I know I said this in my review for Season 2, (and trust me, I really hate repeating myself) but this feels more like a “Season 0” for the whole series. This is mainly because half of the episodes here serve as context for previous episodes in earlier seasons, although the second half shifts more towards original stories or political issues. If I’m being honest, I have mixed feelings about this unique blend of topics.

The Characters

Source: https://www.starwars.com/series/clone-wars/counterattack-episode-gallery?

Okay, I know I’ve been talking about Ahsoka a lot, but I just can’t unhear what I’ve heard half the internet say about her character growth! Even if I hadn’t, it’s very easy for anyone to see with all she’s been put through: scary lizard hunters, powerful Force deities, and a traumatizing prison breakout? Who wouldn’t mature a decade after trudging through all that? But in all seriousness, I love how each adventure truly tests Ahsoka and draws out her power and her leadership skills. Perhaps the greatest example of this is when she was captured by hunters, forced to survive on an island, and step up to lead survivors to safety. Bearing no weapons except her training, she led her small group into victory against a whole group of full-grown armed hunters. Plus, I just love how they dive deeper into her bond with Anakin, as he frantically but stubbornly refuses to stop looking for her. This is especially satisfying because we keep getting more examples of Anakin’s struggle with forming attachments, and how it eventually leads to his downfall. 

Moving on, and I’m pretty sure I speak for half the fanbase when I say this, but I also continue to appreciate episodes where we explore more on the clones. Sure, the clones in Domino Squad are iconic now, but it’s only because of how we got to watch them grow from squabbling siblings to an unstoppable team. If they weren’t arguing, they were either brawling with each other or leaving one of their own for dead (in a simulation). However, after a second chance from a compassionate Jedi, and some heartfelt words from the “reject” janitor clone, they finally got out of their own ways and became true brothers in arms. The tragic part, though, wasn’t just that Hevy never returned for his medal, it was the brutal way they killed off 99. I honestly forgot about how much 99 did for everyone in this episode, but as I watched him hobble around and resupply his brothers, lead routes to safety, and passionately say how he’s a soldier like his brothers, it hurt twice as much seeing him get brutally shot down. He really was a soldier, through and through. 

However, while all of these things tug on my heartstrings, I feel like there was slightly less exploration or depth to the characters compared to the previous seasons. Yes, there were episodes that explored Asajj Ventress’ origins, and others that explored different points of view in the war. But unlike the previous season, season three lacked the personal level of exploration. Most of the episodes instead focused on politics or other issues, leaving little to no time for character growths or deep dives like with Obi-Wan. 

In spite of that, they still do enough where I almost cried watching the various deaths in the show. I was so attached that I felt bad for the one clone that got captured at the Citadel, and still shot in the face just to make a Jedi talk. 

The Dialogue

I am so grateful listening to the dialogue in this season, because they just keep improving after each season. Every word sounds much more mature in terms of theme and intelligence, mixed with a healthy dose of emotion. Easily one of the best examples I can think of is the conversation between Hevy and 99 in “Clone Cadets.” After constant failures and fed up with his team, Hevy plans to run away. However, 99 catches him in the act and tries to talk him out of it:

99: “You can’t do this to your squad.”

Hevy: “My squad? We’re nothing but a bad batch. Failures, like you.”

99: “Yeah, but how can I be a failure when I never even got my chance? A chance you’re throwing away.”

And then later:

Hevy: “Stop calling me [Hevy]! We’re just numbers, 99! Just numbers!”

99: “Not to me. To me, you’ve always had a name.”

Not gonna lie, it pierced my heart when I listened to this quote again so I could type it out. 

