War is Hell!
The Separatists are making their move to overthrow the Republic. The only thing that stands between them and domination is an army of clones and the Jedi Knights who lead them. As Lord Dooku and his assistants General Grievous and Ventress help him capture planet after planet, it is up to the Jedi to convince the inhabitants to join with the Republic. The Separatists are not working alone…they are getting information on what the Jedi are planning from Darth Sidious and seem to be a step ahead of the Jedi at every turn.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 1 is animated Star Wars spin-off action-adventure fantasy series. The story of the show falls between Star Wars—Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars—Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Airing on the Cartoon Network from October 3, 2008 to March 20, 2009, the series followed the release of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film in 2008 and was met with much more favorable reviews.
The tragedy of building up Ahsoka…when the Jedi are slaughtered
When I heard about The Clone Wars, I was pretty hesitant. I’m not a huge computer animation person and the Star Wars prequels were so-so. When the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie came out, I really thought the series was going to be a tanker. Having finished the complete first season, I now I really wish they had released this between Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars series is meant to be a back-filler type of story to explain all the Jedi and clone troopers seen in the two movies, but Revenge of the Sith would have benefited from more viewer ties to the characters, especially as they are cut down by the clones. It also becomes a bit tragic that some of the clones who obviously trust and like the Jedi Masters are forced to follow Order 66 when it was issued by Darth Sidious.
More Star Wars fringe characters please…
The Clone Wars also serves to help revisit favorite places and expand on characters seen in cameos and comic books. It is nice to see people like Aura Sing do some of the stuff she’s done in comic books instead of just sitting around Tatooine watching pod races as she does in Episode I. Things like this or giving personalities to some of the characters in the Cantina in Mos Eisley like in “Trespass” with the Talz.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a pleasant surprise. Is it the best series ever? No. If I were a kid however and this had come out I probably would have said yes…the idea of a weekly Star Wars show that isn’t cheesy like Droids or Ewoks and had real Star Wars characters would have thrilled me. I hope that Star Wars: The Clone Wars has a long life, but I also hope that the makers have an end planned so it matches up well with Episode III.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 1 Complete Episode Guide:
“Ambush”
1.1 Ambush Airdate 10/03/08
Yoda goes to the moon Rugosa to convince King Katuunko to join the Republic but finds Lord Dooku’s agent Ventress there leading an army of droids. King Katuunko gives Yoda and his small battalion of clone troopers the chance to prove themselves against Ventress’ droids to gain his people’s allegiance.
“Rising Malevolence”
1.2 Rising Malevolence Airdate: 10/03/08
Count Dooku and General Grievous test a new weapon named Malevolence. Jedi Master Plo Koons fleet is destroyed, and Koons and a small shuttle are left drifting in space. When Anakin and Ahsoka disobey orders for a rescue mission, they risk falling victim to Malevolence.
“Shadow of Malevolence”
1.3 Shadow of Malevolence Airdate: 10/10/08
Anakin plans an attack to destroy the Malevolence but learns that the plan must move fast when the Malevolence targets a clone hospital for destruction.
“Destroy Malevolence”
1.4 Destroy Malevolence Airdate: 10/17/08
General Grievous tries to escape in the crippled Malevolence and finds Padmé Amidala have accidentally ended up on board. Obi-Wan and Anakin must raid the Malevolence to rescue Amidala and stop the Malevolence from reaching Count Dooku.
“Rookies”
1.5 Rookies Airdate: 10/24/08
An remote outpost on the Rishi moon is targeted by General Grievous and the Separatists for capture and only a small group of clones stand in the way of preventing a full scale attack by the Separatists.
“Downfall of a Droid”
1.6 Downfall of a Droid Airdate: 11/07/08
An ambush by General Grievous costs Anakin R2-D2 and all of the Republic secrets housed in him. As Anakin and Ahsoka search for R2-D2, Anakin tries to deal with a glitch new replacement for R2 named R3-S6.
“Duel of the Droids”
1.7 Duel of the Droids Airdate: 11/14/08
Anakin continues to search for R2-D2 as the Republic worries that his secrets could be revealed to the Separatists. General Grievous learns what R2-D2 is hiding and decides he has to defend it at all costs. When Anakin learns of R2-D2’s location, a secret raid is ordered which puts Ahsoka in Grievious’ targets. Plus, Anakin and his men learn there is a traitor in their ranks.
“Bombad Jedi”
1.8 Bombad Jedi Airdate: 11/21/08
Padme travels to Rodia to cement the alliance with her family friend Onaconda Farr. When Amidala finds Onaconda has decided to become ally of the Separatists, it is up to Jar Jar Binks to find a way to free her from Viceroy Nute Gunray.
“Cloak of Darkness”
1.9 Cloak of Darkness Airdate: 12/05/08
Viceroy Nute Gunray is a prisoner of the Republic and Luminara and Ahsoka are assigned to transport him. Dooku decides Gunray is too much of a risk to the Separatist movement and sends Ventress to silence him.
