Star Wars: The Clone Wars has consistently humanized the clones - for the better. One of the biggest strengths of the show has been its portrayal of the Republic’s infantry. They have been explored in the most important way possible, going from faceless units to individuals over the course of the show. Their uniqueness and specific personalities have made for some incredibly touching moments.
Now back for its final season, The Clone Wars has picked right up where it left off, and the first arc of the season has the clones front and center with no shortage of humanity. Since the beginning, a priority of The Clone Wars has been to do more narratively with Star Wars universe. The clones were at the forefront of such expansion.
Characters like Captain Rex and Commander Cody were properly fleshed out. Over its 7 seasons, a slew of them have gotten the spotlight from high command to the rookies, or “shinies,” as they’re known. Smaller scope “filler” episodes are largely to thank for this where the clones stand out as people with feelings and independent thoughts. The prequels never showed off this side of them. They were one-dimensional at best, rarely getting dialogue. The show did them justice, adding a human element that was lacking before.
In the most recent episode, “On the Wings of Keeradaks,” Lucasfilm doubled down on this story element. After escaping the Trade Federation base, Anakin and the clones are in dire need of aid. They look to recruit the native Poletecs, who are unwilling to join the conflict. To convince them, Rex tells the heart-wrenching story of Echo, and how their enemies stripped him of his humanity. He detailed how the villains’ cruelty robbed Echo of his identity, turning him into a cold, unfeeling machine. The tale wins over the Poletecs, and they take on the Separatist forces with no hesitation. It was this unbridled display of emotion out of Rex that showcased what the clones have become. They’re not just soldiers, they’re people.
This scene is huge for many reasons. For one, it exemplifies the bond the clones have with one another. The nature of their lives has brought them together emotionally. Rex especially has formed these relationships, as the show has chronicled. He sees his men as individuals, not just a collective, even if they are not genetically different, like the Bad Batch. He held out hope that Echo was alive long after all others gave up. Every one of them has purpose and value in his eyes, and at times, the artificially created clones appear even more human than their Jedi counterparts. Their characterization has gone far beyond what was ever expected out of them.
The show has become invaluable to the world of Star Wars. Its story-telling enriched a galaxy limited by a handful of films, and the series created some seriously emotional episodes starring characters who would otherwise be afterthoughts. The clones are a prime example of the potential a movie background element can have. Some of them even became among the most popular characters in the franchise. It was their humanity that drew viewers to them. Although it will make events like Order 66 far more painful to witness, it is unquestionable that the clones’ individuality could have never been achieved without The Clone Wars.
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