My "The Force Awakens Prep Guide" Part II: The Clone Wars

"You fought in The Clone Wars?" Luke asked Ben Kenobi this question in the very first Star Wars film and fans speculated for years what exactly The Clone Wars was.  There has been several interpretations of The Clone Wars; the very first being in the comic book series Star Wars: Republic.  The next would be a series of novels from Shatterpoint to Labyrinth of Evil.  On our TV screens, we've gotten Genndy Tarakovsky's miniseries, and an animated series that lasted five seasons on Cartoon Network with a sixth season on Netflix.  

Despite what some say about the prequel era of the Star Wars franchise, The Clone Wars has a rich tapestry of stories and great new characters that were added to Star Wars lore like Asajj Ventress, Ahsoka Tano, and the return of Darth Maul.   

Probably the brightest shine in The Clone Wars was something Obi-Wan referenced back in 1977. "He was the best star pilot in the galaxy. And a cunning warrior.  And a good friend."  We see Anakin Skywalker as all these things, and not just the annoying character from Episodes I-III.  We also see the adventures of Obi-Wan and Anakin like we always dreamed they would be.  If you're an Anakin hater than you don't know The Clone Wars.

While I don't expect people to check out everything Clone Wars related, I've highlighted below some of my favorites from this era.  Again, I'll be using a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being my most recommended.

OMNIBUS: CLONE WARS VOL. 1-3 (1)

This is the ongoing comic series that was running through the years the prequel films were released.  After Attack of the Clones the series was the first to show us what The Clone Wars was.  There is a lot of content to read, but I always focus on the stories involving Obi-Wan and Anakin.  There are a few good ones with Mace Windu, Yoda, and Quinlan Vos as well.  But you can pick and choose what characters you want to follow through The Clone Wars.  One of my favorite story lines is Obsession, and right before that we get something no other Clone Wars interpretation has given us; an explanation as to how Anakin got that scar on his eye.  This is still my favorite interpretation of The Clone Wars.

  

CLONE WARS: 2003-2005 (3)

Before Lucasfilm made an entire TV series they agreed to let Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack creator, Genndy Tarakovsky, produce a series of 5 minute shorts taking place during The Clone Wars.  A sequel was then made leading right up to the events of Revenge of the Sith as we see General Grievous kidnap the Chancellor and Mace Windu give Grievous the vicious cough he has at the beginning of Episode III.  The miniseries was then put into two 1 hour volumes on DVD, or you can watch them on YouTube now.  Highlights of this interpretation include the knighting ceremony of Anakin Skywalker, Skywalker's deadly(yet badass) battle with Asajj Ventress, and Mace Windu having a phenomenal battle against an entire army of battle droids.

THE CLONE WARS: 2008-2015

In August 2008, Lucasfilm and WB released the seventh Star Wars theatrical film.  It was a CGI animated film that would set-up an animated series on Cartoon Network come Fall.  The series, supervised by Dave Filoni and George Lucas himself, would be centered around Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and the rest of the Jedi as they fight against the Separatists for the Republic.  A new character was also introduced; Ahsoka Tano as Anakin's padawan.  While not my favorite character to start off, by the end of the series I was really hoping we'd get to see Ahsoka later on in the Star Wars mythology.  

Listed below are some of my favorite episodes out of the 125 that were made.  All these episodes, along with the movie, can be found on Netflix.  This series was very theatrical, and with several episodes spanning one storyline it's like a bunch of mini movies.  The Clone Wars is like a spin-off film series unto itself. And I put The Clone Wars above The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones in my Star Wars film preference.

Season 1 Ep. 4: Destroy Malevolence (2)

The last episode in the first multi-episode arc of the series sees Anakin and Obi-Wan trying to save Padme, who is being held captive by General Grievous.  It's a very light-hearted episode, much like the early seasons of this series were.  But it's fun, and the series does get more mature as it continues.

Season 2 Ep. 1-3: Holocron Heist, Cargo of Doom, and Children of the Force (3)

The introduction of Cade Bane is pivotal because he is the badass bounty hunter everyone thinks Boba Fett is.  Darth Sidious hires Bane to break into the Jedi Temple, steal Jedi Holocrons, steal potential Jedi babies, and deliver them to Sidious.  Anakin and Ahsoka finally catch up to Bane on Mustafar; the future planet of Anakin's damnation.