“The Lair of General Grievous”
1.10 The Lair of General Grievous Airdate: 12/12/08
Kit Fisto and Nahdar Vebb are sent to try to locate Viceroy Nute Gunray after his escape with Ventress but discover they’ve walked into a trap set up by General Grievous. With pressure to succeed, General Grievous is ordered by Dooku to slay Kit and Nahdar.
“Dooku Captured”
1.11 Dooku Captured Airdate: 01/02/09
An attempt by Anakin and Obi-Wan to capture Dooku backfires and Dooku ends up a prisoner of Hondo Ohnaka and his pirates. Obi-Wan and Anakin try to escape a planet of Gundarks, and Hondo decides Dooku could be more valuable to him as ransom.
“Gungan General”
1.12 Gungan General Airdate: 01/09/09
Obi-Wan and Anakin’s attempts to “buy” Dooku from Hondo and his pirates fail, and Anakin and Obi-Wan end up prisoners with Dooku while Jar Jar Binks is sent to purchase Dooku without knowledge that the Jedi have been taken prisoners. Hondo finds that a betrayer within his own ranks could destroy his plans.
“Jedi Crash”
1.13 Jedi Crash Airdate: 01/16/09
A rescue of Aalya Secura causes Anakin and Ahsoka’s ship to crash on the peaceful planet of Manidun. Anakin fights for his life as Aalya and Ahsoka attempt to sway the Lurmen to pick a side and aide them.
“Defenders of Peace”
1.14 Defenders of Peace Airdate: 01/23/09
When Separatists target Manidum, it is up to Anakin, Ahsoka, Aalya, and a handful of Clone Troopers to defend the planet from a new weapon. With Tee Watt Ka refusing to allow his people to join the battle, the Jedi and Clone Troopers find themselves outnumbered.
“Trespass”
1.15 Trespass Airdate 01/30/09
A Republic outpost base on Orto Plutonia is found slaughtered along with a patrol of Separatists. Now Obi-Wan and Anakin must stop the newly discovered indigenous Talz population of Orto Plutonia from being slaughtered by the Pantoran leader Chi Cho who claims ownership of the planet.
“The Hidden Enemy”
1.16 The Hidden Enemy Airdate: 02/06/09
Christophsis has been overtaken by the Separatist and Obi-Wan and Anakin are out to free it. There is a traitor among the Clone Troopers and Ventress is learning Obi-Wan and Anakin’s moves every step of the way.
“Blue Shadow Virus”
1.17 Blue Shadow Virus Airdate: 02/13/09
Dr. Nuvo Vindi has recreated the deadly Blue Shadow Virus and discovered a way to make it airborne. Now Dr. Vindi must be stopped at his lab on Naboo before his Blue Shadow Virus bombs infect other planets.
“Mystery of a Thousand Moons”
1.18 Mystery of a Thousand Moons Airdate: 02/13/09
Dr. Vindi has been defeated but the Blue Shadow Virus has been released into his laboratory on Naboo. Anakin and Obi-Wan must seek out a cure for the Blue Shadow Virus quickly with Padme, Ahsoka, Jar Jar, and Clone Troopers trapped inside of the lab. The hope of a cure takes Anakin and Obi-Wan to the moon of Iego, but the natives fear of the Ghost of Drol might prevent them from leaving.
“Storm Over Ryloth”
1.19 Storm Over Ryloth Airdate: 02/27/09
Ryloth has been invaded by the Separatists and it is up to Anakin and Ahsoka to break through the Separatist ships surrounding the planet. When Ahsoka’s first solo mission goes wrong, she questions if she can ever lead again. Anakin learns that no additional support is coming and tells Ahsoka that she’s going to have to lead or the whole mission will risk failure.
“Innocents of Ryloth”
1.20 Innocents of Ryloth Airdate: 03/06/09
Obi-Wan Kenobi leads a group of Clone Troopers to free a Twi’lek village on Ryloth. When two troopers find a young Twi’lek girl in the raid, they are forced to take her with them. As the danger grows, the Clone Troopers realize they might have to get by on the girl’s guidance.
“Liberty on Ryloth”
1.21 Liberty on Ryloth Airdate: 03/13/09
Mace Windu finds Twi’lek guerillas reluctant to trust him as he leads his forces against the Separatists in the Ryloth capitol of Lessu but discovers he’ll need their help if he hopes to free Ryloth.
“Hostage Crisis”
1.22 Hostage Crisis Airdate: 03/20/09
While visiting Amidala at the Senate, Anakin gives her his lightsaber as a sign of trust. When Cad Bane and his bounty hunters raid the senate, Anakin finds himself unarmed against some of the most dangerous assassins. As Anakin is hunted, Cad Bane deals for the release of Ziro the Hutt.
Related Links:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 3 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 4 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 5 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
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