The Clone Wars

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

The Republic is on the hunt for a Separatist super-weapon that has been responsible for the destruction of many ships that have left no survivors. The Jedi Council dispatch master Plo Koon who commands three Republic cruisers for the search, and he eventually finds the massive ship, which is the Malevolence. Unknown to them, Count Dooku and General Grievous themselves are at the helm. Dooku immediately orders them to jam all transmissions.

Plo Koon contacts Anakin and gives him their location just before their signal is lost. Ahsoka wants to join Plo, but Anakin tells her that they must report to the Council first. Anakin then reports via hologram to Mace Windu, Yoda, Obi-Wan and Palpatine, who are discussing the dire situation.

As the Republic ships brace for attack, Count Dooku suggests that the incoming Republic ships would be a suitable test for the super-weapon. The ship fires its primary weapon, which turns out to be a large ion cannon that fires an energy pulse capable of disabling all the ships. With their shields disabled, the Separatist ship opens fire on them. All three ships are quickly destroyed, but several escape pods were successfully launched. However, Grievous launches a hunter ship to locate and destroy the pods, in an attempt to keep their position secret.

Shortly thereafter, Anakin reports that all contact with Plo Koon has been lost and there were no distress beacons sent, suggesting that his fleet was destroyed. Mace orders Anakin’s fleet to guard a supply convoy and says that no ships can be spared for a rescue attempt. Ahsoka objects, feeling that there’s a possibility for survivors. Anakin orders his fleet to proceed to the rendezvous, while deciding to scout ahead for enemy ships. In actuality, his plan is to go look for master Plo.

Meanwhile, the clones in Plo Koon’s escape pod manage to restore power, just in time to receive a distress call from another pod that’s under attack. The hunter ship grabs on to the pod and deploys several battle droids, who proceed to cut open the pod’s viewport. They succeed, and the clones inside, who are not wearing their helmets, are sucked out into space.

Anakin and Ahsoka arrive and begin looking through the debris field for survivors. Ahsoka reveals that Master Plo is the one who initially brought her to the Jedi Temple, which gives her a strong motivation to find him. At that moment, Obi-Wan contacts them and requests that they get back to their fleet before Anakin misses the rendezvous. Just as Anakin turns the ship around, R2 picks up a signal on the emergency channel. Also at that moment, the droids locate Plo’s pod and heads toward it. Plo Koon decides to exit the pod to destroy the hunters, as he can withstand being in space for a short amount of time.

The droids open fire on Plo and activate a claw that begins to pinch down on the pod. Inside, Wolffe receives a hail from Ahsoka. Outside, Plo uses the Force to propel a clone past the droids, who then fires on them and destroys them. Plo uses his lightsaber to slash through the pinching arms and propels the attacking ship toward a large piece of debris. It collides and explodes. Inside the Malevolence, a droid reports to General Grievous that contact with the hunter has been lost.

On Coruscant, Mace, Yoda, Obi-Wan and Palpatine are discussing the Malevolence when Obi-Wan reports that Anakin has located Plo Koon’s fleet. This news surprises the others; Yoda says that this was a reckless decision and that Anakin and Ahsoka are twice the trouble. Palpatine contacts Anakin and also requests that he return to his fleet.

Ahsoka then reaches out with the Force and locates Plo. She takes control of the Twilight and locates the Jedi. Anakin deploys a tow cable and they reel the escape pod in. As Plo Koon discusses his findings with Anakin and Ahsoka, the Malevolence appears on their sensors. The three of them quickly work to shut down the ship to avoid detection, including R2. They forget to deactivate the on-board medical droid however, and it’s enough of a energy signal for the Malevolence to pick up. Grievous immediately orders the ship to assume an attack position. Anakin and the others move quickly to get the Twilight back online so they can escape. Just as R2 begins to plot a hyperspace route out of there, the Malevolence fires its ion blast. Anakin races through the debris field as the ion blast bears down on them. The blast is nearly upon them when the hyperspace coordinates come in and they’re able to escape.

There are several nods to previous Star Wars movies in this episode, such as the dialog between the clones as they attempt to repair the escape pod, Ahsoka reaching out with the Force to locate Plo Koon, and Anakin’s race though the debris field to escape. That reminded me of Obi-Wan’s attempt to stay ahead of the sonic charge blast in Attack of the Clones.

The bright red Abregado provided an amazing backdrop to the events happening around it. I thought this episode was exciting, though there were a few distractions, such as the clones having the ability to cry out into space as they were sucked out of the escape pod. And the giddy and silly droids.

The Clone Wars

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

Both the Republic and the Confederacy wish to establish a base in the Toydaria system. As part of a diplomatic envoy, Yoda approaches a neutral moon to begin negotiations with the ruler of Toydaria, King Katuunko. He is unaware that Separatists have infiltrated the moon, led by Asajj Ventress. She appears at the rendezvous point, and presents Count Dooku, who is communicating via hologram.

