





Star Wars: The Clone Wars was more than just a TV show. It expanded the Star Wars galaxy as we know it, introducing new characters, like Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex, and allowing a closer look at others, like Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan-Kenobi, we had only seen on film. It gave us a deeper appreciation for the nuances of the Force, the precarious balance between the dark and the light, and the people and other beings caught in between. It peered unflinchingly at the physical, emotional, and personal toll of war and survival against impossible odds.

In honor of the revival of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, after #CloneWarsSaved announced plans for new episodes at San Diego Comic-Con last week, we asked StarWars.com’s contributors to weigh in with their favorite moments, characters, and story arcs from the series (as we know and love it.) Tell us your favorites in the comments below! Then check back because starting next week, we invite you to join us for an all-new series chronicling our chronological rewatch of the entire series and film!

Ahsoka’s Choice

Anakin holds his hand outstretched, a simple plea for Ahsoka to return to the Jedi Order. She’s come a long way during The Clone Wars, from little ‘Soka to a snippy young learner and eventually a guide for younglings, but the bombing at the Jedi temple and the accusations that turned her into a fugitive has shaken her confidence and eroded her beliefs. Years later, even though by now we know exactly what path Ahsoka will choose, the heartbreaking moment when she decides her own fate, her place in the galaxy, and walks away from it all? Powerful storytelling with an emotional resonance. — Kristin Baver

Sidious Savaging Savage and Mauling Maul

The Clone Wars delivers the finest lightsaber duel in Star Wars, and imbues it with an unexpected sense of melancholy that will forever define the character of Maul. In one fight, the former Sith Lord has everything taken from him yet again, and at the hands of the only person he’s ever loved. The battle is devastating… and heartbreaking. — Justin Bolger

The Delightful Lunacy of ‘A Sunny Day’

I’ve written about this before, but years later I still feel the same way: I love the droid arc from Season Five, particularly “A Sunny Day in the Void.” To me, it represents the best in Star Wars weirdness. You have a team of droids, most of which talk in bleeps and bloops, led by a bombastic, tiny green alien named Meebur Gascon. They wander around in a vast nothing, and the Patton-like Gascon proceeds to lose his mind, cackling and hallucinating like a loon. I mean, really, what’s not to love? — Dan Brooks

The Tragedy of Brothers

The brotherhood between Savage Oppress and Darth Maul includes both fierce loyalty and the deadly rivalry of the Sith. Their relationship is a fascinating mess of distrust and violence involving two people who never had a chance to experience a healthy family dynamic but formed their own bond with each other. Savage’s death at Darth Sidious’s hands is one of many tragedies of The Clone Wars, and features one of the show’s best lightsaber battles. — Megan Crouse

Yoda’s Darkness

Two words: Evil Yoda. The Jedi Master’s Moraband arc took a character that once seemed nearly omniscient and made him truly vulnerable, a bit frightened, but above all willing to accept that even he had much to learn. The episodes of The Clone Wars that delve into the dark corners of the galaxy remind us that there is an eerie and mystical side to the Force — and it’s freakin’ awesome. — Dana Jennings

The Resurrection of Maul

For 12 years, I knew with absolute certainty what every fan thought they knew: Darth Maul died on Naboo. But Maul’s resurrection enriched the character tenfold, giving him a family and added motivations, years of storytelling potential, and another chance at the thing he craved above all else: revenge.– Alex Kane

A Bounty of Bounty Hunters

Having come late to The Clone Wars, the true impetus (and excitement) behind my binge was the on-screen development of Star Wars‘ infamous bounty hunters. Watching the series flesh out these until-now silent characters — Bossk, Dengar, Aurra Sing — and introduce new ones — Cad Bane, Embo, Lats Razzi, Highsinger — was a true joy for this hunter-obsessed fan, as well as following Boba Fett’s journey from a dusty arena on Geonosis. — Neil Kleid

The Power of Mortis

In just a few episodes, The Clone Wars expanded the Force mythology in ways that probably no one expected. The planet Mortis is a conduit of the Force, and there Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka crossed paths with the Father, the Daughter, and the Son. These Force-wielders were unlike any we’d seen before, and their time together irrevocably affected the trio. Our understanding of the Force and how Anakin Skywalker fulfilled the prophecy of the Chosen One changed forever after these extraordinary episodes of the series. — Kelly Knox

Witches of the Mist

The Nightsisters storyline introduced some of the most fascinating and complex characters to Star Wars lore. It also put a new twist on the idea of Force powers by having the witches of Dathomir use spells and Force magick. While the storyline is deliciously macabre, I love how it also shows the complexities of family dynamics. Mother Talzin’s love and loyalty for the Nightsisters coven is powerful, and it is her desire for revenge that makes this storyline truly exciting to watch. — Jennifer Landa

Individuality in a Surprising Place

You would think, with clones being, well…clones, that they wouldn’t provide much in terms of character. The Clone Wars proved this completely wrong, showing the clones as individuals with heart, soul, nobility, bravery, and more. There are some tremendous arcs and episodes focusing on Rex and his crew that remain some of the series’s most thrilling and touching moments.” — Michael Moreci

Ventress’s Path to Balance

I appreciate how The Clone Wars took the time to explore the stories of heroes and villains and show the nuance of both sides of the conflict. I am particularly obsessed with Asajj Ventress’s arc. I love that we saw her go from dark side apprentice to independent bounty hunter; she didn’t fully commit to good or evil and took control of her life and carved a unique path for herself. — Amy Ratcliffe

Satine Standing her Ground

The episodes of The Clone Wars I return to the most feature Duchess Satine Kryze. I loved how Satine stood her ground as a pacifist in a time of war, her complicated (and tragic) relationship with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and how through her story Star Wars fans were able to learn more about the history of Mandalore. These episodes also had memorable moments with Padmé, Ahsoka, Satine’s sister Bo-Katan, and Darth Maul that showed the personal costs of standing up for what they believed in. — Amy Richau

The Notorious Clovis

My favorite arcs of The Clone Wars were always rooted in classic film, but my favorite might have been Senate Spy, which was a send-up of Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious. That episode, along with the Clovis arc in The Lost Missions, really helped flesh out Anakin and Padmé’s relationship for me and made it so much more real and human. Anakin’s jealousy and Padmé’s sense of duty, especially where Clovis was concerned, always played off of each other in exciting and dramatic ways. Especially when you give that work to Matt Lanter and Cat Taber. — Bryan Young

A Glimpse at Anakin’s Dark Side

For me, it’s the subterfuge of the Rako Hardeen arc from Season Four. Obi-Wan Kenobi fakes his own death and disguises himself as Rako Hardeen in order to prevent a Separatist plot to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine. Besides fooling Cad Bane, he also has to fool his Padawan, Anakin, who is tempted to give into his anger to avenge his beloved Master. We get a glimpse into Anakin’s dark side, as well as begin to understand how the Clone Wars have warped the Jedi way. — Dan Zehr

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