I expected it to be Barris after the fight in the warehouse, but didn't really expect this ending. How are they going to weave stories with her when she's not technically part of the Republic Army/Jedi Order any more? Unless of course, the Separatists play an even smaller role in the coming Season 6. This actually sounds likely considering the episode names you've provided (cheers for that), as they sound very Sith-y talking about Dark Lord, Korriban and the Death Star. Back onto the episode, I too cringed a bit at the red sabers thing, but maybe she was referring more to the style of the hilts, or the fact that red is a far a colour as you can get from the current Jedi Order (which she despises). In any case, it doesn't matter. She was done for ever since the guards spotted them fighting, with the death warrant stamped when the younglings and everyone else saw the fight. An interesting twist to the character, but one which others could see from the start of the arc. My only other question is what're they going to do with Ventress? Fighting with pipes is comical, but a grand villain it does not make.

Phantom Menace is actually my favourite Star Wars of all time. I was about 6 when I saw it and it hooked me into the franchise. I actually loved Jar Jar as being a child his comedic actions really appealed to me. I think because of that I still find him quite funny. On top of that, Darth Maul was as menacing a character as there could have been, but I loved him because of it. My fanboyism went to such extremes that when my parents gave me the original trilogy for that Christmas they signed it as 'Darth Maul'. I actually turned to them and exclaimed "Did Ray Park send this?" Looking back though, I can still appreciate the Phantom Menace with more adult views. The political intrigue was just about comprehended as a child but I can appreciate it a lot more as a plot device as an adult/teenager. It's a lot smarter than any of the Originals which in comparison had the lines of good and evil very distinct. The CGI and cinematography was excellent for it's time and still holds up today. The ground Battle of Naboo is still my favourite scene of the movie. The music, the sounds and the images all tie together so well and it's like that for most of the movie. The characters are complex (and acted well) which certainly wasn't appreciated as a child, since I spent more time with my OOM/Darth Maul action figures than Obi-Wan. For example, Shmi brings to the table a mother's perspective which has never been seen in the Star Wars universe. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon show very different outlooks showing different Jedi perspectives and Jar Jar just wants to find his place in the world. So yep, give me the Phantom Menace any day.

The Confederacy of Independent Systems. Throughout the prequels the Republic has been dogged by corruption and power-grabbing. It was no wonder that Palpatine took the reins! Looking at it as a Spacer on a neutral space station, the CIS would be in the right. Whilst both sides are essentially the same, the facade of the Separatists (a representation of what the Republic could and should be) is too good to pass up. I still remember that one scene from the CIS Parliament on Raxus where the gathering considered opening peace negotiations. In something like a minute the decision was reached. Compared to the Republic's endless bickering and backroom politics, this would look truly wonderful to the untrained eye. Hell, the CIS actually become the rebels from the original trilogy.

Why can kicking droids in the under-regions work? Where's the toilet?

Yeah, Zhorrid is definitely at the very bottom of the ladder. Jadus on the other hand, is on the top. Funny how that works out.

By the sounds of it, Darth Jadus is the strongest in terms of personal power. His survival of an entire ship's destruction (possibly twice) and the fact that his very aura influences people. Darth Marr seems to have the stronger power base however, due to being head of the Dark Council and the fact that Jadus' was limited to just one ship, some transformed slaves and the Eradicators which he couldn't even turn on. Darth Nox/Occulus/Imperius seems to be at the bottom end of the latter just above Thanaton... For now.

One of my favourites, apart from the Bounty Hunter-to-Mark chat is another one on Nar Shaddaa where an Astromech is trying to convince a Protocol Droid to join the rebellion. It goes something vaguely like this: Astromech: [Come with me! Kill you master and join the rebellion!] Master: What did he say? Protocol: Oh nothing Master, just saying how nice this day is. It also links in well with a Flashpoint you do much later. As for the one on Corellia, I heard it 6 months into the game and actually did think that it's incredibly deep in contrast to what I've heard before. Hell, the quest where you choose to activate the special weapon against the passengers on the tram can lead to a very emotional cutscene.

A better lineup would be Maul, Dooku, Asajj, Savage, Mother Talzin and maybe Grievous to add good measure. I think even Sidious would crumble that all of those forces working together. As for the three that you've put up, they'd probably give Sidious pause, maybe even a wound, but it would most probably end up like the four Jedi masters that accused him of treason. Asajj would die off pretty fast, Maul would follow soon after and Dooku would basically just be blocking until he too falls.

No, it doesn't. I reckon that they will get between 1-3 more seasons out of this, with two being the magic number. One to progress the story towards episode 3 and the second to tie up any loose ends for the series-made characters. A ninth one is possible of course but I'd imagine they want to get the Clone Wars finished by the time of the new movie.

To my knowledge, it's only Darth Maul, Boba and Palpatine who've died and been brought back, but that's only because of their popularity. There's been a Sith that survived as just a head, the Sarlaac escape can easily be explained and the transition to other bodies is quite possible for a greatest Sith Lord that ever existed. Regardless, I'm actually pleased. The Mandalorians are finally closer to their past than they've ever been and Darth Maul makes a pretty bad***** Mandalore (even if he spits on their principles completely). I wonder what Sidious is going to do with Maul though... Shame about Savage, but I could see his demise coming from a mile off this season. And I really don't care about Satine.

I knew when Maul called the duel that Vizla was going to die, but I was still nerd-gasming throughout the whole thing. The whole episode was full of political intrigue and epic moments. That part when Bo Katan announced the new reign? Epic.

I personally think that Grievous is portrayed to be a worse fighter than he appeared in other, previous works. The comics and old Clone Wars show all portrayed him to be the deadly scourge of the Jedi. Now he just toys with his enemies too much. As for Rex, being with the 501st, the only legion who's Jedi they didn't have to kill, he'd never have to make the call.

Huh. Haven't got that far with my Smuggler. Whilst we're on this side topic, love triangles are other good examples of companions interacting with each other. I got many laughs watching Kaliyo and Raina get on the edge of a cat fight, and the Warrior's lassies are much the same.

Maybe Savage will be offered up as "collateral" to display Sidious' prowess in combat, but Darth Maul's definitely getting out of there alive. Aside from the fact that he's boosting the series' ratings, I think he's grown enough in strength to be able to hold his own against his old master and make an escape to safer parts. I just want the true Mandalorians back. This wishy washy aryan race of people in greenhouses has had a nice run but it's time to get back to jet packs and rocket launchers. EDIT: Also, the Clones Wars is T-Canon, which would be superior to Kotor. Therefore, Traya's prophecy can be overridden We will have our army of Boba Fetts.