Episodes 1-2: “Clone Cadets” “ARC Troopers”
Synopsis: Remember the episode called “Rookies” in season 1? Of course you do because it was awesome. Well these episodes follow a group called “Domino Squad”; the same clones featured in the episode “Rookies”. The first episode is a prequel showing what life is like for clones on Kamino, as well as the dynamic between their Jedi and Mercenary trainers. The second episode takes place well after the “Rookies” episode. It involves a Separatist attack on Kamino and, you guessed it, ARC Troopers! Complete with Phase II armor (as seen in Revenge of the Sith).
Rating: ESB and RotS (Don’t know the ratings system? Click here!) These episodes are wonderful! The first one won’t have you on the edge of your seat, but it’s a great look at clone life that will add much meaning to the clone episodes to come. The second episode is non-stop action! It also establishes the characters of Fives and Echo as recurring favorites.
Fun Fact: The scene in “Arc Troopers” where Ventress kisses a trooper as she impales him with her saber was cut from the TV version of the episode because was supposedly too much for the kiddies.
Episode 3: “Supply Lines”
Synopsis: Jedi Master Ima-Gun Di (don’t let the name spoil the episode for you or anything) is trapped on the world of Ryloth. Bail Organa and Jar Jar Binks lead a diplomatic mission to get them food or something. Negotiations don’t go so smoothly and the pair has to do some creative problem solving.
Rating: RotJ. The Ryloth scenes are all the lightsabers and blasters you’d expect in something called The Clone Wars. The other half of the episode isn’t bad, it’s just a bit of a lull compared to the action of past episodes. Well, and it’s full of Jar Jar.
Flow Walker Warning: This episode is a direct prequel to the episode “Ambush” from the first season.
Episode 4: “Sphere of Influence”
Synopsis: The planet of Pantora is having trade problems. The Trade Federation is up to no good. Daughters of the Chairman of Pantora go missing and intrigue ensues.
Rating: ESB. This ends up being a pretty fun episode even though the premise may seem basic. Some of the characters go to Tatooine crossing paths with everyone’s favorite wannabe bounty hunter, Greedo.
Fun Fact: The Papanoida family is based on the characters played by George Lucas and his family in Revenge of the Sith.
Episodes 5-6: “Corruption” “The Academy”
Synopsis: In “Corruption” Padme and Satine team up to stop a group of Egyptian lizards from poisoning Mandalorian children via Space Mountain Dew. In “The Academy” the great and wise Ahsoka teaches Space Nancy Drew and the Space Hardy Boys how to fight corruption and stop a planet wide conspiracy.
Rating: AotC. I don’t really know what to say about these episodes. They’re easily my least favorite of the whole series. It’s not that they’re juvenile, it’s that they make no sense. In one episode the leader of an entire world has time to investigate one black market shipment out of what has to be millions. In another, children solve the plot Satine should be solving instead of fighting laced soda.
