Clone Wars Season One – Episode List & Guide

Below you will find an overview of each episode’s review.

Click on the links to read the Full Reviews:

1.00 – The Clone Wars Movie (2008): B-

In recent years, Star Wars has become something of a flashpoint in pop culture. About a decade ago, Star Wars held a nearly unimpeachable public opinion as seemingly everyone remembered, with great nostalgia, the power and glory of the original trilogy. Then the prequel trilogy arrived and it polarized … just about everyone. Now, over three years since the “last Star Wars movie ever” bowed in theaters, we get the release of The Clone Wars, an hour-and-a-half of pure CGI action, narrative and character. Is it a money grab from Star Wars creator George Lucas? Probably. But even if it is, he can likely be forgiven if the final result is worthy of the Star Wars brand which seemingly everyone once remembered so fondly.  The verdict?

There’s plenty here to both like and dislike. Those who want to enjoy another Star Wars cinematic experience can easily look past the warts and faults to find something they will appreciate. Those who are more concerned with pointing out yet another of George Lucas’ mistakes (and he had plenty with the prequel trilogy) will ignore the good and go straight to the parts that can be mocked.

1.01 – Ambush: A

“Great leaders inspire greatness in others.”

What a way to begin a series!

Following the mixed reactions to the Clone Wars movie, the new series debuted with a force in the aptly titled, “Ambush” – an episode that manages to strike an almost perfect balance of action, character, humor and thematic elements. Perhaps people were underwhelmed with the big screen presentation of this series. But on the small screen, Star Wars: The Clone Wars shines brilliantly. Without question, this was Star Wars, with an immediacy neither seen nor heard in a long time … a long time.

Besides, as far as seeing Star Wars on the small screen goes, as Yoda says, “size matters not.”

1.02 – Rising Malevolence: B+

“Belief is not a matter of choice, but a conviction.”

“Rising Malevolence” isn’t quite as well balanced as the series opener, but it is nonetheless a solid installment, providing some absolutely stunning visuals, plenty of action and the series introduction of Ahsoka and Anakin. You’ll have to be the judge of how well they work on screen. For my part, I think the results are mixed. And in this episode, their presence is the biggest potential detriment to what is otherwise a ominous and deadly mood.

1.03 – Shadow of Malevolence: B

“Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego.”

“Shadow of Malevolence” is another strong episode of the new Clone Wars series. It isn’t quite as solid as “Rising Malevolence” but it is nonetheless a solid installment, filled with top-notch visuals, plenty of film references, and a space battle that is crisp, plausible, and much more immediate than anything in the prequel trilogy. What keeps this episode from surpassing the previous two is a relatively long buildup which slows the pace – not critically, but enough to make a difference. Even so, it’s clear that the Clone Wars series, even after just one movie and three installments, has done far more to demonstrate Anakin’s heroism that the films ever did.

1.04 – Destroy Malevolence: C+

“A plan is only as good as those who see it through.”

“Destroy Malevolence” is, unfortunately, a step backward for the series. It’s not that the episode isn’t entertaining or filled with action. Rather, its plot is contrived, aimless, and evocative of the droid foundry sequence on Geonosis in Attack of the Clones. Put it altogether and you’ve got yet another episode to feature stunning visuals, plenty of action, but just isn’t as well constructed or compelling as its predecessors.

1.05 – Rookies: A-

“The best confidence builder is experience.”

“Rookies” is another powerful installment of the Clone Wars series. The episode takes a sober look at the sacrifices of war. It also manages to have enough left over to provide a healthy dose of action and characterization. Indeed the only fault I can find with the episode is that the characters accept the situations they encounter at face value just a little too easily. This is done for narrative expediency and isn’t a critical flaw, but it is the one drawback to what is, otherwise, an excellent episode.

1.06 – Downfall of a Droid: C+

“Trust in your friends, and they’ll have reason to trust in you.”

