A guest blog by Darth Namialus

In honour of the release of Season 5 of The Clone Wars coming this week, I decided to put together a review of all 20 episodes. This season was both a step up and a step down for the show, with some absolutely amazing arcs and some arcs we wish we hadn’t seen.

Revival: Continuing the story of Maul and Savage, this episode served as the premiere instead of the next episode because it was far more action-packed, and, in all honesty, better. Beginning with Maul and Savage doing crimes across the galaxy until they reach Florrum, it foreshadowed what Maul would eventually do in his later episodes. This episode is one of my favourites of the whole show. The duels were stunning, especially Obi’s use of two lightsabers. The soundtrack was also extremely well done, specifically when Obi-Wan held off the Sith lightsaber and cracked Savage’s knee. This episode was a step up in “darkness” (In Season One, no one would’ve expected to see cracked knees and burnt bones) and really served as an amazing start to Season Five. 10/10

A War On Two Fronts: This episode was disappointing like the rest of its arc. At first, I was okay with the episode as I believed it was merely an introduction to the rest of the Onderon arc but then the whole arc aired and, well, it didn’t get much better. Introduced in this episode is the rebellion of Onderon where a group of freedom fighters led by Saw, Steela, and Lux (two of which are the most hated characters on the show) against the Confederate government. Saw was a conceited ***hole and Lux was the same annoying git. Steela, on the other hand, was awesome. But not awesome enough to save the arc – nothing probably could. 6/10

Front Runners: In a terrible arc comprised of four episodes, one would wonder why it was made so long. Why? Because of a filler like this. This episode was pointless and boring. Ahsoka and Steela saved it from the other two idiots, but again, not enough. 6/10

The Soft War: This episode was an improvement on the others. Because who doesn’t like it when Saw gets captured and faces execution? Anyway, the ending of this one really saved the episode. Filled with awkward Lux stares and annoying Kings, The Soft War would have been another failure if not for Steela’s growing leadership and Ahsoka in the end. But seriously, why couldn’t they have killed Saw? And maybe Lux, too?! 7/10

Tipping Points: After an arc filled with mistakes, this was another step up. The battle scenes were great and the ending was just perfect. Steela’s death was extremely heartwrenching but it served as great development for Ahsoka. But really, who saves Lux before Steela? We all wish he died instead. At least it ended Luxsoka – this episode showed that Ahsoka’s feelings for Lux were just her confused teenage self and nothing more. Yay for a great ending to an otherwise horrible arc! 8/10

The Gathering: The Youngling arc followed a group of Jedi younglings as they went to Ilum to retrieve Jedi lightsabers. I really loved this episode. The environments were so beautifully animated and the symbols in the caves really provided us with the great mystical aspect of the Force we’ve come to love. The youngling’s struggles were very nicely solved. Despite being a more light-hearted episode, I still really loved it. 8/10

A Test of Strength: This episode introduced us to my favourite droid in that galaxy; David Tennant as Huyang, an old Jedi droid used to aid younglings create their lightsabers. On the ship carrying the six Younglings, Ahsoka, and Huyang, pirates led by Hondo Ohnaka attack in search of lightsaber crystals. At first a fun little episode showing the younglings creatively fight off pirates, the ending scenes were not light at all. Ahsoka, willing to sacrifice herself for the remaining Jedi, fights off Hondo as they are sucked into space. Unfortunately for our favourite Togruta, she is sucked away as well. Albeit not being an extremely emotional plot point, the scene was done in such a way that truly made us feel sad for Ahsoka. 9/10

Bound for Rescue: Okay, hmm. This episode was okay. Not as good as the last two but not as bad as some others. It was more light-hearted and the time spent on Obi-Wan vs. Grievous was too little. What we did see of that battle was awesome, though, so it’s unfortunate that we could not see more. Drunk Hondo was a little, um, “funny,” I guess. 6.7/10

A Necessary Bond: They should’ve just called it “Awesome Ahsoka” because she totally was the highlight of this episode. First making an alliance with the pirates to fight off an invasion force, the Jedi-Pirate team fight off battle droids and eventually Grievous himself. It was nice to see Slave I again and Hondo grew a bit of heart in this episode, saving Ahsoka from the cyborg general. That duel was very well done, too. 9/10

Secret Weapons: Again, hmm. Another “okay” episode. Following a group of astromech droids (R2 included, duh) as they infiltrate a Separatist ship to steal an encryption module, this was a “fun” episode. I really don’t know what else to say, the whole droid arc was a bit of a “what?” 7.5/10

A Sunny Day in the Void: Okay, this deserves a very long “hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.” There is really nothing to say about this episode because it literally followed nothing. Just a group of astromechs and little Gascon stranded on a hot planet with nowhere to go. Literally nowhere. They barely go anywhere. For the whole episode. Nothing. Zero. Nil. 7/10 (I really don’t know how I’m giving that score but something was good about this episode. What.)

