Star Wars: The Clone Wars may be a kids’ show, but the animated series is known for delivering some of the most brutal sequences in the entire Star Wars franchise. From surprisingly violent action sequences to gripping character drama that delves into unique existential crises, The Clone Wars has established itself as one of the most mature children’s television shows of all time.
One of the hallmarks of The Clone Wars is breaking fans’ hearts with its tragic character deaths. While most of the major deaths in the series are those of fan-favorite clone troopers, the Jedi weren’t immune to the perils of war. Throughout The Clone Wars’ seven seasons, several Jedi Knights perished in truly tragic ways.
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10
Pong Krell’s Death Was Well-Deserved
Krell Was Executed by His Clone Troopers
One of the most interesting Jedi deaths during the Clone Wars is that of the fallen Jedi Pong Krell, who perished during the Siege of Umbara. Krell was brought in to take over command of the 501st Legion when Anakin Skywalker was called back to Coruscant while the battle was still underway. After suffering through numerous questionable commands from their interim general, Captain Rex and the clones eventually uncovered that Krell had turned against the Jedi and the Republic. After apprehending him, the clones struggled to bring the fallen Jedi to justice, until Dogma, one of Krell’s longest-lasting supporters, finally shot him in the back.
Krell’s death was long overdue and stands out as an immensely satisfying moment for viewers. However, his death remains tragic for other reasons. Had he been a less selfish man, Krell would have reacted differently to his visions of the Republic’s fall. In a different universe, Krell might have prevented Palpatine’s rise to power, saving the Republic and the Jedi in the process. He instead chose to manipulate events in hopes of becoming Palpatine’s next Sith apprentice, resulting in his death and the eventual extinction of the Jedi.
9
Ord Enisence Was Taken Out Off-Screen
Cad Bane Murdered the Jedi Master
Ord Enisence was a Jedi Master who was abducted from the Temple on Coruscant and murdered by the bounty hunter Cad Bane. Bane’s associate, a changeling named Cato Parasitti, then masqueraded as the Jedi Master and infiltrated the Temple. There, Parasitti and Bane steal a Jedi holocron containing information about Force-sensitive younglings in distant reaches of the galaxy.
Audiences don’t meet Ord Enisence before his death, but the Jedi’s end is nonetheless quite depressing. Master Enisence was an innocent bystander who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, falling victim to Cad Bane’s schemes. Even worse, a changeling defiled Ord Enisence’s memory after his death by pretending to be him to commit a devastating crime.
8
Halsey and Knox Didn’t Stand a Chance Against Savage Oppress
The Jedi Knights Died in a Brutal Duel With the Sith Apprentice
Halsey and Knox were a pair of Jedi who met an unfortunate end at the hands of the Sith apprentice Savage Oppress. The former was a Roonan Jedi who trained the younger Nautolan Jedi during the Clone Wars. While stationed on Devaron, Halsey and Knox were confronted by Savage Oppress, who had recently become the new Sith apprentice of Count Dooku. To prove himself to his new master, Savage brutally murdered the Jedi Master and his Padawan.
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Halsey and Knox’s deaths were particularly brutal, as Savage shows just how savage he truly is. In one ill-fated battle, the Master and Padawan were snuffed out like candles in a gust of wind. Their deaths were unfair and cruel, but such is the case in an all-out galactic war. Halsey and Knox deserved far better than their gruesome fates, but their deaths underlined the brutality of Dooku’s new assassin.
7
Ima-Gun-Di Made a Heroic Last Stand
Master Di and His Clone Troopers Died for the People of Ryloth
Jedi Master Ima-Gun-Di and his Clone Captain, Keeli led a defensive battle against the droid army on Ryloth during the early years of the Clone Wars. Partnering with Twi’lek freedom fighter Cham Syndulla, Master Di and his clones fight valiantly to hold off the droids while the Republic secretly sends supplies to the starving people of Ryloth. However, Ima-Gun-Di, Keeli, and the clones are slain in battle.
Master Ima-Gun-Di and his troops make the ultimate sacrifice to save the innocent people of Ryloth. Master Di’s death illustrates precisely what the Jedi were supposed to stand for during the Clone Wars, a self-sacrificial attitude that prioritized the innocents of the galaxy. Master Di died a hero, even if he didn’t get to see what his sacrifice wrought.
6
Bolla Ropal Met a Gruesome Fate During the Clone Wars
Cad Bane Tortured Bolla Ropal to Death
Bolla Ropal was a Jedi Master in charge of safeguarding a Holocron containing the locations of the galaxy’s Force-sensitive children during the Clone Wars. When Darth Sidious hired the bounty hunter Cad Bane to obtain this information, he captured Ropal and tortured him for the information. When Ropal refused to open the Holocron, Bane had the Jedi tortured to death.
