I just came across your post answering the question about Qui-Gon and Padmé when addressing the slavery on Tatooine and wanted to get your take on the Slaves of Zygerria Arc, especially how it impacted Rex? Because here we see him still deeply traumatized after what happened on Umbara (they were literally back to back missions), and he COULDN’T have failed to notice similarities between being a slave and servings in the Clone Army. Plus Anakin? Didn’t seem all that concerned about slavery oddly.

padawanlost:

Hey!

I think the
short answer would be “the writers didn’t think it through”. As a fan of the
Slaves of the Republic’s comic I was dying to see how it would translate to
screen and though I do love the episodes, when it comes to the characters
reaction to Zygerria I was sorely disappointed. But more on that later*. Let’s
focus on Rex because he deserves our full attention ❤

The fact
the Zygerria arc followed the Umbara on is blatant reminder of how dehumanized
the clones were. If issues like PTSD were not a serious consideration even for
the elite fighters (Jedi general) imagine how little their psychological health
was taken into consideration. Dogma’s arrest and the Zygerria mission both
happened in the same year (20 BBY) so it’s safe to assume, they only days or
weeks (if we are being hopeful) between missions.

I do think
Rex eventually understood the reality of his situation, however, it was
gradual. I don’t think he one day realized everything unfair and cruel about
his (and his brothers) existence. Let’s call it character development. Rex
started out as a competent and curious clone and ended up as an acutely aware
but also loyal man.

Rex’s
realization came slowly. He definitely asked “dangerous” questions about the
war and his place in it but thanks to his genetics and programing he was unable
to see the bigger picture (the clone army was a slave army). He was also in a
situation where he had no real choice, any realization he made would only lead
to pain and he knew it. Rex decided that doing his duty and not thinking too
hard was the best option because it was the only option he really had. in his
mind, he convinced himself he was doing for his brother and not because he was
forced.

“Rex, is it true what Geith says? That we’re
all guilty of using you?” [Ahsoka] was distraught. [Rex] could hear the rasping
wild undertone in her voice. “That we’re all following orders blindly and not
asking questions?” Rex felt his world
beginning to unravel. If he let Ahsoka go too far down that path—no, if he let himself go down that path, then
he wouldn’t be able to do the job, and if he didn’t do this job, then he had no
idea what his life was about. If he let that doubt take hold, he would never be
able to deal with Skywalker again, or be able to lead his men. And he had to
lead them because they depended on him. His whole existence depended on
believing in what he was doing. The little nagging voice that he tried to
ignore was actually being more constructive this time. Don’t even think about it, the voice said. Because you can’t change a
thing. So what if it’s true? Where are you going to go? What else could you
do? And what would happen to your men? Some things were so overwhelming and
beyond your control that simply noticing they were there would destroy you. Rex decided he could shut it out. He could
shut out anything if he put his mind to it. “I don’t know,” he said at
last. [ The Clone Wars: No Prisoners by Karen Traviss]

Rex & Obi-wan in Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Slaves of the Republic 06 – Escape from Kadavo

Rex, understandably,
completely fails to realize he too is a slave. He sympathizes but he doesn’t
relate to them. Not because he doesn’t case (it’s clear he does) but because
that sort of thinking is something he has to burry deep himself to keep going.
Very much the slaves of zygarria, Rex was considered property and he had no
rights. But he knew that facing the ugly truth would put him on a path he
wouldn’t be able to come back from. So he buried, this way he could keep
himself on a path that would help with him own survival and the survival of his
brothers.

And this is
why I call Rex’s journey character development. Because it’s a temporary state.
As the war progresses,  Rex realizes that
he can’t keep his head buried in the sand. I think Fives death made him face
all the ugly things he didn’t want to face and actually do something about them
(like removing his chip). This is also why i picked loyalty as one of Rex’s
most defining trait, because even after he faced all these horrors he still
choses to protect those he cares about (even he doubts their cause).

Rex’s journey
is so beautiful (in the most heartbreaking way) because of his choices. He is
so selfless. He puts the safety of others above his own. Imo, Rex represents
everything a Jedi should have been: selfless, loyal, compassionate and willing
to learn.

Unlike the
Jedi, Rex’s inability to cope with slavery is a result of his own status as a
slave. it’s too much for him and we shouldn’t fault him for it. self-analysis
is incredible hard, especially if you were breed to ignore such “details”. His
inability to see himself as slave has nothing to do with detachment, arrogance
or political ambitions. Rex is simply not ready to deal with that truth yet so
he locks it away and this way he can keep on surviving.

*I’ll address
the Anakin/slavery issue on a different post, okay?