“Downfall of a Droid” is, without question, a highly entertaining episode of the Clone War series. However, it isn’t quite as strong as some of its predecessors. The action and battle sequences are exceptionally strong. And the search for a lost comrade makes for a compelling story. But the issues with this particular episode, which aren’t critical, are enough to be a drag on its overall quality and success. The issue is one of execution of the episode’s story line. We’re not talking about failure, but there is a significant gap in quality between this episode and some of the others.

1.07 – Duel of the Droids: A-

“You hold onto friends by keeping your heart a little softer than your head.”

Brilliant.

“Duel of the Droids” is a rousing, triumphant episode. It’s filled with plenty of action, thrills and character moments to make a worthy installment. But considering that it is the conclusion to the story begun in the previous episode, that it features a compelling theme, and the fact that it contains a wonderfully amusing homage, this episode is simply one of the best of the series thus far. Just about everything in this episode works exceptionally well. Put simply, this is Star Wars the way it was always meant to be: fun, action-packed, with a bit of something deeper and more meaningful.

1.08 – Bombad Jedi: C

“Heroes are made by the times.”

“Bombad Jedi” is neither as good nor as bad as one might expect out of an episode that features the now infamous Jar Jar Binks. In many respects, the episode just might prove to be a kind of Rorschach test for fans – many will likely see exactly what they want to see. There’s plenty of mind-numbing slapstick antics from Jar Jar. But at the same time, it’s all done with a wink and a nod to the fact that Jar Jar is one of the most universally loathed characters in the entire Star Wars universe. So if you’re willing to take it all with a huge grain of salt, you can be amused and entertained. But if the very thought or sight of Jar Jar Binks throws you into fits of curses to be hurled at George Lucas, then you would do well to stay away from this episode.

Very far away.

1.09 – Cloak of Darkness: B

“Ignore your instincts at your peril.”

“Cloak of Darkness” is another action-packed, well-paced episode filled with enough character development to give the story the necessary depth and meaning. The plot itself is fairly predictable, but that doesn’t stop the episode from being highly enjoyable thanks to well-choreographed fight scenes and strong camaraderie between the two main Jedi characters – Ahsoka Tano and Luminara Unduli.

1.10 – Lair of Grievous: C-

“Most powerful is he who controls his own power.”

“Lair of Grievous” is a significant letdown of an episode. Throughout, it is poorly paced, awkwardly contrived and very poorly presented. What the episode has going for it is, as the title suggests, the notion of the Jedi trapped inside General Grievous’ lair. But the setup and the execution of the story is so lacking in plausibility and suspense that whatever benefit the initial premise might provide is lost within a story which just isn’t worth telling. Indeed, this is without question the worst episode of the series thus far.

1.11 – Dooku Captured: B+

“The winding path to peace is always a worthy one, regardless of how many turns it takes.”

“Dooku Captured” is a return to form for the Clone Wars series. The episode features some fantastic action, crisp, humorous dialogue, and some of the very best music from the series to date. It doesn’t have a whole lot of depth or any profound moments, however, for an action-driven narrative it is swiftly paced, entertaining, and quite enjoyable.

1.12 – The Gungan General: C+

“Fail with honor rather than succeed with fraud.”

“The Gungan General” is a thoroughly entertaining episode – in spite of the fairly prominent role of one Jar-Jar Binks. In fact, outside of one painfully cringeworthy scene, Binks is used most effectively. And alongside the prison-break sequences involving Dooku, Obi-Wan and Anakin, there’s plenty to enjoy. That said, it isn’t a flawless episode. It tends to tilt a bit toward more juvenile action and humor. And there isn’t a whole lot beyond the surface level of the story. Still, the episode is quite successful, even if it isn’t a bona fide classic.

1.13 – Jedi Crash: A-

“Greed and fear of loss are the roots that lead to the tree of evil.”

“Jedi Crash” is a remarkably entertaining and balanced episode. It features fantastic action and some quiet, thoughtful moments. The score and the characterizations are solid. And the result is an episode which ought to appeal to just about everyone – and it leaves enough room to challenge the way we think about the Jedi and their role in the Clone Wars.

