your friends who have different attitudes about life. When Barriss is with Ahsoka, her vulnerability and curiosity come out. With best friends, you can’t help but be influenced by one another.

There isn't a lot of peer-to-peer friendship in the Star Wars movies or shows–or, rather the influence peers have on one's development isn't often shown. Anakin and Obi-Wan come close, but of course they were also Master and Padawan.

Fear not! This week's episode isn't just about friendship and good Jedi values. It's also the 2nd episode in a story arc begun last week, in which the Jedi assault a weapons factory on Geonosis. Here's the clip:

This week, The Clone Wars returns to its regular 9pm Friday timeslot.