Star Wars: Clone Wars Season 7 Episode 10 - 5 Ups & 2 Downs From "Phantom Apprentice"

8. Down - Jesse's Offscreen Capture

Early in the episode, Maul captures Arc Trooper Jesse. He interrogates him, finding out all of the Republic's plans. Showcasing how easily Maul can break an experienced, badass soldier like Jesse also sets up just how powerful he can be.

Why then is this a down? Jesse's capture is entirely off screen. Ashoka finds out what happens to him from another wounded trooper, and we never actually see the battle.

Not only does moving Jesse's capture offscreen rob us of what could have been another great fight sequence, it also downplays the importance of a character we've known since Season 2. The show has asked us to care about Jesse in the past, so why not now?

Plus, in the episode's finale, Maul returns him, damaged, to Rex and Ashoka, and that's the last we see of him. Why not give him some kind of redemption, showcasing his bravery one last time as he tries and fails to kill Maul then and there, only to die himself, or fighting bravely against the Mandalorians? Sometimes, the show cares about the clones, and other times, they feel like storytelling pawns.