With the high standards that the Umbara arc set, could the 3-part "Slavers" arc, adapted from a personal favourite comic series of mine, reach those same standards?
The opening scene was a great introduction, the music fitting in nicely for what was to come. Only problem with the music here, they used it twice inside these first few minutes, the show does use some music repeatedly over different episodes, but I think this is the first time they have used any music repeatedly in the same episode, but I can't be sure of that. This was a great scene, that introduced a new great villain, Darts D'Nar. It also showed the Droid army to it's full, something the show has failed to do until now. It was also interesting to see all these Togruta people in one place, especially the male Togruta's, of which I have only seen in the comic version and this episode version. By the way, did I mention we got yet another of those over-used tactical droids? Dooku was very dark in this scene, with his "Think of our presence as a peaceful occupation, for you're protection, as well as ours." When Dooku really was doing the opposite, as his droids procceed to take the Togruta off the planet, which was another scene that the same music was used in.
It feels so long since we've had a Obi-Wan, Anakin & Ahsoka episode with all three of them, but they are all back together here. This was the scene I was originally looking forward to most in this episode, because it had a biker fight with my favourite droids, Commando droids. However, I am unhappy that StarWars.com showed the whole scene in their preview clip, ruining the scene I was looking forward to most. They did add onto that scene though, with a cool shot of blowing up of two AAT's. Ahsoka was also cool in this shot, calmly taking out commando droids with both her lightsabers in the biker fight, before jumping onto the AAT, tossing in some detonators, before a awesome leap back onto her and Anakin's speeder. The animation in the explosion of the two AAT's was a sight to see. Rex also blew up an AAT here.
One thing I was not looking forward to was Anakin's personal issues about slavery that I have not being looking forward to for a while. This is because the writers have being portraying him woefully. After this episode, eh, it's improved slightly, but there is still a lot of room for more improvement. It did show a darker side to Anakin here though, something that he's supposed to have all series, not at random times. His smashing of the hologram Cody holds in the picture, and his quote "Zygerrian scum! I'll handle that slaver!" was executed fine, just not in a way I would have chose to do it, it also makes Anakin sounds like he is gasping his last breaths, which unfortunately, he is not. I liked the scene where Obi-Wan explains Anakin's past to Ahsoka, one scene I have been looking forward to, as I enjoy Obi-Wan/Ahsoka only scenes. I also liked the brief cameo's of Boil & Kix in this episode. A interesting note is the comic adaption has Waxer do Boil's role, and it would have been Waxer here, but Waxer died in the last episode, so that role was instead given to Boil.
As Obi-Wan Kenobi is my favourite Star Wars character of all time, it was awesome to see him get into a major fight with a epic villain. I'll be doing epic quotes for Darts D'Nar later in the review. This was a great fighting scene, and the show weren't afraid to get brutal here, with Obi-Wan especially getting hurt. A good part of this fight was when a battle droid contacted D'Nar, but when the droid tried to tell him about the Jedi defusing the bombs, Obi-Wan smashed D'Nar's head into the hologram. My complaint here would be the lame writing, D'Nar has practically killed Obi-Wan at one stage, yet when D'Nar's back is turned, Obi-Wan gets up as good as new, which is writer's talk for, we can't allow the hero to be beaten by the villain, so we must get him back up. Another complaint I have here is the over-used method of getting a cool bad guy to plant a bomb on his droid's back. Cad Bane did it to Todo 360 in season 2, now Darts D'Nar does it here to his tactical droid, Obi-Wan managing to save himself by force-pushing the droid out the window. Darts D'Nar seems to relish violence. Something that I just found stupid and odd, is D'Nar's association with that Kiros bird, ughh...
