(Updated: Feb. 7, 2020)
Given the immense popularity of Disney+’s series “The Mandalorian” — a series partially helmed by “Clone Wars” creator Dave Filoni — and further bolstered by the announcement that a new, final season of the award-winning Star Wars animated series “Clone Wars” would debut on Disney+ on Feb. 21, many Star Wars fans are clamoring to either check out older episodes of “Clone Wars” for the first time or revisit the series after a long hiatus. Partially to “connect some dots,” no doubt, but also because it seems like a good time to give the series a(nother) shot.
Still, some have reservations.
“Eh, cartoons…”
“It’s too many episodes.”
“Eh, cartoons…”
While I don’t particularly understand the cartoon critique, I can’t really do anything about it either. I mean, it’s not a series meant for kids. That’s all I can say. If you’ve watched things like “The Simpsons” or “Into the Spider-verse,” you should know going in that this series is more attune to those properties than something aimed at kids. Beyond that, if you want to write it off, that’s your choice.
But on the length issue, I’ve got you covered.
Perusing other online lists and assessing the episodes based on my own experience of attempting to watch the entire series for the first time, I’ve come to a fairly concise list of the episodes I think are the most valuable for first-time AND revisiting viewers.
What’s more, my friend and WhoDatJedi podcast co-host Alfredo Narvaez has put together his own list which dives into a little more detail (and is thusly a bigger time commitment, but also offers a richer experience).
So what I’ll do here is offer one guide of my suggestions, but with Alfredo’s suggested additions showing up in italics — again, for those who want a little deeper (and longer) experience. I’ll also write a few words on each story arc, so you can decide for yourself if it’s for you. And what’s more, here is our brand-new episode of the WhoDatJedi podcast dedicated to the series:
And with that said, here’s your “Clone Wars” viewing guide!
Season 1:
Rookies (Episode 5)
This is one of the episodes that gives you more background on some of the Clones as characters (providing more emotional context for their eventual betrayal in “Revenge of the Sith”).
Bombad Jedi (Episode 8)
Jar Jar impersonates a Jedi. Yes, that happened, and it’s amazing.
Cloak of Darkness (Episode 9)
Here we begin to establish two major Clone Wars characters, Ahsoka Tano and Asajj Ventress, for folks who have opted to skip the pilot as well as the theatrical movie.
Lair of Grievous (Episode 10)
Let’s get some more background on General Grievous and how formidable a character he actually was.
Dooku Captured (Episode 11)
The Gungan General (Episode 12)
Hondo Ohnaka, a fan favorite pirate character who ultimately ends up taking a heroic turn in the follow-up series “Rebels,” plays prominently as an antagonist in these episodes.
Hostage Crisis (Episode 22)
Lots of prominent Clone Wars-era characters have a role here, from Ziro the Hutt to Cad Bane and Aurra Sing.
Season 2:
Holocron Heist (Episode 1)
Cargo of Doom (Episode 2)
Children of the Force (Episode 3)
This is a Cad Bane-heavy arc for folks who want more background on the bounty hunter character (as well as holocrons, which are a MAJOR plot point in “Rebels”).
Landing at Point Rain (Episode 5)
Weapons Factory (Episode 6)
Legacy of Terror (Episode 7)
Brain Invaders (Episode 8)
What we have here is a cool action/horror arc that doubles as character development for Ahsoka, particularly in her relationship with fellow padawan Barriss Offee.
The Mandalore Plot (Episode 12)
Voyage of Temptation (Episode 13)
Duchess of Mandalore (Episode 14)
Ah, now we get to the meaty stuff for “The Mandalorian” fans. This arc is hugely important in establishing the lore surrounding the planet, its culture and Death Watch, in addition to the character of Duchess Satine and her relationship to Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Senate Murders (Episode 15)
This is a fun who-done-it starring Padme and Bail Organa.
Death Trap (Episode 20)
R2 Come Home (Episode 21)
Lethal Trackdown (Episode 22)
Wouldn’t Boba Fett want revenge on Mace Windu for killing his father? Why yes, yes he would.
Season 3:
Clone Cadets (Episode 1)
ARC Troopers (Episode 2)
Here are two more adventures with our favorite Clone cadets from “Rookies.”
Heroes on Both Sides (Episode 10)
More Padme shenanigans — which is a good thing, given her truncated role in “Revenge of the Sith” — where Padme and Ahsoka attempt to reach a peaceful resolution to the Clone Wars.
Nightsisters (Episode 12)
Monster (Episode 13)
Witches of the Mist (Episode 14)
Ventress’s background becomes intertwined with Darth Maul’s and we are introduced to Maul’s clan brother Savage Opress as well as Ventress’s kin, the Nightsisters of Dathomir.
Overlords (Episode 15)
Altar of Mortis (Episode 16)
Ghosts of Mortis (Episode 17)
“The chosen one” prophecy surrounding Anakin as well as this concept of “balance in the force” are explored in great depth in this arc.
The Citadel (Episode 18)
Counter Attack (Episode 19)
Citadel Rescue (Episode 20)
This arc establishes an early adversarial relationship between Anakin and Tarkin, which is fun for “A New Hope” and “Rogue One” fans.
Season 4:
Darkness on Umbara (Episode 7)
The General (Episode 8)
Plan of Dissent (Episode 9)
Carnage of Krell (Episode 10)
This is another Clone arc, but it carries a heavier, weightier tone to it, dealing with the topic of obeying orders in the face of ethical questions.
A Friend in Need (Episode 14)
Death Watch makes a reappearance in this Ahsoka-heavy entry to lay the seeds for future Mandalorian episodes.
Massacre (Episode 19)
Bounty (Episode 20)
Brothers (Episode 21)
Revenge (Episode 22)
These episodes are the natural follow-up to the Ventress/Savage/Nightsisters plot line in Season 3 and result in the official return of Darth Maul (for those confused by the reveal in “Solo”).
Season 5:
Revival (Episode 1)
Darth Maul continues his vengeance play against Kenobi and everyone’s favorite pirate, Hondo, makes his return.
Eminence (Episode 14)
Shades of Reason (Episode 15)
The Lawless (Episode 16)
Darth Maul’s plotting against Kenobi intersects with Death Watch and Mandalore, resulting in some pretty drastic consequences for all parties involved.
Sabotage (Episode 17)
The Jedi Who Knew Too Much (Episode 18)
To Catch a Jedi (Episode 19)
The Wrong Jedi (Episode 20)
This is an important part of Ahsoka’s “Clone Wars” arc, leaving her character at a crossroads that will no doubt be explored further in Season 7.
Season 6:
The Unknown (Episode 1)
Conspiracy (Episode 2)
Fugitive (Episode 3)
Orders (Episode 4)
We get some resolution for some of our Clone characters and further exploration of the “Order 66” protocol.
The Lost One (Episode 10)
In “Attack of the Clones,” we hear about “Sifo-Dyas” and then the matter is dropped completely. Here is his much-needed backstory.
Voices (Episode 11)
Destiny (Episode 12)
Sacrifice (Episode 13)
The final three episodes (before the new season debuts) deal with Yoda and his pursuit of knowledge of the after-life.
—
And that’s it! Watch just the bold episodes and you can get through the major story lines of the Clone Wars in about 16 hours (roughly two seasons of a series like “Stranger Things”). Add in the italicized episodes and you can do it in about 22 hours (as opposed to watching all 121 episodes … over a 50-hour commitment!). You’ll be ready for Season 7 in no time.
Happy watching!