Prior Episodes | 7957 (20 BBY) | Next Episodes
Continuity & Analysis

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Citadel (2011) [S3E18]
Adaptation is the key to survival.
"Captured! Returning from a perilous assignment in the Outer Rim, Jedi Master Even Piell's
cruiser has fallen under attack and been boarded. Seeking vital information he carries about
secret hyperspace lanes called the Nexus Route, Separatist forces have taken him alive. Now
the Jedi are preparing a stealth mission into the heart of Separatist space in an effort to rescue
Master Piell from the deadly prison known as the Citadel..."
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Counterattack (2011) [S3E19]
Anything that can go wrong will.
"Escape from a Separatist prison! Carrying information about secret routes into the heart of
the Republic and Separatist homeworlds, Jedi Master Even Piell was captured and imprisoned
in a fortress known as the Citadel. Leading an elite strike team, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin
Skywalker rescue Master Piell and his officers. Now the Jedi have split up to evade Separatist
forces as they attempt to escape the Citadel..."
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Citadel Rescue (2011) [S3E20]
Without honor, victory is hollow.
"Trapped behind enemy lines! Carrying secret information vital to the Republic's war effort,
Jedi Master Even Piell and Captain Tarkin were taken prisoner by the Separatists. An elite
strike team led by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker landed on the planet Lola Sayu
and infiltrated the prison. The team rescued Master Piell and Tarkin, but they were pursued
by the prison's evil commandant, Osi Sobeck. During the escape, their ship was destroyed.
Now we find them on the run, desperate to escape the trap that is the Citadel..."




CONTINUITY
These three episodes form a single storyline about the Citadel. The chronological order of episodes is as given by Lucasfilm,
and follows their release order. The planet Lola Sayu is seen for the first time. Two worlds are seen in these episodes:


- Jedi Master Even Piell has been on the Jedi Council since at least 7945 (32 BBY), as seen in Episode I. He is dispatched on a dangerous assignment to
the Outer Rim where someone or something apparently gave him the information about the coordinates for the Nexus Route before his capture.
As Master Piell is killed, he is replaced on the Council by Coleman Kcaj. Supplementary material has suggested Kcaj didn't join the Council until
the following year (7958 or 19 BBY), however this is inaccurate, since Agen Kolar is said to replace Eeth Koth, and Stass Allie is said to replace
Adi Gallia. Since all other members of the Council are the same until the fall of the Order, this leaves only Coleman Kcaj as Piell's replacement.


Why is a secret route necessary to quickly assault any location in the galaxy? The value of the Nexus Route, which
"travels into the heart of Republic and Separatist sectors" seems obvious on the surface, and makes for an effectively
significant story device, but also leads to questions about hyperspace travel. We have seen it takes less than a day
to travel from Coruscant to Geonosis, about a half a galaxy away. The hyperspace lanes used to safely navigate
the galaxy at high speeds are monitored, especially in densely populated regions like the Core, making it difficult
to sneak up on an opponent, and fuel and other logistical concerns may limit the ability of large fleets to undertake
possible methods of approach. There are many possible explanations as to why the Separatists couldn't approach
near enough to Coruscant to attack without notice, but as the entire purpose of the assault on Coruscant is to land
troops to capture Palpatine, it is essential to catch the Republic completely off-guard, lest fleet elements buy time for
defenses to prevent a landing. It's unclear what Sidious' endgame would have been had this route not been discovered.
Main Article: Hyperspace Travel


- The Citadel is an ultra-maximum security prison, created to hold unusually powerful prisoners, most especially Force wielders or potential
wayward Jedi. It is said that no one had ever escaped, which is often not entirely true of facilities which carry such reputations, and certainly
is no longer true of the Citadel, as Tarkin and a naval clone officer successfully escape from the prison, but only with outside help.


- Carbon-freezing is seen performed in a proper facility, unlike the "crude" facility where Han Solo is frozen in Episode V. It is considered
safe enough under these conditions for Anakin and company to use it on themselves, so other people must have in the past have been
put into carbon-freeze for one reason or another.