Dooku urges Katuunko to join the Confederacy, while claiming that the Republic and the Jedi are weak. At that moment, Yoda is ambushed by Separatist ships, and he is forced to abandon ship. Several escape pods are launched to provide a distraction so he can land on the moon safely. On arrival, Yoda contacts Katuunko. Ventress then offers a deal: If she can capture Yoda, Toydaria will join the Separatists. However, if he escapes, the Republic will win the system. King Katuunko hesitates at the deal, but Yoda quickly accepts the challenge.

As Yoda and his small group of troops advance to the rendezvous point, a large Separatist ship passes by overhead, with enough space to hold an entire droid battalion. Ventress clearly has no desire to give Yoda a fair fight, as stipulated by King Katuunko.

It’s not long before they are spotted by the droids, but their small size gives them an advantage. The droid tanks cannot initially pursue because of the large coral foliage, so infantry troops are deployed. They are nearly upon Yoda when he decides to launch an ambush of his own. The group surrounds the droids and opens fire. They make quick work of the droids, but must fall back because of the presence of super battle droids. One of the clones, Thire, is injured by blaster fire. It is then that Yoda appears and moves the troops to temporary safety. Once pinned down, Yoda begins to use the Force against the super battle droids, and destroys them all. The minor victory is short lived, as destroyer droids appear and force Yoda into full retreat.

Yoda and the three clones seek shelter in a cave, where the Jedi Master gives instruction. The clones are doubtful of success, but Yoda encourages them to look past their dire situation and the fact that they are mere clones.

Their rest doesn’t last long. The droids and their tanks are starting to pass by. Yoda decides to jump right in front of the advancing group, where he then sits on the ground. Ventress, suspecting a surprise, orders them to open fire. But Yoda jumps to the attack, flipping and winding his way throughout the group, while cutting down droids and destroying tanks. Ventress then launches a group of destroyer droids.

The clones, who are high above and sense that Yoda can’t take on the destroyers by himself, move to attack. Thire lauches their last rocket at a rock overhang above the destroyers, which causes an avalanche that destroys them all, thereby finishing off the droid attack.

Seeing that Yoda has emerged the victor, King Katuunko declares that Toydaria will join the Republic. Dooku then orders Ventress to kill him, but Yoda intervenes, halting Ventress’s attack with a Force grip. Yoda toys with her, plucking her lightsabers out of her hand, looking them over, then sends them back to her. Ventress then creates a distraction so she can escape. Afterward, Katuunko gives his approval for a Republic base.

The first episode of season one is a fun one. There’s nothing too serious happening here, other than a injured clone. In fact, there are many lighthearted moments, mainly between the goofy battle droids. But Yoda provides some comedic relief as well.

Yoda definitely shines as the star of the episode, as he cuts his way through battle droids with ease. He is poised from start to finish, especially when he yanks the lightsabers out of Ventress’s hands and gives them back to her. The Sith may be powerful, but even a “small shriveled green one” can stop them dead in their tracks.

The Clone Wars

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

At the Jedi Temple, the Council is listening to Admiral Tarkin, who reports via hologram that Ahsoka Tano killed the clones in the Republic prison. Anakin refuses to believe that Ahsoka is guilty. The Council decides to send Anakin and Plo Koon to search for Ahsoka, who is in the depths of Coruscant.

Deep within the lower levels, the Coruscant Security Force is told to be on the lookout for Ahsoka, who is trying to blend in among the citizens. She contacts Barriss Offee, who says that she’ll be on the lookout for more information. Afterward, she approaches a drunk and gives him some food in exchange for his cloak.

Ahsoka then boards a train, which also happens to be boarded by members of CSF, who start asking for train passes. At the next stop, Ahsoka tries to leave, but runs head first into more CSF guards. As she runs through the train, with the guards in pursuit, a citizen reaches out to grab her. He, of course, is on match for her, but his interference provided security the ability to pin her down. Another citizen, however, comes to her aid and knocks the guards off of her. At that point, she opens a door on the moving train and jumps out. More guards find her, and she runs into a turbolift. The guards shoot the elevator controls, which causes the lift to free fall, but a young alien inside is able to stop the car. Ahsoka exits the car, and once again blends into the crowd, but she is discovered by none other than Asajj Ventress.

Ventress sneaks up on Ahsoka, knocks her off her feet, and pins her down with her two red lightsabers. Ventress, who is now a bounty hunter, intends to turn Ahsoka in so she can collect the bounty. Ahsoka thinks that she is behind the Temple attack and cover-up, but Ventress denies the charge. After a brief conversation, Ahsoka decides that Ventress could help her. Ventress is hesitant, but Ahsoka explains her situation, and offers to get Ventress a pardon for her past crimes. Ventress agrees, but they are then spotted by Anakin and Plo Koon. As they take off running, Anakin jumps out of the ship to pursue. Ventress activates a force field and they are able to escape. Anakin then deploys probe droids to look for them.

