"Assassin," an episode within the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, marks the seventh installment of its third season. It was initially broadcast on October 22 of 2010. The events depicted in this episode occur before those of "ARC Troopers," which is the second episode of Season Three.
Ahsoka Tano, a Padawan, is given the responsibility of safeguarding Senator Padmé Amidala during a crucial political visit to Alderaan. However, she is haunted by persistent visions of Aurra Sing, the recently deceased bounty hunter. Disturbed and unable to focus, Ahsoka fears that the stress of the ongoing conflict is finally overwhelming her. Eventually, her visions prove to be accurate, and Padmé narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by Aurra Sing. Working together, Padmé and Ahsoka manage to capture the hunter. Ahsoka then uncovers the true mastermind behind the plot to eliminate Padmé: Ziro the Hutt, a gangster who is currently incarcerated.
Following successful missions on Florrum and Mandalore, the Jedi Council and her master assign Ahsoka a break from active duty, a decision she reluctantly accepts. Soon after, Ahsoka begins experiencing unsettling dreams featuring Aurra Sing, the bounty hunter, who threatens someone close to her. These visions intensify, and Ahsoka gradually identifies the target as Senator Amidala.
Padmé is scheduled to attend a conference on Alderaan, hosted by Senator Bail Organa, to address the growing humanitarian crisis caused by war refugees. Ahsoka obtains permission to join her, but the intensity of her visions leads to paranoia and self-doubt about her ability to handle the stress. Padmé reassures her, sharing her own past insecurities as Queen of Naboo, which provides some comfort to Ahsoka.
As the conference commences and Padmé delivers her speech, Ahsoka's premonitions materialize: Aurra Sing has infiltrated the building and is poised to assassinate Padmé. Ahsoka intervenes just in time to prevent Sing from fatally shooting Padmé with a sniper blaster, but the senator sustains a shoulder wound, and Sing escapes. Ahsoka devises a plan to trap the assassin by using a luxury droid in a robe to impersonate Padmé at the conference, while Padmé delivers her speech remotely from her quarters. However, Sing sees through the ruse and prepares to ambush Padmé. Sensing Sing's intentions, Ahsoka intercepts her before she can carry out the assassination. Before Sing can harm Ahsoka, she reveals that she was hired by an old enemy of Padmé's seeking revenge. Padmé then surprises the bounty hunter with a concealed blaster, stunning her for capture by Captain Typho.
Ahsoka and Padmé return to Coruscant, where they meet with Master Yoda and Anakin. While they are talking, a group of clones escorts Sing to prison. Following their report, Ahsoka employs her enhanced precognitive abilities to identify the person behind the assassination attempt. Despite only receiving vague impressions, Padmé deduces that Ziro the Hutt is the culprit, holding her responsible for his arrest. Ahsoka and her master visit Ziro in his cell, subtly prompting him to admit his involvement in the assassination plot. Satisfied, Ahsoka and Anakin leave Ziro to face an extended prison sentence, causing him to shout threats of revenge.
The musical theme associated with Leia can be heard when her mother arrives on Alderaan.