First premiering in 2008, Star Wars: The Clone Wars would lay the foundation of the expanded galaxy in Disney’s new Star Wars canon. The series filled the galaxy far, far away with new characters and became essential viewing for fans of the prequels. After facing an untimely cancellation after six seasons, The Clone Wars returned bigger and better than ever with a new and final season in 2020 that gave us all a bit of closure — and with it some tears — by finally connecting the show to Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Here are our favorite moments along the way.
The Mandalore Plot
Episodes 2.12–12.14
Mandalore has long been a source of fascination since Boba Fett’s introduction to the original Star Wars trilogy. The Clone Wars explores this longstanding history when Obi-Wan travels to Mandalore and discovers the insurgency known as Death Watch is trying to undermine the current established government. This arc is the first appearance of Satine (Anna Graves), the Duchess of Mandalore and the object of the Jedi Master’s affection. At first glance, they seem cordial, but as the plot thickens, Obi-Wan’s past comes to light.
Though Satine wishes to be neutral in the Separatist conflict, she and Obi-Wan once shared a passion that almost made him leave the Jedi Order. As the two work together, old flames reignite but it doesn’t change either of their paths. Satine is destined to rule all of Mandalore, and Obi-Wan stays true to the choice he once made. His mindset contrasts specifically with the choices Anakin has made. Anakin has no problems with disobeying the Order by marrying Padmé. But that is where he and his former master are different and throws into sharp light the differences that will tear them apart down the road. Satine and Obi-Wan must tragically part ways again, but she will reappear a time or two later with devastating consequences.
The Nightsisters
Episodes 3.12–3.14
Obi-Wan and Anakin have long gone head to head with Ventress (Nika Futterman), Count Dooku’s (Corey Burton) formidable apprentice. However, in The Nightsisters arc, viewers get a closer look at the Sith and understand she is more than meets the eye. After Palpatine commands Dooku to sever ties with her, the Count follows orders and attempts to kill her. She lands on her home planet of Dathomir, which introduces the audience to the mysterious Nightsisters. Also known as the Witches of Dathomir, these women wield abilities quite different from the Jedi. Through their magic, they stand on no moral high ground and use their gifts as they wish. Ventress relives her memories which indicate she was not much different from most Jedi. Taken away from her mother at a young age because of her abilities, Ventress had all agency taken from her, just like all other Jedi (except Anakin.)
Dathomir also happens to be the homeworld of Palpatine’s former apprentice, Maul. Dooku also chooses his next apprentice from the planet, a Zabrak aptly named Savage Opress (Clancy Brown) – Maul’s brother. A pawn in Ventress’ bid for vengeance, Dooku’s former apprentice uses Savage in a plot to kill the one who betrayed her. Savage realizes this deception and becomes yet another casualty in the war between the Jedi and the Sith. But more than another lesson in the ways of war, the Nightsisters arc is the first hint of Maul’s return, who Savage goes to seek out to teach him the ways of his dark power.
A War On Two Fronts
Episodes 5.2–5.5
Star Wars has always been an allegory for modern politics, and The Clone Wars is no different. Using animation as a palatable vehicle for important lessons, arcs like A War On Two Fronts tell relevant stories. As many governments have done in the history of Earth, the Jedi too have their hand in training rebel armies to fight battles. Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka descend on Onderon to advise a small rebel how to fight droid armies. This is an important step in the war that has ramifications decades later. While this is ultimately a just cause, it shines a light on the unethical territory the Jedi wade into.
This is also the introduction of Saw Gerrera (Andrew Kishino), who was played in live-action by Forest Whitaker in Rogue One. His character represents the fact that there are extremists on every side of any issue. Saw is one of the more hardened rebels who will do anything to win at any cost. Not meant to be a heroic protagonist, Saw’s dedication to the cause arguably makes him as bad as some of the people he’s fighting. The rebels eventually free Onderon from the control of an unjust king, but it isn’t without its sacrifices. Saw’s sister, Steela (Dawn-Lyen Gardner), had been the rebel leader before dying while saving Onderon. Steela was the best choice as a leader because she was intelligent as well as caring. Her death was unfair as are most wars. This tragedy teaches Ahsoka about the sacrifice of great battles and hints at Saw’s path toward extremism.
