Im liking them exploring Anakin's dark side in this latest arc. And also the mention of how selfless he is.. Not really seen any mention (or even hint) of that since Episode 1! He was just too whiny after TPM to think anything good of him. Not to mention the emotional tantrums.
Anyway hope they go somewhere interesting with this.
Indeed, which is why the majority of us hoped this series would steer away from the central protagonists that we are already familiar with. The episodes where we drop Skywalker and Kenobi and pick up with something new are more enjoyable.
And in any case, this latest arc with the slaves is a re-hashing of one of the Clone Wars comics released in 2010 as a companion to Season 2 or 3. Same exact plot with minor alterations.
They said the Clone Wars would also focus on other characters than the usual suspects, that the 'Skywalker story' was done. They lied... or changed their minds.
They are multiple new or more exposed caracteres in the show. Begining by Ahsoka and then Rex, Satine, Lux Bonteri, Ventress, Grievous, bounty hunters (Cad Bane, Aurra Sing, Boba, ...), Tarkin, clones (five, wolf, 99, ...), jedi (Bariss Offee, Krell, Plo Koon, Sinube, ...), Sith (Dooko, Savage or even Maul), the force wielders.
Most of them are (or were) great and I like to see them, especially the one who's fate isn't already written. But even with all that, it would be a deception not seeing Anakin some times.
But we see him and OB1 and Padme ALL the time. The number of episodes that focus on them by far outnumber the ones without them. And often, the ones without them are better.
The only thing I liked about Badme was Natalie Portman. On the other hand, Obi-Wan Kenobi is in the films (with Ewan McGregor) my favorite character so I am not so bothered to see him.
And for Anakin, it is difficult to show other characters without him around. He is linked to almost every one I quoted in my first post.
Ahsoka Master, Rex Co, OB1 former apprentice, the center of the Sith plot, the choosen one for the Jedi and the force wielders,...
So if you don't want to see Anakin, "the clone wars" show would be more "the bounty hunters" show because they are the only one without real connection to him.
The other solution is what they did sometime, separate other characters from him, like when Rex was shot or Ahsoka kidnaped by hunters.
And sometimes, it is better to see an Anakin than an R2/C3 episode.
Well, the Anakin ones are never really exciting, because we always know how it will end. He will live for sure.
Some episodes are focused on a squad, or other Jedi Masters. It's not that far fetched to tell the story from a squad. It just requires more inventiveness and creative storytelling to keep it going. But I am sure there is more dynamic to be created that the usual Ob1/Anakin/Padme arrives on planet that has not taken sides, stuff happens, they win (o sometimes lose but will return safely). Coz after all, that's the usual mould, the only thing that changes is the planet and its inhabitants.
The Slave arc was alright. I would have liked to have seen more from the Dooku vs. Anakin encounter. But overall they tweaked the plot from a comic book so there were no fun surprises.
Haven't read that comic so I enjoyed the arc. But was a bit disappointed they didn't explore Anakin's road to the dark side more, as it seemed like it was going.
Will be last 2 episodes of the season. Probably March/April.
I found the slave arc good even if I had also read the comic. And the last episode "A friend in need" was great. Ahsoka has realy changed recentrly and since we don't know exactly her fate, it is more and more interesting. Oh, and R2,a hero, like always.