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The Best Episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 1

Every episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 1!

Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu and other Jedi Knights lead the Grand Army of the Republic against the droid army of the Separatists.
Genres:Action & AdventureAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Ambush" is the best rated episode of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" season 1. It scored 7.3/10 based on 6324 votes. Directed by Dave Bullock and written by Steven Melching, it aired on 10/3/2008. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Rising Malevolence".

  • Ambush
    7.3/106,324 votes

    #1 - Ambush

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2008

    Jedi Master Yoda and three clone troopers -- Jek, Thire, and Rys -- must face off against Count Dooku's dreaded assassin Ventress and her massive droid army to prove the Jedi are strong enough to protect a strategic planet and forge a treaty for the Republic.

    Director: Dave Bullock

    Writer: Steven Melching

  • Rising Malevolence
    7.3/105,599 votes

    #2 - Rising Malevolence

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/3/2008

    An attack by a devastating new Separatist weapon -- the powerful starship Malevolence -- leaves Jedi Master Plo Koon and his clone troopers struggling to survive until Anakin and Ahsoka can find them.

    Director: Dave Filoni

    Writer: Steven Melching

  • Shadow of Malevolence
    7.3/105,237 votes

    #3 - Shadow of Malevolence

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2008

    With the help of his Padawan Ahsoka and Jedi Master Plo Koon, Anakin utilizes new long-range Y-wing bombers to lead a bold strike on General Grievous' warship, the Malevolence, and its destructive weapon.

    Director: Brian Kalin O'Connell

    Writer: Steven Melching

  • Destroy Malevolence
    7.4/105,100 votes

    #4 - Destroy Malevolence

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/17/2008

    Padmé Amidala and C-3PO are taken hostage by General Grievous, leaving Anakin and Obi-Wan to save the Senator and complete the destruction of the Malevolence.

    Director: Brian Kalin O'Connell

    Writer: Tim Burns

  • Rookies
    7.9/105,547 votes

    #5 - Rookies

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/24/2008

    Alone on a distant outpost, clone officers Rex and Cody must inspire their rookie unit to believe in themselves to stave off a droid commando invasion.

    Director: Justin Ridge

    Writer: Steven Melching

  • Downfall of a Droid
    6.6/104,756 votes

    #6 - Downfall of a Droid

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/7/2008

    R2-D2 is lost during a fierce space battle -- and Anakin must find him before the Separatists discover the Jedi military secrets locked in his memory banks.

    Director: Rob Coleman

    Writer: George Krstic

  • Duel of the Droids
    7.1/104,726 votes

    #7 - Duel of the Droids

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/14/2008

    Anakin, Ahsoka and replacement droid R3-S6 embark on a dual rescue/sabotage mission when they discover R2-D2 is being held at General Grievous' secret enemy listening post, Skytop Station.

    Director: Rob Coleman

    Writer: Kevin D. Campbell

  • Bombad Jedi
    6.0/104,815 votes

    #8 - Bombad Jedi

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/21/2008

    On a diplomatic mission to the planet Rodia, Padmé; discovers that her old friend and fellow Republic senator Onaconda Farr has allied his planet with the Separatists. In exchange for food and resources for his people, Onaconda captures Padmé and promises to deliver her to the Nute Gunray. Sensing Padmé is in trouble, Jar Jar Binks disguises himself as a Jedi, and with the help of C-3PO, courageously fights to rescue his friend and fellow senator.

    Director: Jesse Yeh

    Writer: Steven Melching, Henry Gilroy, Kevin Rubio

  • Cloak of Darkness
    7.9/104,871 votes

    #9 - Cloak of Darkness

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/5/2008

    Ahsoka and Jedi Master Luminara escort the captured notorious Separatist leader Nute Gunray to Coruscant so he can stand trial for his crimes. However, they are unaware that Count Dooku has sent his assassin, Asajj Ventress, to free their captive. With the help of Senate Commandos, the Jedi have to thwart Ventress's efforts to free their prisoner, despite the traitorous plans of Senate Guard Captain Argyus.