Season 2 Ep. 12-14: The Mandalore Plot, Voyage of Temptation, and Duchess of Mandalore (1)

Obi-Wan has a girlfriend!  Master Kenobi is sent to protect the Duchess of Mandalore from rebel terrorists(whose leader is voiced by Jon Favreau).  But the Duchess and Obi-Wan have a past.  They had feelings for each other back when Obi-Wan was a padawan, but unlike his own padawan, Obi-Wan chose the Jedi Order over his desires for the Duchess.  And hell hath no fury like a Duchess scorned.

Season 3 Ep. 12-14: Nightsisters, Monster, and Witches of the Mist (2)

Count Dooku tires of Asajj Ventress's constant failures so he decides to cut her loose.  Ventress escapes back to her home world of Dathomir, where her Nightsister family helps her in plotting Dooku's death.  They even recruit a warrior who will aid her.  One who comes from the same tribe as the former Sith Lord; Darth Maul.

Season 3 Ep. 15-17: Overlords, Altar of Mortis, and Ghost of Mortis (4)

Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka become shipwrecked on a planet very powerful in The Force.  It is ruled by The Father who is the balance between the Light Side, The Daughter, and the Dark Side, The Son.  But soon The Father can not keep The Son at bay and the balance begins to shift.  This puts The Chosen One in a very tough place.  A place where Anakin and his friends begin to prophesies what their destines in tale.  Liam Neeson comes back to voice Qui-Gon Jinn and The Force Unleashed & Being Human star Sam Witwer voices The Son.

  

Season 4 Ep. 18: Crisis on Naboo (5)

Cade Bane is back in the series, and this time he's after the Chancellor.  It's up to Obi-Wan Kenobi to go undercover to try and stop the infamous bounty hunter.  Did I mention because of this TV series Obi-Wan Kenobi has become my 2nd favorite Star Wars character?

Season 4 Ep. 19: Massacre (5)

After learning that the Nightsisters helped Asajj Ventress try to assassinate him, Count Dooku sends General Grevious to Dathomir to eradicate the sisterhood, and leaves Asajj truly alone in the galaxy.

Season 4 Ep. 21: Brothers (4)

Mother Talzin has told Savage Opress where to find his brother, Darth Maul, but Opress finds Maul having gone mad from spending years on a junk planet.  Now Opress must try and piece together his brother's mind in order to save them both.

Season 4 Ep. 22: Revenge (1)

With the help of Mother Talzin, Savage Opress is able to save Darth Maul's soul, but Maul has only one thing on his mind; revenge.  Maul and Opress seek out Obi-Wan in hopes of giving him a slow and painful death.

Season 5 Ep. 1: Revival (5)

Darth Maul and Savage Opress rip across the galaxy looking for allies against Obi-Wan and the Jedi.  Master Kenobi and Master Gallia find them on a pirate world hoping to end their reign before it begins.

Season 5 Ep. 14-16: Eminence, Shades of Reason, and The Lawless (1)

Darth Maul and Savage Opress find their allies in the Madalore rebels and begin taking over the planet.  When Maul finds out about Obi-Wan and the Dutchess's past he is all to eager to lure Kenobi to Mandalore in hopes of finally ending his life.  The Lawless is probably my favorite episode of The Clone Wars.  It ends so tragically it had me begging for a sequel to this story line.  But with the series cancelled soon after we never see it.  I've heard ideas on how this all gets resolved, but sadly those episodes were never made.

Season 5 Ep. 17-20: Sabotage, The Jedi Who Knew Too Much, To Catch A Jedi, and The Wrong Jedi (1)

Ahsoka has come a long way since we first see her step out of that shuttle on Christophsis. Now she is being framed for destruction to the Jedi Temple and multiple murders.  Ahsoka is banished from the Jedi Order and is hunted by her own Master; Anakin Skywalker.  She'll have to team up with Asajj Ventress if she has any hope of clearing her name.  Another story that was terrific, but we never saw a climax to the character of Ahsoka due to the shows cancellation.  I am so glad to see her back in Rebels.......oh yeah.....SPOILER.

