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Continuity & Analysis

Star Wars: Clone Wars - Chapter 20 (2004) [S2]
On the distant planet of Hypori, a band of Jedi Knights faces a mysterious and powerful enemy,
General Grievous, Supreme Commander of the Separatist forces.
Star Wars: Clone Wars - Chapter 21 (2005) [S3]
On the battle-scarred world of Hypori, in the wreckage of a crashed Republic starship,
General Grievous continues to cut through a team of trapped Jedi warriors.
It's up to a crack unit of heavily armed ARC troopers to come to the rescue.
Star Wars: Clone Wars - Chapter 22 (2005) [S3]
(only the first 2:30 of Chapter 22 occur at this time)
Anakin Skywalker is now a Jedi Knight, and his effective teamwork with Obi-Wan Kenobi has
earned them reputations as unparalleled heroes in the Republic.




CONTINUITY
'Chapter 20' is the final episode of Season 2 of Clone Wars, and 'Chapter 21' and '22' are the first two episodes of Season 3.
These chapters form a single storyline, containing the Battle of Hypori and the knighthood of Anakin Skywalker. The planets
Hypori and Bomis Koori 4, and an unidentified location, are seen for the first time. Six worlds are seen in these chapters:

Season 3 of Clone Wars was also released as 'Volume 2'. These first two episodes of Season 3, and the first two seasons
are part of a unified narrative which clearly serves as the bridge between Padawan Skywalker seen in Episode II and
General Skywalker seen in The Clone Wars. The transmission Obi-Wan receives from the planet Hypori in 'Chapter 20'
bridges the storyline of the first two seasons with the storyline at the beginning of Season 3. Material from the first part
of that chapter can be found with the rest of Season 2 in this chronology. 'Chapter 22' jumps from this time period to
three years later 2 minutes and 30 seconds in. Those events can be found at their proper place in this chronology.

- Master Barrek's statements indicate that this is the first encounter the Jedi have had with General Grievous. Based on the situation, and the large
concentration of B2 super battle droids, it seems a significant contingent of Jedi were led into a trap, leading to the destruction of their heavy cruiser
and the loss of their clone forces. With the Jedi surrounded in a dire situation, Grievous stands to deal the Jedi Order a serious blow, considering
the powerful Jedi who are trapped, including two members of the High Council.

- The chief advantage of battle droids is their ability to swarm. While expensive, they are intentionally expendable, (mostly) fearless in the face of
battle, and lethal in large groups. Without clones or other forces to absorb some of the work load and some of their weapons fire, even Jedi are
vulnerable to their numbers. Despite that, a group of Jedi this size and this powerful could ordinarily still potentially defeat, or at least out
maneuver, this large droid army. Shaak Ti attributes this to General Grievous' impressive strategy and tactics.


- General Grievous suggests that he is "not completely without mercy", offering the courtesy of a warrior's death. While not truly encapsulating his usual
philosophy, this is very much his personality. He is an extremely consistent character who grows only in experience and ability during the Clone Wars,
but certainly not as a person. This is not an example of nobility, rather the first example of his usual belittling, intimidating, and gloating in advance.


When Grievous 'deploys' his mechanical body in front of Mundi, why does his rib cage also open? This series was
released just before, and in anticipation of, Episode III, where we see that this is where he keeps his only remaining
organs below the head, his heart in particular. It doesn't seem like the best thing to open up right in front of
an opponent. This was likely an artistic choice by the animators. It does look great, but it's still an odd choice.
It is later seen that he has a large inventory of body parts, so he could be using different body parts at this time.


- Jedi Knight Tarr Seirr is the only other Cerean Jedi we have seen besides Master Mundi, who fights alongside him here. Both originate from their
homeworld of Cerea, a peaceful world that celebrates nature and uses minimal technology, which was among the neutral systems during
the Clone Wars. Grievous uses surprise and skill to successfully kill Seirr, Padawan Sha'a Gi, and Masters Barrek and K'Krukh, defeat Knight
Aayla Secura and Master Shaak Ti, and hold off Master Mundi. This may well be Grievous' single greatest victory in combat against the Jedi.