Ahsoka contacts Barriss again, who claims to have a clue. Barriss tells Ahsoka of an abandoned munitions warehouse a few levels away. Before Ahsoka and Ventress can leave, however, they are surrounded by a group of clones. It takes all of 30 seconds for the two fugitives to incapacitate the entire group.

Once Ahsoka and Ventress reach the warehouse, they part ways. As Ventress makes her way through an empty alley, she is ambushed and beaten by a mysterious figure, who then grabs her lightsabers and her face shield. Meanwhile, while Ahsoka searches the warehouse, she is ambushed by the same person, who is now wearing Ventress’ face shield and activates the red lightsabers. Ahsoka immediately thinks it is Ventress, and the two begin a fierce lightsaber duel. The mysterious attacker is able to wear Ahsoka down with her considerable power. She knocks Ahsoka into a lower level of the warehouse that is full of crates of nanodroids, the same used in the Temple attack. It is then that she is discovered by clones and immediately shot by a stun blast. Anakin enters the scene and they are able to apprehend Ahsoka.

On the way to the Jedi Temple, Anakin and Plo Koon contact the Council with their findings.

To Catch A Jedi is part 3 of 4 in the season 5 finale arc. It continues the story of the Jedi Temple attack and framing of Ahsoka.

This episode gives us our first major glimpse of the Coruscant underworld. It seems like discovering a new world that is vast and teeming with life. It’s immediately apparent, though, that the quality of life below the surface is harsh at best.

It is here that Asajj Ventress makes a dramatic entrance. It is quite a surprise, though, to see her and Ahsoka team up to achieve their goals!

This episode is quite suspenseful; from the pursuit of Ahsoka, to the appearance of the mysterious stranger, who perhaps is the one behind the Jedi Temple attack. Ahsoka is eventually captured alive, but she now faces an uncertain future in the hands of the Jedi and the Republic.

The Clone Wars

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

The episode begins at the Jedi Temple, where Admiral Tarkin is before the Jedi Council via hologram. He explains that the Senate requests that Ahsoka be indicted for acts of treason against the Republic. Yoda explains that Ahoska would have a fair trial in accordance with Jedi tradition, but Admiral Tarkin and the Senate believe a trial within the Order would be biased in favor for Ahsoka. They believe she should be expelled from the Order so she can face a military tribunal. Obi-Wan is uneasy about this, but the rest of the Council think proceeding on their own could be seen as opposition to the Senate. They decide to summon Ahsoka to the Jedi chamber of judgement with Anakin by her side. Even after listening to her pleas of innocence, the Council rules to remove her from the Jedi Order.

Ahsoka is placed in a cell, where she receives a visit from Anakin and Padme. Padme agrees to represent Ahsoka before the Senate. Ahsoka believes Asajj Ventress is the one behind all of this. Anakin decides to go find Ventress.

Down in the seedy levels of Coruscant, Anakin locates Ventress, where they briefly battle it out. Ventress doesn’t last long though, and Anakin quickly disarms her and Force chokes her. He demands that she tell him the truth. Asajj tells him that she decided to put aside the bounty against Ahsoka because of the circumstances they share, namely that they were both abandoned by the Jedi Order. Anakin looks taken aback as if he sees truth behind her words.

Ahsoka is then led to the tribunal, where she joined by Padme and Admiral Tarkin, who acts as the prosecution. Chancellor Palpatine oversees the proceedings. Tarkin begins his arguments and immediately recommends the death penalty in the case of a guilty verdict.

Next, Ventress explains to Anakin how she was attacked. She then tells him what proves to be the ultimate lead in the investigation: Ahsoka’s prior discussion with Barriss Offee. Anakin leaves immediately to confront her.

Back in the tribunal, Padme presents her arguments to the court, and afterward is met with mock applause from Tarkin. He questions the arguments, and the fact that Ahsoka was found with known Separatist terrorist Asajj Ventress. Palpatine then begins his statements, first acknowledging how it might seem that Ahsoka is innocent, but then recalling how Separatist infiltrators off all types have fooled the Republic.

At the Jedi Temple, Anakin confronts Barriss. After a brief exchange in words, Barriss realizes she’s been caught. Anakin ignites her blue lightsaber as she reaches for Asajj’s lightsabers that she hid in a pot. A fierce lightsaber duel between them commences in the room and spills out into the halls of the Temple. Once confronted by Temple guards, Barriss jumps out of a Temple window an onto a walkway below, followed by Anakin. Anakin proves too powerful and Barriss is eventually defeated.

At the tribunal, the court reaches a verdict. As Palpatine begins to read it, Anakin enters and interrupts, presenting the court with new evidence: a confession from Barriss. She then reveals her motivations behind the Temple attack, and feels the Jedi are wrong to fight in the war and that the Republic is failing. Anakin is relieved, as is Ahsoka, but the look on her face says it all. The betrayal against her is too severe. The damage, irreversible.

