Clone Wars: Rookies - First Impressions

The last four episodes of the Clone Wars have been very 'Jedi' focused - yes, shiny lightsabers and brilliant displays of prowress with the force are stupendously fun to watch, but these aren't the Jedi Wars: they're the Clone Wars - and it's about time that the troops of the republic stole the limelight from Anakin and Obi-Wan. And boy, do they do it in style!

Rookies is something quite unexpected in a series that promised nonstop action from the get-go: yes, there is action, and lots of it, but the story itself is an emotional tale of sacrifice and duty. The clone troopers we are introduced to at the Rishi Moon outpost are represented as individuals, each with their own personality - and as the body count begins to rise as they are assaulted by swathes of commando droids, you begin to feel a sense of loss for the clones, especially Heavy's self sacrifice to save the survivors at the end. If there had to be comparisons drawn, this is like a sci-fi Band of Brothers for kids.

Cody and Rex truly step up to the plate in this episode, and, unlike the feature film, they're very much established as a working pair - as the episode hints itself, there is something very 'Anakin and Obi-Wan' about the two Clones, something that not only highlights their bond with their respective generals but a sub-concious continuation of a theme that connects the series very well - brotherhood.

Story points aside, the fighting of the episode is another series of set-piece marvels - and also perhaps about as gratuitously violent as clone-vs-droid fighting can get: There are headshots, finishing barrages and bodies riddled with laser fire abound, with a monster-dragging-its-victim-to-their-doom moment thrown in to boot. The action is handled very well, and is not just shoved in - every fight happens for a purpose, and when they come, they come thick and fast and are a beauty to watch - Clones with Scatter-lasers are by far some of the coolest images Star Wars can deliver, and they deliver them plenty!

All in all, Rookies is once again another fantastic episode to continue the run of successes for the series. Let's hope that this continue in two weeks time with Downfall of a Droid!