- Shaak Ti uses Force push to fend off a blow from one of Grievous' lightsabers, which sends her flying backwards, but saves her from death.
This is yet another great Force ability that doesn't get used much again, but this time because it is situational and doesn't come up much.


From the time Obi-Wan took the call from Hypori, to the time we see that only Grievous and Mundi are still fighting is
less than ten minutes. Muunilinst and Hypori are on two different sides of the known galaxy. Assuming Captain Fordo
and his ARC troopers left immediately from Muunilinst, they should have arrived at best several hours later, although
probably some time more. It's hard to imagine Mundi could fight Grievous continuously for several hours without
losing from exhaustion, or that the two would still be standing in the same place. Even if the planets were nearby,
the time it would take to fly there and locate them should have been much of an hour, not a few minutes. It is not
entirely the fault of the creators of these chapters, as Hypori's very distant location was given by supplementary
material created years after this show. Sometimes it seems like Lucasfilm forgets how to do continuity.
Main Article: Hyperspace Travel



- Obi-Wan dispatched Captain Fordo and his ARC troopers to rescue the Jedi, seen also during the Muunilinst battle. Republic commandos are again shown
to be highly effective against droids, and also against more dynamic opponents like Grievous. Their tactics, technology, weaponry, and combat skills
make a small unit of ARC troopers a powerful and targeted weapon that can turn the tide of battles, and save the lives of Republic forces in trouble.


- Grievous adds the lightsabers of the vanquished Jedi to his collection of trophies, a testament to his true priority of killing Jedi, not just as a tactic
in the war, but out of a desire to emerge from war as one of the most powerful warriors in the galaxy with no Jedi around to stand in his way.

- Yoda has a Force vision of Qui-Gon and Anakin on Dagobah, one which mirrors his future conversation with Luke about entering the cave this is strong with
the dark side. In the vision, Qui-Gon tells Anakin to trust in the Force. When the Council meets shortly after, and the topic of promoting Anakin is debated,
Yoda chooses to respect the vision and tells them we must trust the Force and promote him. This seems to be Qui-Gon growing in his non-corporeal
abilities, and is now capable of communicating to Yoda after a fashion when Yoda is meditating through the Force.

- The Jedi Council has two new members, Kit Fisto and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who replace Coleman Trebor and Depa Billaba. Trebor was killed on Geonosis in Episode II.
Billaba survived the Battle of Geonosis, but has retired from the Council to serve as a field general in the war, and train her Padawan Caleb Dume.



The Zabrak member of the Jedi Council is listed in the credits as Agen Kolar, who will be on the Council in Episode III, but
the character that is animated is Eeth Koth, who was on the Jedi Council in Episode I and Episode II. This confusion is
understandable, considering that Koth only appeared on the Council in Episode II by using old footage, and on the set
for Geonosis in Australia was portrayed by a different actor who does not appear very much like the original. As a result,
this character was retconned as a new character, Agen Kolar, quite similar to the way that the replacement actor for
Adi Gallia was later developed into a different Jedi, Stass Allie. Sources at the time claimed Koth was killed on Geonosis,
but The Clone Wars series shows that he is still very much alive and on the Council until much later in the Clone Wars.
The credits should therefore be ignored, and this is in fact Eeth Koth.


- There is still some debate on the Jedi Council regarding whether or not Anakin is the Chosen One. Mace is still highly skeptical and somewhat combative about
the issue, while Master Mundi is revealed to be an enthusiastic supporter of Anakin's, and is clearly excited about his potential to become a powerful Jedi.

- Even Piell mentions that Palpatine has been requesting the Jedi promote Anakin for months, leading Mace to give his usual indignant reaction. Palpatine has been
showing his usual support and belief in Anakin which the Jedi never seem to give, but this tactic is more about manipulating the Jedi than getting Anakin promoted.
Palpatine is steadily asserting the independence and primacy of the Chancellor's office, which the Jedi consider to be in violation of the symbiotic relationship
the Order has always had with the Chancellor. Traditionally the Jedi serve the Senate and it's leader the Chancellor, who take the advice and counsel of the Jedi,
and usually follow their advice, or at least take their input into account. The Chancellor is beginning to ignore the Jedi's advice more often, and is now giving
the Jedi advice about their own internal affairs. This is using the letter of the law against the Jedi, and provoking them to hold back Anakin just to show
the Chancellor who is in charge. This creates animosity between the Senate and the Jedi, and between Anakin and the Jedi, to further Palpatine's plans.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan


- Oppo Rancisis was once Yoda's apprentice, which is not surprising, considering Yoda's age. Yoda has been a senior Master for so long that all elite Jedi still living
apprenticed to him at some point in their training. Yoda's wisdom and experience is of extreme value and importance to the Jedi.