- Lola Sayu is a planet located in the Belderone Sector, in the Trans-Hydian region of the Outer Rim. It is a volcanic and sulfurous world that
is no longer fully intact. It is described in supplementary material as 'decaying', but this level of planetary irregularity is almost certainly
the result of collision with a large body the size of a moon or planetoid which shattered the structure of the world. This must have
occurred somewhat recently in cosmic terms, or gravity, rotation, and the molten interior of the planet would have reformed the world
into a sphere, unless this is the product of some other unknown and unusual planetary life-cycle yet to be imagined by astrophysicists.
Ordinarily, a planet in this condition would have either an entirely magma surface, or if it had reformed its crust, would have as much
of it on the damaged part of the planet as it does on the undamaged portion. The visual evidence does seem to indicate the process of
regaining its round shape is occurring, as is explained quite well in the article linked at the end of this page in 'Further Analysis'.
Main Article: Planetology


- The ability to scan for lifeforms on a ship is firmly established as a basic function of a sensor sweep. It is unclear if the shuttle was scanned
by equipment on the surface of the planet, or if the ships in the blockade were conducting the scan and relaying it to the Citadel.
Main Article: Scanners, Sensors, and Cloaking Devices

- The force-field-style shields used to seal doors, and seen on detention cells, are identified as ray shields.
Main Article: Shields, Deflectors, and Ray Shields

- When Anakin is electrically shocked by Sobeck, his anger and determination make him more powerful. The more these events occur for Anakin,
the more he sees the value from his perspective in using his passion to achieve victory, and lets his anger become a means of easier power.


Captain Tarkin is wearing the insignia of an Admiral. This is the same insignia seen on all Republic Admirals, which he
is properly wearing when he is next seen as Admiral Tarkin in 'Point of No Return' (S5E13).
Main Article: Ranks and Rank Insignia


- The commando droids employ riot shields, which are personal energy shields which reflect energy bolts, but allow solid objects to pass through. This
makes it possible for the individual operating the riot shield to pass the front of a weapon through the shield in order to shoot while protected.
Main Article: Shields, Deflectors, and Ray Shields



In 'The Citadel', the Jedi are accompanied by Rex, Cody, Echo, Fives, Charger, Longshot, and two unnamed clones.
Charger is killed attempting to enter the prison, and Longshot is killed in a corridor. In 'Counterattack', one unnamed
clone is killed by a security door, and another by Sobeck, and yet there is still one unnamed clone with the group later.
R2's battle droid squad consists of three B1 battle droids. One is destroyed at the landing pad in 'Counterattack', but
there are still three of them at the beginning of 'Citadel Rescue'. Four navy officers are rescued along with Tarkin from
the Citadel, and three have been killed during the escape, but two are still seen to be alive after Master Piell's funeral.
Additional troops seem to appear as needed by the creators in this storyline, so that the group can keep taking losses
and still have more expendable bodies.


- Echo is critically injured and presumed dead, but will prove to have been rescued, after a fashion, in 'A Distant Echo' (S7E2).

- Dooku values honesty in his operatives, which is understandable considering the importance of accurate information to a leader. It is also a bit
of a contradiction, since he almost exclusively employs operatives who are skilled in deception, as it is one of the most basic methods of Dooku
and all Sith. Based on the kind of self-serving people Dooku typically works with, it is not surprising that agents trying to mislead him to cover
their failures is a common issue for him. There is still some honor left in Dooku, but he only spares Sobeck because he is useful, not out of mercy.

- Tarkin and Anakin are both favorites of the Chancellor, and destined to continue to rise quickly in the ranks of the Republic, and subsequently
the Empire, due to his favor and patronage. Their pissing contest over who is more favored by Palpatine shows how much they both believe
themselves superior and wish to have other acknowledge their superiority, as well as the significance of being in the Chancellor of the Galactic
Senate's favor. The two will form a lasting friendship based on their similar perspectives, methods, and desire for order where the strong rule.

- The Jedi take the time to honor Master Piell, as his death is a significant loss in the Force and to the Order, but don't bother with such ceremonies
for any of the clones who perish in this storyline, or indeed for most of their allies who die at other times. The Jedi Order promotes egalitarian
ideals, but certainly values those strong in the Force far more than the average being. At the same time, this paying of respects to a member of
their order befits their collective nature, and honors the significance of someone of Master Piell's accomplishments and importance.

