Although thought of as a kids’ show since it premiered on Cartoon Network on October 3, 2008, The Clone Wars has not shied away from bringing in some more mature and tragic themes as the series leads up to the events of Revenge of the Sith. In just its second episode of its freshman season, The Clone Wars explored the psychology behind some of Star Wars‘ most tragic and plentiful groups of the era: the clone troopers.
The episode, titled “Rising Malevolence,” focuses largely on Jedi Master Plo Koon and the Wolfpack clone squadron as they are left floating in space in an escape pod after General Grievous annihilated the Jedi Master’s flagship, Triumphant. The majority of the ship’s crew was killed in the aftermath, leaving Plo Koon and three members of the Wolfpack as the only survivors. As the episode goes on, Plo Koon expresses optimism about somebody coming to find them, while the Wolfpack squad is the opposite; they don’t think anybody will be coming. Finally, Plo Koon directly asks them about their certainty that nobody will come. “Sinker,” the codename given to the clone sergeant of the group, answers, “We’re just clones, sir. We’re meant to be expendable.” In response, Plo Koon states, “Not to me.”
The line spoken by Sinker iterates how the clones value themselves and how the Republic does not see nearly as much value in them as they do the Jedi. Plo Koon’s ignorance is also highlighted here; since he is a Jedi Master of the Jedi Council, he’s considered a high priority individual and has never been in a situation where he’s been viewed as expendable. But for these clone troopers, that were manufactured by the millions on Kamino and forced to wear generic combat armor. It’s no wonder that they value themselves so little. They have no real identity; they were created for war, after all.
Fortunately for Plo Koon and the Wolfpack, they were eventually rescued. And interestingly enough, the leader of the Wolfpack, “Wolffe,” would go on to be a highly decorated commander and strategist under Plo Koon. He even survived the Clone Wars themselves. Fifteen years after, he was found surviving with the famed Captain Rex and Commando Gregor on the planet Seelos, as seen in Star Wars Rebels‘ Season 2, Episode 3, “The Lost Commanders.”
The scene also adds additional weight to the eventual demise of Plo Koon during Order 66. Like much of the Jedi Order, the Jedi would develop real relationships with the clones, seeing them as friends or even family. Plo Koon especially embodied this, as he was “especially devoted to protecting the clones under his command,” according to the official Star Wars databank. It makes things feel all the more tragic for Plo Koon, as he died at the hands of those he trusted and protected.
The Clone Wars overall served as an excellent way to bridge the timelines between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, providing some deeper emotional insight into the tragedy of Order 66. By providing some humanization for the clone troopers so early on, the animated series succeeded in setting the tone for further insights into the intricacies behind the complex war between the Republic and the Separatists.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is currently available to stream on Disney+.
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