I've started to grow wary of Anakin/Ahsoka scenes, but I have to say, this one was handeled pretty well, and not something that just makes you roll you're eyes at them. The humour was also good here, and there were some good fighting scenes against Droid forces, while defusing the bombs. My one complaint with this scene had nothing to do with Anakin & Ahsoka, but the scene with those Sniper Droidekas. How obvious can it get that they were weak at the sides? Why did Anakin & Ahsoka have to go into cover before realizing this? It was so freakin' obvious by just staring at the droids, and it was such a pathetic standard of writing, especially after Umbara. Again, the heroes prosper at the last moment. Where's a villain victory when you need one? Oh, nowhere, this show doesn't allow bad guy victories...
The end scene was honestly, exactly the ending I expected from this show, and the writers proved me right. When D'Nar tries to make his escape, Anakin & Ahsoka board his ship in an attempt to stop him. That creature that D'Nar had aboard his ship, must be THE most disgusting thing on the show, and had I directed this episode, I probably would have fired the person who even considered this creature on the spot. When the creature grabbed Anakin & Ahsoka, I was cringing, not out of fear for the two heroes obviously, but at how disgusting it looked. And I thought a Sarlaac was disgusting. Once the creature was out of the ship, the scene got good, with Anakin threataning D'Nar in a way I've been hoping Anakin's darker side would produce, with Anakin holding his lightsaber hilt to D'Nar's neck, and had Anakin activated it, it would mean certain death for D'Nar immediately. The end scene at the Jedi Temple was a nice touch, especially the view of the two empty seats in the background, one for the character Oppo Rancissis, who has yet to appear on the show, and Anakin's seat, after he becames a council member in ROTS (Revenge of the Sith).
My verdict: This was never going to reach the standards of Umbara, and we all know that. However, this episode was really good and enjoyable for what it was. I can't wait for the remaining two episodes of this arc, before the Christmas break. Rating: 8/10
Darts D'Nar's epic quotes: "I'm going to make the Jedi pay for their arragonce. I have them right where I want them!" "You will surrender." "Here is my counter-offer!" "Now, bow down and surrender to me, you Jedi filth!" "Long before this war, you Jedi destroyed the great Zygerrian slave empire. I would kill you now, but Dooku would prefer you alive."
Good humour: "How did you know that would work?" "I trusted my instincts." "You mean you guessed?" "Ah, but it was an educated guess."
And so we reach the conclusion of the 4-part Umbara arc, which has been terrific in terms of action and animation. More of the same? Read on to find out!
This episode starts with Krell scrapping court-marshaling Fives & Jesse, instead demanding their imediate execution. I really like this scene that kicks off the episode, it is a really powerful scene, and makes you wonder if Fives and Jesse really are about to be executed. An interesting point in the episode is that Jesse loses his sense of humour at this moment, and his humour was limitless before. I love how all of the execution squad pretend to execute them, but deliberately miss. Rex tells Dogma they are doing the right thing, leaving Dogma furious. I also really like Fives's speech to the execution squad just before they prepare to execute him. Rex tells Dogma that if clones die for heroic actions, they would all die. Rex's dialogue between himself and Krell is priceless afterwards. "You are making a mistake crossing me, Clone." "It's captain, sir."
Another scene I really liked was when Tup introduced Dogma to a Vixus, the same creature that tried to eat Hardcase in the first of this arc. The Vixus later appears in this episode, in a very dramatic moment.
This episode had something that the previous three of the arc did not have, heaps of powerful emotion, and this scene brought me close to tears. Krell tricks Rex and his men into believing Umbarans have stolen Clone weapons and armour, and could well surprise attack them as clones. When the 501st is ambushed by 212th clones, the 501st fight back believing they are Umbarans. However, during the fight, Rex notices a dead body with the helmet half off. Rex pulls the helmet fully off, to discover to his horror it is a Clone face, not Umbaran, and that they have been killing their brothers. Rex races through the full-scale battle, and makes both the 501st and 212th realize what they are doing. This scene is really dramatic and powerful in emotion, because when you think about it, as clones, shooting each other is like killing themselves...