Storm Over Ryloth
Episodes 1.19–1.21
Out of all the aliens in Star Wars canon, Twi’leks have been some of the most subjugated. Often in wartime, the females of the species are shown in chains more than any other. The Clones Wars’ season 1 arc shows just how hard the Twi’leks have it in a very personal story. When droids take over their home world of Ryloth, the Jedi and their clone troopers set out to free them. After breaking down the defenses of the droid army, Obi-Wan meets leader Cham Syndulla (Robin Atkin Downes) whose efforts to fight the Separatists and then the Empire are legendary. Rebels’ pilot Hera Syndulla (Vanessa Marshall) learns all her rebelliousness from her father and it all starts with this first skirmish.
The Ryloth arc puts a face to the horrors of war, like little Numa (Catherine Taber) whose experience would prove to be formative. Waxer and Boil go on a mission but become sidetracked by a lost little Twi’lek girl. Numa was born and raised on the planet and does not speak Common. Against their better judgment, the two troopers can’t help but feel affection for the child and try to help her home. Even with the language barrier, Numa shows them a way to save the prisoners of Ryloth, which includes her father. The two troopers learn that there is more to their work than blasting clankers and set up impressive Twi’leks to reappear in the future.
The Gathering
Episodes 5.6–5.9
“The Gathering” arc in season 5 is one of Ahsoka Tano’s final acts of leadership before everything changes forever. At the end of the season, Ahsoka quits the Jedi Order because of their numerous crimes against her. But before that can happen, she nurtures a group of Jedi younglings (who hopefully made it out of Order 66 intact, but let’s not think about that.) For every youngling, a rite of passage is the construction of their lightsaber. Ahsoka leads a ragtag group to find their kyber crystals and make their weapons. Throughout this trial, they learn something about themselves and become one step closer to Jedi themselves.
But that isn’t the only test. The rest of the arc consists of the return of charismatic Hando (Jim Cummings), a pirate who wants to sell the kyber on the black market. In true fashion of the recurring pirate, he isn’t there just to be an antagonist. With the fluid nature of his allegiances and always out for profit, Hando can see the benefit of teaming up with the young Jedi. When they are all captured by General Grievous (Matthew Wood) and his substantial plot armor, the younglings and pi
The Citadel
Episodes 3.18 – 3.20
Anakin and Obi-Wan work together again to save Republic prisoners from an imposing Separatist prison. The Citadel arc is The Clone Wars’ take on a heist movie, with plenty of its hallmark action, espionage, and droid-filled shenanigans. It’s also the series’ introduction of Captain Wilhuff Tarkin. The Republic officer — who would go on to serve the Empire as Grand Moff and command the Death Star in A New Hope — forms a quick bond with Anakin, a grim portent of what’s to come. The Citadel arc also features the heroic sacrifice of the ARC Trooper Echo, who was thought lost until the season seven finale aired.
Kamino
Episodes 3.01 – 3.02
The first episode of The Clone Wars’ third season, “Clone Cadets,” put a face to the soldier and showed how, despite their genes and training, each trooper has their own story. Echo, Fives, Hevy, and Cutup of Domino Squad butt heads while struggling to pass their final exam and enter combat. Worried they may be doomed to maintenance, Jedi Master Shaak Ti gives them a second chance. “Arc Troopers” features a decisive attack and iconic battle on the clone’s home world of Kamino. Set after Cadets, only two members of Domino Squad can return to save their planet, but each owes their lives to the sacrifice of the heroic maintenance clone, 99.
Clone Protocol 66
Episodes 6.01 – 6.04
Clone Protocol 66 is the first arc of the series’ sixth season, which originally aired on Netflix rather than live on Cartoon Network. With the events of Star Episode III: Revenge of the Sith approaching, one clone moves into the endgame a little too early. When Tup kills Jedi Master Tiplar, the Sith’s secret plan to weaponize the clones against the Jedi is jeopardized as our beloved Arc Trooper, Fives, hunts for answers. While we learn news details of how Order 66 was planned and implemented, Fives goes too far in uncovering the plot to destroy the Jedi, prompting Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to make a surprise entrance and silence the rogue clone. The Clone Wars would be canceled at the end of the season before season seven was announced six years later.
