Hey thanks for your thoughts!
Totally get you on the early seasons. I feel the same way.
Clone Wars 4-8 are actually my oldest edits. They were made in 2016 and have only been upscaled since. I’m pretty happy with 4-7. The flashback structure of 7 does still strike me as a bit experimental, but I think it works as is. I considered having no subtitle each time cos contextually I think it is clear but figured some people would need it.
Ep6 there’s no Ventress from the source missing. So sadly that’s what we’ve got to work with. I always want to stick with her POV more. She’s the best. As I’ve said, Dark Disciple not being animated is my biggest regret in CW. I actually already did cut a lot of the repetitive action and weaker humour in the Citadel arc. But it is very action focused with repetitive elements, yeah. It’s a good one though, and you get Tarkin for some depth while intercutting with Ventress. So I think it balances out.
Ep8… yeah I’ve dwelt on that a fair bit over the years. My biggest issue is Anakin being a bit too chill in some of his scenes with Yoda for someone grappling with Ahsoka being on the run. Palpatine in two simultaneous scenes at the end sounds like a weird oversight, as I cut several characters from that court scene for continuity. Will have to review that some point. There aren’t any cut council scenes I don’t think. And I cut the temple bombing episode for pacing. The film would have been near 3 hours. I don’t think it was needed.
And Yoda’s metaphysical journey is taste I think. Anything force lore stays with me. I loved it.Hope you enjoy Rebels and Bad Batch. CW9 and Rebels are by far the ones I’m proudest of in this batch.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply! Like I said I think you’ve really done a great job overall condensing the show - I had a lot of fun overall and I’m not sure I would have stuck with it that far if I was just watching the show as-is.
I think the flashback structure of episode 7 worked really well for the most part! There were just one or two moments were I had to catch myself and think about which storyline I was in for a second.
I agree Ventress is a great character! Definitely found myself wishing there was more of her story - but you can only work with what you have I guess! And I enjoyed the Tarkin stuff and Ahsoka B plots as well in that arc.
Yeah, I think that tone shift might be the thing that’s throwing me off with episode 8. I just had a flick through the wookiepedia plot summaries and there were a couple scenes (which I don’t think you included, but apologies if I’m misremembering - I’ll have to double check when I’ve got it in front of me) that might be worth including. This was the first one: “At the Jedi Temple, the Jedi Council holds an emergency meeting to decide the best way to find Ahsoka. While most on the Council believe that she may be guilty of the crime, Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Master Plo Koon are doubtful of her guilt. Therefore, Yoda sends the two to find Ahsoka. While Mace Windu feels that Anakin should not go due to emotional attachment to his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi strongly supports Anakin being a part of this mission.”
And the other: “The Jedi Council negotiates with Admiral Tarkin on what type of trial Padawan Ahsoka Tano should have. The Council wishes to try Ahsoka in accordance with Jedi tradition, but Tarkin and the Galactic Senate request that Ahsoka be expelled from the Jedi Order so that she can be put to a Republic Military tribunal. Obi-Wan Kenobi urges the Council to refuse Tarkin’s demands, insisting they must stand with Ahsoka. Ki-Adi-Mundi and Saesee Tiin refuse, pointing out the strong circumstantial evidence against Ahsoka. Mace Windu adds that protecting Ahsoka could be seen as an act of opposition to the Senate. Accordingly, the Council decides to cast Ahsoka from the Order, removing her status as a Padawan and leaving her a civilian under the jurisdiction of the Senate. They strip her of her Padawan braid in a symbolic gesture.”
I feel these might help flesh out the emotional beats for Anakin and Ahsoka a bit better - but there is the continuity issue of working it in with the yoda plot. Looking at the summary now I also agree the first episode probably isn’t necessary.
On another note - we’ve just got through CW8 and the first rebels movie - I thought both were brilliant. The siege of mandalore was 5 stars, and I really enjoyed the integration of the Prologue and Epilogue sections.
Rebels was a lot of fun too - really felt like watching a proper spin off to the OT.