- Anakin's selfish nature, and his constant desire for more and greater, is exacerbated by his emotional and romantic attachment to Padme. He has been married
for a matter of months and is already tired of having to hide it, even though he promised Padme if they could just be together he would be willing to hide it. This
is just one of many reasons why Anakin's dislike of Jedi Order and it's restrictions is steadily growing. Padme mentions that the Republic needs both of them, and
says maybe after the war things can be different, suggesting they have discussed it, and that Anakin is considering leaving the Order just as Dooku did. Ultimately,
Anakin does exactly as Dooku did, not just leaving the Order, but leaving it to become Sidious' apprentice and join the dark side.


- C-3PO's old worn-out plating seen in Episode II has been upgraded to gold-colored plating, which he considers appropriate for the servant of a Senator.

- Boomis Koori 4 is a terrestrial planet located in the Wornal Sector, in the Western Reaches of the Mid Rim. It is one of a number of worlds long-ago colonized
by the Koorivar, whose homeworld is located in the Inner Rim, relatively near to this region in galactic terms. The Koorivar in this era are intricately
connected to the Corporate Alliance, as is Boomis Koori 4. This world was one of many such Koorivar planets which joined the Separatist Alliance
during the Clone Wars. Boomis Koori 4 hosted significant industrial fabrication facilities, including factories used to produce battle droids.

- Now a Jedi Knight and a General, Anakin returns to battle on Boomis Koori 4, providing a distraction with Obi-Wan while Republic forces move in for
an atmospheric assault. Many flash points and worlds in the galaxy are not quick victories, which tend to become drawn out wars and even sieges,
whenever fortifications can implement powerful defence shields connected to a power source of sufficient output and longevity. In this case, Republic
sabotage of this shields show what quick work the Republic can make of a droid army base when it's navy, starfighters, and army are able to attack
them head on. Anakin demonstrates his unique style of daring frontal assaults which pit him against overwhelming odds, used as a distraction to get
his troops in place. The insult of only two Jedi being sent to face him enrages General Dassyne, which as usual serves an effective distraction.
While all Jedi need the clones to help shield them at times, Anakin is often powerful and bold enough to be the shield for his forces.


- Master Koth's lightsaber was green in Episode II, however that scene was later retconned to being an instance of Agen Kolar, which was, as mentioned,
who the creators thought was being animated here, despite looking exactly like Eeth Koth. It was assumed that Koth's saber color was green anyways,
which was eventually seen in The Clone Wars, but at this time he has an orange saber, the only example of one we have seen on screen thus far.
Against the backdrop of the planet it may appear to be red, but it is distinctly different from the red saber color seen in this show. Jedi don't usually
change saber colors, but it does happen for various reasons. Since he is back to green in the future, this may be a temporary replacement saber he
is using for some reason, such as his saber being lost on Geonosis. Yaddle, seen in canon in Episode I, also used orange in legendary material.
Her lightsaber color has since been changed in canon to green, seen in Tales of the Jedi 'The Sith Lord' (S1E4). This was probably in preparation
for the appearance of orange sabers used by 'bad guys' in Ahsoka, as they seem to think the audience doesn't understand nuance.


- Anakin, now a Jedi Knight and General in the Grand Army, is wounded on the face in a way that doesn't fully heal, leaving him with a scar near his right eye.
This places the scenes of the first 2:30 of 'Chapter 22' at the very beginning of the war, rather than during the last year of the war, as they were originally
intended. It is clear that this material was meant to represent a later stage of the war, due to the use of Actis starfighters, and the scene that was originally
intended to be Anakin visiting Padme on Naboo about nine months before their children were born. It is in that scene where Padme notices Anakin's scar.
The creation of The Clone Wars places his knighting, commission as General, and the receipt of his scar as very soon after Episode II, and thus
everything in the first 2:30 of 'Chapter 22' occurred at this time. The appearance of Actis fighters must be early prototypes which Anakin and other
Jedi are testing in combat. This is actually a continuity error created by the same timing issue, but one which could be plausibly explained.

