Episode 3 of The Clone Wars picks up right where episode 2 left off with the most action packed episode of Season 7. How does episode 3 grade out? What were the best moments?
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 7, Episode 1 Spoiler Review
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 7, Episode 2 Spoiler Review
“Survival is one step on the path to living”
Episode 3 gave us a much tighter show this week, lasting only 19 minutes long. Shockingly, not much character development today. With Echo finally returning to the group, I expected Echo to take center stage this week. Most of the episode jumped battle scene to battle scene as Anakin, Rex and the Bad Batch escaped the droid army at a Techno Union base. The pacing of the episode was thrilling and effective, but Echo spending the majority of the time in the background was a little disappointing.
The most memorable scene of the week goes to Anakin Skywalker...
After Anakin and his team escape to a local village of Poletecans on Skako Minor, the droid army quickly arrives and an all-out war begins. However, we get our first look at the droid walker, which is essentially the droid version of the AT-ST. Watching Anakin Skywalker take down a droid walker via force push in mid-air was hands down the coolest Star Wars moment since Mando took down a tie fighter during The Mandalorian season finale.
There were also some fun movie references in this week’s episode. The design of the droid walker looked eerily similar to the tripod fighting machine from Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds. Although Echo’s plan to cross a pipe bridge to safety didn’t last long, Crosshair’s plan to escape on the back of a group of Keeradaks brought back memories of Gandalf escaping from Isengard on an Eagle. As you all are probably aware, it is love at first site when any show gives me Lord of the Rings vibes.
Episode 3 solidified Wrecker was being my favorite member of Clone Force 99. Wrecker was the star of the episode’s first act. After ripping off a droids face and throwing each member of his team into an above escape shaft to safety, I couldn’t help but laugh hysterically after learning he was deathly scared of heights. For a character that has had many memorable scenes so far this season, this was by far my favorite.
A new alliance for the Jedi…
Anakin and Rex’s heroics eventually win the day and the natives make an alliance with the Jedi. However, the biggest storyline comes at the end when we’re made to believe that all is not exactly what it appears with Echo. It’s highly likely that we’re seeing the end of Captain Rex with the Clone Wars. With the first story arc coming to a close, I expect Rex and Echo to have an emotional standoff next week when we learn that Echo is a sleeper agent for the Techno Union.
Anyone else get some major Captain America: Winter Soldier vibes going on with this story arc? I can’t help but feel that Tambor has something up his sleeve. Will Wat Tambor reveal some kind of code that turns Echo into a one-man killing machine next week? I have no doubt that watching Captain Rex and Echo fight to the death in the finale is going to be absolutely gut wrenching.
Final Thoughts & Grade
Another great episode from The Clone Wars this week. The biggest gripe I have comes from the fact that we didn’t get to see any screen time given to the dynamic between Echo and Rex. It’s sad to think that Captain Rex’s arc is coming to an end, but I’m very excited to see how this story arc pays off in the finale next week. Overall, a very action packed and adventure filled episode that continues to set the bar for Star Wars.
