Although considered a kids' show when it premiered in 2008, Star Wars: The Clone Wars didn't shy away from bringing in more mature themes as it moved closer to the events of Revenge of the Sith. That trend was evident in only the show's second episode. The Clone Wars explored the psychology behind one of Star Wars' most tragic and plentiful groups of the era: the clone troopers.
The episode, titled "Rising Malevolence," focused on masked Jedi Master Plo Koon and the Wolfpack clone squadron, who were left floating in space in an escape pod after General Grievous annihilated Triumphant. The majority of the ship's crew was killed in the aftermath, leaving Plo Koon and three members of the Wolfpack as the only survivors. As the episode progressed, Plo Koon expressed optimism about somebody coming to find them, while the Wolfpack squad thought the opposite. Finally, Plo Koon asked them directly about why they were so certain that no one would come. Sinker, the clone sergeant of the group, answered, "We're just clones, sir. We're meant to be expendable." In response, Plo Koon said, "Not to me."
The Significance of Sinker's Clone Wars Line
The line spoken by Sinker reinforced how the clones view themselves, and how the Republic doesn't see nearly as much value in them as they do the Jedi. Plo Koon's ignorance was also highlighted: because he was a Jedi Master of the Jedi Council, he was considered a high-priority individual and had never been in a situation where he was "expendable." But these clone troopers were manufactured by millions on Kamino and forced to wear generic combat armor. It's no wonder they value themselves so little. They have no real identity; they were created for war, after all.
Fortunately, Plo Koon and the Wolfpack were eventually rescued. And interestingly enough, Wolffe -- the leader of the Wolfpack -- would go on to become a highly decorated commander and strategist under the Jedi Master. He even survived the Clone Wars; 15 years later, he was found living with The Bad Batch's famed Captain Rex and Commando Gregor on the planet Seelos, as seen in Star Wars Rebels Season 2, Episode 3, "The Lost Commanders."
The Clone Wars scene also imbued additional weight to Plo Koon's eventual death through Order 66. The Jedi developed real relationships with the clones, seeing them as friends or even family. Plo Koon embodied this, as he was "especially devoted to protecting the clones under his command," according to the official Star Wars databank. It was all the more tragic for Plo Koon to fall at the hands of those he trusted and protected.
The Clone Wars served as an excellent way to bridge the timelines between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, providing some deeper emotional insight into the many tragic deaths of Order 66. By humanizing the clone troopers so early on, the animated series succeeded in setting the tone for further insights into the intricacies behind the complex war between the Republic and the Separatists.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is available to stream on Disney+.