Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7, Episode 1: A welcome return to the front lines

The long-awaited Clone Wars animated series has returned. Is the Force still strong with this one, or is it just another clanker?

Talk about a turnaround. When Star Wars: The Clone Wars premiered in 2008, it had an uphill battle in winning over the fan base. Devotees of George Lucas’s sci-fi fantasy franchise, myself included, were put off initially put off by this series. Taking place between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, the CG-animated show looked to be a stilted, juvenile, and ultimately hollow cash-grab in an increasingly commercialized property.

Over the course of its six-season run, the series started to garner more and more respect among audiences with its improved visuals, growing thematic maturity, and complex storytelling. Unfortunately, its life was cut short when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and promptly replaced it with its own Star Wars content. True, some of the remaining episodes were released on Netflix, but people still felt that there was something missing.

Seven years and two other animated shows later, however, The Clone Wars has finally returned on Disney+ to finish what it started, aiming to wrap up its lingering plot threads and give patient, loyal fans the ending they deserve.

More from Disney Plus

• What you need to know before watching the Disney+ Doctor Who specials
• 10 Thanksgiving movies on Disney+ for your holiday watch list
• The Naughty Nine and more to stream on Disney+ this week (Nov. 20)
• Wish won’t be on Disney+ in time for Christmas or New Year’s (release date predictions)
• Whitney Houston did appear on Dancing with the Stars! It was in 2009, 14 years ago

With this first episode, it makes sense not to jump right into the big questions and plotlines promised in the trailers. Instead, we smartly start with a story about the clones. These guys were always a standout due to their strive for individuality, struggles with their sense of duty, and brothers-in-arms comradery. For the most part, that remains a major strength here.

On paper, the setup is very simple. Toward the end of the war, Captain Rex and the other members of the 501st legion are struggling with the Separatists due to a mysterious new algorithm that allows the droids to predict their tactics. Eventually, our heroes get reinforcements from a mutated group of clone troops who are unpredictable at best and dangerous at worst. Ideologies clash, and we’re left to wonder if that will result in their death on the battlefield.

It’s interesting that they’re exploring clone mutations in the titular “Bad Batch.” Granted, it seems a little odd that such experimental tactics would be implemented this late in the game, but it could make for an engaging conflict involving Rex and the other normal clones dealing with their own limitations and predictability. When faced with these new players, who are fundamentally different in both appearance, tactics, and physical capabilities, it could be hard not to feel like just an assembly line drone in comparison.

Unfortunately, this message feels somewhat undercooked here. Sure, the troops experience some initial friction, but they quickly decide to follow Rex’s lead without argument for the sake of the mission. Granted, one of the benefits of serialized storytelling is that this conflict could easily be fleshed out further in the next few episodes. As such, we’ll give this episode a little slack, especially considering how the plot is about to become much more personal for Rex.

Tying the battle in with the characters in this way is a smart move for two reasons. First, it gives the clones a personal stake in what’s going on, elevating this beyond being just another shootout. Second, it means that less antagonistic drama hangs on Admiral Trench as the villain, who remains as bland and boring here as he was in the original show.

It helps that the characters themselves, both new and old, are so engaging. Rex remains a compelling presence due to his gruff authority and weathered humanity. Additionally, the members of the Bad Batch are equal parts intriguing and entertaining, their personalities and aesthetic reminiscent of the colonial marines from Aliens.

Part of this success is due to the writing and varied designs, but it also stems from the voice acting. It’s a real credit to Dee Bradley Baker that he’s able to give all of these guys distinctive pitches and nuances while letting you know that they’re cut from the same cloth.

Of course, they’re also defined by the gorgeous visuals. In terms of fluidity and detail, the animation is actually another step up from the later seasons of the original run, which were already approaching movie quality. That also seemed to be the mantra for the cinematography, with a tracking shot during the end battle being a particular standout. As the icing on the cake, the picturesque uses of colors and lighting truly make this look like a living, breathing galaxy.

All in all, this is a strong return for The Clone Wars. It maintains much of what made the show so compelling in its heyday, but it also introduces a few new elements that leave you pumped for the future. Whether or not these elements reach their full potential remains to be seen in the coming weeks.

What did you think of the season premiere? What are some of your favorite episodes of the show? Let us know in the comments below.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars airs Fridays on Disney Plus.