Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Clone Wars on the Down-Low

A recent incident by a virtual acquaintance of mine, a verbal lashing from their five-year-old concerning their ignorance of the Clone Wars, prompted me to right a very shameful wrong in my life – I am not current with The Clone Wars. When the series began I was very diligent with my viewership, but somehow over time life got hectic and I missed an episode here and there. Feeling that I was unable to keep up with the story line (I’m the sort who won’t watch a movie if they come in even a second after a film starts.) I stopped watching the show thinking that I would catch up over some long weekend.  Now months later, as we are all waiting for season 4 to begin in the Fall, I’m desperately trying to get caught up.  I have, like a good parent, educated my child from an early age about Star Wars and my now teen-aged daughter has a strong knowledge and love of the Saga. The only thing worse than her apparent, unavoidable seduction by the dark side now that she is a teenager, would be a disdainful scolding due to my ignorance of all things current with The Clone Wars.  I have blithely avoided being cornered with questions about the current scenarios of this 3rd season by making fresh baked goods, favorite meals and hosting the occasional sleepover. Knowing that these tactics cannot last forever, I finally devised a plan to review the entire series and get caught up before the premiere of season 4 this Fall.


While my initial intention was to avoid the disparaging remarks bestowed on all parents by their teenagers, I have so utterly enjoyed reviewing the series that I can’t believe I ever let myself get behind.  From the initial orchestral horns that let you know that it’s Star Wars , to the pounding drums of war that tell you this is also something new. Each episode is like a mini Star Wars film filled with characters you know and love, sweeping scores, visual excitement and above all – great storytelling. You learn things you didn't know about characters we all thought we knew so well and are introduced to others you never knew existed. There are new species, starships, droids and worlds to explore. It is a multimedia feast. Still, what is most miraculous is how griping the stories are considering you already know the ending. I can’t count how many times my heart has raced as I wondered at a story’s outcome.  I actually caught myself worrying that Anakin or Obi-Wan might not make it through a crisis but then remembering that this is pre-Episode III and they'll both be okay. It's been an exercise in tenacity staying spoiler free, but so far so good, lol.  Don't think that you can't jump right in and start watching episodes on Cartoon Network, Fridays at 8:30 pm because you can. I've watched many episodes out of order and found them very entertaining and not the least bit confusing due to any lack of continuity. If you share my OCD status and want to get the fullest pleasure out of the series, then I strongly suggest purchasing the season 1 & 2 DVDs. You can view the series before purchasing by going to Netflix.com where seasons 1 and 2 are now available for DVD rental. Afterwards, you can view episodes from season 3 on StarWars.com.  I have also included an episode guide at the end of this article to help you on your own quest to Clone Wars enlightenment.


The Movie
The Television Series
Finally, if you’re a Star Wars fan over the age of 16 who thinks that Episodes I – VI are all there is to know about Star Wars, then think again. Do yourself a favor and take a look at Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the movie, and The Clone Wars television series.  As the Clone Wars announcer says...
“The galaxy isn’t far, far away any more [and] The Force will be with you!”

