Star Wars: The Clone Wars "A Friend in Need"

I must say before I start the review, it feels so long since we have had a stand-alone episode, and it's only been 10 episodes.

This episode started as it ended, and by that it was awesome. The episode started as if it meant business, and opened with a pretty interesting scene. The Republic & Separatist senator's discussing treaties or whatever it was (I feel sorry for my friend Dan, as all us fans want proper Separatists like Tambor, Poggle etc), just like him. Anyway, the look that passed between Lux and Ahsoka when Lux came in made me cringe a bit, but that's another story. Moving on, I really liked the scene pictured above, it was quite an interesting scene. The voice-actor for Lux Bonteri has really stepped up his voicing in this episode, he did a great job. What I don't get though, the commando droids are mainly background characters in this episode, so why did the show feel the need to model a whole new design, when the other background commando droids this season have all had the normal model? I don't get that, but if it means a new commando droid action figure, then whatever. I've gotten tired of the show making characters want revenge on characters, that we know won't die because they are in ROTS. Such as Boba on Mace Windu, and now Lux on Dooku. It's so stupid, as we know they can't die. I also dislike how weak the commando droids are now. In this episode, Ahsoka took one out by just kicking it. In season 1 however, it took Cody 10 blaster bolts to take one down. And might I add, a blaster bolt is much stronger than a kick. The brief part of Ahsoka & Lux holding hands was a good sign of what was to come. The scene with the senate commando's fighting the commando droids was a nice little fight scene.

We had already seen part of this scene in the preview clip before the episode, but there was actually quite a bit still interesting left for this particular scene. The animation and detail on this snowy planet was really cool, and the crew did a great job there. The introduction of the female Mandalorian Bo-Katan was pretty cool, but I don't see what all the fuss was about. Sure, a female Mandalorian was a cool idea and all, but for all the fuss, there was nothing really special she did. I'm weirded out though, that Ahsoka says Lux and she are "betrothed", which means engaged and/or married. I can't believe the awesome Mandalorians fell for that, do they even look like adults? Did I mention Bo-Katan slapping Ahsoka around the bum area was a little sickening? 

I knew this was coming, but not precisely in this episode, but it was coming, though in rather bizarre circumstances. Lux explaining his plan to Ahsoka was interesting, but Ahsoka flatly telling him what would go wrong was predictable. Lux interrupting Ahsoka's rating about what Death Watch were by kissing her was definitely a surprising way in which we see them share their first kiss, but it was still quite a sight to see, especially as they do it just as the awesome Pre Vizsla enters the tent...

I loved the character development of the Mandalorians in this episode, but no more so than one of my favourite villains of all time, Pre Vizsla. This was such an awesome scene, where we finally are revealed as to why Death Watch are no longer aligned with the Separatists. I especially love the facial expressions they give Vizsla here, with such a wide variety of expressions. I love Vizsla's line "Don't toy with me, boy." And then Vizsla goes on to tell Lux how he got his scar, and threatening to give Lux one just like it. Note that he doesn't say what happened to his hair. Maybe he just got a haircut? Unlikely, as all of his hair is gone. Pre Vizsla at his best in this scene.

This was an epic scene, with an amazing contrast between fire and snow in the animation. When those rather annoying people demanded Vizsla give them back everything they had, and Vizsla pretended to agree. I was secretly hoping he would betray them and kill them in cold blood, they were that annoying. And I was delighted that the show had the *censored* to do just that. The execution by Vizsla on a man's grand-daughter was a true bolt out of the blue, er black, and very unexpected, especially as Vizsla did it right in front of the man. Oh, and did I mention Vizsla is so awesome when he says "Kill them. Kill them ALL." I loved the burning down of the buildings with the flamethrowers as well. The moment where Vizsla says "Welcome to Death Watch," as he and Lux watch the Death Watch burn down the buildings, must be the most epic scene on the show so far. It was so ruined when Ahsoka grabbed the pole and started killing the Death Watch. Death Watch capturing Ahsoka with ropes was cool as well. 

This has got to be one of the most awesome lightsaber duels in the whole series. Even better than Obi-Wan's duel with Vizsla back in season 2. Lux confronting Vizsla over him being a murder was a great part, especially when Vizsla explains that it is the same as what Lux wants, justice for what Dooku did to Lux's mom. Ahsoka decapitating 4 Mandalorian's at the time was awesome as well. R2-D2 using droids again to help is a little over-used again, with that happening not so long ago throughout the entire Citadel arc. I was worried sick that Vizsla was going to be killed here, especially when Ahsoka damaged his rocketpack, which exploded, but Vizsla got away in time. This was an epic scene, especially with the droids and Mandalorians fighting at the same time. Then when they escaped, Ahsoka's battle with Bo-Katan and her troops was epic, and the detail and work on that battle was beyond stunning. I love the lightsaber duels and battles like these this season.

This scene was quite the touching way to finish off this episode. Lux decides he can't stay with Ahsoka and makes to leave. Lux's line "We'll meet again," is most likely a hint at things to come in the show. This was quite the way to end the episode, especially with the hand gesture in the picture.


PS: Did I mention "epic quotes" are back? This time for Pre Vizsla!
"Welcome to Death Watch."
"Kill them. Kill them ALL!"
"I'm afraid that's not an option."
"You call us murderers. And yet it was your own lust for revenge that made you seek us out."
"And you shall have it. But the Jedi are no different from Dooku, and this one shall pay in part. For their crimes against Mandalore. So you see, it's not murder at all, it's like you say. It's JUSTICE!"


My rating: This was a very good episode in my opinion. Great action, and it was awesome seeing Pre Vizsla, as he is among my top five villains out of everything I enjoy. The weird moments, such as Bo-Katan slapping Ahsoka on the bum took this episode down a notch. Rating: 9/10.


Next week's episode looks interesting. Right now, I'm not sure whether that's in a good or bad way. It could finally be the episode we see Dengar in! The preview clip is really touching, and hits me because my favourite Star Wars character of all-time, Obi-Wan Kenobi, is going to fake his own death to infiltrate a prison, with friends of his like Satine & Anakin not knowing that he hasn't really died. This is definitly a touching moment in the show: