Unveiling the Untold Secrets: Jaw-Dropping Realities of Rewatching Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 1

Summary

The anthology approach of The Clone Wars creates confusion for first-time viewers, as the show jumps around the timeline, making it jarring and unnatural to follow.

The animation in The Clone Wars season 1 is noticeably less refined than in subsequent seasons, containing some rough and unpolished moments. However, as the show progresses, the animation quality noticeably increases.

Ahsoka's character portrayal in The Clone Wars season 1 lacks the depth and growth that she later experiences, initially presenting her as an irritating and impulsive individual.

The Clone Wars is a beloved part of the Star Wars franchise, but upon re-watching season 1, it becomes clear that there were some issues that prevented it from reaching its full potential. While there are some standout episodes in this season, there are also some that are considered the worst in the Star Wars franchise. These problems unfortunately make it difficult for newcomers to fully appreciate the series, preventing them from experiencing the excellent storytelling of the later seasons and gaining a deeper understanding of the Star Wars universe. After 15 years, here are 10 harsh realities that hindered The Clone Wars from the start.

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10 The Clone Wars' Anthology Approach Is Confusing

The anthology approach of "The Clone Wars" has its advantages but can lead to confusion, particularly for those watching the series for the first time. The show frequently jumps back and forth in the timeline, which can be disorienting when characters who were previously deceased suddenly reappear or when battles take place on planets that had been liberated in earlier episodes. While the official chronological episode order provided on the Star Wars website solves this issue, there are still instances where it feels awkward to switch between different seasons.

9 Star Wars' Animation Has Improved With Time

8 Clone Wars Season 1's Ahsoka Doesn't Show The Nuance She Would Develop

The animation in Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7, released in 2020, was visually stunning. However, when the show initially premiered in 2008, the animation was not as refined. It is worth noting that Lucas opted to release a Clone Wars movie in theaters despite the animation being intended for television. While the animation in The Clone Wars season 1 was not terrible, there were a few moments that appeared unpolished in comparison to the later seasons.

Initially, Ahsoka Tano faced resistance among Star Wars fans when she was introduced as Anakin Skywalker's apprentice in The Clone Wars season 1. Criticized for her occasional annoying and hotheaded behavior, the character gradually evolved and became a beloved figure in later seasons. However, the first season of The Clone Wars does not hint at the remarkable transformation that awaited her.

7 Some Star Wars First Encounters Should Have Been Left For Revenge Of The Sith

The Clone Wars season 1 did not always align perfectly with the movie timeline, particularly in terms of character encounters. While the rivalries between Anakin/Dooku and Obi-Wan/Grievous were captivating, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith strongly hinted that these characters had never encountered each other between the films. This suggests that Filoni and the team aimed to incorporate as many characters as possible, even if it contradicted the events of the prequel trilogy.

6 Clone Wars Season 1 Retconned Established Stories At The Time

Following the Star Wars canon reboot in 2014, The Clone Wars season 1 began contradicting the stories that were previously part of the official continuity. Prior to this, the 2D micro-series Star Wars: Clone Wars and the Clone Wars multimedia project had already provided comprehensive coverage of the Clone Wars. Lucasfilm initially assured fans that everything would align in the timeline. However, it soon became apparent that Filoni's team was introducing a new Clone Wars timeline. As a result, many fans of the Expanded Universe still hold resentment towards the show for this reason.

5 The Two-Part "Downfall Of A Droid" Arc Is Pretty Bad

4 Anakin Changed A Lot In A Short Time After Attack Of The Clones

"The Downfall of a Droid" arc in The Clone Wars is a standout example of the show's few subpar episodes. Serving as the second installment of season 1, episode 6, this two-part arc suffers from subpar animation compared to the rest of the season, and the voice actors lack the same level of energy found in later episodes. Although Anakin's determination to rescue R2-D2 is understandable, it cannot overshadow the fact that he left his Padawan and troops behind to prioritize a single droid. Furthermore, the arc inadvertently portrays General Grievous as weak, as he fails to defeat a relatively inexperienced Padawan who recently joined the war effort.

Anakin's growth is vividly portrayed in The Clone Wars as he evolves from an insecure and impulsive Padawan to a responsible and confident general, despite the series commencing shortly after Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. This character development occurs gradually throughout the Clone Wars multimedia project, with Anakin achieving the rank of Jedi Knight towards the end of the war. While Star Wars: Brotherhood by Mike Chen attempts to elucidate Anakin's transition following the Battle of Geonosis, the depiction of Anakin in The Clone Wars Season 1 initially presents an adjustment for viewers.

3 Clone Wars Season 1's Lightsaber Duels Are Lacking At Times

2 Clone Wars Season 1 Victories Can Feel Hollow Knowing What's To Come

In The Clone Wars season 1, the animation team faced a challenge with the lightsaber duels. While the prequels had perfected fluid choreography by Revenge of the Sith, the mechanics didn't always feel right in this season. However, as time passed, the animation improved and the later seasons showcased some of the finest lightsaber duels in the Star Wars franchise. As a result, the fights in season 1 appear inferior in comparison.

Despite being a gripping series, The Clone Wars faced an issue in its initial season, where numerous heroic victories proved ultimately futile. Fans well-versed in the Star Wars movies are aware of the inevitable triumph of Palpatine and the subsequent oppression endured by planets liberated by the Republic. However, this predicament was resolved in the later seasons of The Clone Wars, as the show took on a darker tone and acknowledged the inevitable defeat for all. Nevertheless, in season 1, the seemingly happy conclusions sometimes lacked the desired impact.

1 Clone Wars Anakin & Live-Action Anakin Are Very Different Characters

The animated series and live-action movies have noticeable differences, particularly in the portrayal of Anakin. Matt Lanter's version of Anakin in The Clone Wars season 1 differs greatly from Hayden Christensen's portrayal, making it difficult to picture them existing in the same timeline. In Ahsoka, Christensen attempted to blend elements of the animated Anakin into his performance, but there are still noticeable discrepancies. While the animated version of Anakin was well-received by fans, this disconnect from his live-action counterpart is an unavoidable aspect of Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 1.