Episode II now. I don't have a title for this one yet, but "Attack of the Clones" is misleading and gives away too much, IMO. Anyhoo...
• Sith elaborated upon -- counterpoint to Jedi.
• Separatists getting bolder; Mandalorian Death Watch confirmed working with them, suplemented with Geonosian and IGBG battle droids. "The Mandalorians have been mercenaries since time immemorial, but this is a splinter group that think they have a manifest destiny to conquer the galaxy", or words to that effect.
TIMELINE:
• ACT I -- Anakin has finished his training, returns to marry Padmé. Obi-Wan stands with him. Anakin gives his training lightsaber to Obi-Wan, basically says "when we have kids..." Soon after, Chancellor is assassinated, collateral damage almost kills Padmé, too, Anakin and Qui-Gon take her home to recover, Obi-Wan begins investigating (I agree the investigation needs to actually be an investigation). Senator Palpatine is elevated to Chancellor.
SIDEBAR: I have drastically altered the state of things from what we see in the films. Boba Fett is the much younger brother of Jango Fett. They are orphans. The Death Watch killed their parents, but Boba is rebellious and angry and has joined them against Jango's prohibition. I hold with a slightly reinterpreted version of Open Season as the backstory here, minus the massacre of the True Mandalorians. I have Durge replacing Viszla as the leader of the Death Watch.
• ACT II -- Jango shows up to help put Obi-Wan on the right track when he finds out who is investigating the assassination, mainly because of his dispute with Boba, even though this puts him and the True Mandalorians on the side of the Republic. Trail leads to a cloning facility cloning Death Watch volunteers to create a clone army. Asajj is overseeing as liaison from whoever is pulling the strings. Obi-Wan sends word to Coruscant. They warn Naboo to be wary, but not in time, as Maul attacks Qui-Gon and Anakin and Asajj ambushes Obi-Wan and Jango.
• ACT III -- Maul's attack is the precursor of a Separatist attack on Naboo. Planetary defenses are hard-pressed repelling the droid army. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Jango are backed into a corner by Asajj and the Death Watch. Durge deals Jango a fatal blow in front of Boba, as more of Jango's True Mandalorians show up. Back on Naboo, the battle droids have landed and are invading the capitol, when LAAT/i gunships drop in and begin disgorging clone troops. Boba's shock at seeing Durge kill his brother reminds him how cruel the Death Watch is and he renounced them and helped Obi-Wan kill Durge and drive off Asajj. The clone army is now in Republic hands and Obi-Wan brought them to Naboo's rescue. Alas, Obi-Wan isn't in time, and he arrives just in time to see Anakin disabled and Qui-Gon killed by Maul. Maul is driven off as the tide turns, and he flees with the remaining Separatists.
• CODA -- Disillusioned by Qui-Gon's death and how the Republic is handling the Separatist issue, Dooku renounces the Jedi order and leaves with the Separatists. Anakin is disgusted with himself for not being strong enough to stand up to Maul, and bitter over Qui-Gon's death -- advocates taking the fight to the Separatists, before more innocents are killed. Senate divided over military versus diplomatic approach to the Separatist issue. End with penultimate scene from theatrical version of AOTC.
Episode III probably tomorrow...
--Jonah