There is only a little more than a month left before the seventh and final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuts on Disney+, and with 121 episodes, dating back to 2008, catching up is no easy task. Some Star Wars fans may never have gotten around to watching the animated series, set in the three years between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, while others are diehard viewers who consider it among the best of the franchise.
Whatever the case, everyone could benefit from a quick refresher course on the previous seasons (Season 6 was released on Netflix in 2014). Although most people don't have the time to devote to a binge of the entire series to date before the Feb. 17 return of The Clone Wars, there are six essential episodes that will fill you in on what you need to know.
The Mandalore Plot (Season 2)
It feels pretty cutthroat to jump past the entire first season, but if you want to dive straight into the deep end of plot development and character growth, there's no better place than The Mandalore Plot. Following Obi-Wan Kenobi's assignment on Mandalore to protect the Duchess Satine, the episode is integral in explaining the Mandalorian politics that fuel storylines of The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels and, now, The Mandalorian.
What's more, it offers a rare insight into the personal life of the ordinarily stoic and detached Obi-Wan. Understanding the romantic link between Obi-Wan and Satine not only advances his character arc, it invests the viewer in emotional stakes that pay off later in the series.
Nightsisters (Season 3)
A lot of the importance of "Nightsisters" comes from establishing and developing aspects of Star Wars that only fans of The Clone Wars would be familiar with, such as the character Asajj Ventress, the Nightsisters, and the planet Darthomir from which they hail. Asajj is possibly one of the best villains in all of the franchise, and "Nightsisters" depicts a character perspective rarely shown.
Good characters giving into the temptation of the Dark Side are a dime a dozen in Star Wars, and the villains who redeem themselves at the last minute are nearly as familiar. Far more rare are characters like Asajj, who were perfectly content on the Dark Side until it was the Dark Side that turned away from them. "Nightsisters" offers such a rare insight, but also establishes many plot points that could be of huge importance in the next season.
Revenge (Season 4)
Even those who never got around to The Clone Wars were likely aware that Phantom Menace villain Darth Maul makes a stunning return as a major antagonist throughout the series. "Revenge" helps to establish who he is (a half-cyborg ex-Sith with a scary brother) and what he wants (to cut Obi-Wan in half) while solidifying him as a major threat.
Yet, somehow, Asajj Ventress still manages to be one of the coolest characters in the episode. Now thoroughly divorced from the Dark Side that betrayed her in "Nightsisters," by this Season 4 finale Asajj finds work as a bounty hunter in order to test the scientific limits of just how much badass you can cram into one character.
The Lawless (Season 5)
If you only have time to devote to a single episode of The Clone Wars, make it "The Lawless." Be aware, however, that it comes as the conclusion of so much established in earlier episodes as multiple character arcs come to a close, plot lines climax, and one of the best fights in all of Star Wars dazzles the screen.
"The Lawless" takes place after Maul's larger ambitions lead him to control Death Watch, the Mandalorian terrorist group introduced in "The Mandalore Plot." During a high-stakes battle of the wills against Obi-Wan, the animosity between the two men boils hotter than ever -- and it's still not the most exciting duel in the episode. Darth Sidious shows up with a rare display of his lightsaber talents, and that's all anyone should need to tell you.
The Wrong Jedi (Season 5)
It's a testament to the far-reaching scope of the series that a list such as this can get so far without ever mentioning the two "main" characters, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano. Those who only know the series through the critically panned theatrical release should rest-assured the bulk of The Clone Wars has little to do with them. But when it does, is it ever worth it.
Over the course of the show, Ahsoka grows from an annoying kid-sidekick into a capable and independent character, and "The Wrong Jedi" sees the fruition of that process. When Ahsoka is accused of a crime she didn't commit, her storyline advances in ways that will clearly be integral to understanding what she's going through in Season 7. And there's a strong sense it will be better than ever. (This 2013 episode served as the series finale on Cartoon Network, ahead of the 2014 revival on Netflix, known as "The Lost Missions.")
Sacrifice (Season 6)
So much of the Netflix-released sixth season is top-notch quality, and that's concentrated on bridging the continuity between The Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith. That's certainly a great way to end a series, and "Sacrifice" was the only episode epic enough to capstone the whole process.
In the Season 6 finale, Yoda concludes a test of his worthiness in the Force while Darth Sidious and Darth Tyrannus conspire against him. It not only expands greatly on the mythology of the Force that weaves together all of the Star Wars properties, but provides a connective tissue to everywhere the continuity would go after the show's conclusion. If you're looking for an epic sendoff before diving into the seventh season, there's really no better place to go than "Sacrifice."