Fans of cancelled Cartoon Network series Star Wars: The Clone Wars stayed up all night to binge watch the unaired 13-episode sixth season as soon as it premiered on Netflix at midnight on Friday. Following the #CloneWarsLive and #CloneWars hashtags on Twitter, they joined the communal Star Wars “slumber party” and we couldn’t help but join in the fun.
(Warning: Minor spoilers for Season 6 ahead)
Clone Wars fans eagerly awaited the release of “The Lost Missions” Thursday night, chatting with each other on Twitter and waiting for the virtual party hosted by blog Making Star Wars. As soon as 12:01 a.m. PST/3:01 a.m. EST arrived, it was a race to Netflix to start streaming the long awaited final season. While some fans experienced frustrating delays, most were able to access the episodes and Lucasfilm staff, and even voice actors from upcoming animated show Star Wars: Rebels, began to join in the conversation.
I’m still getting nothing, goddamn it. #CloneWarsLive
— Star Wars Brat (@StarWarsBrat) March 7, 2014
@joelaron So, LFL may not be the most productive place tomorrow since we are all watching #CloneWarsLive … ; )
— Tracy Cannobbio (@Tcann13) March 7, 2014
I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out… and started watching #TheCloneWars! #CloneWarsLive
— Matt Martin (@missingwords) March 7, 2014
that music!!! Yay!!! Got it!! #CloneWarsLive
— Vanessa Marshall (@vanmarshall) March 7, 2014
Noticingthere arent even “fade to black” for commercials. Its just playing through. I like it. #CloneWarsLive
— Andrew R (@Empireoffett) March 7, 2014
It only took until 3:50 a.m. EST for #CloneWarsLive to start trending on Twitter and it remained trending as the hours wore deep into the morning. Fans chatted about the four story arcs featured in the season, referred to by fans as the Order 66/Clone arc, Clovis arc, Jar Jar arc, and Yoda arc. While tweeting subsided slightly through some of the less exciting storylines, fans erupted on Twitter when they were jolted out of their sleepless haze by a particularly exciting quote or moment.
Guess what’s trending? In the U.S., anyway. #CloneWarsLive pic.twitter.com/MdxVwOK02U
— Dunc (@clubjade) March 7, 2014
The first four episodes centered on the clone troopers and the devastating Order 66. It shed some light on why the clones obeyed the order during Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and served as a reminder of how intriguing, dark, and emotional the show could be. People even seemed to be won over by a two-episode arc focusing on everyone’s least favorite character Jar Jar Binks, which paired him with Jedi Master Mace Windu.
Clone arc was amazing! Wow wow wow #clonewars
— Andy Wegner (@swcolts157) March 7, 2014
#CloneWars the Clovis/padme ark is so good! Jealous anakin is so similar to episode 3 anakin 😝😝
— Katelyn Griffin (@katiekakez32) March 7, 2014
New found respect for Jar Jar Binks!! #CloneWarsLive on @netflix
— Cad Bane (@A_Targaryen) March 7, 2014
The third episode of this Yoda arc is one of the best episodes of The Clone Wars I’ve ever seen. #CloneWarsLive
— EUCantina (@EUCantina) March 7, 2014
Many tried to avoid obvious spoilers in their tweets as the morning progressed, but as fans began the last arc, many could not contain their excitement. The Yoda arc was definitely a fitting finish to Season 6, answering questions about the Force and giving us a glimpse at Ahsoka, a character whose presence was sorely missed in these episodes.
Even though it was early in the morning, fans even noticed small possible nods toward the future throughout the episodes.
I love the foreshadowing / out right display of the Emperor’s Imperial Guard dressed in red. #CloneWarsLive
— Brian Bailey (@ballsinplay) March 7, 2014
More foreshadowing? Anakins shadow looks like Vaders silhouette. #CloneWarsLive #TheLostMissions pic.twitter.com/Ui5IL5xQgt
— Michael (@TallestLegacy) March 7, 2014
Overall opinions about the season both during the binge and at its conclusion were positive. The story telling during these episodes reminded fans why they love it so much (and why they were so angry about it being cancelled in the first place. The five season run ended in the midst of the Disney buyout.) It also provided hope that Star Wars: Rebels will be an adequate replacement.
That’s it. That was the last episode of @TheCloneWars. Thanks so much to the cast and crew for such an amazing series!
— Johnamarie Macias (@BlueJaigEyes) March 7, 2014
Holy shit why did this show get cancelled? Why? @starwars @netflix @theclonewars #CloneWarsLive
— Andy (@CanadianFanboy) March 7, 2014
You can feel how close we were getting to Episode 3 with these episodes. If only it could have properly finished. #CloneWarsLive
— Jeremy Stahl (@77JediMaster) March 7, 2014
#CloneWars is making an amazing tide over until the new films. Thank you, @netflix. (Tears up) Thank you so much.
— Tylan Brock (@tylanbrock) March 7, 2014
When @RebelsReport and @MakingStarWars team up, beautiful things happen! We got the best community in fandom history! #CloneWarsLive
— Jason Ward (@MakingStarWars) March 7, 2014
Of course there are still many questions the final season leaves unanswered—ones the show’s cast and crew will sadly never get a chance to reveal. With such an active fan base though, and Netflix’s penchant for original series (and reviving series with strong fan bases like Arrested Development) all might not be lost for Clone Wars fans.
Clearly there’s enough demand. If anyone doubted the dedication of the Star Wars fans, especially around the animated series and prequel-centered media, the #CloneWarsLive event should be proof enough to make them reconsider.
Screenshot via Star Wars: The Clone Wars/Netflix
