I can’t wait to see the further adventures of Steela Gerrera…oh…nevermind
The war dredges on, and the Jedi find that stopping the battle with the Separatists could be costly. From planets trying to rally their own rebels to secret missions made-up of droids, the war seems to have no end. Something is also happening amongst the Jedi as talk of sedition grows, and the return of Darth Maul indicates that the Sith might be rising. When Ahsoka finds herself framed for murder, she and Anakin might find their lives changed forever!
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 5 is an animated Star Wars spin-off series which aired on Cartoon Network. The season was the final season to air on the Cartoon Network. The season won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program (David Tennant playing “Huyang”) and Outstanding Special Class Animated Program with nominations for Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program, Outstanding Sound Mixing—Animation, and Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program (Sam Witwer playing “Darth Maul” and Jim Cummings playing “Hondo Onaka”).
These Jedi younglings have a bright future…until they are slaughtered by one of their own
Every season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, I think about how much I would have loved it as a kid. Following Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, we wanted anything Star Wars…and prequels were more than a decade away. Star Wars: The Clone Wars has a lot of what I liked in the movies and the long-form style of the show allows you to know the characters (even some background characters)…which wasn’t something the movies always had the luxury of doing. Due to aspects of the story, a ******spoiler alert****** is in effect for the review.
The show continues its format of story arcs (generally four episode). The DVD and Blu-ray releases of the show generally put the show in order (“Revival” actually kicked off the season but takes place much further into the season), and it is probably better to watch it in the real order. The show also has a theme of paranoia that seems to start creeping up more and more. Fans of Star Wars know the enemies and where the show is headed, but it still manages to be suspenseful in many ways.
Maybe the Obi-Wan series will have more on this…
Like a lot of shows the last story arc is meant to be big and bold, and this season does do this. With nods to The Fugitive and Alfred Hitchcock (the titles of the episodes are plays on his films), Ahsoka is on the run. Normal shows would have Ahsoka prove her innocent and return to the fold to reach a status quo…this doesn’t happen in the season and the season ends with Ahsoka leaving the Jedi…in addition to more and more fractures in the veneer of the Jedi Order.
The first season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars took a little getting used to, but at this point, I’m all in as a viewer. The art and style is no longer a distraction and the characters are rounded and well developed…they are generally human which is always the goal of animation.
Just walk away
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 5 is even more interesting in the post-Disney era. Instead of forgetting The Clone Wars series, Disney is all-in. Seasons of The Mandalorian feature storylines touched on this season and feature Bo-Katan and the Darksaber. Rogue One has an appearance by Saw Gerrera and with more shows and stories in the Disney pipeline (plus comic books), I suspect that Star Wars: The Clone Wars will be more and more enhanced. Star Wars: The Clone Wars jumped from Cartoon Network to Netflix for Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 6 and finished up on Disney+ for Season 7.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 5 Complete Episode Guide:
“Revival”
5.1 Revival Airdate: 09/29/12
Darth Maul and Savage have teamed with the Hondo’s pirates as Obi-Wan and Adi Gallia try to hunt them down. Obi-Wan and Adi Gallia might have meant their match, but Hondo has his own plans for his traitorous crew.
“A War on Two Fronts”
5.2 A War on Two Fronts Airdate: 10/06/12
Onderon rebels ask the Republic for help in ousting their Separatist aligned king. Unable to directly help the rebels, Ahsoka, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and trooper Rex work to train the rebels how to fight…but find themselves pulled into the rebels’ war.
“Front Runners”
5.3 Front Runners Airdate: 10/13/12
Ahsoka is left behind on Onderon to help organize the rebels plan to oust the Separatists but finds herself attracted to Lux. As Lux, Steela, and Saw become the leaders of Onderon’s rebellion, a leader will arise.
“The Soft War”
5.4 The Soft War Airdate: 10/20/12
The rebels on Onderon continue to fight under Ahsoka’s watchful eyes, but the Separatist ruler realizes he needs to nip the rebellion in the bud. A sacrifice of Onderon’s king is planned and the rebels realize they are walking into a trap.
