Anakin, Rex, and the Bad Batch have succeeded in freeing Echo, but our heroes are surrounded by Wat Tambor’s spider droids. (I was very proud when my daughter immediately started singing, “Spider droids, Spider droids…” to the tune you would expect.) Anakin and the clones manage to escape but inadvertently break their promise to the Polteks and bring the war to their village, but the Polteks agree to help the Republic forces when they see what the Techno Union has done to Echo.

What I Liked

• Echo, only just defrosted and disconnected, is all “F*&% that noise” and immediately joins in the escape efforts. And he giggles like a maniac while riding his Keeradak, which is absolutely delightful. Also, he mouths off to Anakin in the middle of a battle.
• True to form, Wrecker blows shit up in spectacular fashion.
• There’s a “You’re not going to like it” moment, which is now requisite and therefore difficult to make entertaining and/or tense. This one is both.
• The wide-angle shot at the beginning of the bridge fight is breathtaking, as is the moment when the Keeradaks answer Tech’s call. In a season full of stunning moments (thus far), these two are standouts.
• Anakin letting Rex speak for the team. The Jedi are generals by virtue of being Jedi. Rex is a captain because he’s earned it. Anakin knows and respects the difference.

What I Didn’t Love

The sheer audacity of editing this episode down to 17 minutes. I can’t even. I demand the other 7 minutes immediately.

This season continues to be stunning and affecting. Part of me wishes I could marathon it. The rest of me is very very glad Lucasfilm is denying me the opportunity by releasing episodes weekly, because when it’s over, it’s over. For real this time.

Join us again next week for another Clone Wars Cavalcade.