Back at the Temple, Anakin apologizes, as do other members of the Council. Mace however feels that this was her great trial, as if this was the will of the Force. Yoda then welcomes her back. Anakin extends to her the Padawan braid, but Ahsoka rejects it. “I’m sorry Master, but I’m not coming back”. (Cue my tears)

Outside of the Temple, Ahsoka explains her decision to Anakin. He pleads for her to stay, but her decision is final. Anakin reveals that he understands her decision to walk away, likely because of his marriage with Padme. Ahsoka then says “I know”, as if she knows his secret and has kept it.

She then walks away.

This, of course, this the final episode of season 5, and this season sure went out with a bang. The build-up for this 4-episode finale arc was tremendous, with tons of publicity from Lucasfilm, including a fan screening at the Letterman Digital Arts Center. Most people didn’t know what to expect. Would this be the end for Ahsoka? Who was behind the attack on the Jedi Temple, and framing of Ahsoka? The suspense leading up to today was incredible.

What an intense episode! So many major events. It’s a shame about Barriss Offee, and there are a few continuity issues to deal with, but to me her fall was within the character established. After all, in the Medstar duology, she was in the thick of the clone wars on Drongar, and treating the injured surely weighed her down emotionally. In the second novel Jedi Healer, she skirted dangerously close to the dark side after brief exposure to bota, a powerful healing plant (the reason for the Republic/Separatist conflict on Drongar). Becoming disillusioned because of the war also played right into Palpatine’s plans. His plan was to exterminate the Jedi; if some willingly left the Order along the way, so be it.

We also see what impact all of this has on Anakin, and no doubt strengthens the wedge placed between him and the Order. Between lashing out at the Order, hunting Ventress down and in his confrontation with Barriss Ofee, his anger was quite visible and his resentment very apparent.

And how about Asajj Ventress? Who would have thought that she’d one day save Ahsoka’s life.

For me, if The Clone Wars were to end today, this would be a fitting end to this fantastic series. The Clone Wars began with the introduction of Ahsoka Tano in 2008, and season 5 ends today with her departure from the Jedi Order. Sure, there are loose ends to tie up, but I would be happy if this was it.

Final thoughts: This episode is powerful, and devastating. In the beginning way back in 2008, Anakin resisted taking Ahsoka on as an apprentice, but here he is, all these years later, pleading for her to stay. The betrayal she feels is heartbreaking. But I can feel Anakin’s pain too. This certainly adds rich context to the later events in Revenge of the Sith. His turn against the Jedi was so shocking, but now it seems a bit more believable.

When Ahsoka walks away with tears in her eyes, and the camera looks back on Anakin while fading away from him… is one of the most powerful moments in television, ever.

Watch the episode. Words will never do it justice.

Hats off to the cast and crew of The Clone Wars, especially the ones directly involved with The Wrong Jedi. I don’t often shed tears for anything, but I did today.

The Clone Wars

Episode 5.14: Eminence

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

We start the episode off with Maul and Savage on board an escape pod, barely conscious, and cold. Another ship piloted by Death Watch soldiers including their leader, Pre Vizsla, and his right hand lieutenant, Bo-Katan, board them. Vizsla orders their weapons to be taken off them and, curious about their stories, picks them up and revives them in their camp on planet Zanbar. Maul was first to fully heal and received new robotic legs from the medical droids at the camp. He then spoke to Vizsla and learned about the Death Watch, and their motives on “reclaiming” Mandalore and how the Duchess, Satine Kryze, was the cause of their downfall, and has powerful allies including Obi-Wan Kenobi. Maul believes it was the Will of the Force that brought the two together as they both share the hatred towards that particular Jedi. They eventually decide to team up to help both kill Kenobi and take back Mandalore together.

Savage wakes with a new robotic arm of his own to replace the one he lost, and follows Maul’s lead to form an alliance with the Death Watch, but Maul still believes that their soldiers will not be strong enough to take over Mandalore by themselves. They quickly go to planet Mustafar to threaten leaders of the Black Sun crime organization and get supplies of off them. Word of their building army spreads in the underworld attracting members of the spice traders of Pyke Syndicate to also join them. Death Watch then travel to Nal Hutta to meet with the Hutt Grand Council for their resources but are rejected and have bounty hunters Embo, Dengar, Sugi and Latts Razzi set on them. This sparks a big fight between the two parties and all the Hutts apart from Oruba escape only narrowly with Death Watch letting the bounty hunters go free. Through Oruba Death Watch then know travel to Tatooine to seek Jabba and finally enlist him into their army. Tensions between Maul and Vizsla run high and it is revealed that Vizsla and Bo-Katan are planning to, after taking back Mandalore, kill off Maul and Savage, but the episode ends there.

This episode was pretty awesome, with the return of Maul and Savage teaming with Death Watch, and the appearance of some Bounty Hunters and underground organizations like the Black Sun.