Aside from the sentiment, the dialogue continues to add to one of my favorite parts of the show: thought-provoking pearls of wisdom. I can’t say it enough, and I’ll continue to say it throughout the rest of my reviews, but I just love it when the characters say something that makes us stop and think. The discussion between Ahsoka and Lux, a Separatist, provides insight into the mindset of who we’d call “the enemy” or “the bad guys.” Turns out, not all of them are blood-thirsty killers commanding legions of soul-less droids. There are some, like Lux and his mom, who strive for peace even though they don’t truly agree with their Republic friend in Padmé. Lux points out that Ahsoka can’t just assume they’re the bad guys, when she never actually met a Separatist who wasn’t a battle droid. There’s a lot more to conflicts than the black-and-white viewpoints that we’re led to believe in.

I could probably listen to conversations like this for a good while, and I wouldn’t have to worry about any childish insults or weak lines!

The Story/Action

Just to get it out of the way, I really don’t like how they dropped background episodes for previous seasons this late into the series. Now, I know that there were scheduling conflicts and other behind-the-scenes stuff going on, but I keep finding myself wishing that they just released those episodes chronologically to begin with. Like in season one, there was an episode where Cad Bane and his gang broke Ziro the Hutt out of jail. But two seasons later, we get an episode showing the planning stage of that jailbreak, plus an episode of what happened after said jailbreak. Even so, I still very much appreciate how they tied up a lot of loose ends and provided additional context to previous events. For example, in spite of what I just said about the Ziro episodes, I’m still glad some context behind why Cad broke him out and overall resolve the side plot surrounding Ziro. 

Aside from that, I found the overall story pretty good but there were some parts that I couldn’t help but find confusing or unnecessary. For example, the Mortis arc involves an ancient Force deity—known as the Father—summoning Anakin and the gang in order to see if he really is the Chosen One. At first, the Father wanted him to take his place in order to keep his children (the Daughter in the light side, the Son in the dark) in check, but then unimaginable chaos ensued which led to every member of the family dying. While I can see that this showed Anakin his power and truly tested each of the protagonists, none of this loss would’ve happened if the Father never brought them there in the first place. Plus, what exactly got accomplished from their deaths? How did this contribute to the overall story of Star Wars? But in another episode, where Obi-Wan and Anakin lead a rescue effort to break out a Jedi out of a Separatist prison, they had to carbon-freeze themselves to get past the lifeform scanners. However, if it successfully worked, then why did Anakin as Darth Vader need to test it again in Empire Strikes Back? There’s no way he could’ve forgotten so easily, and he wouldn’t have needed to cover that clue to his identity because no one knew he did it. I guess you could argue that Lando didn’t know you could do that, but I still wish it was established better in later continuity. 

Now, it probably sounds like I’m dumping on this whole season, but the truth is that I still like it! One thing I admire most about this season is how it shifted focus into the background of the war. Oddly enough, I could listen to the political discussions and debates in Star Wars a lot longer than the politics in our own world. From Ahsoka teaching young Mandalorians about corrupt governments, to Padmé’s passionate speech about the war’s effects on the lower classes, I was hooked on every word. However, another thing I love about this season is the exploration into the lore of the Force. The Mortis arc may have only been three episodes, but any chance we get a glimpse into the mysticism and lore behind the Force is a good one! Just seeing powerful deities, how they interact with the Force, and hearing their knowledge and perspectives on it are deeply fascinating. Finally, I love the high levels of drama and stakes in the second half of the season. Escaping the Citadel was no small feat for any of the protagonists as each trap, setback, or death exacted heavy tolls on their willingness to survive. Plus, in the previously mentioned episodes with Ahsoka and the hunters, her victory didn’t come easily. Think about it: she was basically still a kid, on her own without her lightsabers or friends, and forced to lead and care for a group of other kids. All of this while dealing with death and the pressure to stay alive, it would be tough for anyone to handle, let alone a youngling. 

Conclusion

In the end, I give this season a 4.5 out of 10. Even though I hyped up the story a little bit, the season was overall a bit dull and I just don’t find it as interesting compared to future seasons. But while it’s not my favorite, it’s still a good watch and the second half of the season makes it worth getting to.

I’m actually really excited to review season four because a lot of amazing arcs are in it! Until then, may the Force be with you!