How to Watch Clone Wars in Order

If you’re looking to dive into the world of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, you might be wondering about the best way to experience the series. The show, which debuted in 2008, is set between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and offers a deeper look at the events of the Clone Wars. Here’s a comprehensive guide to watching The Clone Wars in chronological order to get the most out of the series.

1. Watch Order Overview
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is unique because its episodes are not strictly chronological. The series is divided into multiple seasons, and the storylines jump back and forth in time. To fully understand the continuity and character development, watching the episodes in chronological order rather than the original air date order is recommended.

2. Chronological Order by Episode
The chronological order of The Clone Wars follows the events in the Star Wars universe as they occur in the timeline. Here’s a breakdown of how to watch the episodes:

Season 1:

• Episode 1: "Ambush"
• Episode 2: "Rising Malevolence"
• Episode 3: "Shadow of Malevolence"
• Episode 4: "Destroy Malevolence"
• Episode 5: "Rookies"
• Episode 6: "Downfall of a Droid"
• Episode 7: "Duel of the Droids"
• Episode 8: "Bombad Jedi"
• Episode 9: "Cloak of Darkness"
• Episode 10: "Lair of Grievous"
• Episode 11: "Dooku Captured"
• Episode 12: "The Gungan General"
• Episode 13: "Jedi Crash"
• Episode 14: "Defenders of Peace"
• Episode 15: "Trespass"
• Episode 16: "The Hidden Enemy"
• Episode 17: "Sovereign Borders"
• Episode 18: "The Deserter"
• Episode 19: "Lightsaber Lost"
• Episode 20: "Darkness on Umbara"
• Episode 21: "The General Grievous"
• Episode 22: "Lair of Grievous"

Season 2:

• Episode 1: "Holocron Heist"
• Episode 2: "Cargo of Doom"
• Episode 3: "Children of the Force"
• Episode 4: "Senate Spy"
• Episode 5: "Landing at Point Rain"
• Episode 6: "Weapons Factory"
• Episode 7: "Legacy of Terror"
• Episode 8: "Brain Invaders"
• Episode 9: "Grievous Intrigue"
• Episode 10: "The Deserter"
• Episode 11: "Voyage of Temptation"
• Episode 12: "Duchess of Mandalore"
• Episode 13: "The Mandalore Plot"
• Episode 14: "The Box"
• Episode 15: "The Academy"
• Episode 16: "The Citadel"
• Episode 17: "Counterattack"
• Episode 18: "Citadel Rescue"
• Episode 19: "Padawan Lost"
• Episode 20: "Wookiee Hunt"

3. Movie and Special Episodes
Before diving into Season 3, it’s a good idea to watch the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie, which was released in 2008. The movie serves as an introduction to the series and sets up the context for the show. Additionally, some special episodes and arcs, such as the "Bad Batch" arc in Season 7, should be watched after the corresponding season.

4. Season 3-7 Chronological Order
The subsequent seasons continue the storyline with various arcs and character developments. Here’s the order for these seasons:

Season 3:

• Episode 1: "Clone Cadets"
• Episode 2: "Arc Troopers"
• Episode 3: "Supply Lines"
• Episode 4: "Sphere of Influence"
• Episode 5: "Corruption"
• Episode 6: "The Academy"
• Episode 7: "Assassin"
• Episode 8: "Evil Plans"
• Episode 9: "Hunt for Ziro"
• Episode 10: "The Zillo Beast"
• Episode 11: "The Zillo Beast Strikes Back"
• Episode 12: "Heroes on Both Sides"
• Episode 13: "Pursuit of Peace"
• Episode 14: "Nightsisters"
• Episode 15: "Monster"
• Episode 16: "Witches of the Mist"
• Episode 17: "Overlords"
• Episode 18: "Altar of Mortis"
• Episode 19: "Ghosts of Mortis"
• Episode 20: "The Citadel"
• Episode 21: "Counterattack"
• Episode 22: "Citadel Rescue"

Season 4:

• Episode 1: "Water War"
• Episode 2: "Gungan Attack"
• Episode 3: "Prisoners"
• Episode 4: "Shades of Reason"
• Episode 5: "The Lawless"
• Episode 6: "Sabotage"
• Episode 7: "The Jedi Who Knew Too Much"
• Episode 8: "To Catch a Jedi"
• Episode 9: "The Wrong Jedi"
• Episode 10: "The Gathering"
• Episode 11: "A Test of Strength"
• Episode 12: "Bound for Rescue"
• Episode 13: "The Unknown"
• Episode 14: "The Void"
• Episode 15: "The Box"
• Episode 16: "Crisis at the Heart"
• Episode 17: "The Jedi Who Knew Too Much"
• Episode 18: "To Catch a Jedi"
• Episode 19: "The Wrong Jedi"

Season 5:

• Episode 1: "Revival"
• Episode 2: "A War on Two Fronts"
• Episode 3: "Front Runners"
• Episode 4: "The Soft War"
• Episode 5: "Tipping Points"
• Episode 6: "The Gathering"
• Episode 7: "A Test of Strength"
• Episode 8: "Bound for Rescue"
• Episode 9: "The Unknown"
• Episode 10: "The Void"
• Episode 11: "The Box"
• Episode 12: "Crisis at the Heart"
• Episode 13: "The Jedi Who Knew Too Much"
• Episode 14: "To Catch a Jedi"
• Episode 15: "The Wrong Jedi"

Season 6:

• Episode 1: "The Unknown"
• Episode 2: "Conspirators"
• Episode 3: "Fugitive"
• Episode 4: "Orders"
• Episode 5: "An Old Friend"
• Episode 6: "The Lost One"
• Episode 7: "Voices"
• Episode 8: "Destiny"
• Episode 9: "Sacrifice"

Season 7:

• Episode 1: "The Bad Batch"
• Episode 2: "A Distant Echo"
• Episode 3: "On the Run"
• Episode 4: "Unfinished Business"
• Episode 5: "Gone with a Trace"
• Episode 6: "Deal No Deal"
• Episode 7: "Dangerous Debt"
• Episode 8: "Together Again"
• Episode 9: "Old Friends Not Forgotten"
• Episode 10: "The Phantom Apprentice"
• Episode 11: "Shattered"
• Episode 12: "Victory and Death"

5. Viewing Tips

• Context Matters: Some episodes are best understood when you have background knowledge of previous events, so follow the chronological order closely.
• Themed Marathons: To fully appreciate character arcs and plot developments, consider watching related episodes or arcs together in one sitting.
• Supplementary Materials: For a deeper understanding, you might want to explore additional Star Wars content such as animated shorts or related series like Star Wars Rebels.

By following this chronological order, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex and fascinating universe of The Clone Wars. Enjoy your journey through this pivotal chapter in the Star Wars saga!