And if that previous scene almost had me in tears, this scene REALLY almost did. Another powerful emotional scene, in what is by far the most emotional episode of the series, and I can't see that being beaten. The leader of the 212th squad, who is dying, turns out to be none other than Waxer. A dying Waxer reveals to Rex that it was Krell who gave the order to attack the 501st, and Krell had told Waxer that the 501st were really Umbarans. Waxer's last words were so emotional "He sent us to these coordinates to stop the enemy. We thought they were wearing our armour. But, it was... you..." Waxer dies as a tear rolls down his cheek. R.I.P Waxer, you're banter with Boil will truly be missed. This was actually really uneccessary, as they could have just created any platoon leader instead of Waxer. But, the reason it was Waxer, was to add lots of emotion to the scene and they truly succeeded on that part. PS: Rumour has it that after watching the Umbara arc for himself, the voice-actor for the clones (Dee Bradley Baker) got all emotional about these episodes, so the writers and all must have done an excellent job.
Rex decides enough is enough and decides to arrest Krell for treason. I love the expression's on the clones at that part, especially on Tup. If looks could kill, Krell would probably be dead already. Now, this scene with the clones advancing upon the tower Krell is in has a massive effect on me, as it was so reminiscent of the last Harry Potter film, and the scene was executed very similarly, and I loved it. Dogma decides to drop out of the arrest, feeling it is against his protocol. My favourite moment of this episode? Has to go to when all of the clones surround Krell and order him to surrender. Krell says "It's treason then." This is the kind of reference in the series that I don't mind and is executed so well, because this is in itself a Star Wars reference, and not some refernce to something else. I like how Rex tells Krell he is outnumbered, before Krell simply pushes all the clones out of the way before taking out his lightsabers, saying "You dare to attack a Jedi?!" Now THIS is what I've been waiting all this arc for, Krell taking out his double-bladed lightsabers and dueling like the bad*** that he is. This scene reminds me so much of Grievous attacking clones in the mini-series in Palpatine's office, the marks left by Krell's lightsabers on the clones just one similarity. The one part of this episode I hated Krell in, and probably the only time of the arc, is when he says "I will not be undermined by creatures bred in some labratory!"
Dogma confronts Rex and the other clones after Krell escapes. Tup advises Dogma not to do it by shooting them, Dogma lowers his weapon before being brought to the brig. I was really creeped out when Krell's voice started echoing out as Rex and the clones searched for Krell. It was really creepy, especially as you didn't know where Krell was. Krell tells Rex he should have listened to Fives, and that Krell was using Rex. The scene where Tup puts himself in danger was interesting, and I was like "No, Tup! Don't sacrifice yourself!" but Tup lured Krell into a trap with the Vixus from earlier in this episode. Krell managed to get away from the Vixus, but Tup knocked Krell out by stunning him. Tup's excited line of "I stunned him, sir!" was pretty uneccessary, but whatever.
Now we come to one of the more darker moments of the series, and the end of a awesome villain. Krell is put in the brig, and Rex angrily asks Krell about what Krell did. Krell tells Rex that he fell for it and was inferior, Krell tells Rex a new power is rising, and the Jedi will lose this war from the inside, and he will rule the new order (Krell is right all but the last part). Krell tells Rex that he serves no one, just himself. Krell also tells Rex he will be an agent of Dooku. Dogma confronts Krell, asking Krell how could he do this, as he had Dogma's trust, and loyalty. Krell tells Dogma he was the biggest fool of all the clones. With an Umbaran attack imminent, Rex, Jesse, Fives and Tup decide Krell cannot be allowed to live. They head back to the brig, and Rex prepares to execute Krell. Krell is so unconcerned by Rex's orders of getting against the wall, and going on his knees, as he feels Rex doesn't have the guts to kill him. Krell mocks Rex, telling Rex he is in a position of power now, and asking Rex how it feels. In one of the more dramatic turn-arounds of the series, Rex is unable to shoot Krell, but Krell still gets shot in the back of the heart anyway, and Krell dies. It is revealed that Dogma is the one who shot Krell, which surprised me. But in the end, it makes sense, Dogma had been loyal to Krell, when that was scoffed by Krell, Dogma wanted revenge and got it. The episode ends with the Republic having taken Umbara. NOTE that no Umbarans actually appeared in this episode though. Hmmm... (not counting the two in prison).
