Perhaps not everyone on Ryloth qualifies as an innocent bystander, as Cham is actively participating in the conflict to fight for his people. “War turns promises into hopes,” Master Di says. On the ground, as the Twi’leks wait for supplies that may never come, whatever respect Cham had for the Galactic Senate seems to be waning while his people pay the price.
It’s easy to get swept up in the story of the Jedi generals and the Republic’s clone army as we watch them get cut down by wave after wave of soulless Separatist droids, but this episode is where the series begins to examine the other casualties - namely the civilian devastation - in a more visceral way, shining a light on the government’s shortcomings as an entity to adequately protect and serve the galaxy.
In a desperate attempt to render aid, the Jedi Council sends Senator Bail Organa and Representative Jar Jar Binks to the planet Toydaria to convince the neutral regent, King Katuunko, of the people’s plight. With Ryloth under siege, Jedi Master Di and his troops are trapped on the surface with freedom fighter Cham Syndulla and supplies are running out.