Just to begin with the very idea of the deadly brothers pairing up with Mandalorians is a very cool enough thought as is, but then on top of that we have the standard leadership tensions and secretive plans against each other. Plus the enlisting and forming of an underground army, and some pretty slick Bounty Hunter battles, with some being one on one, it was more than enough to make a really exciting episode. It’s the first episode of the arc and I feel it really hints at something big happening in the near future and things really changing. I’m looking forward to it.

The only major fault I can complain about in the episode was how quickly Death Watch got the help of the Black Sun and maybe even Pyke Syndicate, just because of the little screen time they had, causing the episode to seem rushed, or bullet pointed. I, personally, looked well past this fault once I noticed it. The other positive aspects of the episode were too good to ignore even for a small time noticing the episodes flaws. It was really well done by the Clone Wars team, and I’m looking forward to the next installments.

The Clone Wars

Episode 5.13: Point of No Return

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

In the last three episodes we saw the D-Squad successfully steal a Separatist decoding module, crash land on planet Abafar and find a vessel to escape the planet to finish their mission. Leaving the planet the team find a nearby Republic cruiser and board it, only to find out that the ship is completely controlled by Separatist droids. The ship goes into hyperspace however, forcing them all to stay on board, and the team to hide from the roaming droids everywhere.

The squad then figure out that the whole ship is loaded with the highly explosive rhydonium in lines of cannisters, and the intentions of the Separatists: flying right to and blowing up an important Republic Strategy conference, one with Jedi Council members and Republic officers. They then catch a rabbit droid spying on them, BNI-393, or Bunny for short, who explains to them that they are one of a very small numbers of other Republic droids in waiting for someone to save them by piloting them to safety. Bunny and his friends then join tag along with the team. As it turns out Bunny wasn’t the only one spying. The D-Squad soon give chase to a fast, Separatist buzz droid who is quickly backed up with a whole swarm of even more buzz droids. Surrounded, and trapped the D-Squad try to fend them off but there are too many of the buzz droids. M5-BZ opens the air-lock and causes the buzz droids to be sucked into space, as well as himself as a sacrifice for the mission.

As the ship comes out of hyperspace the D-Squad have already implemented a plan to save the day. R2-D2 rigs the bombs to go off earlier than expected and distracts the super battle droid on board while the others make a run for the ship they arrived on and get ready to escape. In the heat of the moment the ship leaves without R2-D2, and the whole bomb explodes as all the droids but R2 fly off to safety. They then contact the nearby Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi and inform them of all that had happened, causing Anakin to send out a search party that recovered R2 and fully repaired him again. In the end Gascon, the D-Squad leader, commends R2-D2 and his bravery, and says he would be proud to work with all of the droids another day.

This episode was a lot like most episodes of The Clone Wars with highlight points that were pretty neat to see.

The graphics in this episode need to be outlined yet again, this time for the use of light and shadow on board the Separatist ship, and also in its very pretty explosion of colour and metal chunks in space.

In this episode we also saw Tarkin again serving the Rebublic as a general beside Anakin and Obi-Wan, as well as a few other small cameo-like appearances including a cute gonk droid and the use of the signature line “It’s a trap!” by Gascon after being surrounded by Buzz droids. It’s very cool to see little things like this pop up on the show, and I really enjoyed it. My younger brother who I watch the show with in particular liked the gonk droid and built it out of LEGO to play with for hours after watching.

Point of No Return is the fourth and final episode of the droid arc before an arc with the return of Darth Maul and Savage Oppress, and to be quite frank I’m a little glad. This arc had it’s highs but the story seems a little dragged out for me, and I’m just waiting for the exciting new arc that comes next. I think that I’m glad the droid arc happened, but also glad its over at the same time.

The Clone Wars

Episode 5.12: Missing in Action

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

In the last episode the D-Squad found a town after crash landing on the planet Abafar. Trying to find food Colonel Gascon and WAC were in the trash cans after they were kicked out of a diner run by Borkus, a mean Sullustan, they came across a kind human, Gregor. Gascon recognises him as a clone immediately, although Gregor has no idea that he is in fact one. The human then goes back into the diner to finish his shift as a dish washer under Borkus. Together the D-Squad follow the human back to his home he rents from Borkus higher than his pay, therefore being trapped on the planet almost as a slave.

Gascon explains how Gregor is a clone and how he was created to serve the Republic under orders. The droids scan his wrist for a code that identifies Gregor as not just a normal clone, but a clone commando, said lost in one of the Republic worst defeats in the Battle of Sarrish. Gregor agrees to help the D-Squad get off the planet, and help them complete their mission, but first looks for his old equipment. The search takes them to the diner where the over-looking Borkus reveals himself both to have the equipment and claim to have Gregor in a life debt. The team ties Borkus up and leaves despite his warning that they’ll never get off the planet. They head for a heavily Separatist guarded landing station, find a shuttle and formulate a kind of plan. Gregor, now full suited up in clone commando armour, shoots all the droids the D-Squad come across allowing them all to board the ship and escape. Gregor stays on the planet to cover the ship by shooting explosive cans of Rhydonium and promise the others that one day he’ll return to serve the Republic again.