My verdict: This was at the very least one of the best episodes of the series, if not the best! Krell's lightsaber fighting was great to see, and this was an episode packed with great emotion, action and animation, and may Waxer rest in peace. Rating: 10/10
PS: Hopefully that doesn't stop Waxer getting a phase II Hasbro figure!
Next-up: The "slavers arc! A colony vanishes. Anakin's personal issues come back to haunt him, as Slavery returns to the Republic, and Ahsoka & Anakin return!
And check out a preview for the next episode here!
Another episode full of clones, it just never gets old! This one was especially good in that department, with lots of Clone development throughout the episode. Even Dogma, the only one I so far haven't liked in this arc, was developed and was better than in the last two episodes. But as always, Hardcase beats the rest! More will be revealed on Hardcase later...
This was a really funny scene in the episode. Hardcase is preparing for the rogue mission by testing his piloting skills (lack of). Hardcase ends up making a mess of the piloting, and damages lots of equipment, before blowing the door of the hangar open with a missile. Hardcase and Fives then pretend to Krell that there was an Umbaran booby trap, and Hardcase saved the clones from something worse. I also found it funny when Fives caught a Clone trying to alert Krell to what was going on during Hardcase's piloting, but Fives caught the Clone and took over. I loved Jesse's sarcasm to Hardcase "I thought the plan was to destroy the enemy ship with the fighters, not blow up our own hangar!" Fives, Jesse & Hardcase played a critical role in this episode, seeing as they are the ones to go rogue with the danger of severe consequences on them.
Dogma was terrible the last two episodes, and what we heard of him being a "rule follower" just didn't match up in the last two episodes. However, in this one, Dogma was definitly portrayed better, though he still isn't among my liked clones. When Dogma realizes what Fives, Jesse & Hardcase are doing, he tries to do things by the rules, and tell Krell of those three disobeying orders, but Rex stops him. Leaving Dogma to leave, without doing his rule following. I liked that scene between Rex and Dogma, quite reminded me of "Brain Invaders" in season 2 for some reason...
I really liked the space battle in this episode. Okay, it was shorter than I hoped and it mainly focused on just Jesse, Fives & Hardcase rather than the space battle as a whole, but it was still pretty epic. The amount of ships in some of the shots was amazing. I liked the reference to TPM (The Phantom Menace) in the way Fives, Jesse & Hardcase entered the Separatist supply ship. Instead of blowing it up from the outside, they took the riskier option of blowing it up from inside. The entrance into the ship was quite funny, as one battle droid is giving orders when Fives's ship sends the droid flying. The tactical droid was pretty stupid and uneccessary, making a comment about the odds of clones being on their ship.
And here we come to the best scene of the episode, and the sacrifice of my favourite Clone. R.I.P Hardcase. When ray shields are put up, preventing the three clones from taking out the reactor. Hardcase does the noble thing Fives & Jesse would not do. Spotting an opening, Hardcase grabs a Umbaran missile, and drags it towards the reactor. As Fives & Jesse leave the ship, Hardcase thrusts the missile towards the reactor, and dies as it explodes, proving a honourable sacrifice and one that could lead to the winning off the Battle of Umbara. Hardcase was by far the best character in this episode, and had a lot of character development. Hardcase's sacrifice is among the best scenes in this show, and it suited the character entirely. His quotes during it made it an even more emotional death (I'll post the quotes after the review).
Having arrived back on Umbara. Fives & Jesse are forced to go to Krell. This is a dark moment in the series, as Krell is disgusted that any clones would disobey his orders. Krell tells Fives & Jesse that they will be court marshalled, found guilty, and be executed for their crime. Krell tells them "Make no mistake, for crossing me. You, will pay the price." Very un-Jedi like, but that's what I like so much about Krell. He isn't you're usual Jedi that is compassionte and all that nice stuff, Krell is going to push his clones to their best, and they could die, which could happen under any Jedi anyway. It's going to be epic to see Krell wield his double-bladed lightsabers next week for a "good" reason, not to take out some animals. Krell adds a really darker side to the whole plot of Umbara, and that is why the character is so awesome.
