DANDY EDITORIALS- Essential of The Clone Wars- Part 1
The "must watch" episodes from season 1
By Dandy -
Sep 30, 2014 08:09 PM EST
Essential Star Wars: The Clone Wars Stories
Season 1
With the up and coming Star Wars Rebels on the way, I thought it a good time to look back on the last animation outing in the galaxy far far away. For this series I will be giving you my top three pics for best stories from season one. Please note, that I said stories, not episodes, as some stories are made from multiple episodes.
So, here we go! Here are the must watch stories from season one of The Clone Wars. During this season the show was still trying to find its sea legs and had its ups and downs- hits and misses. Fortunately, you lucky dogs have me around to tell you which ones to watch and which to avoid.
Rookies
Episodes Involved:
Rookies (Ep. 5)
Story:
The Separatists assault a watch post near Kamino, hoping of launching a surprise attack on the planet. After all the clone commanders at the base are killed, a group of rookies must try to take back the post before General Grievous can invade their home world.
What Made It Great:
The episode went a long way in repairing some damage done in the prequel films. A big issue was never giving the audience a reason to care about the people fighting in the war. In the prequel films there was no tension in battles because it seemed to be a fight between soulless robots and clones. Although characters like Captain Rex and Commander Cody had already helped to give the clones a sense of individuality prior to this episode, this is the story that really showed that all the clones had their own distinct personalities. It made you care about them and even root for them. The episode also let the writers justify some darker and more violent storylines for the future.
Cloak of Darkness (Ep. 9), Lair of Grievous (Ep. 10)
Story:
When Padme captures the Separatist, Nute Gunray, Ahsoka and Jedi Master Luminara are ordered to bring him to his trial. Unfortunately, Count Dooku sends both General Grievous and Asaj Ventress to recover him.
What Made It Great:
Honestly, there is nothing good about the first part of the story, “Bombad Jedi”, and it could (and should) be skipped. However, Cloak of Darkness and Lair of Grievous do a tremendous amount in reasserting how dangerous the villains are and improving their level of competency. Both Ventress and Grievous are given their moments to shine and each seems a legitimate threat. For once their actions have an impact and negative consequences for the protagonists. The final segment, Lair of Grievous, is easily the best part of the story with slick, horror-esq stylization and strong character development.
Battle of Ryloth
Episodes Involved:
Storm Over Ryloth (Ep. 19), Innocents of Ryloth (Ep. 20), Liberty of Ryloth (Ep. 21)
Story:
When the Twi’Lek home planet of Ryloth is taken over by the Separatists, Ahsoka and Skywalker must lead an assault from space while Obi-Wan and Mace Windu try to liberate the planet from the ground.
What Made It Great:
So many things! Sometimes all you want out of Star Wars is a good old-fashioned science fiction battle, and the Battle of Ryloth trilogy delivers on that front. Obi-Wan and Windu both have their cool moments, but it’s Ahsoka that has the most character development for the story. After she loses the majority of her forces as a first-time commander, she has to learn to deal with defeat and overcome her lack of confidence. Additionally, the story does a far better job than the films did of showing the effects of the war throughout the galaxy. You see how the war ravages a planet and leaves families separated, cities destroyed, and the survivors starved. You see the consequences and it gives the conflict more weight.
Honorable Mentions:
As said previously, season 1 is easily the weakest season of the show and there are just as many hits in it as misses. Still, there are many great stories that are worth taking a look at.
The Malevolence Trilogy is definitely worth viewing, if only to see a well animated and creative space battle.
Hostage is also a fantastic conclusion to the first season and almost made this list. It features the always-fantastic villain of Cade Bane in a Die Hard tribute.
And lastly I will mention The Hidden Enemy as a fun “Who Done it” with some more clone drama (which this series nailed), but nothing that isn’t better done in the Umbara storyline from season 4.
Dishonorable Mentions:
Season 1 has its fair share of hits, but be extra sure to stay away from these stinkers.
Bombad Jedi is one of the few Jar Jar Binks centric episodes and it is truly an unbearable abomination. It is part of the “Capture of Nute Gunray” story but can be easily omitted without losing anything that important.
Blue Shadow Virus/Mystery of a Thousand Moons is another Jar Jar heavy episode, and though not as painful as Bombad Jedi, the less said about it, the better.
You might as well beware The Gungan General as well, even though it isn’t nearly as bad as the three listed above. Who wants to see Jar Jar stumble around a battlefield for twenty minutes? No one? That’s what I thought.
The Downfall of a Droid/Duel of a Droid story isn’t horrible, but like many of the R2D2/C3PO centric stories, it is fairly forgettable and uninspired.
So then. Do you agree with my choices? Disagree? Don't care and wish this show had never existed? Sound off below!