- As is clearly demonstrated by the final maneuver the Republic ships use to cover the incoming gunship, the closer a target is to the source of
an energy bolt like a blaster or laser canon, the more power that hit has. Some energy loss must accrue with distance, ultimately leading to
the blasts dissipating entirely if they don't strike a target of matter or energy.

ANALYSIS
The Nexus Route is a fully charted hyperspace lane that connects the Western Reaches of the Outer Rim directly to Coruscant, just as the Corellian Trade
Spine and Corellian Run do indirectly, but passing on the opposite side of the galactic center. This is a significant achievement in astrogation, and if publicly
known would likely lead to the usual boom in settlement, exploration, and importance of known worlds near to the route. Why it is secret is never
explained. This could be a long-lost route, however that is unlikely as any hyperspace route old enough to be forgotten was blazed in an era where
a route of this continuous length was the product of centuries or millennia of exploration and charting. For that to be possible, it would have required
at least minimal colonization and development to an extent that route would have remained used. If this route is newly discovered, or finally assembled,
it is surprising that the party which discovered this alerted the Jedi, who learn of this important intelligence before learning its specifics. A fast and
unmonitored way to bring fleets from the Rim directly to Coruscant, or conversely for the Republic to deploy forces untracked from the Core directly
to the Separatist homeworlds in the southern regions of the Rim, would represent a major strategic advantage that could alter the course of the war.

Dooku doesn't want the Jedi to get the Nexus route, since it is important that the Separatists remain a significant threat long enough for the Plan to
run its course. A Separatist collapse in the Western Reaches would seriously hinder Separatist production, resources, and political relevance. It would
also be devastating to their strategic posture, as their ability to spread Republic forces and develop multiple theaters of war are essential in the face
of the vastly superior quality of Republic armies. It is also important to the final stages of the Plan, as the ability to assault Coruscant directly is a key
component of several ways which Sidious can initiate the move against the Jedi. Since Dooku will gain access to the information either way, Palpatine
is likely unconcerned which side gets it. Dooku, on the other hand, has his own schemes, and wishes to hedge his bets as much as possible. Dooku
is working towards the destruction of the Jedi Order and the Republic, as that would leave him as the undercover Sith Lord seen by many as
a legitimate political leader, instead of Palpatine. If the clone army and Jedi are defeated, Dooku's Sith Empire in disguise would have succeeded using
the often tried but always unsuccessful strategy of the Sith of old. It is unlikely to work, but Dooku is still trying much harder than Palpatine for
the Separatists to win on the battlefield. Palpatine is only interested in the Separatists as a menace, and Dooku as a distraction for the Jedi, since his
goal is to preserve as much of the Republic as is of value to him, and transform it, which is the brilliant culmination of Darth Bane's thousand-year-old
plan to destroy the Republic from within, rather than attempt to take it over or destroy it from the outside. Dooku's ability to work outside that plan
is limited by having to obey Palpatine, as Dooku is likely not strong enough to move against him without a fully trained Sith apprentice.

Tarkin's potentialist beliefs and self-centered point of view inform his entire approach to every situation. He believes in there is always greater strength
in numbers, and that the larger and superior force will win. He says he reserves his trust for those who take action, as he favors pressing every
advantage, and decisive outcomes. He approves of Anakin's insistence on being respected for his superior power, as elitism and egotism are core
principles for Tarkin. His analysis of Jedi tactics is that they are ineffective because the Jedi Code's ethics prevent them from going "far enough"
to achieve victory. It is almost certainly true that if the Jedi cared less about civilian casualties, and focused on direct assaults of Separatist population
and economic centers, that the war could be won by the Republic in a much shorter time. Like any who prefer to use the dark side of nature, he sees
no value in doing things the hard way because it is right or more beneficial, preferring instead to get things as fast and easy as possible, regardless of
the means required to gain those ends. He hates to fight from a disadvantaged position, so much so that he wants to run onto an easily destroyed shuttle
because it has the biggest gun available on it. His belief in the invincibility of large forces and weapons will ultimately lead to his death in Episode IV.