Corruption on Umbara
Episodes 4.07 – 4.10
When Anakin Skywalker’s 501st Legion and Obi Wan Kenobi’s 212th Attack Battalion are left under the command of Jedi Master Pong Krell on Umbara, the clones will have to work together to survive. With visuals inspired by Vietnam war films, this four-episode arc from season four of The Clone Wars is a step forward in the production of the series as a whole. But, the battle on Umbara takes a dark turn when we learn Kell’s careless leadership and poor strategy have been intentionally costly for the clones. While we sympathize with Rex, Cody, Fives, and the bunch, we can’t help but know Krell was ultimately one of the few people in the galaxy who foresaw the events of Order 66, something even Yoda and Mace Windu could not.
Bad Batch
Episodes 7.01 – 7.04
Before they had their own spin-off series, Clone Force 99 made their debut in The Clone Wars’ final season. The squad of experimental clones are the stars of the first arc of the final season, using their unique and individual talents to help Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker best Separatist forces on Anaxes. The arc also features the return of Echo, who was revealed to be captured during The Citadel arc and forced to help droid computers strategize against his clone brethren.
Obi-Wan Undercover
Episodes 4.15 – 4.18
Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi dawns a disguise and infiltrates a separatist mission to kidnap the chancellor as the bounty hunter Rako Hardeen. Slipping right under the nose of his master’s master, Obi-Wan passes Count Dooku’s trials to join the group of bounty hunters alongside the infamous Cad Bane, who thinks he’s just killed the Jedi Master. The wide array of killing implements in the criminal underbelly of the galaxy is put on full display as we see the best of the best fight it out before acting on their doomed plan to abduct the chancellor. Plus, Obi-Wan has too much fun playing dead.
Shadow Collective
Episodes 5.14 – 5.16
Working together, Darth Maul and Savage Opress team up with the Mandalorian insurgency group Death Watch to overthrow the Duchess Satine and bait Obi-Wan Kenobi into a lethal confrontation in the Mandalorian Capitol. And while Maul gets his revenge, he loses much in the process when Darth Sidious shows up. With some of the best blaster and saber action in the entire series, the Shadow Collective shows the fall of Mandalore as a great personal tragedy for Obi-Wan Kenobi and further complicates Maul’s vicious character.
Secrets of Mortis
Episodes 3.15 – 3.17
It would be hard to talk about the legacy of The Clone Wars without looking at the trilogy of episodes above the titular mysterious dream world in season three. Secrets of Mortis is one of the first deep dives into the ontology of the force in the current canon, sending Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan on a tumultuous journey with powerful, archetypal avatars of the force. But while our heroes are shown ominous visions of their future under the Empire, none seems able to remember their adventure on the surface. As if it was all a dream.
Rogue Jedi
Episodes 5.17 – 5.20
Ahsoka Tano stands trials and departs the Jedi order in one of the most consequential arcs of season five. After she was framed for a deadly bombing in the Jedi Temple, the loyalty of both Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan and the Council are tested. She stands trial alone — save for Anakin — as the Jedi stand by and watch her take the fall for a mysterious incident. And after fighting to prove her innocence, Ahsoka chooses to leave the order that didn’t trust her, fomenting an irreconcilable division between Anakin and his Jedi masters.
Siege of Mandalore
Episodes 7.09 – 7.12
The final arc of The Clone Wars, the Siege of Mandalore, crashes into Revenge of the Sith and reveals the tragic fates of the series’ many original characters under Order 66. Shortly after returning to the field, Ahsoka is thrust into chaos and must work together with Maul to survive the betrayal of the clones and save any she can. Siege of Mandalore brings together the developments of many arcs before, including Rogue Jedi and Clone Protocol 66. Holding nothing back, the three climatic episodes of season seven capture the personal loss of clones and Jedi alike and the grim bewilderment of the Night of a Thousand Tears, making it a fitting conclusion to everything the series built.
You can watch The Clone Wars on Disney Plus.
