I Believe Commander Fox Got Way Too Much Hate

Alright, let’s talk about Commander Fox. You know, that guy in the crimson armor. The dude who somehow manages to piss off every Star Wars fan at least once during The Clone Wars. If there’s a Hall of Fame for polarizing characters, Fox is in it, probably standing awkwardly next to Jar Jar.

Here’s the thing: Fox is not evil. He’s just the ultimate rule-follower in a galaxy where the rules are completely jacked. But man, his story leaves you questioning everything about loyalty, morality, and whether Fox even had a choice in the first place. Let’s break it down.

The Fives Incident: When “Doing Your Job” Went Horribly Wrong

If you hate Fox, chances are it’s because of what went down with Fives. This moment haunts Clone Wars fans, and honestly, it should.

Fives, being the absolute legend that he is, uncovers the inhibitor chip conspiracy—the one that forces clones to carry out Order 66. He’s literally holding the truth that could save the Jedi and maybe the entire Republic. But here’s the problem: nobody believes him. And thanks to some Palpatine-level framing, Fives looks like a loose cannon ready to pop off.

Now, in comes Fox. He sees Fives acting erratic, holding a blaster, and—boom—he takes the shot. Was it instinct? Training? Fear? Who knows. All I know is, Fives dies, the truth gets buried, and Fox becomes public enemy #1 for anyone who’s ever loved a clone.

Was Fox doing his job? Yeah. Was it the right call? Hell no. That’s the tragedy, though. Fox wasn’t evil; he was just a cog in the Republic’s broken machine. And that’s what makes it so gut-wrenching.

Fox vs. Ahsoka: The Red Flags Were Blinking, Dude

If the Fives thing didn’t make you mad at Fox, his involvement in Ahsoka’s frame-up definitely did. Remember when Ahsoka got accused of bombing the Jedi Temple? Yeah, Fox was front and center in that whole mess, following orders like a good little soldier.

Look, I get it—Fox wasn’t the one who framed her. But the way he handled it? Refusing to let Anakin talk to her? Chasing her down like she was some criminal mastermind instead of, you know, Ahsoka freaking Tano? That’s the kind of blind obedience that makes you scream at the screen.

For me, this is where Fox’s story stops being just about him and starts being about the Republic as a whole. It’s a perfect example of how the Republic was already rotting from the inside, long before Palpatine made his big move.

Fox Wasn’t the Villain—He Was a Loyal Soldier in a Broken System

At the end of the day, I don’t think Fox deserves the hate he gets.

Yeah, he made some tough calls. Ones that cost lives—most notably Fives. But to call him evil? To blame him like he had a real choice? That doesn’t sit right with me.

Fox was a soldier bred for obedience. His whole life was about following the chain of command. He didn’t have the freedom to question his orders. He didn’t have the luxury to ask, “What if this is wrong?” In the Republic’s eyes, a good clone was one who didn’t hesitate. And Fox was that to a fault.

He wasn’t corrupt. He wasn’t cruel. He was just doing what he was trained to do in a system that never valued independent thinking. And honestly, that’s what makes his story so tragic. He wasn’t a villain—he was a warning.

Fox represents what happens when loyalty goes unquestioned. When duty replaces judgment. And in a galaxy that was already crumbling from the inside, he became one more victim of a war that never should’ve happened in the first place.

So no—Fox didn’t deserve what happened to Fives. But he doesn’t deserve all the hate either.