This episode was advertised as the 100th episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and that’s super crazy, for me to think about at least. A small show with humble animation beginnings, all the way to now, with Darth Maul returning, Clone Commandos and other clone ranks fighting a war, Chewbacca appearing, Jedi and Sith fighting, bounty hunters being really cool, and even politicians… talking, plus there’s even more to come.

Fan of what’s portrayed in the series or not,  it’s an amazing feat and memorable contribution to the Star Wars franchise in a whole that can’t be ignored.

Back to your regular review. This episode was quite standard, but it had it’s highlights. Gregor, I’m not going to lie, was more than a little fantastic, especially at the end of the episode when he was in commando gear and shooting really accurately and rolling and jumping all over the place. Pretty much stealing the whole episode. His courage and loyalty is also worth the mention, with him not fully remembering his past but dropping everything for the squad was great of him. The scenes where he was in his small flat staring  at the face of Captain Rex with the light of the hologram bouncing off of dust particles, and when Gregor remembers slightly the Battle of Sarrish and all the men he lost, were both actually very touching.

Gregor’s fate at the end of the episode was portrayed very sneakily with him making a promise of return but then having the landing bay explode from the tins he was shooting. I do however, have my bets on him surviving that encounter. If he will return to the show, I don’t know, but will be very happy to see him if he does.

The Clone Wars

Episode 5.11: A Sunny Day in the Void

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

Last episode we saw a group of droids, including R2-D2 and enthusiastic pit droid WAC-47, lead by Colonel Gascon- form the D-Squad, a team who together stole a vital decoding module from a Separatist vehicle. On their way back to Coruscant, however, their ship is caught in the middle of a storm of ice comets and damages the ship’s power. The astromech droids of the team fix the ship as much as they can from the outside, but can not repair it entirely, forcing them to crash land on the unusual planet Abafar, with a yellow-orange sky and white, dry, flat terrain. Gascon orders the squad to stay with the ship, but R2-D2, with the encryption module, decides to finish the mission himself and leaves them, and is soon followed reluctantly by the rest.

They journey for a long while and tempers rise as Gascon states his thoughts on being better than programming or droids and therefore can lead them. They find a similar shipwreck to their own with rusted droids and skeletons of the crew. It’s now that Gascon begins to loose both his mind and the will to live as is desperate to finish the mission. WAC appoints himself leader but R2-D2, with the other astromech droids and the module, moves on without the pit droid and Gascon. The pair are forced to work together and find a stampeding pack of striped, featherless, emu-like creatures which they ride on until they stop for water at a nearby city where they find the other droids had already found. The episode concludes with Gascon promoting WAC to Corporal.

The most predominant aspect when watching this episode was, without a doubt, the visual art.

Planet Abafar and it’s wastelands were such an odd match of colour and very curious to look at, especially with the use of sudden long shots in point of conversation and panning of the camera. The basic colours the episode used also made odd objects really stand out, like Gascon’s drink bottle, in specific times when viewing. According to Dave Filoni, the episode was a nod at Mœbius and his comic book art, and was very experimental.

The episode had underlining themes, it’s most predominant being what to trust, Gascon’s training, the droid’s programming, or the creature’s instincts; and which ones were successful. There were also mentions of things like suicide, insanity and life in Gascon, where the younger audience wouldn’t have really understood, like my younger brother who helped me review last episode. It was a very different approach from last episode where I said it was obviously aimed at this younger audience, so I wonder what the next will bring.

The Clone Wars

Episode 5.10: Secret Weapons

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

In order to decode an uncovered message by General Grievous, the Jedi send a group of droids including R2-D2 into a Separatist ship to retrieve a decoding module. Mace Windu first briefs the four astromech droids and WAC, an overenthusiastic pit droid, on the mission before introducing them to Colonel Meebur Gascon, who is set to lead them. He starts off by showing the droids a plan of entry, and then, with Dr. Gubacher, fitting them all with upgrades like booster rockets and magnets, all apart from WAC, who is ordered just to fly the ship for them.

In order to prove himself a good pilot WAC sets their course right for the target ship. Because of this the group are forced to land on the ship and are immediately caught out by Separatist droids. Because of Colonel Gascon’s small size and the modifications to green droid M5-BZ, a compartment for him to sit, the group are able to be escorted out of the ship and sent down a corridor. When they’re alone with two Separatists they make their escape and start their mission.

They all solve many issues that arise with the droid’s new modifications, to move on, as well as solving arguments between the strict Gascon and over enthusiastic WAC when it was revealed that Gascon is a “map reader” and hasn’t ever been in a battle to “prepare him for a crisis”. They all end up getting to the  vault, however, and are about to retrieve the decoding module when the commander of the ship, Aut-O and other droids show up to investigate small issues coming from the level of the ship. After R2-D2 pushes a button that turns off gravity they all battle floating around aimlessly. However, the team works together and defeats the droids and successfully steal the module, and escape the place in time.

