I'll start by saying this, I had high hopes for this episode, it nowhere near reached my expectations. Keep reading to find out why.
One thing that officially sucked about this episode was the plot. Kyle Winner, watch this space. It started off okay, even if the plot started pretty bland, but then it got worse and worse. We followed the same plot the WHOLE episode. That may not sound so bad, but everything done was so repetitive it got stupid. One ship blown up, two ship, and so on, so forth. It was like that ALL episode. There was no change of pace in this episode, it was always the same thing. At least the lame political episodes had a change of pace, this episode was stupid. The plot this season has actually been awful this season, the main problem with the show now, and this episode gave us a clear example why.
For me, this was one of the very few good scenes in this episode. If you're an Indiana Jones fan (unlike me), then you may have enjoyed the little nod with the Indy hat. Watching the three guys, Cad Bane, Moralo Eval, and Obi-Wan Kenobi pick their new gear was pretty interesting. But now also Cad Bane has become a hypocrite, saying Pablo's place was the best for what they need, then hates on the lousy choice of weaponry. The scene with Bane choking Pablo was pretty uneccessary, and the female's reaction to Obi-Wan trying to give her a credit was pretty stupid.
This scene here was cool but at the same time rather pointless. The scene with Obi-Wan's vision blurred and the Nikto knocking him out was epic though. Obi-Wan using the Nikto's own staff to kill the Nikto was awesome and dark as well.
I dislike the partnership of Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano usually, seen as they are so alike and that kind of ruins a story. But this time, I have an exception. In my opinion, this episode was bad anyway, so there partnership turned out to be one of the better parts of this episode. Anakin having more personal issues in the scene with Palpatine was annoying though, and so was this scene above, the cameo of Sy Snootles for one thing, and Anakin force-choking the Ithorian was nothing not seen before. We also got another crazy Anakin expression as pictured above...
Now this scene was epic, but it had been taken up by so much crap that it was rushed and everything we were looking forward to was hardly there at all. The fight on the ship's between Cad Bane and Anakin was done well, but Anakin attacking Obi-Wan was not. If they had added in epic music or carried on the scene where Anakin says "This is for Obi-Wan!" for a few more seconds, it would have been a awesome touch to the episode, but it was not. Another thing I was looking forward to was Ahsoka vs Bane, and that wasn't a duel at all really. And Ahsoka letting Obi-Wan, Bane and Moralo Eval get away was stupid. Anakin feeling the connection that Obi-Wan was still alive was a nice touch to end the episode.
My rating: This episode really was poor. I'm all for having an arc about Bounty Hunter's, but they've a lot to do to improve this garbage episode over the last two episodes of the arc. The plot was bland, repetitive and predictable. The end scenes we thought were going to be good turned out rushed and nothing exciting happened. This is why this episode gets and deserves it's low rating. Rating: 5/10.
And here is the preview for the next episode. Honestly, this clip is 10 times better than the episode I just reviewed already. I look forward to the next episode, and there is a lot of potential here for bounty hunter action figures. Hopefully Dengar will come soon.
And so we reach the episode where my #1 Star Wars character of all time, Obi-Wan Kenobi, has to fake his death to go undercover. This sounded like an interesting episode, and it didn't disappoint.
The episode made a swift and awesome start. Besides Anakin being here, what was wrong with this scene? Oh right, a pointless bounty hunter who appears for about 5 minutes and most likely won't be on the show again. No Dengar. That and it's the three main trio again= big surprise. It was so obvious as well that when Rako Hardeen shot Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan had let himself get shot as part of the plan. The chase scene where Anakin chases Hardeen was kind of pointless, but whatever. Where this scene really hit me, was when Anakin returned to find Ahsoka in such grief she couldn't bring herself to tell Anakin Obi-Wan was dead, and Ahsoka also in tears. Anakin was then his typical self screaming "OBI-WAN!!!" repeatedly.
And then this scene was very touching. Yes, I am aware that Obi-Wan couldn't really die as he in two movies set after this show, but for what this scene was, it was extremely touching, especially to the Obi-Wan fanboy that I am. Especially seeing/hearing Satine crying over the "death" of her lover. It didn't surprise me when Ahsoka brought up that Anakin hadn't said a word since it happened. This was also a great scene, because we had so many Jedi in one place. I think they were missing Kit Fisto though. For a "faked" death, this scene did a great job of making the death seem so real.