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Although audiences hadn’t met Bolla Ropal before this episode, his gruesome demise is difficult to watch all the same. Cad Bane’s merciless torture of the helpless Jedi is surprisingly brutal for a show directed at children. No one deserves to die like Ropal, but the Jedi Master is nevertheless a true hero for refusing to acquiesce under torture. He did his best to protect the galaxy’s children–and paid the ultimate price for his heroism.
5
Nahdar Vebb Couldn’t Hold Off General Grievous
Vebb Was Killed in a Brutal Duel With the Droid General
Nahdar Vebb was the former Padawan learner of Jedi Master Kit Fisto. After passing the trials and becoming a Jedi Knight, Nahdar reunited with his old master on a mission to capture the escaped prisoner Nute Gunray. However, they discover that they have been lured into a trap by Count Dooku, who sent them directly into the lair of the ruthless General Grievous. As the Jedi and their team try to escape, Nahdar grows overconfident and challenges Grievous to a duel, which ends in his gruesome demise.
Nahdar’s hubris and anger proved to be his downfall, as he challenged an enemy far more crafty than he. The young Jedi never stood a chance against Grievous but failed to recognize it until it was too late. To make this episode even more tragic, Kit Fisto was forced to watch his former Padawan’s demise from afar, helpless to stop it.
4
Even Piell Perished During a Rescue Mission in the Citadel
The Jedi Council Member Never Escaped the Separatist Prison
Even Peill was a Jedi Master who served as a member of the High Council during the early years of the Clone Wars. When he and several of his men, including Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin, were captured and held in the secret Separatist prison known as the Citadel, a small strike team was sent to rescue them. While the team successfully liberated Tarkin, Master Piell was killed in a battle with the Citadel’s security.
Master Piell’s death is especially tragic given that he was so close to escaping the horrific Citadel. After enduring torture and interrogation for days, Even Piell almost had his freedom back when his life was snuffed out in one battle gone wrong. Thankfully, he was able to pass on important information about secret hyperspace routes to Ahsoka Tano, who later brought the information back to the council, ensuring that his death hadn’t been in vain.
3
Tiplar’s Sister Watched as She Died
Clone Trooper Tup Brutally Executed Master Tiplar
Tiplar and Tiplee were twin Jedi who fought for the Republic during the Clone Wars. They joined Anakin Skywalker and the 501st Legion during the Battle of Ringo Vinda. While fighting Separatist forces, clone trooper Tup experienced a malfunction in his hidden inhibitor chip, causing him to execute Order 66 early. Sneaking up on Master Tiplar, Tup shot her in the back, killing her immediately.
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Tiplar’s death was a brutal and unexpected execution made worse by the fact that her own sister had to watch it happen. Jedi are forbidden from attachments, but these twins seemed to be a unique case in the order. It is difficult not to form an attachment to one’s own sister, even as a Jedi. No doubt, Tiplee spent the last days of her life in mourning for her sister before she succumbed to Order 66 along with the rest of the Jedi.
2
The Jedi Bombing Victims Were Killed by One of Their Own
Barriss Offee Killed Several Jedi, Including a Close Friend
In the waning years of the Clone Wars, the Jedi Temple was bombed by an unknown assailant using explosive nano droids. The bombing killed multiple clone troopers, temple guards, and maintenance workers, as well as six Jedi. After some investigation, the bombing was pinned on Ahsoka Tano, though it was eventually revealed that the assailant was actually the Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee.
Barriss’s betrayal was particularly hard on the Jedi Order, which was forced to take a closer look at its own morality at the end of the Clone Wars. Though her actions were unforgivable, Barriss had a point about the Jedi, whom she perceived had lost their way, becoming warmongers instead of peacemakers. Unfortunately, many innocent people were forced to pay the price for Barriss to make her statement.
1
Adi Gallia Lost Her Life Fighting the Sith
Savage Oppress Brutally Killed Master Gallia in Combat
Adi Gallia was a Jedi Master who sat on the High Council during the Clone Wars. A kind and seasoned Jedi, Master Gallia was one of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s most helpful companions in the hunt for Darth Maul and Savage Oppress. When she and Kenobi confronted the Sith brothers, things devolved into a brutal lightsaber battle. During the fight, Oppress savagely rammed Master Gallia with his horned head, impaling her and killing her instantly.
Master Gallia may have been one of the most skilled Jedi in the Order, but even she couldn’t stand against the brutal might of Maul and Oppress. She was one of many Jedi to fall to the rogue Sith during the Clone Wars, but her loss was undoubtedly the most tragic. Her passing left the Jedi with yet another vacant spot on the council, as it became increasingly clear that the ongoing galactic conflict would leave the Order irreparably damaged.
