The Clone Wars : a story of pacifism and powerful characters

January 2020

I need to take a moment to talk about this series, remarkable in many ways. First, because of the impressive diversity of its episodes: story arcs are focused on amazing characters, others speak of profound subjects such as democracy and corruption, peace or resistance, while some episodes simply picture dumb robots fooling around. You can easily skip the latter, and I'd like to focus here on the ones you should definitely watch, and the reasons why. 

First, have in mind that you're facing 5 seasons of 22 episodes each, and even though most of them are worth the 20 minutes they'll take you, I selected 29 of the highest quality, and 23 additional ones not to be missed either.

Update: the season 7 has since been released (according to me there's nothing worth watching in the S6), I add 4 episodes from it.

In many ways, The Clone Wars fixes the flaws of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, be it in the complexity of politics and moral values or of the characters build.

Democracy

These first 4 episodes will prove you how serious the show can get. The beauty of democracy when defending public service is mitigated by the limits it finds in pressure groups and the business of war.

Corruption (S3E05 + 06)

War bill (S3E10 + 11) : finance, security, public service and the senate

Pacifism and Resistance

The major theme of the series, and first hint that you're watching more than another kid show, is pacifism. The creators do not hide they value negotiation over conflict, which doesn't stop them from picturing the failures of diplomacy. Some of the greatest characters introduced in this show fight strongly against the pursuit of the Clone War opposing the Republic and the Separatists, while others defend above all their neutrality. On the other hand, the Onderon arc is dedicated to the necessity of resistance against oppression, and the delicate intervention of a foreign nation in supporting so called terrorists.

Defenders of Peace (S1E13 + 14) : non-violence

Trespass on Native land (S1E15) : militarism VS diplomacy

Ryloth (S1E20 + 21) : foreign occupation

Mandalore (S2E12 + 13 + 14) : political neutrality

Both sides (S3E10) : negotiation and the other point of view

Onderon (S5E02 + 03 + 04 + 05) : civil war

Character Build

You may not like much characters such as Anakin or Padmé in the SW movies, and love them here. But more importantly, some of the new characters are more interesting than any movie's ones: the young and wise Senator Chuchi, the unshakeable idealist Duchess Satine, the charismatic rebel Steela Gerrera and her hot-head brother Saw... Yet none can equal the main character of this 5-season show: Ahsoka Tano. Although she does not appear in every episode (and I selected below only the best), Anakin's Padawan is... Damn, go watch the show. And of course, you must have heard about the return of the badass, mastermind, Obiwan-obsessed Sith Darth Maul... 

Ahsoka Tano (S1E19 + S3E04 + S3E07 + S3E10 + S4E14 + S5E02 + 03 + 04 + 05 + S5E17 + 18 + 19 + 20 + S7E09 + 10 + 11 + 12)

Darth Maul (S4E22 + S5E01 + S5E14 + 15 + 16 + S7E09 + 10 + 11 + 12) 

Story Telling

Finally, the following episodes, while not being among my favorites, are must-see. 

Boba Fett (S2E20 + 21 + 22 + S4E20)

Asajj Ventress and the Night Sisters (S3E12 + 13 + 14 + S4E19 + 20 + 21 + 22)

Mortis (S3E15 + 16 + 17) : Gods of the Force

The Citadel (S3E18 + 19 + 20) : Jedi prison

General Krell (S4E7 + 8 + 9 + 10) : war crime

Jedi Younglings (S5E06 + 7 + 8 + 9)

Obviously this selection is personal: for instance I'm not very fond of bounty hunters, but you may really enjoy the multiple episodes picturing some. I love the pirate Hondo Ohnaka, and he appears in my selection, but know that there's a lot more about him. You may never see the General Grievous if you stick to my list, yet many episodes stage him.

Enjoy!

(the episodes in orange are the ones I already quoted in another catergory)