Kristin Baver is a journalist who loved science fiction before she could even write her own name. (Seriously, she was a card-carrying member of the Star Wars Fan Club when she had no other real reason to own a wallet.) Now she gets paid to pen stories and book reviews, interview fellow fans, writers, and other interesting people, and aspires to one day craft a Boushh disguise and join the ranks of the 501st Legion.







To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and the all-new episodes coming thanks to #CloneWarsSaved, we’re undertaking a full chronological rewatch of the five original seasons, The Lost Missions, and the theatrical release. We’d be honored if you would join us and share your thoughts on the award-winning series.

45: “Corruption” (Season Three, Episode 5)

“The challenge of hope is to overcome corruption.”

Synopsis:

Padmé, on a diplomatic mission to Mandalore, partners with Duchess Satine to investigate something sinister — Moogan smugglers have been sneaking in supplies, including tainted bottles of tea destined for the Mandalorian schools.

Analysis:

There are many ways to poison a community.

Misinformation and greed contaminates the moral fiber of neutral Mandalore, in part caused by desperation as trade routes are stifled and the people must turn to black market smugglers for supplies.

Those smugglers are in it for themselves, diluting their product with poison to double their profits. Then they pay off the low-ranking officials who are in place to protect the citizens, but willing to turn a blind eye to make a quick credit.

And it’s the children who suffer the most and have the least amount of say in the matter. In their schools, they drink their tea blissfully unaware of any problem, guzzling a poison that sends hundreds to the hospital in an outbreak.

And what’s it all for? So a few people in positions of power could slyly stuff their pockets at the expense of the lives of innocent?

Padmé remains hopeful that with the culprits identified and the tea eliminated, Mandalore will be safe once again. But even the optimistic Duchess Satine has her doubts. If people are willing to let their own children die, her people are in grave danger of losing the very future they’re fighting for.

And this is only the beginning.

Intel:

Mandalore isn’t just known for an affinity for cubist art — even some of the foods are cube shaped.

What did you think of the episode? Tell us in the comments below and share on social with #CloneWarsRewatch!

Next up: Come back next Thursday when Ahsoka goes undercover on Mandalore in “The Academy.”

Associate Editor Kristin Baver is a writer and all-around sci-fi nerd who always has just one more question in an inexhaustible list of curiosities. Sometimes she blurts out “It’s a trap!” even when it’s not. Want to talk more about The Clone Wars? Hop on Twitter and tell @KristinBaver what you thought about today’s episode.

Site tags: #StarWarsBlog, #CloneWarsRewatch