Season 6 Ep. 1-4: The Unknown, Conspiracy, Fugitive, and Orders (4)

Clone trooper Tup assassinates a Jedi in the middle of a mission after the number "66" is spoken.  Clone trooper Five is the only one who knows why Tup went crazy, and must get to the Jedi to warn them about "Order 66".  Something tells me Supreme Chancellor Palpatine doesn't want that information getting out.

Season 6 Ep. 5-7: An Old Friend, The Rise of Clovis, and Crisis at the Heart (3)

Clovis used to be an old friend of Padme Amidala's.  That is until he tried to kill her for the Separatists.  Now Padme must partner with a reformed Clovis in order to convince the Banking Clan to give the Republic more money for the war.  But Anakin still doesn't trust Clovis.  This puts tension on Anakin and Padme's secret marriage, more than we've seen in the series or the entire Clone Wars.

Season 6 Ep. 10: The Lost One (1)

Master Sifo-Dyas, the Jedi Master who allegedly commissioned the creation of the clone army, has been found.  Obi-Wan and Anakin are sent to retrieve the dead Master's remains and investigate the still mysterious origins of the clone army.  Along the way the two Jedi run into Count Dooku, and the Jedi begin to believe the entire war might be the work of the still mysterious Sith Lord.

End, The Clone Wars Has

As a kid growing up I always thought I was a Jedi.  I had good instincts, I was very perceptive, and I could handle myself with a lightsaber.  A while back I realized I had the power to predict the future, because I knew exactly what was going to happen when Disney decided to buy Lucasfilm.  I saw Dark Horse comics stopping their 20-year publishing run of Star Wars comics and Marvel now publishing Star Wars comics.  Later this year, that is exactly what will happen since Disney owns Marvel comics.  I also saw the animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, switching over to DisneyXD and leaving Cartoon Network.  Then word came that they were canceling the show all together and making a new Star Wars animated show on DisneyXD.

Now I am an unbashful Star Wars.  I try to soak up everything I can that is Star Wars. So, I have been watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars since it started.  In the season 5 finale, Ahsoka Tano, the character specifically made for the show, left the Jedi Order.  I was shocked that the series was going to be left with such an open ending like that!  It was later announced that the 6th, and final, season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars would air directly on Netflix.  My only hope was that all the questions about season 5 would be resolved.  

One thing I have liked about Star Wars: The Clone Wars through the years is that even though it was a 1/2 hour program most story lines took several episodes to get through; like having lots of mini movies.  Occasionally you had the childish episode, like one starring Jar Jar Binks, in which case I skipped over those episodes.  But this really was a family show in that it had something for all age groups.  The later seasons started getting a little darker, but it was still good plots with good characters.  So after finishing season 6 on Netflix I've decided to share my favorite story lines from a series that I hope I can watch with my kids in about 10 years.

Season 1: Episodes 2-4

Rising Malevolence, Shadow of Malevolence, Destroy Malevolence

This is the first multi-episode story line in the series and it really set the tone for the show.  The main characters were Anakin, Obi-Wan, Padme, and Ahsoka. This was also the first introduction of General Grievous in the show since the character had not been in The Clone Wars theatrical movie that set-up the series.

The Separatists have a new weapon, the Malevolence, and it threatens to hurt the Republic unless it is stopped.  Anakin leads a fleet against this massive ship and after disabling it he, and Obi-Wan, must rescue Padme who is on Malevolence.  The third act is Star Wars it's finest!  It's action-packed, fun, funny, and makes us remember why we love the classic characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and C-3PO.  In one scene Obi-Wan is surrounded and Grievous drops in and says, "hello there."  Obi-Wan paid Grievous back for that one in Episode III. 

When The Clone Wars began Dave Filoni, show creator, said that this series was going to finally show Anakin Skywalker: the war hero and good guy.  He was right.  Throughout the course of the show we saw Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship and why Obi-Wan loved him so dearly.  We also see how brave and valiant Anakin was, but with the occasion anger management issue.

Season 2: Episodes 1-3

Holocron Heist, Cargo of Doom, Children of the Force

The end of the first season introduced a new bounty Hunter, Cad Bane.  Bane is everything some Star Wars fans think Boba Fett is, but we have yet to see it on-screen.  Bane is bad ass and makes being the bad guy look cool.  

