From 2017 to 2018 there were 32 episodes of “Forces of Destiny” totaling 90 minutes. Some of them were fluffy and some added really cool things to the canon.
The show brought back the original actors to play their characters in animated form. Nearly every main character was featured at least once. Here is my list of essential “Forces of Destiny” episodes.
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Happy Life Day everyone! Hopefully this week, with two new episodes of "The Mandalorian" has treated Star Wars fans well. We are only one month away from "The Rise of Skywalker" and I have finished my rewatch of "The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars: Rebels."
Each week through the rest of the year there will be new episodes of "Star Wars: Resistance" and "The Mandalorian." So what's left to rewatch? Well, "The Holiday Special," of course. This week, Jon Favreau, director and creator of "The Mandalorian" said that he wants to make a new holiday special and I for one am ecstatic by the idea. A new holiday special could include a 10-minute Life Day episode of "The Clone Wars." It could see Hera and the Ghost Crew celebrating Life Day. We could have The Mandalorian or even the sequel trilogy characters have a short story. DJ R3X could introduce a new band. Even Mark Hammill could open the show with a special message. It could be a ton of fun if done right. So what about the original Holiday Special? Well, it's still just as cringe-worthy as ever. There are still good parts like the Julia Child-esque chef, Bea Arthur, the animated Boba Fett aspect and Carrie Fisher singing. Sure, the Itchy porn and acting is bad, but it's a product of its time. I'm excited to see what possibilities there are in the future. [email protected] @GrahamWoodMedia Spinning out of the #CloneWarsRewatch comes #RebelsRewatch. As we prepare for season two of “Star Wars: Resistance,” “The Mandalorian,” “Rise of Skywalker” and the final season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” I will continue to rewatch the animated Star Wars projects and bridge the gaps between the past and present of The Skywalker Saga S4E9 Rebel Assault Recap: Hera leads an attack on the Lothal blockade. Connecting the Canon Mart returns in this episode. Kanan tells the Loth Wolf that he knows what he has to do, foreshadowing his death. However, I think this is only the middle of the story. We don’t know what happens to Ezra after this season. I think it’s likely that Kanan had to die so that Ezra could advance in his training. “We are what they grow beyond.” I think that story is yet to be told. Hera gets a lot of action in this episode which makes her capture even more impactful. S4E10 Jedi Night Recap: The team forms a plan to rescue Hera. It comes with deadly consequences. Connecting the Canon Kanan is remembering his past. He cuts his hair. This is him accepting death on his own terms. The music during this montage is some of the best in the entire series. Thrawn is told that he needs to make a case to the Emperor for his tie defender project. He goes to Coruscant for the next few episodes, during which the novel “Thrawn: Treason” takes place. Thrawn tells Hera that her lineage will end with her foreshadowing the fact that she’s already pregnant. As soon as Kanan and Hera kissed, it was clear that one of them would die. The moment Kanan sacrifices himself is the most heartbreaking moment of the series. S4E11 Dume Recap: The team heals after the loss of Kanan. The Empire throws a parade. Connecting the Canon The wolf says “I am Dume.” Ezra and Kanan lead the Empire to the Lothal temple in season one. This has caused an imbalance. S4E12 Wolves and a Door Recap: The Empire is trying to discover the secrets of the Jedi temple. Connecting the Canon Emperor Palpatine is trying to find a conduit between the living and the dead. He name drops “the Mortis Gods” from “The Clone Wars.” We see the Father, Son, and Daughter in a painting. This episode has archived sound from Kanan, The Inquisitor, Thrawn, The Daughter and Ahsoka. S4E13 A World Between Worlds Recap: Secrets are learned as Ezra goes inside the temple again. Connecting the Canon This episode opens with multiple lines from the movies and series. We first hear Yoda from “Attack of the Clones.” Then we hear Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon from the Mortis arc. Then we hear Yoda and Ahsoka from “The Clone Wars.” Then Obi-Wan from “A New Hope.” Then Kanan. Suddenly, Ezra is in The World Between Worlds. This episode is trying to deepen our understanding of the force. The portal is a pathway to all time and space, not just the temple. We hear Jyn