ANALYSIS
When discussing Grievous, Mundi remarks "we may have been exhausted, but when was the last time someone stood up to five Jedi and held his own?".
This is not only a testament to Grievous' abilities, it also shows how long the Jedi have been invincible as a group. They have been king of the hill for so long
that they are 'soft' in a way. The Jedi Order of a thousand years ago was battle tested and very experienced in fighting warriors of great caliber, both those
with Force abilities and those without. While there have been plenty of regional wars, planetary battles, and smaller engagements involving the Jedi over
the millennium, their frequency and scale has declined with each century. This leaves the Order with thousands of Knights, each having only limited experience
with real world combat, with the majority of those Knights having little to no experience with real world strategic warfare. Grievous is connected to the Force,
like all beings, but is not a true Force wielder. What parts of him that are still organic may have a higher than average connection to the Force, not Jedi levels
of Force manipulation, but sometimes his successes which may seem random could indicate this. Regardless of his particular midi-chlorian levels, one doesn't
have to be a Force wielder to defeat one in combat. The more powerful a Force wielder is, the less likely this is, but a skilled warrior does stand some chance.
Grievous is not only an exceptional warrior, he also has a powerful cyborg body, and has been instructed in lightsaber combat techniques. He has therefore
achieved some of the abilities of a Force user through technology.

Oppo Rancisis describes the trials as the Jedi's most hallowed traditions. The Jedi religion is about following the will of the Force. The Jedi don't promote
their members based on peer evaluation, rather Jedi must go through the trials at different stages to show they are ready to advance. It is the Force that
tests a Jedi in the trials. Jedi pass only by demonstrating the selfless values of the light side, and very little of the trials are about demonstrating mastery
of manipulating the Force. Sometimes, experiences that happen in the field during a Jedi's training which are analogous to the next of the trials, and serve
to demonstrate a mastery of the same values come from life. Obi-Wan's defeat of Maul after the death of his master was judged by the council as enough
to promote Obi-Wan to Jedi Knight in Episode I. Qui-Gon had previously stated he was ready to face the trials, but had not when he was promoted. Despite
some objections, the Council chooses to see Anakin's experience with Dooku in Episode II, and his confrontation with Ventress as sufficient teaching moments
that show Anakin is ready to advance. While it certainly proves his advanced skills and maturity, it doesn't seem the necessary lessons were fully learned.

The knighting ceremony of the Jedi Order incorporates core elements of the Jedi religion. The Jedi present are hooded in robes, holding their activated lightsabers,
representing their role as conduits of the Force and selfless instruments of the will of the Force. They stand in a circle, representing their values of equality, democracy,
and fraternity. The oath recited by the Master imparting the knighthood, in this case Yoda, states "by the rite of the Council, by the will of the Force, dub thee I do,
Jedi, Knight of the Republic", once again showing the promotion only comes because the council has determined that the Force has chosen it. Anakin's Padawan braid
is cut with Yoda's lightsaber. These braids are strands of uncut hair which Padawans do not cut from the time of their promotion from Youngling to the time of their
promotion to Knight. We can see from Obi-Wan's very long braid in Episode I, that the length of these braids serve to indicate rank and experience among the Padawans.

Anakin is described decades later as "the best starpilot in the galaxy" by Obi-Wan, and as the best pilot in the Order by many in this time. His exploits as a pilot
turn the tide of many engagements, and help him to continue to grow in his power with the Force. On the surface of planets, he is equally successful and heroic,
in more than a few instances saving the lives of his fellow Jedi, including members of the High Council. Despite his successes and his accolades, by the time he
visits Padme again, this time on Naboo, war has left him with scars, a physical one as well as figurative ones, as the activity of war so often does to those who
have love in their hearts. The Clone Wars, by design, take every Jedi to a darker place than they would be in peace, surrounding them with hate, fear, violence,
and suffering, leading them at times to compromise their values. All of this weighs heavily on any Jedi, but most of all on the young and inexperienced.


FURTHER ANALYSIS
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