Bane is hired by Darth Sidious to steal a Jedi holocron from the Jedi Temple.  Then he has to find himself a Jedi to open it.  The main three (Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka) chase Bane down for the holocron and later must stop him when they find out he's kidnapping children who are potential Jedi.  This leads Anakin and Ahsoka to Mustafar, the planet of Anakin's future damnation and his epic battle with Obi-Wan.  Just seeing Anakin on Mustafar was enough foreshadowing to get me excited.  These episodes also begin to show Anakin's attachment to Ahsoka and how they both have a lot to learn from each other. 

Season 2: Episodes 12-14

The Mandalore Plot, Voyage of Temptation, Duchess of Madalore

Did anyone else know Obi-Wan had a girlfriend?  Apparently he met the Dutchess Satine years ago when he was still Qui-Gon's apprentice.  But Obi-Wan stayed true to his vow to the Jedi Order and continued his training to become a Jedi Knight.

It's years later and Obi-Wan has returned to Mandalore to protect Satine against the rebel group known as 'Death Watch.'  These are the guys that Jango Fett came from.  Satine and Obi-Wan bicker for all three episodes making us believe these two must really have liked each other.  When Anakin shows up we see him try to encourage Obi-Wan to be alone with Satine.  To me, this gives insight that Anakin sees Obi-Wan put into the same situation he was in with Padme, only Anakin gave in to his desires.  

I love that this was not only an Obi-Wan centered story, but also we get told a little more about Obi-Wan's past.  He did love someone at some point in his life, but he chose to stay with the Jedi.  Iron Man director and actor, Jon Favreau, also lends his voice to the Death Watch leader in these episodes.

Season 3: Episodes 12-14

Nightsisters, Monster, Witches of the Mist

For those fans still saddened that Darth Maul died so quickly then this is the story for you.  We get to learn where Maul came from and how many more where like him.  And by the time the story is done we get a hint that Darth Maul just may not be done in the Star Wars universe after all.

After countless failings, Count Dooku decides to let his apprentice, Asajj Ventress, die.  Ventress makes it back to her home world with her people, the Nightsisters, and begins plotting her revenge against Dooku.  We learn about Ventress's past and that she comes from a tribe of very powerful women. The Nightsisters persuade Dooku to take a new apprentice of their choosing, one who came from the same place as Darth Maul.  

Savage Opress is given extra powers by the Nightsisters and goes to work for Dooku.  Soon Ventress comes to exact her revenge with Opress by her side just as Obi-Wan and Anakin have tracked down Opress, whose been leaving a body count throughout the galaxy.  All the characters escape with their lives and Opress returns to the Nightsisters lost, but is given the location of his brother; Darth Maul.

Season 3: Episodes 15-17 

Overlords, Altar of Mortis, Ghosts of Mortis

This story line was very character driven that focused on 'The main three' but was mainly about Anakin being 'The Chosen One'.  After being sucked into a magical world that is very powerful with the Force the Jedi are introduced to Father, a force-wielder who wants to know if Anakin truly is 'The Chosen One'.  Father has two children; Daughter, who represents the light side of the Force, and Son, who represents the dark side of the Force.  

After a test Anakin refuses to take Father's place in keeping his children in balance.  Son then tries to persuade Anakin to the dark side and help set him loose upon the galaxy.  Along the way Daughter is killed by Son, Ahsoka sees her future self, Obi-Wan sees Qui-Gon Jinn, and Anakin sees what he will become in a giant, black, formed cloud accompanied by some heavy breathing.

At the end of the story Father makes Anakin forget what he just learned and 'The main three' feel like they just had a really bad acid trip.

Season 5: Episodes 14-16 

Eminence, Shades of Reason, The Lawless

This was the last episode I went back and re-watched because it had been so long since I watched it.  And I gotta say, I think The Lawless is one of my top 3, if not my favorite episode, in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  When Darth Maul comes onto the show I feel it got a little darker and The Lawless is the kind of episode I never thought I'd see in this show if I was back watching season 1.  WARNING!! MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!!

Darth Maul and Savage Opress are picked up by Death Watch and they swap stories about their mutual hatred for Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Maul then convinces them to join him in uniting all the criminal underground in the galaxy under them; even The Black Sun and the Hutts.  Then they stage an attack that puts Death Watch in charge of Mandalore and imprisons Satine in hopes of luring Obi-Wan to Mandalore.  Maul then kills the Death Watch leader, still voiced by Jon Favreau, and takes control of Mandalore for himself. 

