"Like fire, across the galaxy the Clone Wars spread. In league with the wicked Count Dooku, more and more planets slip. Against this threat, upon the Jedi Knights falls the duty to lead the newly-formed army of the Republic. And as the heat of war grows, so too grows the prowess of one most gifted student of the force..."
Following the events of Attack of the Clones, the Clone Wars have officially begun. Our series begins on the field of battle, as Grand Master Yoda leads the charge against Dooku's Separatist forces. We are then treated to a montage of similar battles being fought all over the galaxy, each led by a different Jedi Master, culminating in a glimpse of Anakin putting his above-mentioned skills to good use.
The scene cuts to Yoda, Anakin, and Obi-Wan Kenobi meeting with Chancellor Palpatine on Coruscant to discuss an urgent matter. As Obi-Wan explains, the Banking Clan has been secretly forming large factories on the planet Muunalist, with the intention of manufacturing droids and starships to aid the Separatists. Palpatine agrees that this matter is troubling, and must be dealt with swiftly. However, he ponders over the question of who to lead the assault. Yoda personally volunteers Obi-Wan to lead the ground forces, but Palpatine ruffles feathers by suggesting that Anakin lead the aerial attack. While the talented padawan is clearly elated at the idea, the two Jedi Masters are significantly less enthusiastic, feeling that he is too inexperienced for such an assignment. Anakin is noticeably irritated by their lack of confidence. It does not matter, because Palpatine ignores their objections and insists on Anakin helping to lead the attack. Now it is Yoda and Obi-Wan's turn to look annoyed.
In the final scene of the episode, the clone army is preparing to leave for the assault. Obi-Wan watches over them with a look of dismay on his face. Silently, he doubts that even Qui-Gon Jinn would have been able to prepare an inexperienced Jedi for such a mission. Meanwhile, Anakin boards his ship and begins to take off. Before taking to the skies, he shares a look with Padmé, who is watching with a concerned look on her face from the safety of her building. They hold out their hands to one another, before Anakin leaves to go on this dangerous mission.
Chapter 1 contains examples of:
- All There in the Manual
- Yoda's steed is a kybuck.
- The underwater troopers seen with Kit Fisto are designated Clone SCUBA troopers.
- The caped Clone Troopers are the Hawkbat Battalion.
- Clasp Your Hands If You Deceive: Palpatine does this in his first scene, complete with what sounds vaguely like bones rattling when he taps his fingertips together.
- Early-Bird Cameo: We see a glimpse of the Battle of Mon Calamari and the Battle of Dantooine, both of which will be featured in later chapters.
- Frontline General: The Jedi are all automatically generals, and prefer to command from the frontlines. Probably because they don't fear enemy blaster fire.
- Morally Bankrupt Banker: A Planet of Hats of them in the Banking Clan.
- Pilot
- Shirtless Scene: Kit Fisto while battling underwater.
- Super-Speed: Mace Windu.
