I've watched the series from the beginning, and I have to say that overall it's decent. Season 1 was alright, the episode "Blue Shadow Virus" made Jar-Jar Binks useful (who would have guessed?), and "Hostage Crisis" gave the season a blockbuster ending with Cad Bane, AKA the only reason to watch the series. Season 2 had an awesome 3-episode debut with Bane, otherwise was OK. Season 3 was interesting, as it filled in gaps. Of course, Bane got some of the best episodes, the Citadel, Mandalore, and ARC Troopers arcs were impressive, and the season finale was gritty. Season 4 up until "Deception" was mediocre. The Mon Calamari arc was OK, though the villains resembled the sharks from "Shark Tale" far too much. "Shadow Warrior" made Jar-Jar Binks useful, and that makes it a great episode. Then we got into trouble-"Mercy Mission" racked up the lowest ratings of the entire series at 1.35. "Nomad Droids" ripped off
The Wizard of Oz, Star Trek TOS (Prime Directive violations, anyone?), and the Star Trek Voyager episode "Tsunkatse" all at once. Then the 4-episode Umbara arc blew my mind into orbit with its suspense, character moments, and shocking plot twist. Unfortunately, we went back to boring, distasteful garbage with the Slavers arc and the ratings plummeted. I watched Beavis and Butthead instead-at least I was entertained those nights. We then had "A Friend In Need", whose only good point was to stomp on Karen Traviss' depiction of Mandalorians. (Not that I'm complaining-Traviss should be locked up before she kills someone. I'm not making that up). "Deception" marks the return of Cad Bane, gives the ratings a much needed boost as they climb to 2.12, the highest of Season 4, and it gives us this chilling line from Bane: "Any imbecile with a blaster can kill a Jedi."
"Friends and Enemies", the latest episode, should be titled "Cad Bane Is A Badass". Bane manhandles people, pepper sprays Obi-wan in the face and kicks him down a ramp, almost clobbers Obi-wan, and takes on Anakin single-handedly. Given how fixated he is on getting paid, and Eval's delays in paying him, I won't be surprised if Eval's plan ends because Bane puts a blaster bolt through his skull.
