1.14 – Defenders of Peace – Clone Wars Review

Posted by Samuel Walters

“When surrounded by war, one must eventually choose a side.”

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“Defenders of Peace” is another strong episode of the Clone Wars, benefitting from a story that has a clear message that is reinforced, from start to finish, by both the dialogue and the action. If there is a criticism, it will likely be in the episode’s slow, thoughtful beginning. But as a matter of fact, the opening is entirely necessary for establishing the episode’s major themes. And for those itching for action, the final moments will not disappoint.

The premise of the episode is to explore just how, when and why it might be necessary to choose violence over peace. The means by which the episode chooses to explore this concept comes by way of the local planetary village which, though pacifist, must confront the unrelenting violence and oppression of Trade Federation forces.

The episode opens with a philosophical debate between the village leader and his son, and between Anakin and Ahsoka. At issue is whether or not the village should defend itself against the Separatists. At first it would seem that the pacifist philosophy will be enough – provided that the village endures the occasional “inspection” by the droid armies. But a new weapon – one that destroys organic life, but not technology – changes the situation a great deal. And so Anakin, Ahsoka, Aayla Secura and their clone escorts must leap into action to save the village. As Anakin says, “There’s a difference between dragging people into a war and letting innocents be slaughtered.”

Indeed, these scenes, while low on action or suspense, provide a depth to the episode which is exceptionally compelling. And whether it is the minor moments between Ahsoka and Aayla, or between the father and son, the conversations are rich with moral arguments and practical implications. In the end, of course, the Separatist force everyone’s hand and a heart-thumping battle ensues.

The battle itself is, once again, well choreographed and well-paced, filled with plenty of action and a lot of moments which underscore the episode’s central conflict: how and when to fight. In the end, the son chooses to break with tradition to defend his homeland – a choice which just about anyone can relate to. But his father, seeing the Republic warships arrive on the planet, wonders “at what cost” the battle might have been. Sure, the village was saved … but will the planet remain at peace for the remainder of the Clone Wars? The odds seem against it.

Overall Grade: B

“Defenders of Peace” is an example of why Clone Wars has become a consistently good series: it quite rightly balances action and suspense with a dose of very real moral ideas.

Filed under: Clone Wars