The Most Underrated Clones In 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'

The Clone Wars successfully fulfilled George Lucas' vision for the clone troopers, transforming them from obedient, organic droids into soldiers with unique motivations and personality, striving for a common goal. Each clone exhibits their own traits and strengths that make them invaluable to the Grand Army of the Republic and favorites in the eyes of fans. Rex, Gregor, Cody, the Bad Batch, Fives, and many others are all common characters when discussing some of the best Star Wars storytelling. However, there are several clones who are not as highly ranked by most people. These troopers still valiantly served the Republic and often played key roles in The Clone Wars arcs and the dangerous campaigns of the in-universe Clone Wars. Here we will be examining three of these lesser known, yet still invaluable, warriors of the Republic.

Jesse

A committed and unwavering soldier, Jesse often served as Rex's right hand man on missions. As with every other clone, Jesse's loyalty to the Republic was unwavering, as attested to by the Republic cog emblazed on his helmet and the underlying facial tattoo. As part of the 501st, Jesse was often called upon to lead unorthodox tactics and surprise maneuvers, a job he succeeded at time and time again. He saved Rex's life on Saleucami, scrapping the attacking Commando droids and transporting Rex to a farm for medical attention and shelter. Even before his promotion to ARC trooper, Jesse was creatively solving problems that faced his platoon. On Umbara, while dealing with the secretly treacherous Krell, he was a voice for his lower-ranking brothers, fighting not just the Umbaran guerilla forces, but opposing Krell's brutal and fool-hardy tactics. Standing with Fives and Kix, Jesse refused to watch the 501st be decimated by their general's ineffective and bloody orders. Jesse allied himself with Fives, disobeyed orders, and piloted stolen Umbaran fighters into the CIS supply ship. The destruction of this vessel saved countless lives during the struggle to take Umbara.

Jesse was skilled enough in a firefight to be promoted to ARC trooper, and was briefly attached to Clone Force 99 on a mission behind enemy lines on Anaxes, helping the elite squad storm a cyber center in search of valuable intel. Jesse, under control of the inhibitor chip, proved to be an unrelenting and heart-wrenching antagonist to Rex and Ahsoka during Order 66. Unable to talk sense into his former friend and comrade-in-arms through the haze of the chip, Rex was forced to abandon his brother aboard the crashing Venator. Jesse's grave, marked by his 501st blue helmet and Republic symbol, is a haunting visual in the final episode of The Clone Wars, confirming that the Republic as we knew it is well and truly dead. While a casual viewer could miss Jesse's contributions, die-hard The Clone Wars fans recognize his repeated efforts to secure Republic victory and save clone lives in the process.

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Waxer

While the vast majority of The Clone Wars focuses on Skywalker's 501st Legion, there are several arcs that deviate into other divisions of the Grand Army of the Republic. On Ryloth, we see Obi-Wan leading Ghost Company of the 212th Attack Battalion against a Separatist held Twi'lek village. A scout within this hand-picked company of troopers, Waxer showed heart and determination on a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines. Fining a small Twi'lek girl named Numa who had been left behind by the invading droid forces, Waxer insisted on keeping her close-by and safe. Expertly avoiding carnivorous creatures released upon the advancing clones by the droid army, Waxer escorted Numa back to the main force, led by General Kenobi. Here she was able to show the Republic troops a network of tunnels, which the clones used to flank the droid position and free many captive Twi'leks, including Numa's father. Waxer demonstrates that while the clones may have been bred for combat, their ability to express heart, honor, and compassion are in no way diminished. After the campaign to free Ryloth, Waxer never forgot Numa, emblazing his helmet with a decal of her to remind himself and his brothers what they were fighting for.

Waxer also fought with the 212th on the dark planet of Umbara. Unfortunately, he was directed by the treacherous Pong Krell to attack the 501st, whom he and his men believed were Umbaran fighters in stolen clone armor. The fighting was brutal and completely avoidable. Many clones were killed by friendly fire, including Waxer. His death scene, revealing Krell's treachery to Rex, is one of the most heart-wrenching deaths in The Clone Wars. Waxer shed a solitary tear as he realized that he ordered his men to kill clones, the first time we see a clone demonstrating that level of emotion in the show. While Waxer may not have been the most elite of troopers, he was a great leader of his men and demonstrated a level of empathy that wasn't often seen in clone troopers.

99

To many, including the Kaminoans, 99 appeared "defective," and as a result, was relegated to sanitation at the facility on Kamino. While he may have been unfit for combat, 99 was in no way inferior. A common sight to a great number of clone cadets, 99 was, to many, the closest thing they had to a father-figure. Encouraging and showing unconditional love for his brothers, this mutated clone demonstrated a clear heart and head, offering wisdom that can't be taught in a simulation. 99 encouraged Domino Squad when it seemed all but inevitable that they would fail, forming a special bond the the trooper known as Hevy. Even when 99 knew that Hevy's actions were out of line and jeopardized the success of his squadmates, he allowed the trooper to make his own decisions, wanting only what was best for his brothers. There is no doubt that Domino Squad, and especially Fives and Echo, would not have succeeded like they did without 99.

While 99 may not have been physically fit enough to pass the simulations and be deployed to the front lines, this made absolutely no difference to him once the droid army arrived at his doorstep. While Fives, Echo, and numerous other troopers fought to keep the invaders off their homeworld, 99 ran through the fray, delivering weapons and ammo to his brothers. As the battle turned against the Republic, 99, along with Rex, Cody, Fives, Echo, and a class of cadets, staged a daring stand in the barracks. 99 guided the clones to the armory, where they were able to resupply, rearm, and defeat the final droid offensive. During the fighting, as 99 ran to grab more detonators, he was cut down by enemy fire. It is only fitting that Echo, a clone who would one day join an elite squad named in his honor, would be the one to hold 99's body as the other troopers paid their final respects. 99 embodied some of the best qualities of not only clones, but all peoples: courage, honor, loyalty, and respect. 99 may not have spent his days as a soldier, but his final moments were that of a true warrior, fighting to defend his home with his brothers at his side.

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Written By Weston Erickson

Source(s): StarWars.com, Wookieepedia

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