The Clones Wars Episode Guide


No.
Title
Date
Description
101
October 3, 2008
Challenged by Ventress, Yoda leads three clone troopers against a huge droid army.
102
October 3, 2008
The Jedi face a devastating new Separatist weapon.
103
October 10, 2008
Anakin leads a strike on General Grievous' warship.
104
October 17, 2008
The heroes unite to destroy General Grievous' devastating warship!
105
October 24, 2008
Rookie clones must fend for themselves against a Droid Commando invasion.
106
November 7, 2008
R2-D2 is lost during a fierce space battle -- and Anakin must find him before the Separatists discover the Jedi military secrets locked in his memory banks.
107
November 14, 2008
Anakin, Ahsoka and replacement droid R3-S6 embark on a dual rescue/sabotage mission when they discover R2-D2 is being held at General Grievous' secret enemy listening post.
108
November 21, 2008
Separatist forces mistake Jar Jar Binks for a Jedi Knight!
109
December 5, 2008
Ahsoka Tano and Jedi Master Luminara Unduli combat the deadly Ventress.
110
December 12, 2008
General Grievous proves his allegiance to the Separatists -- at the expense of the Jedi.
111
January 2, 2009
During their own attempt to kidnap Count Dooku, Anakin and Obi-Wan discover that the Sith Lord has already been captured by pirates.
112
January 9, 2009
While negotiating Count Dooku's ransom, Anakin and Obi-Wan are taken prisoner. The Jedi and Sith form an unlikely alliance in a bid to escape, with Jar Jar Binks as their only hope.
113
January 16, 2009
When Anakin is gravely injured in battle, Jedi General Aayla Secura must teach Ahsoka the Jedi philosophy of having no personal attachments.
114
January 23, 2009
A pacifist village must choose a side in the Republic-Separatist war.
115
January 30, 2009
Anakin and Obi-Wan find themselves in the middle of a territorial war.
116
February 6, 2009
Anakin and Obi-Wan discover evidence of a traitor in their ranks.
117
February 13, 2009
Padmé and Jar Jar search for a Separatist bio-weapon lab.
118
February 13, 2009
Anakin and Obi-Wan have 48 hours to find the antidote for a deadly virus.
119
February 27, 2009
Ahsoka disobeys Anakin's orders and loses most of her squadron -- prompting Anakin to help give his Padawan a lesson in a respect for authority, and the opportunity for redemption.
120
March 6, 2009
Obi-Wan and a small clone force take on a powerful droid cannon.
121
March 13, 2009
Mace Windu recruits Twi'lek freedom fighters to repel the droid invasion!
122
March 20, 2009
Bounty Hunters seize control of the Senate Building -- unaware Anakin is still inside!
201
October 2, 2009
Cad Bane infiltrates the Jedi Temple and attempts steal an ancient Jedi Holocron.
202
October 2, 2009
Anakin and Ahsoka intercept Cad Bane's warship, hoping to recover the stolen Jedi Holocron!
203
October 9, 2009
Darth Sidious has a new dark assignment: kidnap Force-sensitive children from across the galaxy and bring them to Mustafar.
204
October 16, 2009
At the Jedi Council's request, Padmé investigates a Separatist conspiracy in the Senate.
205
November 4, 2009
Anakin, Ahsoka and Ki-Adi-Mundi lead a landing party to destroy a droid factory on Geonosis!
206
November 13, 2009
Luminara and Anakin act as decoys to divert new enemy super-tanks, while Padawans Barriss Offee and Ahsoka attempt to destroy a Separatist droid factory.
207
November 20, 2009
When Luminara goes missing, Obi-Wan and Ki-Adi-Mundi lead a platoon of clones in search of her. When the search leads to a mysterious lair, the Jedi are faced with a horde of undead warriors.
208
December 4, 2009
When Geonosian brain worms take control of their supply ship, Ahsoka and Barriss must battle to stop the vessel from unleashing the deadly plague upon the galaxy.
209
January 1, 2010
A Jedi Master is taken hostage and tortured by General Grievous. Anakin, Obi-Wan and Adi Gallia devise a daring rescue plan, but they soon realize the General has a plan of his own.
210
January 1, 2010
While searching for General Grievous on a distant planet, Rex encounters a deserter.
211
January 22, 2010
When a wily pickpocket steals Ahsoka's lightsaber, she enlists the help of an ancient Jedi to track down her weapon and reclaim her honor.
212
January 26, 2010
While investigating rumors of conspiracy surrounding Duchess Satine of Mandalore, Obi-Wan uncovers the truth about a mysterious Mandalorian plot.
213
February 5, 2010
As the Jedi and their clones defend Duchess Satine from assassination attempts, Anakin discovers that Obi-Wan and the Duchess have a history together.
214
February 12, 2010
On the run from Republic authorities, Duchess Satine and Obi-Wan set off to discover the truth behind Death Watch.
215
March 19, 2010