Obi-Wan of course comes to save the day, but is captured.  Then Darth Maul kills Satine right in front of him!  I totally forgot about this event and it shocked me as if I had just watched 'The Red Wedding.'  But someone else who doesn't like Darth Maul in charge of Mandalore is Darth Sidious.  He comes to confront his former apprentice, tells him he is messing with his own plans, and then kills Savage Opress.  The Lawless ends with Obi-Wan fleeing Mandalore, vowing to return and restore order, and Darth Sidious sparing Darth Maul's life saying that his has plans for him still.

These cliff hangers are ones I hoped season 6 would tie-up but didn't.  So now we're just left hanging in regards to Mandalore, and Darth Maul, because he doesn't pop-up in Episode III as part of Sidious's plan. 

Season 5: Episodes 17-20

Sabotage, The Jedi Who Knew Too Much, To Catch A Jedi, The Wrong Jedi

As if The Lawless didn't shake up this animated series enough the following story line left us coming up with more questions and theories as to what will happen to these characters.  This story is Ahsoka centered.  Which is nice because at the time we all thought this was the last of The Clone Wars we'd ever see.  So wrapping it all up with the character who was specifically made for The Clone Wars seemed right.

The story starts out with Ahsoka and Anakin investigating a bombing at the Jedi Temple, but soon all the evidence begins to point to Ahsoka.  She stages a prison break after she is expelled from the Jedi Order and Asajj Ventress becomes her most trusted ally as she is a fugitive on the run.  It kind of reminds me when Batgirl teamed up with Catwoman on Batman: Animated Series.

So eventually Anakin finds out that is was Ahsoka's friend, Offee, who framed Ahsoka.  Offee accused the Jedi of losing their way in this war and doesn't believe in the Jedi Order anymore.  This is something that was brought up by Anakin in Episode III and is how the galactic public starts to feel about the Jedi, which makes it that much easier when Order 66 comes to pass.  The Jedi Council re-instates Ahsoka but she turns them down.  After a heart-felt goodbye with Anakin the last shot of her is walking into the sun set.  Seriously, that's the last we see of her in the whole series except for a dream/vision.

When Star Wars: The Clone Wars started I felt like something had to happen to Ahsoka; mainly death.  She's not in Episode III and it would fit to help bringing Anakin closer to the dark side.  But she walks into the sunset with all her limbs still attached!  Looking at it now I'm glad they didn't kill her.  This now gives Star Wars creators use of this beloved character in other stories.  Maybe she'll pop-up in Star Wars: Rebels, maybe she'll be in Episode VII, or maybe we'll get a story where Ahsoka and Anakin, I mean Darth Vader, meet later and he kills her?    

Season 6: Episodes 1-4

The Unknown, Conspiracy, Fugitive, Orders

The last couple of episodes in the series were centered around Yoda and how he learned to better become one with the Force, and why he went to live in Dagobah at the end of Episode III.  There is also a nice lead-in to that one about the Jedi finding out what happened to Master Sifo-Dyas, who ordered the creation of the clones, and how they learn that Count Dooku might actually have been responsible for the creation of the clones.

However, this story was one that really stuck out to me in season 6.  One of the clone troopers in Anakin's platoon ends up snapping and killing a Jedi.  Everyone is stunned and wants to know why.  The trooper's friend, Fives, then goes on a grand suspenseful tale about what happened, what Order 66 is, what Palpatine has planned, and how nobody believes him.  

It's quite interesting how this show really did have so many great characters.  I like how they showed that even though the troopers were all cloned from the same person, they still had their own personalites.  I know that Cody turns against Obi-Wan in Episode III, but I'd love to know that happens after that.  Does he have remorse for someone he spent years with?  What about Anakin's right-hand man, Rex?  What happened to him?  

There are so many things that are left unanswered in this series I hope at some point within the Star Wars universe we get some answers.  But I think that's how you know it's a good show.  It's not about how many Emmy's it won (several by the way) but that you want the series, and the characters, to continue.  Seriously though, if they never bring Ahsoka back, ever, I'm going to have carved on my tombstone, "What happened to Ahsoka?"