The episode was very basic. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped to.

The characters of WAC and Gascon really stood out in a bad way, and everything else was sort of standard of a television series. The episode just had so much more potential in it, I really believe in the series, but this episode just drained that energy out.

It’s obvious the episode was made for a younger audience, and this was proved by my little brother’s unfaltered love for the episode, talking endlessly after viewing about his favourite droid, QT-KT with pink paint, and drawing R2-D2 for me, who I said in turn was my favourite droid. Very cute. I realize the episode wasn’t meant for me, so I asked my brother on his thoughts on the episode directly to which he replied:

“I liked the robots and stuff and I wish I could make a robot too and there are a type of robot called a droid and are really cool, some are bad guys some are good guys and… yeah. That’s it. Full stop.”

So there you have it.

The Clone Wars

Episode 5.09: A Necessary Bond

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

We take off from last episode with six Jedi younglings and Ahsoka escaping from the pirate’s base on planet Florrum in a stolen speeder.  Under the lead of Hondo, some pirates take pursuit and attack them as they try to contact Ganodi in their ship with droids R2-D2 and Huyang. In the end both crafts are shot down by the pirates and they are all captured and brought back to their base.

When they return however, they find the whole base overrun with Separatist droid forces led by General Grievous with orders from Count Dooku. Many pirates are captured, including Hondo himself, and the pirate’s belongings and crafts are all burnt down. Outside of the camp, Ahsoka talks the pirates holding her and the younglings hostage and explains there’s no reasoning with the Separatists. They formulate a plan to free Hondo and on board his secret fleet, escape the planet together. Using R2 as a distraction they sneak into Hondo’s cell to rescue him.

There he is persuaded by the younglings to join forces after they show him their finished lightsabers, all but Katooni’s whose weapon she never finished creating. With guidance from Ganodi and encouragement from Hondo she successfully creates and activates her own blade, and with it frees Hondo and his men. In a ground battle against the droids the pirates escape on speeders to Hondo’s secret fleet. The pirates are about to escape by themselves and leave the younglings behind when Hondo’s mind is changed after Katooni pleads with him and says she and the others trusted him to help them.

Ahsoka distracts General Grievous who followed them in a fight letting the younglings flee with the pirates. She herself only narrowly escapes jumping from a ledge to the safety of the ship. They fly to the nearest Jedi cruiser with Obi-Wan and Commander Cody on board and concludes the arc and an “eventful mission”.

This episode, being the last of the four-part arc, was quite entertaining. The music, chases and battles all stood out as being the best parts. The episode started in a heated pursuit and the eagerness of what would happen next ran through the whole episode, with the appearance of Grievous and his droids causing ground battles, daring escapes, and speeder chases, as well as the battle between Ahsoka and the General himself. So great to see.

When watching the episode I paid close attention to lighting and colours, as well as the dusty background of Florrum. It had an effect on the tone of the episode, and I really liked it. The secret fleet hidden in the rocks to the little nooks and cliffs of the terrain is something to take note of during the episode.

The character of Hondo, who we’ve been seeing a lot of now, has shown his witty and better side again, triggered by the younglings, namely Katooni, which was fun to see in him come back again. The younglings themselves had little screen time this episode but have visibly changed in little moments, like the shy Byph wanting to fight and being energetic, and the rebellious and impatient Petro take orders and fulfill them well.

I’m happy for the episode and the youngling’s mission. The ending scene really put their age into perspective, and I’m overall happy with this story arc.

The Clone Wars

Episode 5.08: Bound for Rescue

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

With Ahsoka being held by space pirates led by Hondo, and the lightsaber-making robot Huyang in pieces, the younglings are alone with R2-D2 on their ship. They are able to briefly contact the nearest Republic fleet lead by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Commander Cody. Kenobi tells the younglings to stay put and wait for them to be rescued and then they will retrieve Ahsoka from the pirates. They are however, cut short by a Separatist attack in space lead by General Grevious, who boards and takes over their ship. In return Kenobi evacuates in escape pods and sets the craft to self destruct, leaving Grevious, Kenobi, Cody and other clones in space.

Waiting for Obi-Wan are the younglings back on their ship, who pass time by creating their lightsabers, in which all succeed apart from Katooni. After the younglings vote down an idea formed by Petro to rescue Ahsoka themselves, Zatt tells the others of a malfunction with the ship’s cooling systems. They need to land and let the engines reboot or they risk exploding, so it is decided that they will land on planet Florrum where Hondo and his pirates live.

Landing and getting Ganodi and R2 to stay with the ship for a quick exit, the younglings walk to the pirates camp, formulating a plan on the way. On their travels they find the “Traveling World of Wonder” a traveling carnival troupe lead by Preigo which they manage to join using acrobatic skills they show using the force. The show goes to the pirates camp in preparations for performing for the pirates and Hondo himself.

