Last month, I finally finished Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I started watching in 2021 and kept watching on & off throughout 2022 and 2023. No matter what your opinion is, I think it’s worth noting that Star Wars: The Clone Wars has shaped Star Wars lore since its release. Part of the reason it took me so long to finish the show is there were certain arcs that didn’t excite me all that much, so I felt it was difficult to keep myself on track. However, I felt once I got through season #3, I felt the show took a turn in a direction that I was more interested in. I wanted to focus on some of my favorite story arcs within Clone Wars

Obi-Wan aka. “Ben” going undercover with Cad Bane – Season #4

In season #4, Obi-Wan fakes his death to go undercover to find out more about a plot to kidnap the Chancellor. As part of his undercover work, he’s forced to try out to make the team of assassins who goes after Palpatine. Dooku puts the assassins through several challenges. I thought this was entertaining to watch since it was more action based. Plus I think it gives Obi-Wan a little grit since this isn’t something that you would think Obi-Wan would do.

Mandalore – Rise & Fall – Seasons #2 – #7

For those who are fans of The Mandalorian, there is a lot of story that comes from Clone Wars. This includes Bo-Katan’s character arc, why Bo-Katan wants the Darksaber, and Obi-Wan’s connection to Mandalore. I loved watching all of the episodes featuring Mandalore as I thought they were really interesting.

I thought seeing Maul coming into it and taking Mandalore was not what I expected. It was one of the few things within Clone Wars that weren’t spoiled to me prior to watching. I have always been a Darth Maul fan, so the fact that he was brought back and served such a big role in the later seasons was so satisfying to watch.

Taking Back Onderon – Season #5

Onderon is the planet that Saw Guerra is from and this whole arc helps shape his character. Saw helps lead a resistance troop to take back the planet as the Jedi have agreed not to help. Ahsoka is also key in this arc as well. The first time I saw Saw Guerra was in Rogue One, so it was cool to see Saw appear in other Star Wars content.

Ahsoka’s Whole Arc – Season #5 – #7

I will be honest, Ahsoka had to grow on me. I wasn’t originally a big fan of hers when I was watching the earlier seasons. With that being said, Ahsoka is now one of my favorite Star Wars characters. It’s clear that Ahsoka picks up a lot of Anakin’s discontent with the order. In season #5, Ahsoka is framed for a terrorist attack. The Jedi (except for Anakin) are so quick to believe Ahsoka is guilty which is rather odd to me considering all that she has done for them. She’s even kicked out of the order while she is on trial. Anakin quickly figures out who is responsible and invites Ahsoka back only for her to leave the order for good.

I was so happy that Ahsoka left the order. Why would she return when they clearly abandoned her when she needed them the most? I think this arc helps to shape the flaws of the Jedi Order and demonstrates how the Jedi aren’t always the “good guys”.

Ahsoka meets Anakin again when Ahsoka and Bo-Katan return to Mandalore to dethrone Maul. Anakin is quick to greet Ahsoka while Obi-Wan is a little cold towards her. It was so disappointing to see that interaction, but I think if anything, it helps to confirm that Ahsoka made the right choice in leaving. Ahsoka and Maul have a lot of interesting dialogue because they both have one thing in common: they were both abandoned and treated disrespectfully.

Finally, the last few episodes show Ahsoka as Order 66 is confirmed. I love the way this was done. Ahsoka feels the change in The Force when Windu is killed by Sidious. She goes to Rex and that’s when the Clones turn on her. The whole scene when Ahsoka takes out her lightsabers, which were gifted to her by Anakin, and defends herself against all the blaster bolts was so awesome. Ahsoka ends up freeing Rex from the brainwashing and they escape together. I found myself getting a little teary-eyed towards the end seeing Ahsoka having to survive on her own. Ahsoka has arguably the best character arc in the whole show.

If you have ever struggled to watch Clone Wars like I have, there are several guides online that show the pivotal episodes to watch. An example includes this guide which lists several episodes that are essential for any Star Wars fan. I’m so glad that I watched the show and now I feel like I need some Ahsoka merchandise in my life.