Erso and Rey and Kylo too. We hear Leia and Maz Kanata. We hear Anakin Skywalker and other characters. We finally get to see what happened between Anakin and Ahsoka in the Sith temple from season two. Ezra saves Ahsoka by pulling her through space and time. Dume appeared after Kanan died. Reincarnation? Force ghosts? Ahsoka’s story is one we still know so little of. We don’t know EVERYTHING that happened to her between leaving the Jedi order and becoming Fulcrum. We don’t know what happens to her after fighting Vader and up to post “Return of the Jedi.” We don’t know what happens after she goes to find Ezra. Ezra’s temptation with the darkness in season three lead him to this moment where he would make the right choice and not be tempted by the dark side. This story is like a biblical parable. Ezra says that he sometimes wishes he was with his mom and dad. Suddenly the Emperor appears to tempt him like the snake in the Garden of Eden. This is the second time we’ve seen Palpatine use dark magic. The first time was in season six of “The Clone Wars.” The Emperor uses a blue flame or force energy as his attack. We see this same energy when he is killed in Episode Six. Will we see it in “Rise of Skywalker?” Ahsoka returns to Malachor in the same time. We don’t see her again until years later. Why? The Emperor plays the feeble old man card again and asks Ezra to “help him.” The temple collapses and destroys itself. Ezra says he knows what he has to do now. “One last lesson” foreshadowing the finale. S4E14 A Fool’s Hope Recap: The team hatches one last plan to liberate Lothal. Connecting the Canon Rex returns to pick up the other surviving clones that we met in season two. Hondo returns. Sabine’s bounty hunter sister returns. It’s all hands on deck for the finale. S4E15-16 Family Reunion – and Farewell Part 1-2
Recap: Everything comes full circle for the Ghost Crew Connecting the Canon Ezra begins to say goodbye to everyone. His connection with Sabine is once again hinted at. Ezra’s final lesson from Kanan is to “always be ready to sacrifice yourself” and he is ready to follow Kanan’s footsteps. Hondo says, “they can fly” when he throws the Ugnaught and I think that’s one of the funniest lines in the series. Ezra tells Thrawn that he takes things that aren’t his. He’s not a collector. I can’t wait to see where their paths go from here. The Emperor projects himself to Ezra as if he is a kind old man. He is a master manipulator. He lays a trap for Ezra and tries to convince him to bring his parents back to life. Attachments and fear are the way to the dark side. After Ezra destroys the remaining part of the temple, some red guards come in and use some type of power against him. These red guards are like the imperial guards, the pretorian guards and the upcoming Sith troopers in “Rise of Skywalker.” Ezraa sends for help. The Purrgils come to the rescue. Bendu’s prophecy of Thrawn’s end comes true. “Many arms encircling you.” Ezra and Thrawn are both taken into hyperspace by the Purrgils. Into the unknown regions. Sabine uses Ezra’s lightsaber. Governor Pryce goes down with the ship. Lothal is free. Ezra said he’s counting on Sabine. He must have had a vision. What happens to Mart though? What comes next? Well, we know that Lothal is thriving. The Empire fell. Zeb and Kallus went to Lira San to be gay lovers. Hera and Rex fought in Endor and Hera gave birth to Jacen Syndulla. Hera realized it was up to her to save Ezra. She reunites with Ahsoka. What comes next? Ezra has been gone for four years at least, seven years maybe or more. Is Thrawn alive? What’s going to happen? BEST OF THE BATCH This week it is impossible to choose. The episode where Kanan dies? The finale? There are so many good ones. However, of course I am going to choose “The World Between Worlds.” Like Mortis before it, this episode does so much to flesh out the force even more but leaves more questions than answers. It’s perfect storytelling, world-building and myth-making. "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" is in theaters December 20. May the Force be with you, always. [email protected] @GrahamWoodMedia Spinning out of the #CloneWarsRewatch comes #RebelsRewatch. As we prepare for season two of “Star Wars: Resistance,” “The Mandalorian,” “Rise of Skywalker” and the final season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” I will continue to rewatch the animated Star Wars projects and bridge the gaps between the past and present of The Skywalker Saga S4E1-2 Heroes of Mandalore Pt 1-2 Recap: Sabine and the team devise a plan to rescue her father on Mandalore. The Empire uses a weapon that Sabine created. Connecting