The Battle of Lola Sayu is an inversion of a common Clone Wars formula, where a naval battle is used to facilitate an objective strike on the planet. This
tactic is often employed by the Separatists, who often have more unique strategic objectives, but is here seen employed by the Republic. These types of
battles are as opposed to the other primary type of battle in the Clone Wars, where one side seeks to gain total space and air supremacy over a planet
as a prelude to a planetary wide invasion. The unique tactical situations these present, where large and powerful Forces are involved in conflicts over
a relatively insignificant number of people considered of galactic importance, have been quite rare in the relatively peaceful reign of the Galactic Republic.
As Master Tiin observes, "there have not been battles like these since the days of the Old Republic."

The Republic armada consists of four destroyers, and the Separatist defense fleet consists of a battleship, a dreadnought, and four frigates. Master Plo
leads the extraction team to rescue the fugitives and the original extraction team. Saesee Tiin leads the fighter assault to cover the landing on the planet
and the eventual return. Other squadrons form a fighter screen for the Republic ships against the Separatist fighter assault, and harass Separatist ships.
It's not clear why the Separatist battleship and destroyer don't attempt to shoot down the extraction team once it leaves the surface, opting instead to
engage them with fighters, a strategy that is unlikely to be effective against Jedi pilots. The Republic destroyers maneuver into a shield position, absorbing
direct close-range fire to secure the extraction team. The result of the battle was a stalemate in strategic terms leading to a Republic withdrawal, but as
the mission objective of both sides was to secure control over the fugitives and the information they possessed, it was a decisive Republic victory.

Tarkin thinks the Jedi shouldn't be in charge of the army, and Anakin agrees based on that the Jedi should be peacekeepers. Obi-Wan calls this "a rather
simple point of view", and yet both positions have great merit. On the one hand, the Jedi absolutely should recuse themselves from leading an offensive
campaign against the Separatist worlds, if they wish to live up to their values. The Jedi need not abandon the civilian populations of the Republic, and
can fight and even lead the fighting in defense of planets being invaded by the droid army without compromising their ethics. On the other hand,
the Jedi Council's approach is based on multiple factors, the first of which is history. The Jedi have always defended the Republic for many thousands
of years in full scale wars. The Republic represents a democratic organization where the Jedi are understood to be guardians of its moral integrity, and
Jedi philosophy is considered the cornerstone of the Republic's affairs. The Republic is always imperfect, but even at its worst it is worth protecting because
it is the most powerful vehicle for positive and ethical change, at least in the eyes of the Council. Secondly, the return of the Sith is the primary threat in
the eyes of the Jedi Council, and countering Dooku as quickly as possible is paramount, therefore the Jedi must lead the over-all war with that objective
in mind. The most easily overlooked reason the Council feels the Jedi must lead the war is to prevent the misuse of the Republic's power, to conduct
the war according to their ethics, and to ensure the Republic does not engage in war crimes. This is the very reason the Jedi Order became the leaders
of the Republic's military 24,000 years ago during the Tionese War. Anakin says "If we aren't willing to do what it takes to win, we risk losing everything
we try to protect." This is exactly why the Council chooses to go 'half-way', in keeping with Tarkin's criticism, because they need to lead the war in their
estimation, but they won't allow victory at any cost. Council members like Obi-Wan maintain this position which is either tenuous or hypocritical, depending
on one's point of view, because it is the lesson which their collective historical wisdom has taught them. As Obi-Wan observes: "War tends to distort our
point of view. If we sacrifice our code, even for victory, we may lose that which is most important: our honor." As peacemakers, and an order of warrior
monks, the Jedi must seek to disarm and even destroy to stop war, as it is an affront to life. That necessitates fighting those who refuse to deescalate until
they stop, are killed, or are willing to resume civilized discourse, and as always, doing their best to shield the innocent from the violence of war.


FURTHER ANALYSIS
The Scars of Concord Dawn - A Physicist Overthinks Star Wars Rebels