As I mentioned when I reviewed the film Star Wars: The Clone Wars here, I felt that the animation seemed more conducive to the tv screen, rather than the movie screen. Season one of The Clone Wars reinforces this opinion. I was able to catch all of the episodes. It was easier for me to watch them online, a week or so after they had originally aired.

(Unfortunately, because of how Lucasfilm chose to air the episodes online, it made it difficult to catch all of them because of various things that came up in my life. I was a little miffed that I only had a relatively short window in which to watch the episodes online. Most other websites that air tv episodes have all the episodes archived. Case in point, a person could visit the official website of the Sci-Fi Channel and see all four seasons of the recently-finished Battlestar Galactica remake. But, that's not the case at starwars.com. However, I digress.)

Generally, I thought the episodes were well done. It's clear that the animators have a good grasp of the look of the Star Wars Universe. Also, the online comics gave some good background on various aspects of the episodes. There is one problem with the show that the writers can't really overcome, however. Because we know the final fate of Obi-Wan, Anakin, Padme, and various other characters, it's very hard for the writers to put them in any real danger without us knowing that they'll get through it. The introduction of Ahsoka in the film (which is also the pilot episode), however, does mitigate this to a certain extent. What follows now are ratings and brief reviews of all the episodes of the first season. Ratings are on a 0-4 stars scale.

The Clone Wars film: ***1/2. I only gave it **1/2 when I originally reviewed it (see link above) because of its shortcomings as a movie, but it works very well as a pilot episode. (My feelings haven't changed: I'm just criticing it as a made-for-tv-movie and pilot now, instead of a feature-length film.) The only real negatives are a lack of background on Ahsoka, how long Captain Rex has been serving under Anakin, and how long Admiral Yularen has been serving alongside Anakin and Obi-Wan. Still, the film does a good job of setting up the series.

Ambush: ****. It's always great to see Yoda in action, and the wisecracks made by Asajj Ventress and Yoda are fun.

The Malevolence story-arc (Rising Malevolence, Shadow of Malevolence, Destroy Malevolence): ****. I like how the Y-wings are revealed to have been first manufactured during the Clone Wars. Also, Jedi Master Plo Koon gets some action. We also learn some about Ahsoka's background during these episodes.

Rookiees: ****. The clones take center stage. This episode does for the "visual" Star Wars adventures what the Republic Commando books, The Cestus Deception and Dark Horse Comics' Clone Wars comics do for the EU, namely personalize the clones (which Ambush also did).

The lost droid story-arc (Downfall of a Droid and Duel of the Droids): ***1/2. Since we know that R2-D2 is still around as the book series Fate of the Jedi begins, the droid doesn't really seem in much peril here. The real question is will the Seperatists retrieve confindential data from Artoo before his rescue.

Bombad Jedi: ***. A little Jar Jar Binks goes a long way, but Jar Jar's clumsiness wears off on me after a while. Still, Jar Jar does get a chance to shine and we learn that he can effectively communicate with other amphibious lifeforms.

Cloak of Darkness: ****. Ahsoka gets a chance to work with fan favorite Luminara Unduli. Clone Commander Gree (who later has the misfortune of trying to kill Yoda after Order 66 is declared) makes an appearance also, and the episode sets up....

Lair of Grevious: ***1/2. Kit Fisto, his former Padawan, and a few clones go up against General Grevious in a trap sprung by Dooku. We know as the episode begins that Fisto and Grevious will survive this encounter, so the peril factor isn't as great as it could be.

Dooku is captured story-arc (Dooku Captured and The Gungan General: ***1/2. A good glimpse of the underworld of the Star Wars Universe. Even though we know that eventually Dooku will escape, it's still an interesting twist - Dooku captured by pirates who try to ransom him to the Republic. At least, they say they want to, but can you really trust a pirate? Once again, however, Jar Jar's clumsiness almost spoils the story, but the banter between Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Dooku mostly compensates.

Stranded Jedi story-arc (Jedi Crash and Defenders of Peace): ****. George Lucas' daughter, Katie, writes the first part of this story-arc. Both episodes are a thought-provoking look at the belief of pacifism. Also briefly addressed with are issues such as is a "just war" ever just and whether a person sworn to peace still defend his or her home from invaders without violating the code of peace. Star Trek veteran George Takei guest stars as an obese Seperatist General. Fan favorites Aayla Secura and Commander Bly also appear.

Trespass: ****. This episode deals with first contact - which you would expect in a Star Trek episode, not a Clone Wars episode! A nice change of pace. Also, the animators do a wonderful job of dusting off Ralph MacQuarrie's original snowtrooper designs.

The Hidden Enemy: ****. Who has leaked Obi-Wan and Anakin's plans to the Seperatists? This mystery sets up the events of The Clone Wars movie. Maybe we can see more mysteries in the upcoming seasons of The Clone Wars.

The Blue Shadow Virus story-arc (Blue Shadow Virus and Mystery of a Thousand Moons): ***1/2. A Seperatist lab on Naboo recreates a virulent plague. The writers try to increase the tension by having Padme and Ahsoka exposed to the virus. It doesn't quite work in Padme's case. Having the resolution take place on the moons of Iego and showing us what an Iego "angel" looks like almost makes up for it.

The Ryloth story-arc (Storm Over Ryloth, Innocents of Ryloth, and Liberty on Ryloth): ****. Probably the best episodes of the whole series to date. We see Mace Windu use his unique ability to see shatterpoints in the Force. We also see why Mace is a senior member of the Jedi Council because of his skill at negotiations. Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan all have their hands full also. But, I do have to wonder, why wasn't Aayla Secura assigned to be the liberation force? After all, this is her homeworld.

Hostage Crisis: ***. This episode introduces us to Cade Bane - a ruthless bounty hunter we'll see more of in the second season. I, for one, am looking foward to seeing him again. Senator Orn Fre Taa also provides some nice comic relief. And seeing Anakin attempting to deal with the hostage crisis without his lightsaber is original. There are a couple of writing missteps, however. It's nice to see Aurra Sing in action alongside Bane, but why isn't she wielding a lightsaber or using the Force? And, putting Anakin, Padme, and Bail Organa in peril doesn't quite work - we know their final fate.