1.14 – Defenders of Peace: B

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

“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.

1.15 – Trespass: B

“Arrogance diminishes wisdom.”

“Trespass” continues the tradition of strong Clone Wars episodes which encompass action, drama, humor, and a just enough morality to make the episode about something worthwhile. This particular episode isn’t quite as spectacular or profound as some of the others in the Clone Wars series, but nevertheless, it is still an episode that is well worth watching.

1.16 – The Hidden Enemy: B

“Truth enlightens the mind, but won’t always bring happiness to the heart.”

“The Hidden Enemy” is a riveting, action-packed episode which once again proves that, minute-for-minute, Clone Wars is one of the best series on television today. While there isn’t as much depth to this episode as there is to some of the others, it compensates with a smart narrative that makes its central villain plausible and, in some ways, sympathetic. The end result is a highly enjoyable episode.

1.17 – Blue Shadow Virus: B+

“Fear is a disease; hope is its only cure.”

“Blue Shadow Virus” is another exciting episode of the Clone Wars. From start to finish, the episode is filled with enough tension and suspense to keep viewers completely engaged. And considering that the action takes place on Naboo, the story also manages to successful draw from, and add to, the Star Wars mythos. In fact, not even a reappearance of Jar Jar Binks can derail the episode. There really is only one scene in which his presence is detrimental. And as for the rest, seeing Theed and the incredible vistas of Naboo, along with the recollections of The Phantom Menace, makes this episode a standout.

1.18 – Mystery of a Thousand Moons: A-

“A single chance is a galaxy of hope.”

“Mystery of a Thousand Moons” is a fantastic example of just how good the Clone Wars series can be. Building on the story introduced in “Blue Shadow Virus,” this episode not only generates a fantastically well-constructed story, but also builds and capitalizes on the rich character relationships of the series. The result is one of the best episodes of the series, a story that is both riveting and moving.

1.19 – Storm Over Ryloth: A-

“It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.”

Impressive. Most impressive.

“Storm Over Ryloth” is a riveting and entertaining half-hour of television, filled with plenty of mesmerizing, frenetic and sweeping action sequences and enough character work to make it all worthwhile. The visual effects are top-notch, the music is majestic , and the character story is solid – even it is somewhat cliché. The end result is an episode which is, simply a lot of fun to watch.

1.20 – Innocents of Ryloth: B+

“The costs of war can never be truly accounted for.”

“Innocents of Ryloth” continues the frenetic and explosive Ryloth Trilogy from the Clone Wars. The episode once again balances eye-popping battles with a more personal, introspective story. And, once again, the results are very successful. Clone Wars continues its very impressive run of stories that mix action and character, excitement and introspection. And this middle segment of a three-part cycle is no exception.

1.21 – Liberty on Ryloth: C

“Compromise is a virtue to be cultivated, not a weakness to be despised.”

“Liberty On Ryloth” is a decidedly unbalanced ending to the Ryloth trilogy, featuring incredible action, some profound character moments, and the super-coolness of Mace Windu in battle. But the episode is also very poorly, and awkwardly, paced with some poor choices when it comes to sequencing and the ultimate conclusion to the story. The result is an installment that uncharacteristically lacks the typical elegance of a Clone Wars episode, being unable to find the right balance between action and introspection that is the hallmark of the series.

1.22 – Hostage Crisis: B

“A secret shared is a trust formed.”

“Hostage Crisis” wraps up the first season of the Clone Wars on a decidedly exciting and suspenseful note. It features a strong story, which is tightly paced, filled with plenty of intrigue and action, and a wonderfully colorful new character in bounty hunter Cad Bane. All-in-all, this is a by-the-numbers episode which does everything it is supposed to do. And even though it isn’t a truly exceptional installment, it’s still strong enough to provide a fitting conclusion to season one.