Clone Wars Episodes You NEED to See Before Revenge of the Sith’s Anniversary!

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It’s amazing to think that it has been 20 years since the release of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith”. This movie continues to impress with its exceptional storytelling, skillfully establishing the reasons behind the actions and politics depicted in the original trilogy. The heart-wrenching transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader, as well as the sorrow experienced by Padme and Obi-Wan Kenobi, is just as poignant today as it was two decades ago. This is even more impactful now that Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen have reprised their roles in the Disney+ Star Wars universe. Prior to these recent events, the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” provided a rich exploration of the time between “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith”. This series expanded existing characters, introduced new ones like Ahsoka Tano, brought back beloved characters such as Darth Maul for a greater purpose, and recontextualized the events that transpired in “Revenge of the Sith”, offering fresh perspectives on this iconic era in the Star Wars universe.

Here are some crucial storylines from “The Clone Wars” series that will significantly enhance your experience and appreciation of the legendary third chapter in the Star Wars prequels.

The Clone Trooper Arc

Season 6, Episodes 1-4: “The Unknown,” “Conspiracy,” “Fugitive,” and “Orders”

The storyline titled “The Clone Trooper Arc” initiates when a Clone Trooper named Tup mysteriously and abruptly perishes shortly following a skirmish. His uncharacteristic actions during the battle and the subsequent early activation of some unknown trigger spark concern among his comrades and the Jedi. Although viewers familiar with Order 66 may recognize the underlying reason for Tup’s peculiar behavior, his Clone brethren embark on an investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding their late comrade.

Delving into Tup’s mysterious demise sends ARC Trooper Fives spiraling into a dark abyss. He stumbles upon a chilling conspiracy, revealing that bio-organic inhibitor chips were secretly implanted in every clone trooper’s brain since their creation on Kamino. These chips are engineered to force the clones to obey certain commands without question, including Order 66—an instruction to annihilate the Jedi.

As Fives grows more and more suspicious and distraught, he strives to uncover the truth. He endeavors to alert Anakin Skywalker and Captain Rex about the secret plot, but his disjointed information and erratic conduct result in him being disregarded. This unfortunate turn of events ultimately leads to a tragic demise for Fives.

The Clone Trooper storyline underscores the Republic and the Jedi’s oblivion about the explosive threat concealed among their own forces, offering a technical rationale for why the clone troopers betray the Jedi in “Revenge of the Sith.” Since the Jedi fully trust the clones, the ultimate act of treachery is even more heart-wrenching. Without this background, Order 66 might seem unexpectedly sudden. The clones’ programming and Fives’ frantic efforts to expose the truth contribute a poignant sense of tragedy and predestined doom to the Jedi’s demise.

The Martez Sisters Arc

Season 7, Episodes 5-8: “Gone With a Trace,” “Deal or No Deal,” “Dangerous Debt,” and “Together Again”

After leaving the Jedi Order at the end of Season 5, Ahsoka Tano, who was once Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice, grapples with finding her role in the galaxy. She crosses paths with Trace and Rafa Martez, two sisters making a living in Coruscant’s lower districts. This storyline exposes Ahsoka to the war from an ordinary citizen’s viewpoint, many of whom are unfortunately caught in the conflict’s crossfire and used by both the Republic and Separatists. Through this experience, she witnesses the corruption and difficulties that the war brings upon those outside the Jedi Order.

Ahsoka Tano finds herself entwined in the questionable plans of her siblings, which frequently test the boundaries of morality. This complicates the clear-cut beliefs about good and evil that she was taught as a Jedi, deepening her dissatisfaction with the strict Jedi doctrine. Instead of adhering to the rigid structure of the Jedi Order, Ahsoka learns to make her own path through the galaxy, fostering her strong sense of individuality. This early independence sets the stage for the tough decisions she will encounter in the future.

The storyline featuring the Martez Sisters plays a crucial role in portraying Ahsoka Tano’s mental state before the Siege of Mandalore and Order 66, as well as her transformation into an inspiring figure within the Rebel Alliance. Through her interactions with the Martez sisters, Ahsoka’s motivations for leaving the Jedi and her complex understanding of the war become clearer. This background helps explain her response to the Republic’s downfall in later events, adding emotional depth to her character development.

The Siege of Mandalore Arc

Season 7, Episodes 9-12: “Old Friends Not Forgotten,” “The Phantom Apprentice,” “Shattered,” and “Victory and Death”

Personally speaking, among my favorite storylines from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Siege of Mandalore shares the top spot with The Mortis Arc. It’s crucial to Revenge of the Sith and it keeps viewers gripped throughout. The Siege of Mandalore also offers a compelling portrayal of Ahsoka that cements her as one of Star Wars’ most significant and powerful characters. For fans of Star Wars: Ahsoka, they can catch a glimpse of the Siege of Mandalore in Episode 5, “Shadow Warrior,” where it is shown in a flashback when Anakin takes a young Ahsoka on a journey through her past history on Disney+.

This storyline follows and intersects with the happenings of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith”. At this point, Ahsoka, no longer a part of the Jedi Order, is contacted by Bo-Katan Kryze, a Mandalorian, who requires her assistance in freeing Mandalore from Darth Maul’s control. Tragically, Maul had previously killed Duchess Satine Kryze, Bo-Katan’s sister and Mandalore’s ruling regent, before asserting his own rule over the planet.

Maul’s persistent presence on Mandalore poses a substantial risk to the Republic, as it aligns with the Sith’s sinister plots. Ahsoka squares off against Maul, leading to an epic lightsaber duel that combines exceptional choreography with captivating storytelling. This battle, one of the most striking in Star Wars history, reflects the intricate relationship between them.

After her battle against Maul, Ahsoka assumes command over the 501st Legion, a group of clone troopers who had been under Anakin Skywalker’s leadership throughout the Clone Wars. This includes Captain Rex. Ahsoka’s leadership of Anakin’s elite squad showcases her strategic skills and close ties with her former allies. However, there are hints and tense instances that suggest trouble ahead – a betrayal that is yet to come. The clones’ unyielding loyalty and their peculiar actions at times generate a feeling of disquiet.

In the episode titled “Shattered,” events unfold concurrently with those seen in Revenge of the Sith. Ahsoka finds herself in a heart-wrenching predicament as she’s trapped between the chilling edict and her clones, whom she views as family, turning against her. This part is intensely moving and emotional, demonstrating the catastrophic effects of Order 66 on an intimate, personal scale.

In the last episode titled “Victory and Death,” we see Ahsoka Tano and Rex in a life-threatening chase as they are pursued by their clone trooper comrades. To escape, they stage their own deaths, which sets up Ahsoka’s story following the fall of the Republic and connects significantly to future Star Wars narratives, such as her return in Star Wars Rebels. Delving further, an animated short from the Star Wars anthology series named “Tales of the Jedi: Practice Makes Perfect” shows the particular training Anakin Skywalker provided to Ahsoka. This training is crucial in helping her survive Order 66 and seamlessly ties into her “Victory and Death” episode in Star Wars Clone Wars.

The “Siege of Mandalore” storyline offers the most significant and emotionally resonant background information for the movie “Revenge of the Sith“. This series reveals Ahsoka’s actions during the film’s events, explaining why she wasn’t present in the original movies, since she was developed after the prequels. Additionally, it provides a unique perspective on Order 66 and strengthens the overall viewing experience by drawing visual and thematic comparisons to the movie. Watching this arc deepens our understanding of the critical time period depicted in the “Star Wars” saga, making the sadness of “Revenge of the Sith” even more poignant.

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2025-04-08 21:12