Week 36 - The Force Arc

I might have to give it a few weeks before I get around to these final three arcs.

The Lost One is a pretty cool episode. It finally gives answers to twelve-year-old questions, has Dooku at his most badass, and just has some really awesome sequences.

I'm glad they finally got around to the questions of Sifo-Dyas, something Lucas kinda dropped the ball on. The sequence at the beginning is really cool, especially the sand effects. I like how they brought Valorum into the story as well. Never thought we'd see him again.

Dooku is probably at his best here. He'd really just been operating through holograms for a while now, so it was good to see him get his hands dirty. I wasn't exactly begging for Dooku to face off against Anakin yet again but at least Obi-Wan is here so hey, that's different. And it's just a really cool scene. I just wish it didn't happen so much.

I've seen this listed by some as one of the best episodes. I don't really agree. Like it's a good one but definitely not top tier for me. I'd give it a 8/10.

I watched the next two episodes. Voices is just kinda alright until the end but Destiny is way better than I remember.

Destiny is a really cool episode and it packs a lot in.

I like the world Yoda goes to. It’s reminiscent of Mortis but even more stunning. Some of the coolest visuals we’ve seen on the show.

Evil Yoda as a concept sounds like it could be laughable but they actually make it work pretty well. That one part where his voice gets louder and lower reminds me of the Joker for some reason. It was good that they acknowledged that he was in fact a part of Yoda, and that even Yoda was corruptable and beholden to his fears.

The Temple scene is dark and really cool. And I like that they threw Battle of the Heroes over it. Maybe I’m wrong but I feel like this sequence confirms that the show was originally going to kill Ahsoka in the Jedi Purge.

Anyway, the scene of all the Jedi is really great to see. It feels peaceful but at the same time creepy and uncomfortable. And the way it transforms with Yoda allowing Dooku to kill him is really nice.

This is a really really good episode that surprised me upon rewatch. Maybe I’m prisoner of the moment but for now I’m giving it a 9.5/10.

All things considered, if The Clone Wars ended early, Sacrifice was a very good episode to close out on. It ties in very well to the main saga without abandoning the importance of the clone wars. Lines like “to the end we are coming now” and grand talk about the morality and unsinkable nature of the Clone Wars are oddly fitting. If weren’t for so many abandoned plot lines, this would have been a perfect close.

As to the episode itself, it’s an incredible one. I like the name “Korriban” a lot better than “Moraband” but the place is cool to see no matter what you call it. Seeing Darth Bane was an unexpected surprise (and I would’ve liked to see Darth Revan) and it was really sweet getting Mark Hamill to voice him. Also cool to see Sifo-Dyas turn up again.

The Coruscant vision or whatever you call it was a really cool idea and a great way to end all this. I like how unlike his other trials, this wasn’t controlled by the Priestesses and had real stakes, even though we knew Yoda would survive. The plan on Sidious’ part was actually very clever and the goal of breaking Yoda feels very personal yet with wide implications.

The sequence was just really cool. I think we all had an “oh shit” moment when Yoda said “execute them, we must.” Maybe I wish Rex didn’t go out like a bitch but oh well. I liked how they foreshadowed Dooku’s eventual death. I due have some questions as to how that worked as if maybe Palpatine already knew that was manner in which he would die.

Yoda vs Palps was awesome and something I never thought we’d see on this show. We miss Ian Abercrombie but to Tim Curry’s credit he makes a great Darth Sidious. It’s powerful when Yoda puts away his lightsaber and takes the brunt of the lightning.

After Yoda’s “death” we get some really cool brief moments, I.e. the TIE Fighter, Vader, and his actual death. I kinda just want to give credit to the music in this arc as the incorporated saga music into the last three episodes in really ways, especially Yoda’s theme.

Like I said before, the scene at the end between Yoda, Mace, and High Ground does manage to add some nice finality to the episode. Some shots and lines were no doubt altered once it became clear this would be the final episode. But they do work really well and tie up many themes form the entire show. If we had concluded Maul and Ventress by now, this might have been the beat way to end it, though we’ll see what happens later this year.

This is an incredible episode. 10/10.

I haven't heard that but it does make a lot of sense.

You could probably pirate it somewhere.

Unfortunately I've just struggled to find time for it. However I do plan on finishing the rewatch before the next season hits

I honestly think this is my favorite episode in the show.

Normally I watch all the arcs at once, but might take a break this time. I’m pretty tired.

