10 Binge-Worthy SciFi/Fantasy TV Shows You Need to Watch

Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series (image via Lucasfilm)

Clone Wars

(Cartoon Network)

Star Wars: Clone Wars takes place between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. The Jedi are still strong and whole. They are trying to help the Republic maintain peace in the galaxy as the Separatists, backed up by the Sith, ruthlessly attack innocent civilians.

We join Anakin as he takes young Ahsoka Tano as his padawan. Ahsoka is eager and talented, and she knows how to stand up to headstrong Anakin. She’s a remarkably powerful Jedi for her age.

The Jedi are backed up by the Clone Army. I’ve always wondered about them. How did they start out working for the good guys and end up working for the bad guys? Were they all exactly the same? Where did they all go? The clones are all copies of a loyal, trustworthy warrior with an adorable Australian accent. (You do find out whose clone during the course of the series. It’s someone you know.) Despite being raised together and working side-by-side, the clones manage to maintain individuality even though they don’t really have names. And they only live for six short years. They are made to fight and die. But they manage to live pretty full lives anyway. A positive attitude can take you far, I guess.

Unlike the movies, Clone Wars shows a believable progression from squeaky clean young Anakin into angry, vengeful old Vader. With each of his encounters with Count Dooku, Palpatine, Darth Maul, General Grievous and Asajj Ventress, his dark side comes closer to the surface. Anakin thinks he’s in control, but Palpatine keeps pulling strings he doesn’t know he has.

Love Star Wars? Have mixed feelings about the prequels? This animated series is everything you wanted. This is the Anakin you were looking for.

Next: Lucifer