“Tipping Points”
5.5 Tipping Points Airdate: 10/27/12
With Ahsoka’s aid in saving the king, the Jedis’ involvement on Onderon is revealed. With the Onderon army under the new control of Steela, it is the final battle for the planet.
“The Gathering”
5.6 The Gathering Airdate: 11/03/12
Ahsoka and Yoda have taken a group of Jedi younglings to the Gathering on the planet Ilum. With freezing weather setting in, Petro, Katooni, Byph, Ganodi, Zatt, and Gungi must find their lightsaber crystals or be frozen in the temple for weeks.
“A Test of Strength”
5.7 A Test of Strength Airdate: 11/10/12
The younglings have their Kyber crystals but the value of the crystals attracts the attention of Hondo and his pirates.
“Bound for Rescue”
5.8 Bound for Rescue Airdate: 11/17/12
Ahsoka is a prisoner of Hondo, and while Obi-Wan and his men battle General Grievous and his Separatists, the younglings might have to stage their own rescue.
“A Necessary Bond”
5.9 A Necessary Bond Airdate: 11/24/12
Ahsoka’s rescue doesn’t go as planned as General Grievous takes control of Florrum. Imprisoned by Grievous, Hondo finds an unlikely rescuer.
“Secret Weapons”
5.10 Secret Weapons Airdate: 12/01/12
Colonel Meebur Gascon has been given assignment to procure secret information from the Separatists with a team of robots.
“A Sunny Day in the Void”
5.11 A Sunny Day in the Void Airdate: 12/08/12
Stranded on a desolate planet named Abafar, Colonel Meebur Gascon and the D-Squad fight for survival in the vast wasteland.
“Missing in Action”
5.12 Missing in Action Airdate: 01/05/13
Colonel Gascon and the D-Squad must escape the Separatist controlled Abafar. The D-Squad’s only hope might be an amnesiac clone named Gregor.
“Point of No Return”
5.13 Point of No Return Airdate: 01/12/13
With the evidence they need, D-Squad and Colonel Gascon meet up with their Jedi transport only to learn that it is a Separatist ship meant to destroy a Republic gathering of leaders. With time running out the D-Squad must stop the ship and the Separatist robots onboard…and everyone won’t be going home!
“Eminence”
5.14 Eminence Airdate: 01/19/13
Saved from space by the Mandalorian group called Death Watch, Darth Maul and Savage Opress are out to strike back at Obi-Wan Kenobi with the help of other criminal syndicates.
“Shades of Reason”
5.15 Shades of Reason Airdate: 01/26/13
Maul has agreed to aid Death Watch and Pre Vizsla to overthrow Duchess Satine to claim rule over Mandalore…but Pre Vizsla has his own plans that don’t include Maul.
“The Lawless”
5.16 The Lawless Airdate: 02/02/13
Lured to Mandalore by Santine, Obi-Wan learns that his old nemesis Darth Maul is involved in the takeover and finds himself teamed with Bo-Katan. Darth Sidious learns that Maul has returned and has decided Maul and Opress have become liabilities.
“Sabotage”
5.17 Sabotage Airdate: 02/09/13
Someone has attacked the Jedi Temple, and there is rumor that it is a Jedi. With Anakin and Ahsoka searching for answers, Ahsoka could find herself on the wrong side of a lightsaber.
“The Jedi Who Knew Too Much”
5.18 The Jedi Who Knew Too Much Airdate: 02/16/13
Framed, Ahsoka is on the run. With the Jedi against her, Ahsoka must decide if she can trust the Jedi or if she must risk everything to find the truth.
“To Catch a Jedi”
5.19 To Catch a Jedi Airdate: 02/23/13
Ahsoka enters an unlikely team-up with Asajj Ventress but could learn betray is part of Ventress’s game.
“The Wrong Jedi”
5.20 The Wrong Jedi Airdate: 03/02/13
Arrested and ordered to trial under the prosecution of Admiral Tarkin, Ahsoka finds herself unable to prove her innocence…while Anakin seeks out the real killer. Ahsoka’s time is running out and both Anakin and Ahsoka’s lives could be changed forever!
Related Links:
Star Wars: The Clone War (2008)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
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