Disguised in costume the younglings, in performing their acrobatic tricks, involved the drunk Hondo in the act, stealing Ahsoka’s lightsabers from his belt and flinging him off in the room. Only when Ahsoka is freed and the younglings turn to run do the pirates recognize the younglings. The traveling carnival group also flee on their own way by themselves. Ahsoka escapes in a stolen speeder though, with the younglings wielding their newly built lightsabers, apart from Katooni. As drive away to their ship Ahsoka thanks them all and after hearing that they broke rules tells them how her Master taught that “doing the right thing sometimes means bending the rules.”

This episode was a nice turn out. The arc, perhaps, is feeling a little bit stretched out and maybe predictable, maybe because of how little we hear of the younglings separately, but it was the only major flaw. This episode we see the lightsabers the younglings built in a little more detail, and most of them activated, some with green and others with blue blades, but not Katooni’s. Why, I don’t know.

The space battle with Obi-Wan, Cody versus Grievous was a nice breather from how the arc is telling itself. The battles in space are progressively getting better and I’m happy to see more of them in the future. Some of the shots next to ships sipping about reminded me of some of the original films, even.

The youngling’s costume and acrobatic skills were something to look at too. It reminded me of something, but I couldn’t remember it whilst watching the episode the first time. It was afterwards I saw the resemblance to the movie A Bug’s Life with bugs in leafy costumes jumping around in a carnival themselves, similar to the younglings.

Hondo in this episode was a bit odd. I thought him a bit creepy to Ahsoka, being his hostage, but he was very naive and drunk by the time the carnival arrived, and let Ahsoka slip right through his fingers. There is a part of me that wants him back again though in more Clone Wars, and I have a feeling it’ll be soon, since he has appeared in every arc of the season at least once.

The Clone Wars

Episode 5.07: A Test of Strength

SPOILERS!

Synopsis:

On the youngling’s journey back to The Jedi Temple on Coruscant with Ahsoka, they meet the droid Huyang, who will teach them how to construct their own lightsabers. Huyang instructs them to use the force to feel what kind of lightsaber they need, and with his memory bank of thousands of Jedi and their sabers, gathers the materials needed from a room of draws. Just as the younglings are assembling their sabers, the ship shakes as space pirates, lead by Hondo Ohnaka, attack the ship. Their aim is to board the easy target as they see it, and steal the valuable lightsaber crystals for profit. Huyang takes all of the lightsaber crystals but Petro’s, who hides his in the folds of his Jedi robes.

Quickly, as the pirates board the ship, Ahsoka hides in the ventilation system with the others and formulates a plan to split up. Zatt and Ganodi are to go to the cockpit with R2 D2 and secure it from pirates, while Huyang and the other younglings are to lock themselves in the hold where Ahsoka says she will re-rout the power to the engines of the ship and blast off, sending the pirates sucked into space with everyone else safe inside the ship. Zatt and Ganodi manage to fend off the pirates and complete their goal, with Ahsoka also managing to get to the engines without making a scene. The others, however, are found by the pirates in the ventilation and are cornered. Petro, with his crystal and the faulty lightsaber he made in a rush, tricked one of the pirates to activate it and knock them all back. The younglings escape, with only Huyang being slightly damaged.

Petro convinces the others that they should fight the pirates, not sneak around, and they work together to activate lightsaber training drones and set a trap for a few pirates. Walking away from that however they meet face to face with Hondo on their way to the hold. Ahsoka arrives though, to find the younglings, and protect them, fighting with Hondo and providing a distraction for the others to go. They go to the cockpit and Ahsoka gives the order to Zatt to fly from the pirate ship. The suction does suck pirates into space, but also a number, along with Hondo, onto the pirate craft. Ahsoka, who was at the entrance and made sure Hondo was sucked out, was knocked by another pirate and also brought onboard with the pirates, and now in their custody.

This episode, again, was quite different from the last. It was very well done where it made you think about what was going to happen next, and worry about the characters. We saw the younglings in action, using their skills and strengths for good, and putting differences beside them to work together without another thought.

With Hondo in the other episodes this season being depicted as Obi-Wan’s friends and a funny character, we were reminded here that he isn’t a good always a good guy, he’s just a greedy and harsh pirate and wants his pay. No matter who’s in the way, or who is the profit. This made it hard to choose a side between the two parties; the peaceful children who are learning any Star Wars loving kid’s dream to build a lightsaber, or a pack of rowdy men who’ve taken it upon themselves to attack and raid an easy target for a reward. But is led by Hondo.

I’d have loved to see more of the younglings individually have actions that effect the situation for good, but apart from that I have no complaints. The episode wasn’t as predictable as the last, and was very entertaining for me at least. My brother, who was a big fan of last weeks episode, loved and hated the pirates. He knows Hondo and how he helped the Jedi in a few episodes back, so was confused and angry at him for interrupting the younglings making their lightsabers, to which we may or may not have been taking notes on so we could build ours ourselves.