the Canon This is the first time we see Bo Katan (Duchess Satine’s sister) since “The Clone Wars.” The show is revitalizing Hera and Kanan’s relationship in order to foreshadow the upcoming episodes. Sabine uses color to black out the storm trooper’s vehicle. This is instantly recognizable to Sabine’s father. Ezra hints at a future romance with Sabine. Sabine built a weapon during her time with the Empire and called it “The Duchess.” Bo Katan is the new, rightful leader of Mandalore. S4E3-4 In the Name of the Rebellion Part 1-2 Recap: Ezra and Sabine get caught up in Saw Gerrera’s extreme ways when the Rebellion refuses to take action. The Empire is harvesting Kyber crystals. Connecting the Canon Forest Whitaker returns as Saw Gerrera. Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, General Dodanna and Wedge Antilles return in this episode forming the Rebellion proper as we see in “Rogue One” and “A New Hope.” Kallus is now a part of the Rebellion officially. We see Yavin 4 animated for the first time. Two Tubes is part of Saw’s crew as seen in “Rogue One.” Saw was closer than anyone on more than one occasion as to finding out about the Death Star. Mich Matt, a prisoner, said that the cargo comes from Jedha where the Empire is mining Kyber crystal. In this episode the Death Troopers talk normally rather than in their scrambled communication. This is kind of stupid. One death trooper name drops Krennic. Chopper gets painted again. S4E5 The Occupation Recap: The crew returns to Lothal to help free the planet. Connecting the Canon Josh Brener guest stars in this episode. He later voices a character in “Star Wars: Resistance.” This is the first time we see Puffer Pigs since the first season. Hera gives The Ghost to Rex and Kallus. Sabine makes a joke about painting Chopper (as a threat.) This is obviously a running gag that the showrunners are in on. Lothal has been ravaged in this episode. Clancy Brown returns as Ryder Azadi. Kanan goes against the Jedi order and forms attachments. Yet, he still always gets cut off before getting a kiss. S4E6 Flight of the Defender Recap: The crew scopes out the new tie defender in an effort to shut it down. Connecting the Canon The tie defender project was Thrawn’s project. It was in direct competition with Krennic’s Stardust project, the Death Star. Animals tend to follow Ezra. He sees a Loth wolf. The wolf says “Dume” as in Calob Dume, Kanan. S4E7 Kindred Recap: The ghost crew is on the run from Thrawn’s assassin. The Loth Wolves have a deep connection to the force. Connecting the Canon Warwick Davis plays Rukh, a character from the original Thrawn novels and who appears in “Thrawn: Alliances.” The second book in the new Thrawn trilogy takes place between season three and season four. Kanan says the team was meant to come to Lothal for some reason. If not if only to meet Ezra. Kanan and Hera’s kiss is interrupted again. The Loth Wolf teleported somehow. I guess through the World Between Worlds. S4E8 Crawler Commandeers
Recap: The team has a run-in with the mining guild. Hera seeks approval from the Rebellion to put an end to the tie defender program. Connecting the Canon Seth Green guest stars as Captain Seevor, a Trandoshian. The Empire has a hand in all of the crime syndicates and guilds. That’s why the mining guild always seems to be doing the Empire’s bidding. The trandoshians come in all shapes and sizes. Hera gives an inspiring speech to the rebellion just like Jyn Erso and Leia do. BEST OF THE BATCH This week the best episode was “Heroes of Mandalore” for the return of Bo Katan. Not much more to say other than that. We also get some great character development for Sabine. "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" is in theaters December 20. May the Force be with you, always. [email protected] @GrahamWoodMedia Spinning out of the #CloneWarsRewatch comes #RebelsRewatch. As we prepare for season two of “Star Wars: Resistance,” “The Mandalorian,” “Rise of Skywalker” and the final season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” I will continue to rewatch the animated Star Wars projects and bridge the gaps between the past and present of The Skywalker Saga S3E12-13 Ghosts of Geonosis Part 1 and 2 Recap: The Ghost crew ventures to Geonosis to locate rebel, Saw Gerrera. Connecting the Canon This episode premiered in 2017 after “Rogue One.” Bail Organa and Saw Gerrera tie directly back to that movie AND “The Clone Wars.” Rex says he was hoping he’d never have to come back to “This dust ball.” Geonosis has been mined for material multiple times since “Attack of the Clones” in 2002. Forest Whitaker reprises his role as Saw Gerrera. The