If I’m going to analyse as many aspects of ‘Star Wars’ as I
can then I think I would be remised if I didn’t mention ‘The Clone Wars’, the
animated TV series that ran for six seasons. Some fans of Star Wars may only
recall the movie that acted as an introduction to the series, and it was terrible.
The film version was an ill-advised attempt to cobble together the opening
episodes of the series that ended up being merely one poorly defined set piece
to another. But don’t let that throw you off, the series itself was for the
most part excellently constructed, with pleasing action and some great
additional characters to add to the ‘Star Wars’ canon. Instead of trying to
review the series as a whole I thought I’d choose the ten best (in my opinion)
story arcs of the series that will hopefully sum up some of ‘The Clone Wars’
best aspects.
Just to be clear, a story arc means (by my vague and
probably incorrect definition) a story that continues for more than one
episode. So here are 10-6.
10: Holocron Heist, Cargo of Doom, Children of the Force
Cad Bane’s introduction at the end of season one in which he
took the entire senate building hostage was impressive, but as far as story
arcs go this dark conspiracy in which he broke into the Jedi Temple and deliver
his loot to his Sith employer may be his finest hour. Bane is the centre piece
of the plot as his ruthless nature fits in with this somewhat dark scheme that
culminates in a plot to kidnap younger children to prevent the Jedi teaching
them the ways of the force. It reinforces the coldness of villainy within this
universe and the end result is an ominous and impressive story.
9: The Mandalore Plot, Voyage of Temptation
There is in fact a third part to this arc, but it was fairly
boring and unnecessary so I took it upon myself to leave it out. This one
starts out as a fairly basic conspiracy episode involving political revolutions
and terrorist groups. But it quickly spans into a study of Obi Wan’s history
and does a great deal to humanise him, as we discover why he was once
considering leaving the Jedi order, and why the inevitable turn of Anakin to
the dark side (that is foreshadowed in a small way) is all the more tragic as
we learn that the master and apprentice had more in common than we thought.
8: Nightsisters, Monster, Witches of the Mist
You may have heard about ‘The Clone Wars’ reintroducing
Darth maul to the ‘Star Wars’ universe and this is where that saga began. As
his brother his initiated into the Sith Order we witness an insight into the
true workings of the dark side of the force. Count Dooku uses fear intimidation
and pain to indoctrinate his new apprentice, in stark contrast to the kindly ways
of the Jedi. Then of course there are the ulterior motives of the apprentice
that I won’t give away, but I will say that the result are explosive, and
Anakin and Obi Wan are caught right in the middle of it.
7: Padwan Lost, Wookiee Hunt
Ashoka is kidnapped by a group of mercenaries along with a
group of other Jedi younglings, and then they are hunted down for sport. A
pretty simplistic plot but that is probably this episode’s biggest strength as
its uncomplicatedness allows for some Hunger-Games-Like scenarios in which the
characters must decide to fight their hunters or merely run and there’s some
major brutality as these young Jedi are murdered as well as some serious growth
for one of the series’ main characters and some truly cinematic moments of
innovative camerawork and visual tones. There’s also a cameo from everyone’s
favourite Wookie, and that helps anything.
6: The Citadel, Counter Attack, Citadel Rescue
Once again, simplicity is strength here. The plot revolves
around breaking into a prison in order to break someone out. But the execution
is superb with a real feeling of impossibility and despair as obstacle after
obstacle is thrown at our main characters and escape becomes increasingly
unrealistic. The arc also contains a great Easter egg in the form of an early
Grand Moff Tarkin, a young officer that dislikes the Jedi’s methods and
believes that the Republic should be refined and reshaped in order to achieve
victory. He also finds that his views ae shared by one of his Jedi comrades,
Anakin Skywalker. In other words, FORESHADOWING.
So the rest of the list will be posted soon and do you agree
with my bizarre opinions, probably not. So leave a comment below if that is the
case and let me know your thoughts on ‘The Clone Wars’ and which episodes are
your favourite.
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