I know, I have read the complaints from fans who just wanted this arc overwith so Clone Wars could get back to clones, Darth Maul, Mandalorians, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, etc.. Given that it was a four-parter split up over the Christmas/New Year’s season, it sort of feels like this arc has gone on forever. Given that the prior arc lasted four episodes (or one month) and focused on mostly new characters, I can see why fans are antsy. Those who follow me on Twitter or Facebook know I am not happy the arc with Anakin and Padmé has been moved several times already and at last count, it has not been confirmed that it will even air this season. Which annoys me because why bother making episodes about things they don’t really want to air? Perhaps they could take into consideration for next season that fans don’t necessarily want to go three months or longer without seeing any of their favorite characters.
It is unfortunate because these were still well-made episodes. The finale of the droid mission finds the fleeing group entering a Republic battle ship without a sentient crew. The officers aboard are holograms. Before you can say, “It’s a trap” we find out it is being run by Separatist droids on a kamikaze mission to destroy an installation outside of Carida–EU reference!–where many Republic big wigs and several Jedi, including Anakin and Obi-Wan, are meeting. The ship is loaded with explosives.
Gascon, who had been acting a bit pompous at the beginning of the episode, just wants to get the heck off the ship. He felt he did his job and needed not to do anything further. Really?? What a slacker! Could you imagine a U.S. Army colonel saying, “Oh, I’m not going worry about that Al Qaeda truck laden with explosives heading for the U.S. Capitol during the State of the Union address, it’s not my job?” Fortunately the droids have more intestinal fortitude and band with Republic droids hiding aboard the ship to stop this travesty from occurring.
If nothing else, the droids (good and bad) were the real stars of this episode. One droid sacrifices itself to save the others from buzz droids, another droid is an unfortunate victim of a firefight, and Artoo comes close to “death,” though obviously he has to survive. Anakin’s concern for Artoo is touching and when he’s all shiny and new again, I thought Anakin was going to cry. Gascon finally admits the bravery of the droid crew and the next thing he hears from WAC is that they are going to serve together the rest of the war. I’m sure he’s thrilled.
The animation, lighting, and sound design were all right on the money too. There was plenty of comedy, tension, action, and drama for twenty two minutes. Nice job.
Tags: Clone Wars
January 12, 2013 at 10:29 pm |
I actually felt my energy level rise instantaneously, soon as Anakin most of all – but of course, him and Obi-Wan both, natch – showed up onscreen….it felt instantly galvanizing and seriously engaging to me – not that the episode itself wasn’t, strictly speaking, but even so I guess it’s just….like ere they finally showed up, or at least, ere we were *finally* allowed to see them, I was actually eagerly leaning forward in my seat and really felt even more energized by what was happening….because of them….above all else, because of *him*. Just how much I’d so dearly and desperately missed Obi and Anakin, Padme and ‘Soka and all, it’s like I didn’t fully realize it in a way until that very moment, and then it just hit me full-Force, as it were. Oh, my babies, my darlings, don’t ever leave us this long again!!
Dear oh dear, though, is that….I mean, is that true about the Anakin and Padme stuff, that for all we know right now it’s seeming like that may be somehow pushed back yet *again*….to the point where we won’t even see it at *all* this season?! They can’t do that to us, they just *can’t*….I won’t tolerate it! I’m honestly not sure exactly how I could keep on diligently and devotedly watching the show (this show, which I so *love*) if ever anything like that was pulled…. *goes to re-watch “Hostage Crisis” for sheer Anakin and Padme adorableness, to comfort and reassure self*
January 14, 2013 at 2:21 pm |
Also Tarkin.