When Senator Onaconda Farr dies under suspicious circumstances, Padmé sets out to find the person responsible for the death of her favorite "uncle."
216
March 26, 2010
Obi-Wan and Anakin must deliver supplies to Christophsis while the planet is under Separatist control. They encounter Separatist Commander Admiral Trench and get more than they bargained for.
217
April 2, 2010
Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahoska form an uneasy partnership with four deadly bounty hunters to help protect a local spice farmer from Hondo Ohnaka and his band of pirates.
218
April 9, 2010
The Republic's new super-weapon awakens the fearsome Zillo Beast of Malastare. Now the Jedi must devise a way to contain the deadly creature.
219
April 16, 2010
Republic forces bring the Zillo Beast back to Coruscant for study. When it escapes, the Jedi must choose between saving millions of lives and destroying the Zillo Beast.
220
April 23, 2010
A young boy wages war against the Jedi Knights who left him orphaned, bitter and alone.
221
April 30, 2010
When a band of bounty hunters leads Anakin and Mace into a deadly trap on Vanqor, it's up to R2-D2 to battle his way back to Coruscant and warn the Jedi.
222
April 30, 2010
After combing the Coruscant underworld for a young fugitive, Plo Koon and Ahsoka pursue him to Florrum for a climactic confrontation.
301
September 17, 2010
Five headstrong clones struggle to complete their training on Kamino.
302
September 17, 2010
The Separatists mount a massive attack on the clone factories of Kamino.
303
September 24, 2010
The Jedi Council dispatches Senator Bail Organa and Representative Jar Jar Binks to the planet Toydaria...
304
October 1, 2010
Ahsoka must team up with the Senator from Pantora, Riyo Chuchi, to aid the new chairman in recovering his kidnapped family...
305
October 8, 2010
Padmé and Duchess Satine soon find something sinister lurking beneath Mandalore's serene facade.
306
October 15, 2010
Ahsoka is assigned to teach a class at the cadet academy on Mandalore. Soon after she arrives, Duchess Satine's zealous nephew and his classmates uncover a nefarious plot...
307
October 22, 2010
Tasked to protect Senator Amidala during a political mission to Alderaan, Padawan Ahsoka Tano is plagued by recurring visions...
308
November 5, 2010
In the middle of a routine shopping trip on Coruscant C-3PO is abducted by the bounty hunter Cad Bane!
309
November 12, 2010
It's a race to get to Ziro the Hutt before it's too late.
310
November 19, 2010
Padmé and Ahsoka travel in secret to the capital of the Confederacy of Independent Systems...
311
December 3, 2010
Padmé, Bail Organa, and Onaconda Farr attempt to rally Senators to save the Republic.
312
January 7, 2011
When Ventress survives Dooku's assassination attempt, the jilted former apprentice vows to take revenge, enlisting her kinswomen -- the Nightsisters of Dathomir -- in her scheme.
313
January 14, 2011
Through their witchcraft, the Nightsisters transform Savage Opress into a monstrous killer designed to turn on his new master.
314
January 21, 2011
Anakin and Obi-Wan, sent to track down the mysterious figure behind the deaths of several Jedi, soon find themselves on the trail of the monstrous apprentice that Ventress has created....
315
January 28, 2011
A mysterious force draws Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka to a distant planet, and its inhabitants -- a family of exceptionally powerful Force-wielders -- in an attempt to determine whether Anakin is truly the Chosen One.
316
February 4, 2011
Before the Jedi can leave Mortis, the Son takes Ahsoka captive in an attempt to entice Anakin into joining him...
317
February 11, 2011
The Jedi remain stranded on Mortis, and the Son aligned with the dark side of the Force renews his efforts to convert Anakin as the Jedi prepare for a decisive confrontation.
318
February 18, 2011
An elite team of Jedi and clone troopers led by Obi-Wan and Anakin attempt to free a captive Jedi general, Even Piell, from an impenetrable prison.
319
March 4, 2011
With freed prisoners in their possession and the brutal warden attempting desperately to thwart them, Obi-Wan and Anakin search for a way out of the Citadel and back to Coruscant.
320
March 11, 2011
After their ship and the only way off-planet is destroyed, Anakin and Obi-Wan must lead the escaped prisoners across Lola Sayu's perilous landscape!
321
April 1, 2011
Ahsoka finds herself trapped on a Trandoshan moon, prey in an elaborate and cruel hunt.
322
April 1, 2011
As Ahsoka and her allies struggle to evade the Trandoshan hunters, their efforts receive an unexpected boost when a new captive -- Chewbacca the Wookiee -- arrives.
Episode Guide content from the Star Wars Clone Wars Archives found at starwars.com

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