Missing in Action: This episode did something really great. We were given a clone commando, Gregor, who suffered from memory loss. Gascon reminds him of his past as a clone commando and one of my favourite clones, Gregor, fights off the droid base stationed on the planet allowing the droids’ escape. Unfortunately for him, he “dies” in the following explosion. It was such a well done sacrifice with the soundtrack and everything and one of my favourite scenes of the whole show. 8/10

Point of No Return: The droids fly to a nearby Venator but find that it’s being used as a bomb by the Confederacy, intending to destroy a meeting of the Republic’s highest officers. The visuals in this episode were stunning, especially the explosions at the end with the Venator. It didn’t feel like a cartoon anymore. The episode, on the other hand, was nothing special. 8/10

Eminence: And here is where Season Five really steps up. We go back to Maul as he joins Death Watch and begins work on a new criminal empire. Allying Pykes, Hutts, and the Black Sun, this episode was a little rushed but still extremely well done. The action scenes on Nal Hutta, especially, were amazing. Pre Vizsla fighting Niktos – woah! 9/10

Shades of Reason: And this is where the tragedies start. The crime syndicate invades Mandalore but the Death Watch pretend to end it, making them heroes in the eyes of the Mandalorian public. This allows them to overthrow Satine easily. And I really loved her in this episode too. Facing invasion and even death, she still strongly sticks to her ideals and refuses to lower herself to violence. She is so amazing. Maul’s scheming was very nicely shown too, and the duel between him and Vizsla in the end was the best duel of the show. Pre Vizsla, despite not being a very liked character, still was given a tragic death. Bo-Katan’s stand against Maul was also tragic, with epic quotes everywhere. “No outsider will ever rule Mandalore!” 10/10

The Lawless: Oh my wampas this is where everything exploded. This episode brought me to tears. Satine…. Obi-Wan goes to save his lover on Mandalore but is instead rewarded with her death. Maul captures him and forces him to watch the Duchess get impaled by the Darksaber. And her death was the saddest of the show – perhaps not because of the character (not everyone liked her – but I adored her) but the soundtrack and Obi-Wan’s reaction. It was heartwrenching, and for the whole weekend after her death, I – and any other fan with a heart – was heartbroken. “Remember, my dear Obi-Wan, I’ve loved you always. I always will.” *heart breaks into a million pieces* And then we were given the most badass character of them all; Sidious himself, intending to teach Maul a lesson. He totally owns the Sith brothers, killing Savage and breaking Maul. Maul, once again, is now Sidious’ pet. Obi-Wan meeting Bo-Katan was very nicely done as well. When she tells him to go back to the Republic, we really get a sense of her huge loyalty to Mandalore. Obi-Wan then replies with a shocking discovery – Bo is Satine’s sister (with the whole “I’m so sorry,” like in Revenge of the Sith with Padme). So. Well. Done. 11/10

Sabotage: The Jedi Temple is bombed and Anakin and Ahsoka are sent to investigate. This episode was a little slow when you look at it alone, but it was only meant as a set-up for the rest of the arc and it was a necessary episode. Nothing special but still very needed. 7/10

The Jedi Who Knew Too Much: Ahsoka is wrongly accused of being the bomber and she is forced to run for her innocence. And this is where everything falls apart for our favourite Padawan… The Republic has labelled her a traitor and she’s forced to run from clones, her old friends, in order to prove that she is not the bomber. The ending of this episode with Ahsoka pleading to Anakin was heartwrenching and the action scenes of the chase were amazing. 10/10

To Catch a Jedi: Ventress is back – yay! She was the highlight of this episode. (To me, of course) I really enjoyed how she chose not to kill any clones and aided Ahsoka. “See? Didn’t kill one. It’s the new me.” Oh, I love her! Anyway, I could go on about the hairless harpie but I think I should stop there. A mysterious hooded figure is shown attacking Ventress and then duels Ahsoka – who, after being broken down, is captured by Anakin and clones to await trial. The shots of the gunships flying away were stunning and included some of the best music we’ve ever heard on the show – like the rest of the arc. 10/10

The Wrong Jedi: And this is where it all just falls apart. I think this episode holds a special place in every fan’s heart. Beginning with Ahsoka being expelled from the Jedi Order (which really shows how far they’re falling like in Revenge of the Sith) and then being put under trial in the Republic courts. None other than that git Tarkin is pushing to execute her (after she saved his life?! Maybe Ahsoka should’ve let Osi Sobeck drop him in the lava! Gah!) Meanwhile, Anakin is off to prove her innocence. He meets Ventress, who really makes him realize the truth of his failing Order. “My Master abandoned me, and that’s exactly what you did to her. You and your precious Jedi Order.” Favourite quote EVER! She leads him to Bariss Offee, who then duels Anakin proving that she is the bomber. She delivers an amazing speech at the trial of Ahsoka once captured telling everyone how terrible the Order had become. “An army fighting for the Dark Side, fallen from the light [they] once held so dear.” 100% true. They fought for the Republic, which, in essence, were the Sith. Ahsoka is proven innocent after Barriss is revealed. Being asked to return to the Order (Mace needs to learn how to shut up), she declines and leaves the Temple. Anakin runs after her begging for her to reconsider but her decision is made; she will not fight for a falling government and a failing Order. She realizes what they cannot. How could she trust those that do not trust her? She’s too hurt to even think of serving them again and this is where her character really grows. She’s a strong Jedi, and her will to leave her precious Order behind really proves that she is the best Jedi. Yeah, I said it. Best. They all realized what was happening but none of them could end it, instead allowing the mistakes to continue. Ahsoka was better. 1223284713049587134085971/10.

Woah. With a “meh” first half and an absolutely amazing second, I think this season was the best done of the show. Perhaps it did not have the most exciting stories but the greatest arcs were executed so perfectly. I cannot think of any problems with the Ahsoka or Maul arcs and, despite the bad previous arcs, these two held the season together making it one of the best.