    Director: Dave Filoni

    Writer: Paul Dini

  • Lair of Grievous
    8.1/104,997 votes

    #10 - Lair of Grievous

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/12/2008

    Jedi Master Kit Fisto and his former Padawan, the Mon Calamari Jedi Nahdar Vebb, track escaped prisoner Nute Gunray to a remote world. Following Nute into a mysterious den filled with strange creatures, weapons, and war-time artifacts, the Jedi discover it is the trap-laden lair of General Grievous! Learning that Count Dooku has led the Jedi there in order to punish Grievous for his recent failures, the General is determined to prove his abilities and destroy the Jedi. Kit and Nahdar, along with a contingent of clones, must now fight their way past Grievous and his caretaker droid A-4D to avoid being caught in General's evil clutches forever.

    Director: Atsushi Takeuchi

    Writer: Henry Gilroy

  • Dooku Captured
    7.3/104,486 votes

    #11 - Dooku Captured

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/2/2009

    During their own attempt to kidnap Count Dooku, Anakin and Obi-Wan discover that the Sith Lord has already been captured by pirates. Hondo Ohnaka and his gang of pirates hold Dooku captive in their den on Florrum, and hold him for ransom. It's up to Anakin and Obi-Wan to see if the offer is too good to be true.

    Director: Jesse Yeh

    Writer: Julie Siege

  • The Gungan General
    6.9/104,375 votes

    #12 - The Gungan General

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/9/2009

    Anakin and Obi-Wan have been duped and are being held for ransom along with Count Dooku by the pirate chief Hondo Ohnaka and his second-in-command, Turk Falso. While Anakin, Obi-Wan and Dooku unsuccessfully attempt to escape, the Republic sends the ransom via a special envoy, including Representative Jar Jar Binks. When Falso tries to steal the ransom from his boss by shooting down the shuttle, the only survivors are a squad of clones and Jar Jar, who as the most senior officer alive, has to take charge of the mission. It becomes a race against time as Jar Jar rushes to deliver the ransom to take custody of Dooku and save the Jedi.

    Director: Justin Ridge

    Writer: Julie Siege

  • Jedi Crash
    7.3/104,365 votes

    #13 - Jedi Crash

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/16/2009

    Anakin and Ahsoka arrive at a pitched sky battle to help besieged Jedi General Aayla Secura. Anakin is gravely injured in the fight. Aayla and Ahsoka, along with the now-wounded Anakin, Rex, and the surviving clones, crash land on the uncharted grass-covered planet, Maridun. Forced to leave Anakin behind in order to save him, Aayla teaches Ahsoka why the Jedi have no personal attachments. They make their way to a Lurmen village. Their ruler, Tee Watt Kaa, explains that they're pacifists in this war and are not aligned with either side. Hesitant to have anything to do with the Jedi, Tee Watt Kaa agrees to help save Anakin's life.

    Director: Rob Coleman

    Writer: Katie Lucas

  • Defenders of Peace
    7.4/104,335 votes

    #14 - Defenders of Peace

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1/23/2009

    The leader of the Lurmen, Tee Watt Kaa, refuses to shelter the Jedi from arriving Separatist forces, fearing that such an action would unnecessarily bring his neutral people into the war. Ahsoka, Aayla, the wounded Anakin, and the rest of the clones respect their wishes as they don't want to jeopardize the village with their presence, so they have to retreat into the wilds of the planet. Separatist Neimoidian General Lok Durd arrives to test a devastating weapon, which they plan to use on the Lurmen! Ultimately, the villagers have to decide whether they will lay down to the Separatists or fight with the Jedi to defend their village.

    Director: Steward Lee

    Writer: Bill Canterbury

  • Trespass
    7.6/104,423 votes

    #15 - Trespass

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1/30/2009

    Arriving on the desolate ice world of Orto Plutonia, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate the disappearance of a clone security force stationed on a remote outpost. The Jedi, accompanied by Senator Riyo Chuchi and Chairman Cho of the nearby moon of Pantora, soon discover their clone troopers were attacked by a tribe of furry natives known as the Talz. Fierce beast-riding warriors, the Talz are very territorial and only want to be left alone. The Jedi manage to negotiate peace with the Talz chieftain, Thi-Sen, when greedy Chairman Cho breaks it by insisting the planet and the Talz are under his power. The resulting conflict escalates into war between the senator led clones and the Talz, with the Jedi in the middle.

