The Clone Wars: A Tale of Inconsistency and Clone Valor

The Clone Trooper Conundrum

The Clone Wars, a beloved TV show in the Star Wars franchise, has garnered widespread acclaim for its storytelling and character development. However, amidst the praise, lies a significant inconsistency in the portrayal of its titular clone troopers.

Clone Wars Star Wars Troopers

In the Star Wars lore, clone troopers are depicted as unquestioningly obedient, akin to the battle droids and Imperial stormtroopers. However, the Legends-era Clone Wars material and The Clone Wars series itself have presented a different narrative, highlighting the clones' possession of free will and individuality, thus humanizing them in a unique manner.

This inconsistency has led to a dichotomy in the treatment of clone troopers, where they are given significant character development and individuality in certain episodes while being relegated to disposable cannon fodder in others. The clash between these portrayals has raised questions about the true value attributed to the clone troopers within the narrative.

The Humanization of Clone Troopers

One of the most compelling elements of The Clone Wars is its humanization of the clone troopers, transforming them from faceless soldiers into distinct individuals with names, personalities, and unique traits. This approach extends to entire story arcs dedicated to the clone troopers, providing them with character development that rivals that of the Jedi characters.

Characters like Captain Rex, Waxer, and Fives, among others, have become integral to the series, evoking viewer investment and empathy comparable to that directed towards prominent non-clone characters. The deliberate effort to humanize the clone troopers has been a defining aspect of the show, enriching the storytelling and expanding the emotional depth of the narrative.

However, the inconsistency arises when the show deviates from clone-centric episodes, relegating the troopers to mere tools of exposition and disposable casualties. This shift in treatment undermines the show's own efforts to imbue the clone troopers with genuine significance and detracts from their established individuality and valor.

The Arc of Disparity: A Case of Contradiction

One of the most poignant examples of this inconsistency is found within the Citadel story arc of The Clone Wars. The arc showcases a stark contrast in the treatment of character deaths, specifically highlighting the disproportionate reaction to the demise of a clone trooper compared to that of a Jedi Master.

In the episode 'Counterattack,' the apparent death of Echo, a clone trooper with a substantial character arc, is met with minimal acknowledgment and seemingly little regard. This stands in stark contrast to the extensive mourning and funeral sequence that follows the death of Jedi Master Even Piell in the subsequent episode, 'Citadel Rescue.' The disparity in treatment underscores the show's struggle to maintain consistency in honoring the significance of the clone troopers.

The lack of equitable recognition for the sacrifice and valor of the clone troopers in comparison to other characters with less established development undermines the narrative's own objective to portray the troopers as integral and deserving of genuine acknowledgment and respect.