This is my first foray into the realms of animated shows set in the Star Wars universe, having been very ambivalent them as I was expecting them to be an afront to the live action films and shows. I'm currently halfway through Season 1, and have to say that, in general, I've been pleasantly surprised. The plots are mostly pretty good, and the continuing story arc is in line with what you'd expect from having watched the live action stuff. However, there are a few things that really make me want to scythe the heads off the script writers with a lightsaber.
1) Firstly, why in Yoda's name did they feel the need to flog the "I've got a bad feeling about this" line to death? Literally in every episode that I've watched so far, one or more characters has said this line at least once, sometimes multiple times, in situations where, in many cases, a braindead womp rat could have worked out that it's a bad situation (e.g. being shot at by an army of battle droids when all you have to fight them with is a cowardly protocol droid) never mind someone with a functioning brain and/or Jedi insight. That line was amusing, once, in A New Hope (I think) when Han Solo said it, but not on repeat in every single dangerous situation. It's very lazy scripting, and so irritating that, if it carries on until the end of season 1, I won't even bother with the other six because it'll make me want to ram a blaster in my mouth and pull the trigger.
2) The stereotyping and/or behaviour of some of the characters (both good and bad) is, at times, unbelievably stupid or thoughtless, given that they're supposed to be highly trained (and in most cases) experienced individuals; behaviour which seems deliberately contrived to fit the plot without being realistic, but as this animated show is clearly aimed at a younger audience than the live action shows, this doesn't jar(jar) too much.
3) That totally unnecessary news-reporter-style commentary at the start of every episode. It's really cheap and corny, and detracts from the quality of the rest of the episode (points 1 and 2 notwithstanding). Why not just do a simple "last time on Clone Wars" recap before the opening credits roll, like nearly every other TV show on the planet?
4) The banter between the battle droids, and their attitude, is amusing and lends a much-needed lighter tone to the otherwise gloomy proceedings. However, the Geonosians were master engineers and droid builders (they designed the original Death Star) so you have to wonder what they were thinking when building battle droids with unique personalities and emotions, and the ability to wilfully defy orders. Perhaps a deliberate ploy to screw over their customers? Seems reckless and self-defeating to me. Maybe by being self-aware they could more adaptable fighters, but emotions can only ever be a detriment to a killing machine. I'm amazed that they were used so much for these very reasons - although it helped that Grievous was just an augmented battle droid himself.
** EDIT (31/01/2023) ** Having now watched The Clone Wars in its entirety, I am pleased to report that, after season 1, points 1 and 2 were gradually addressed. The plots improved, the characters mostly stopped using any repetitive catchphrases, and overall the majority of the episodes are worth watching and provide good insights into how The Republic succumbed to corruption and complacency, both within the senate and the Jedi Council, how Senator Palpatine so cleverly played both and also played the Separatists, how Palpatine truly made real his Sith name, Darth Sidious, as the insidious nature of his megalomania, and particularly Order 66, so devastatingly demonstrate. Ahsoka, who initially was irritating and irrational, has evolved into a strong, well-balanced, incorruptible individual who learns that being a Jedi is a double-edged sword (or saber) and that the Republic and the Separatists are really just two sides of the same galactic coin. Seeing Anakin portrayed as a far better, more likeable character than he was in the movies, and Yoda's Force journey, was also great. I would now recommend all Star Wars fans to watch TCW to further fill in the backstory between Prequel episodes 2 and 3 movies. It also helped clarify a few things in RoTS, which I watched again straight after finishing TCW season 7, which was fantastic; easily the best season, and the final four episodes were 10/10.
I'm now starting on The Bad Batch, as I'm attempting to watch all the SW productions in universe-timeline order.
Review by TygerboiBlockedParent2022-10-07T11:33:44Z— updated 2023-01-31T12:16:06Z
This is my first foray into the realms of animated shows set in the Star Wars universe, having been very ambivalent them as I was expecting them to be an afront to the live action films and shows. I'm currently halfway through Season 1, and have to say that, in general, I've been pleasantly surprised. The plots are mostly pretty good, and the continuing story arc is in line with what you'd expect from having watched the live action stuff. However, there are a few things that really make me want to scythe the heads off the script writers with a lightsaber.
1) Firstly, why in Yoda's name did they feel the need to flog the "I've got a bad feeling about this" line to death? Literally in every episode that I've watched so far, one or more characters has said this line at least once, sometimes multiple times, in situations where, in many cases, a braindead womp rat could have worked out that it's a bad situation (e.g. being shot at by an army of battle droids when all you have to fight them with is a cowardly protocol droid) never mind someone with a functioning brain and/or Jedi insight. That line was amusing, once, in A New Hope (I think) when Han Solo said it, but not on repeat in every single dangerous situation. It's very lazy scripting, and so irritating that, if it carries on until the end of season 1, I won't even bother with the other six because it'll make me want to ram a blaster in my mouth and pull the trigger.
2) The stereotyping and/or behaviour of some of the characters (both good and bad) is, at times, unbelievably stupid or thoughtless, given that they're supposed to be highly trained (and in most cases) experienced individuals; behaviour which seems deliberately contrived to fit the plot without being realistic, but as this animated show is clearly aimed at a younger audience than the live action shows, this doesn't jar(jar) too much.
3) That totally unnecessary news-reporter-style commentary at the start of every episode. It's really cheap and corny, and detracts from the quality of the rest of the episode (points 1 and 2 notwithstanding). Why not just do a simple "last time on Clone Wars" recap before the opening credits roll, like nearly every other TV show on the planet?
4) The banter between the battle droids, and their attitude, is amusing and lends a much-needed lighter tone to the otherwise gloomy proceedings. However, the Geonosians were master engineers and droid builders (they designed the original Death Star) so you have to wonder what they were thinking when building battle droids with unique personalities and emotions, and the ability to wilfully defy orders. Perhaps a deliberate ploy to screw over their customers? Seems reckless and self-defeating to me. Maybe by being self-aware they could more adaptable fighters, but emotions can only ever be a detriment to a killing machine. I'm amazed that they were used so much for these very reasons - although it helped that Grievous was just an augmented battle droid himself.
** EDIT (31/01/2023) ** Having now watched The Clone Wars in its entirety, I am pleased to report that, after season 1, points 1 and 2 were gradually addressed. The plots improved, the characters mostly stopped using any repetitive catchphrases, and overall the majority of the episodes are worth watching and provide good insights into how The Republic succumbed to corruption and complacency, both within the senate and the Jedi Council, how Senator Palpatine so cleverly played both and also played the Separatists, how Palpatine truly made real his Sith name, Darth Sidious, as the insidious nature of his megalomania, and particularly Order 66, so devastatingly demonstrate. Ahsoka, who initially was irritating and irrational, has evolved into a strong, well-balanced, incorruptible individual who learns that being a Jedi is a double-edged sword (or saber) and that the Republic and the Separatists are really just two sides of the same galactic coin. Seeing Anakin portrayed as a far better, more likeable character than he was in the movies, and Yoda's Force journey, was also great. I would now recommend all Star Wars fans to watch TCW to further fill in the backstory between Prequel episodes 2 and 3 movies. It also helped clarify a few things in RoTS, which I watched again straight after finishing TCW season 7, which was fantastic; easily the best season, and the final four episodes were 10/10.
I'm now starting on The Bad Batch, as I'm attempting to watch all the SW productions in universe-timeline order.