Empire moved work on The Death Star since the last time the Ghost Crew was there in season two. Klick-Klack was drawing the Death Star and no one knew. Sabine said, “Stupid sand, it gets everywhere.” Obviously calling back to Anakin’s line in the prequels. S3E14 Warhead Recap: An unknown droid lands on Chopper Base. Connecting the Canon The new droid is based off of a Ralph McQuarrie design for C3P0. We find out that Hobbie and Wedge were part of Phoenix Squadron. This was a pretty basic episode, but it did help Thrawn narrow down his search for the Rebels. S3E15 Trials of the Darksaber Recap: Sabine starts her training with the darksaber. Connecting the Canon Tarre Vizsla’s story and the history of the Dark Saber was told again in this episode. S3E16 Legacy of Mandalore Recap: Sabine returns home to Mandalore. Connecting the Canon More of Mandalore’s history since “The Clone Wars” is discussed. S3E17 Through Imperial Eyes Recap: Ezra attempts to help- Kallus escape. Thrawn is trying to Connecting the Canon Thrawn’s override code is Rukkh (who we see next season.) Thrawn is a character born out of convenience. In the novels he is much more likeable. In this episode Thrawn discovers Kallus is Fulcrum. S3E18 Secret Cargo Recap: Hera and the Ghost Crew protect Mon Mothma from the Empire. Connecting the Canon Imperial Chancellor, Mon Mothma is speaking out against the Emperor. Genevieve O’Reilly Reprises her role as Mon Mothma after “Rogue One” and “Revenge of the Sith.” This episode is important because it marks the true beginning of the Rebellion under Mon Mothma. This is the Rebel Alliance. No longer separate Rebel Cells. S3E19 Double Agent Droid Recap: Wedge and the droids infiltrate the Empire. Connecting the Canon This is the fifth time this season that Chopper got a paint job. This is a musical episode. The drioids did a rendition of “Anything you can do, I can do better.” Josh Gad and Nathan Kress are both in this episode as Controller and Wedge. Poor AP-5. He just wants to be alone. S3E20 Twin Suns Recap: Maul is on the hunt for Kenobi. Ezra tracks Maul to Tattooine. Connecting the Canon James Arnold Taylor returns as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Kenobi knew Ezra’s name already. I’m certain that Yoda, Kenobi and Qui-Gon have a bigger knowledge of all force users and all time and space. Kenobi wasn’t going to fight until Maul alluded to the fact he was protecting someone. Kenobi had to fight to keep Luke safe. Kenobi’s fighting stances match the way Maul killed Qui-Gon Jinn. This is the closest we have seen Obi-Wan to how he will appear in the upcoming “Kenobi” series on Disney Plus. Maul asks if Luke is the chosen one. Kenobi says, “he is.” This is from a certain point of view. Maul says, “he will avenge us.” Anakin does avenge the galaxy and Maul even by destroying The Emperor. However, what does this mean for Palpatine’s return in Episode Nine? Ezra took Maul’s ship with him. S3E21-22 Zero Hour Part 1 &2
Recap: Thrawn discovers the location of the Rebel base. Connecting the Canon Lothal just never goes away. Death troopers make their first appearance in this series. Ezra’s dark side kind of just goes away this season. I mean, maybe he just chose to be good. I assume the Bendu is mostly a metaphor because he doesn’t really do much in the show other than teach lessons. I had almost forgotten that Sabine has been absent for five episodes. How the Bendu turned into a storm is beyond me. Also, if Bendu is in the middle of dark and light, you would think he wouldn’t take part in the action. Maybe the Bendu is the opposite of Luke in “The Last Jedi.” Though, Luke too took action in the end. Bendu says to Thrawn, “I see your defeat like many arms surrounding you in a cold embrace” which directly alludes to the series finale in season four. Kallus is officially with the Rebellion and Phoenix Squadron is officially going to Yavin. That’s where they are through the rest of the series and “Rogue One” and “A New Hope.” The novel “Thrawn: Alliances” takes place directly after this episode with Thrawn and Governor Pryce dealing with their failure. BEST OF THE BATCH This week my favorite episode was “Twin Suns.” Seeing Maul’s ultimate demise and rematch with Obi-Wan Kenobi was priceless. Let alone, seeing Luke in the series was also a great addition. There were other good episodes, but season three was pretty straight forward compared to how great season two was. "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" is in theaters December 20. May the Force be with you, always. [email protected] @GrahamWoodMedia |
Erick L. Graham Wood
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