Ambush

"Great leaders inspire greatness in others."

- Jedi Fortune Cookie

"Ambush" is the first episode of the first season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It is the first episode of the series overall. It was released in tandem with "Rising Malevolence" on October 3, 2008, on Cartoon Network.

Synopsis
Yoda traveled to the system of Toydaria to secure a treaty with the regional King, Katuunko.

However, his ship is attacked by the Separatists before he reaches his destination, forcing Yoda and a small group of Clones to abandon the ship via Escape Pod.

With Asajj Ventress trying to prove the CIS's power to the Toydarian King, Yoda and the three Clones must get to the King while battling many Droids. Yoda and Ventress make a deal: if Yoda escapes, Katuunko would join the Republic, but if Ventress's forces defeated Yoda and his clones, the Toydarians would join the Separatist cause.

Yoda and the three clones, Rys, Jek, and, Thire, had to get on Rugosa in an escape pod. Ventress, who has already introduced herself to Katuunko, challenged Yoda and his men to take on her droid forces. Whoever was victorious won Toydaria's alliance. Yoda accepted her challenge, so she sent out her cruel forces to Yoda.

She sent in patrols of Battle Droids and AAT tanks. Yoda and the clones were ready for anything! The AAT tanks couldn't fit through the forests of Rugosa since the tanks were too big. The battle droids had to go on foot through the forests of the corral and find the Republic themselves.

Yoda and the clones easily took down the droids using clever tactics. Ventress heard about this outbreak and was no pleased. She sent in her tougher forces. With the stronger units, Thire got injured, and the droids were beginning to pin down the Republic. However, Yoda saved them, and they hid in a cave where they rested.

In the cave, Yoda gave an inspirational speech about the larger weapons, but if you're larger in mind.

Ventress was very annoyed at Yoda and the clone's progress. She sent in four AATs and many Battle Droids.

Yoda decided that he would take on the droids himself. He fought against the worthless beings and destroyed all tanks! Destroyers also were no problem thanks to a great aimed shot by Thire on some boulders.

Ventress's forces were outmatched. King Katuunko remarked that he would be joining the Republic since the deal was over. Ventress was then ordered to kill Katuunko! Yoda stopped Ventress from killing the king, but she got away in the process. After these events, Toydaraia remained neutral.

Cast
Starring
 * Tom Kane as Yoda / Narrator
 * Dee Bradley Baker as Clone Troopers
 * Brian George as King Katuunko
 * Corey Burton as Count Dooku
 * Nika Futterman as Asajj Ventress
 * Matthew Wood as Battle Droids

Crew
Created and Executive Produced by
 * George Lucas

Produced by
 * Catherine Winder

Supervising Director
 * Dave Filoni

Directed by
 * Dave Bullock

Written by
 * Steven Melching

Story Editor
 * Henry Gilroy

Score by
 * Kevin Kiner

Original Star Wars Themes and Score by
 * John Williams

Characters

 * 224
 * Padmé Amidala
 * Cody
 * Thire
 * Denal
 * Dooku
 * Onaconda Farr
 * Jek
 * Katuunko
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * OOM command battle droid (Rugosa)
 * Palpatine
 * Rys
 * Silood
 * Jabba the Hutt
 * Unidentified clone trooper pilot
 * Asajj Ventress
 * Mace Windu
 * Yoda
 * Zak

Creatures

 * Neebray
 * Toydarian

Droid models

 * B1 battle droids
 * AAT driver battle droid
 * B2 super battle droids
 * Droideka

Locations

 * Coruscant
 * Rugosa
 * Tatooine
 * Teth
 * Toydaria

Events

 * Clone Wars
 * Battle of Rugosa

Behind the scenes

 * Corey Burton (Count Dooku) reprises his role from Star Wars: Clone Wars.
 * Originally, "Ambush" was not to be aired as the first episode. The decision to air it first was not made until very close to the series premiere. It was also originally titled "Ambush in the Outer Rim."
 * The little creature that perches on Yoda's finger on Rugosa is a baby neebray.