    Director: Brian Kalin O'Connell

    Writer: Steven Melching

  • The Hidden Enemy
    7.6/104,475 votes

    #16 - The Hidden Enemy

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 2/6/2009

    Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi lead Republic forces in an attempt to defeat the droid armies and free the planet of Christophsis from the Separatist siege. When the Republic is ambushed and forced to retreat, it becomes clear that someone in their midst has set them up. The Jedi believe this infiltration is a Sith-backed operation and go behind enemy lines to investigate. Meanwhile, Captain Rex and Commander Cody set out to uncover the traitor amongst them.

    Director: Steward Lee

    Writer: Drew Z. Greenberg

  • Blue Shadow Virus
    6.6/104,164 votes

    #17 - Blue Shadow Virus

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 2/13/2009

    The Republic discovers a Separatist bio-weapon lab hidden on the planet of Naboo. Rather than wait for help, Padmé; explores the lab with Jar Jar. Anakin, Ahsoka, Rex, and Obi-Wan arrive and follow after her. They find that the Senator is being held captive by the sinister Dr. Nuvo Vindi. The mad scientist has been developing a lethal virus for the Separatists. Vindi threatens to set off a bomb and release the virus!

    Director: Giancarlo Volpe

    Writer: Craig Titley

  • Mystery of a Thousand Moons
    6.9/104,068 votes

    #18 - Mystery of a Thousand Moons

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 2/13/2009

    Even though the lab has been shut down, Dr. Vindi manages to activate the dreaded Blue Shadow Virus, infecting Ahsoka, Padmé, and many clone troopers. The plague is fatal within 48 hours. Anakin and Obi-Wan must travel to the mysterious planet, Iego, to secure the only known antidote to the sickness. Anakin and Obi-Wan arrive on the mysterious planet to find its population living in fear of a mysterious force that has been killing anything that tries to leave their world. With the help of Jaybo Hood, a clever Iegoan boy, Anakin and Obi-Wan must solve the planet's mystery before they can leave, and before everyone infected with the Separatist virus dies!

    Director: Jesse Yeh

    Writer: Brian Larsen

  • Storm Over Ryloth
    7.6/104,252 votes

    #19 - Storm Over Ryloth

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 2/27/2009

    Ryloth, home world of the Twi'lek people, has been subjected to military occupation by the droid army of the Separatists, and surrounded by a blockade of Trade Federation battleships. While launching a surprise attack against the blockade, Ahsoka disobeys Anakin's orders and ends up losing most of her squadron. Even though she's emotionally rocked by this failure, Anakin helps her learn to persevere, placing her in charge of another risky attack.

    Director: Brian Kalin O'Connell

    Writer: George Krstic

  • Innocents of Ryloth
    7.9/104,387 votes

    #20 - Innocents of Ryloth

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 3/6/2009

    With the space blockade around Ryloth destroyed, Obi-Wan Kenobi must lead a small clone force into a droid occupied town to sabotage their anti-aircraft guns. Obi-Wan's mission is complicated when he learns the town's inhabitants are being used as living shields. A pair of clones in his platoon forges an unlikely friendship with a refugee Twi'lek girl, Numa, who's been orphaned by the war. Through their relationship with her, the clones begin to understand the real cost of the war...

    Director: Justin Ridge

    Writer: Henry Gilroy

  • Liberty on Ryloth
    7.6/104,158 votes

    #21 - Liberty on Ryloth

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 3/13/2009

    The battle for the Twi'lek homeworld of Ryloth rages as the Republic attempts to drive off the occupying droid army led by Separatist Leader, Wat Tambor. With his forces stretched thin, Mace Windu must convince Twi'lek freedom fighter, Cham Syndulla, to help him save the capital city from the droids' destruction. Initially, the Twi'lek hero is hesitant to aid Mace, but ultimately realizes the Jedi can be trusted and joins with him to liberate the city -- and ultimately the planet -- in the climactic battle.

    Director: Rob Coleman

    Writer: Henry Gilroy

  • Hostage Crisis
    7.9/104,293 votes

    #22 - Hostage Crisis

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 3/20/2009

    In an attempt to force the release of the crime lord Ziro the Hutt from prison, bounty hunters seize control of the Senate Building and hold members of the Senate hostage. Cad Bane, the leader of the operation, with the help of bounty hunter Aurra Sing, issues his demands to Chancellor Palpatine who has no choice but to meet his request. Unbeknownst to the hunters, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker is loose in the Senate Building.

    Director: Giancarlo Volpe

    Writer: Eoghan Mahony