Might as well only got two episodes left for tomorrow and then Rebels again on Friday

I still feel like Sacrifice was probably a season 7 episode, maybe even the season 7 finale. I honestly think they probably made this arc from scratch (which would explain how they ran out of budget on things like Dooku cloak) when doing the Lost Missions to have a better makeshift conclusion for the show over something like Utapau or Bad Batch which had tons of work done but wouldn’t have been as impactful. In other words they probably could have given us a full season for The Lost Missions if they didn’t choose this arc I think. But I am glad they choose this one, it just feels like a great journey and a good send off for the series.

My one real issue is the stupid name, Moraband. Fuck that shit it’s Korriban. I liked seeing Korriban, it had quite a bit of imagery from SWTOR (like the temple itself). Mark Hamiills cameo as Bane was great and I’m glad they made him canon. Still wish they did the Revan cameo for the Mortis arc though....

Having both Sidious and Dooku involved was nice and I really liked seeing more of the Coruscant hideout. It’s interesting that the final trial was orchestrated by the Priestesses, I like when Palpatine is appearing as Sifo and Yoda drops a mistaken line about his real mission and Sidious seems to pick up on it with a question but doesn’t press the point. I do find the Coruscant vision semi weird, if it’s all being orchestrated by Sidious why did he only choose to have Anakin with Yoda? Seems odd, Yoda should pick up on that a bit more cause the Priestesses literally told him it would be the Dark Lords doing. Sidious also showed Yoda how Dooku would die.

There really is a lot of info being given in this arc and Yoda didn’t have time to act on it, which to me seems to suggest this is very close to ROTS. Logically the Jedi also now know where the Sith hideout is (again seems odd Sidious showed him that) which in legends only happened right before ROTS itself. Padme must also be pregnant at this point due to the Skywalker line I think.

I like the future vision with the Vader breathing and stuff and the final scene is very sort of doom and gloom to me. Yoda doesn’t exactly seem confident in winning the war anymore like he did in The Lost One, it almost seems like he’s given up on the current state of the Jedi order. Also the Ahsoka walkout theme was a great ending soundtrack.

This episode is an easy 10/10 although I really want to know where it fits on the timeline. My guess is season 6 finale at the earliest, season 7 finale at the latest.

I rewatched this arc and I think Sacrifice actually worked really well as an ending for the show. With the references to Luke and whatnot you can just tell they're in the endgame now and even Yoda realizes this. I can see the events of ROTS happening right after this I don't think we needed a direct lead in with Anakin and Obi-Wan getting in their starfighters or something lol.

So I do wonder how season 7 will end and if that will be the definite conclusion to the show. I wouldn't mind if it had a more upbeat ending because Sacrifice, while it worked, was pretty somber overall. I suppose the clone wars era itself doesn't exactly have a happy ending... But still

The Lost One has always stood out to me as one of the most unique and interesting in the series. We get more insight to Sifo-Dyas, the Jedi Council seeks answers, and the Sith also make efforts to cover their tracks. This episode includes so much, it's so entertaining from start to finish.

Even though it's brief, I think the Obi-Wan/ Anakin vs Dooku fight is one of my favorites. I love how Dooku pushes Anakin on the defensive and causes Obi-Wan to be more aggressive than normal. Before this episode, I don't think I realized that the Jedi didn't realize Dooku was Tyranus, so it's cool finally seeing them put it all together.

In so many ways, this episode compliments previous lore and adds to it. There's a perfect balance of intrigue and action. All of this combined makes for one of my favorite episodes in TCW. An easy 10/10.

Destiny is a great episode. I really like how the Priestesses guide Yoda on his trials. They're simple in concept, but offer another intriguing glimpse at Force wielders like the Father, Daughter, Son, and Bendu. This arc proves once again how any stories that delve into the mystic side of Star Wars always end up being some of the best content we get.

Yoda's dark version of himself humbles one of the most powerful and wisest Jedi in canon, and I love it. The struggle felt real, and there was something very creepy about Dark Yoda that felt on point.

My favorite part of the episode definitely comes when we see the Jedi Temple vision. I think this goes down as one of the coolest moments in the series. The foreshadowing to the Jedi Purge coupled with a serene Temple never plagued by the Clone War offers a powerful image. Even though it's a vision, I like how we see Dooku as a Jedi as he stands alongside Qui-Gon and Kenobi. I love the moment when Yoda recognizes the vision's falseness and stands there as Dooku turns on him.

There's a lot of great parts to this episode. I can understand some calling it the best in the arc, but it's a little slow and not quite as enjoyable for me from start to finish compared to The Lost One or Sacrifice. Regardless, this is an amazing installment worthy of 9/10.