My verdict: This was another excellent episode! The whole development of the clones, especially Hardcase, was excellent to see! Hardcase's sacrifice was totally epic, and makes me love the character even more! Kudos to whoever wrote this episode! The space battle was a sight to see. My only problem would be the first half of the episode had pretty much no action, but it did have a lot of cool Clone scenes. Rating: 9.5/10
Hardcase's epic quotes: "HAHA! I'm just doing it for fun!" "This is for the 501st! Don't wait for me!" "Live to fight another day, boys. Live to fight another day!" *before being exploded*
As the second in a 4-part special event, it was bound to have more action (and clones, as it is Umbara) and it didn't disappoint! Lots of action and clones in this episode. There was a lot of great fighting scenes, and like the last episode, it had it's brutal moments. Such as when Hardcase blew up a damaged Umbaran tank with a rocket launcher, the Umbaran inside fell out, dead, but Rex shot him several times anyway to be certain. Soon after that, some wounded Umbaran creatures were flying around, when Kix gunned down two of them and Rex finished off the third. This episode was never going to be as action-packed as "Darkness on Umbara", which is arguably the best episode in the series. The amount of clones was great, it was great to have Rex get more action, and great to see Hardcase being hilarious again. "I don't know. Could be fun!" about a suicide mission. It was interesting to see Appo from ROTS (Revenge of the Sith) make an appearance, although, as a sergeant this time, not a commander like he was in Revenge of the Sith. Maybe we will see Appo get a important role later in the series, or in this arc.
The clone scenes were especially good in this episode, and I really liked this one. Rex has just informed his men of Krell's latest suicide mission for them, and almost all of them (except Dogma) are angry with Krell. Dogma maintains that they are running out of time. Rex tells Fives to ease their minds, telling Fives he hounours his code. Full debate: Kix: "The casualties are going to be high!" Tup: "Is Krell trying to get us killed?" Jesse: "You know, I wasn't sure that Krell was crazy before. But now, I'm positive!" Fives: "We had to retreat from the capital because the general forced a flawed strategy, now this!" Hardcase: "I don't know. Could be fun!" Dogma: "Well, I for one, agree with the general's plan. We're running out of time and this is the best option!" Jesse: "No recon? No air support? We don't know what we're up against! They have weapons we've never seen before!"
All in all, that was among my favourite Clones-only scenes from the series...
The explosions in this episode were epic, and it is obvious a lot of great effort was put into the explosions. Lots of different colours for explosions as well, including green, though it isn't in this picture. Dave Filoni said this season would have "lots of explosions" and he wasn't lying, the explosions here are the best in the show!
One cool thing in this episode was the new Umbaran technology in it. One those was the "Impeding Assault Tank" (pictured above) and it wasn't so much a tank as a robotic version of some reature (centipede?). The design and colours of this was awesome, until my clone Hardcasae blew them away with a rocket launcher. Another was the even more devestating "Umbaran Heavy Mobile Tank", to which rocket launchers had absolutely no effect. In the end, Hardcase and Fives had to use the Umbaran's vehicles against them, blowing up the devestating mobile tanks.
I really liked the climax to this episode. It certainly was very humourous, I couldn't stop laughing for a while. (take note Lucas, humour episodes do NOT involve C-3PO and R2-D2). Hardcase and Fives had snuck into the airbase, before stealing (attempting to) the Umbaran starfighters. Having eventually turned them around, Fives and Hardcase used them to blow up the mobile tanks. One of my favourite endings to an episode, where the awesome green explosion showed up. Even Krell was grudgingly impressed...
My verdict: This was never going to be awesome as last week's episode, which was out of this world. Take nothing away though, this was still another excellent episode in the Umbara arc, and I can't wait for "Plan of Dissent" and "Carnage of Krell", the remaining two in the Umbara arc. Rating: 9/10.
