Continuing my original Chronicling The Clone Wars blog post, here’s a look at the next four episodes airing in syndication and some notes regarding where they fit on the timeline.
“Ambush” (S101)
Upon arriving in a neutral planetary system with the intent of gaining the system’s allegiance to the Republic, Yoda is attacked by Separatists and a fierce competition ensues between Yoda and the Sith leader Asajj Ventress for the system’s loyalty.
“Ambush” is the premiere episode of the series, though chronologically, it does not mark the first appearances of either King Katuunko or Asajj Ventress. “Supply Lines” sowed the seeds of neutral Toydaria leaning towards the Republic, but “Ambush” provides the real test. Lieutenant Thire is one of the clones serving under Master Yoda and we’ll later see him as a clone commander in Revenge of the Sith. We briefly see King Katuunko’s ship, the Thief’s Eye. A different version of the ship appears much later in the timeline. Katuunko gives Yoda his ceremonial sword as a show of support towards the Republic. Katuunko will have different sword when we see him later in the series.
“Rising Malevolence” (S102)
General Grievous has developed a powerful new weapon that he uses to utterly decimate Jedi Master Plo Koon’s fleet of Republic cruisers; Anakin and Ahsoka creatively interpret their orders so that they can search for survivors of the attack.
“Shadow of Malevolence” (S103)
Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano mount an assault against a Confederacy cruiser that is housing a terrible new weapon.
“Destroy Malevolence” (S104)
A fleet of Republic Star Destroyers attempts to capture General Grievous before he can repair the hyperdrive in his heavily damaged flagship.
The “Malevolence story” arc is the first multi-episode story arc to air in chronological order. This marks Plo Koon’s first significant role in the series. It is also the first appearance of Commander Wolffe, Plo Koon’s clone commander, though he is not mentioned by name in the episode or in the script, and he is dressed in an officer’s uniform, not clone armor. Wolffe and the 104th Battalion (Wolf Pack) clones serving under him will undergo multiple changes to the armor, appearing in different variations each season.
Padmé’s starship in “Destroy Malevolence” is an H-type Nubian yacht, the same model ship she had in Attack of the Clones. There are at least two more.
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
- “Cat and Mouse” (S216)
- “Hidden Enemy“ (S116)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 theatrical release)
- “Clone Cadets” (S301)
- “Supply Lines” (S303)
- “Ambush” (S101)
- “Rising Malevolence” (S102)
- “Shadow of Malevolence” (S103)
- “Destroy Malevolence” (S104)
Leland Y Chee is the Keeper of the Holocron at Lucasfilm and writer of the Star Wars Insider magazine “Ask Lobot” feature. Send your “Ask Lobot” questions to starwarsinsider@titanemail.com. Also, you can follow @holocronkeeper on Twitter.
“…Commander Wolffe, Plo Koon’s clone commander, though he is not mentioned by name in the episode…”
I believe that’s a typo because…
“Wolffe, keep the communication signal alive.” – Plo Koon, ‘Rising Malevolence’
Thanks, Leland. Long overdue. What I’d really like to know is when and where the Clone Wars is going to show up in syndication. Can’t wait to watch (again).
Hi, Leland, where does the Genndy Tartakovsky (2003-2005) Star Wars: Clone Wars Micro Series fit in ? I would have to imagine that Chatpers 1-21 take place in between Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones and the 2008 series episode “Cat and Mouse”.
Chapters 1-21 are very significant for the many events that we see…first appearances of Grievous, Ventress, Anakin becoming a Jedi Knight, only appearance of Durge, capture of San Hill, the reasons for creating more clones due to heavy losses seen at the battles of Muunilinst, Dantooine, Mon Calamari and Hypori.
The only error is the early appearance of the Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor after Anakin is Knighted in Chapter 21. Yet that could simply be explained by the fact that Anakin is operating the first prototype version of it on a first test flight mission… Plus the 2008 series references Mace Windu’s battle at Dantooine.
Please officially explain thisn finally put the debate at rest and let us all know where at least the first 21 chapters fit within the Star Wars Canon !
On that note, I imagine that there are plans to retcon Chapters 22-25 since I have to imagine that the 2008 series will retell the taking of Coruscant and capture of Palpatine… A potential Palpatine capture was hinted at in Season 4 after all
Now I’ll be able to continue my re-watch.
Once again, nice entry !
Keep em coming! Love the behind-the-scenes trivia and details.
PLEASE make sure the final list is saved somewhere permanently online!
And just to be clear, did you mean that Padme has at least 2 more of the same H-type Nubian yachts (since it keeps getting destroyed and re-appearing in other episodes)?
Thanks so much, Leland! I really appreciate your being a contributor to this blog despite your busy schedule. I am a senior in high school applying to colleges and scholarships, yet I somehow still find the time to check this blog. I have been a Star Wars lover for years, and this blog always piques my interest and teaches me something new. I am grateful to Lucas for nominating and allowing a man of your insight and intelligence to maintain such an important aspect of Star Wars continuity for the past, present, and future. Thank you so much for never letting down Star Wars fans like me!
All very well with The Clone Wars – but where the hell does Droids (1985 animated series) fit in with this all then????
The DVD says it takes place 15 years before the droids met Luke.
Don’t “Downfall of a Droid” and “Duel of the Droids” take place prior to the Malevolence story arc? I thought that Anakin refuses to let Ahsoka fly in “Shadow of Malevolence” because of a close call when piloting the Twilight in “Duel of the Droids”.
There’s even more evidence that puts those episodes before the Malevolence arc but that evidence is contained in web comics written by Pablo Hidalgo and Mr. Hidalgo himself doesn’t consider them part of the canon timeline. Looks like we’re at the mercy of Mr. Chee’s interpretation of the timeline. I can only assume that this interpretation is also that of Mr. Lucas, which is all I care about anyway.
I’d second the suggestion to put the Droid arc before the Malevolence arc. Not only because there seems to be an event in the Droid arc which Anakin and Ahsoka refer to in the Malevolence arc (Ahsoka’s abilities as a pilot) but also due to Tyranus and Sidious’ doubt about Grievous in the Gunray-Grievous arc. It would work much better if Tyranus’ main doubts came from Grievous losing the Malevolence after suffering minor defeats from Anakin and Obi-Wan, not so much if those defeats came after the loss of the Malevolence. Tyranus seemed really pissed in the scene where Grievous cut him off in ‘Destroy Malevolence’.
A bit behind here but looking through the trivia for Shadow of Malevolence from the old starwars.com site it said “An as-yet-untold adventure has established that Anakin is wary of Ahsoka’s piloting (see episode guide for “Downfall of a Droid” on November 7th for more information). ” which rather suggested that the Malevolence arc came AFTER the Downfall one. Was there a change of mind or was it an error?