http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsShadowConspiracySaga
Warning! This story arc recap page contains unmarked spoilers! Read at your own peril!
List of story arcs and episodes in this saga:
Plot summary
This saga focuses the situations on Mandalore and the return of the Sith Lord Darth Maul.
Tropes:
- Arc Welding: As mentioned above, this saga ties together three story arcs that are featured in the series.
- Alien Non-Interference Clause:
- During the Mandalore arc, the Separatists try to make it appear as though they are helping the Death Watch (which they are, but not to the extent they want it to seem) so that the Republic will not see it as a manageable internal Mandalore situation. This would lead to a Republic occupation of Mandalore to restore order, but that would turn the population of Mandalore against the Republic, which the Death Watch could use to rally support and conquer the planet with a mass uprising.
- During the Shadow Collective arc, the Jedi state that they cannot get involved in the Death Watch/Shadow Collective's takeover of Mandalore since Obi-Wan (who does want to get involved) confirms that the Death Watch and Separatists are no longer allies. As a purely internal Mandalorian matter, the situation is out of their hands, but Obi-Wan goes anyway and the story arc ends with him going back to the Republic to tell them that the Sith are involved, which he expects will lead to a full invasion and occupation of Mandalore.
- Evil Versus Evil: Practically, the entire saga is a series of plots set up by villains against other villains.
- Shoot the Shaggy Dog: Duchess Satine's efforts to keep Mandalore as a neutral, pacifist planet lead to economic havoc when the Republic redirects resources elsewhere, leading to the betrayal of her Prime Minister. Next, a vast army of criminals in secret league with Darth Maul terrorize her populace until the Death Watch "saves" them. Then, Maul and the Death Watch mosey on in and overthrow her to vast popular acclaim. She is used for bait to draw in her old flame Obi-Wan, their escape attempt fails, and she is murdered in front of him. To top it all off, a new civil war breaks out in her capital city. As a result of the events that occur in the subsequent timeline, we know that her pacifist ideals completely fail to take and Mandalore goes right back to its old warrior ways.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Being an Actual Pacifist doesn't do much for your popularity when you're traditionally a warrior culture or when you run into people that will see "pacifist" and think "target", as Satine Kryze and her New Mandalorian faction finds out during the Mandalore arc. When Pre Viszla and the Death Watch finally make their move with the assistance of Black Sun, the Pyke Syndicate, Darth Maul, and Savage Opress, the Mandalorian police prove to be completely inadequate at attempting to fight them off, while the Death Watch coming in to "save the day" from the terrifying criminals have the people's support due to saving them in contrast to the seemingly incompetent and helpless New Mandalorians.
- The Svengali: Mother Talzin is this to Ventress, Maul, and Savage.
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Ironically, Palpatine. Concerned that Count Dooku might try to use Ventress to overthrow him, he orders the Count to kill her. Ventress survives, however, and with the help of Mother Talzin, she begins a quest for vengeance against Dooku, which results in unleashing Savage Opress into the Galaxy. After Ventress and Savage fail to assassinate Dooku, Savage goes searching for his missing brother, whom he hopes will aid him in gaining strength enough to defeat all of his opponents. This brother turns out to be Palpatine's former apprentice Maul, who after regaining his composure becomes a major threat to Palpatine's plans.
- World of Badass: Practically every important character is a badass on some level.