I did not enjoy this scene much though. It was just weird. That bartender was the main reason. That thing, creature, whatever you want to call it, that as a bartender? Yeah right. I found Rako Hardeen announcing to a whole pub "I killed Obi-Wan Kenobi!" to be pretty dumb and uneccessary. I dunno, I just didn't get the reasoning behind that. Especially as he didn't. What was interesting though, this scene reveals that Rako was paid off by the Republic (Obi-Wan included) to shoot Obi-Wan, as part of a plan to get Obi-Wan undercover in a prison. Obi-Wan's casual question to Yoda "How was my funeral?" was pretty funny from a point of view. I didn't like seeing Obi-Wan's amazing hair being shaved off. As a die-hard Obi-Wan fan, that was the last thing I wanted to see. What's funny though, is with his hair shaved off, Obi-Wan actually looks like Obi-Wan from The Phantom Menace, except now bald. His face looked just as young as it did back in The Phantom Menace. I loved hearing about Moralo Eval's backstory, and how he killed his mother because he was "bored". That was certainly a twist in the show. When Obi-Wan showed himself to Hardeen, with both of them looking the same was interesting. Obi-Wan's line "I need one more thing. Your clothes" came out all wrong, and I know my friend Graham will like that. Obi-Wan swallowing the droid was disgusting. "What an odd sensation." Anakin & Ahsoka throwing Obi-Wan into jail, instead of Hardeen was pretty amusing, that it should be those two of all people, who lock Obi-Wan away. The cameo of Clone Commander Fox was nice. You better be planning a phase II Fox, Hasbro!
The prison scenes were by far and away the best part of this episode, they were amazing! I laughed when Obi-Wan tried eating some prison food and said it tasted horrible, because I was thinking it looked horrible. Obi-Wan stabbing his fork into the annoying Karkarodon was hilarious. At least Filoni didn't lie that we would be seeing Karkarodon's out of water. So was Obi-Wan telling the shark-like Karkarodon "Maybe you'd taste better." Obi-Wan and Moralo Eval's chat was a nice touch to the episode, including when Obi was put in the same cell as Moralo temporarily, where we first see Cad Bane back *fanboy moment*. The fight between Boba Fett and Obi-Wan was a great scene, and it was interesting that Boba was working for Bane, It was also great when Bossk joined in, beating the crap out of the shock troopers. When Boba was fighting Obi-Wan, I was half-cheering for Boba to do in Hardeen's scrawny face, but had to keep reminding myself it was Obi-Wan. It was also awesome when the prisoners rebelled and tried to break out. But no Separatist prisoners sadly, who need out more than the bounty hunters. After all, the quote goes: "Bounty hunters. We don't need their scum!" Except maybe Dengar & Bane!
It was great seeing my favourite bounty hunter on the show being his awesome self in this episode (favourite until Dengar shows up). This was a great little fight scene, with Bane using a Clone DC-15 blaster again. It was interesting as one Clone officer accidentaly shot another Clone, quite like what we saw in "Carnage of Krell". It was no surprise that Obi-Wan couldn't bring himself to kill a Clone, as he is really on the same side as them. By the way, the position Moralo Eval is in beating up that Clone is so wrong. Moralo Eval is a cool new villain, especially as he is voiced by the awesome Stephen Stanton.
My rating: This was another great episode, but it did have it's flaws, one being leaving out the awesome Dengar, who is much better than all the bounty hunter poodoo we did get, and not having any Separatist's break out, and they need it more. Rating: 8.5/10
Next weeks episode hopefully will be as good as this one. Not sure I like the idea of Bane having to have a new hat. As the old one is much cooler.
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:
And it's back to reviewing episodes, with the conclusion of the "Slavers" arc!
The start to this episode was definitely a very dramatic and shocking start to Clone Wars in 2012. Having to watch Agruss mock Obi-Wan Kenobi definitely did not go down well with me. This was a really dark scene, especially when you watch a Zygerrian beating up a innocent Togruta slave for Obi-Wan's mistakes, and another slave getting beaten up because he was tired. This episode was great in this aspect, as it really gave you an in-depth view of what happens to the slaves in the world we live in. The character Agruss really annoys me, and did so especially in this scene, with his stupid laugh after he mocks Obi-Wan. Watching Obi-Wan being tortured three episodes in a row now was too much for me, as he is my favourite Star Wars character of all time. People like Obi-Wan, while the most fans hate Anakin, so Anakin is the one who should be tortured, and three episodes in a row is just overkill for torturing the same character repeatedly. When one Zygerrian threatened to kill a Togruta if Obi-Wan did not beg, that was really dark. The animation in the slave facility was very stellar.
The next scene was a pretty annoying scene really. The cameo of Darth Sidious was nice, but in the show, all Sidious gets is a cameo, so nothing unusual there. I hate Anakin to death in this scene for a few reasons, but I'll just say the most important one. As Anakin does all the time on the show, he contradicts himself in the most stupid way. He tells Queen Miraj he does not run away. Not even 10 seconds after the Queen leaves, he runs away. So typical of the idiot the show is portraying Anakin as, nothing like the awesome character in the movies. I actually feel really sorry for that Zygerrian dude Anakin attacked, before throwing him down five stories and to his death. Another shocking moment. This was literally the only bad scene in this episode, in my opinion, but the rest of this episode more than makes up for this scene.
Now back to the good-(ish) scenes. I love the way Dooku is able to contradict Queen Miraj so easily, as he had been invited to Zygerria, by Atai Molec, the Queen's adviser. Queen Miraj definitely became a like-able character from my view in this scene, but I think Anakin is being a bad influence on her, as she is now making over-the-top expressions as well at times. But I think her changes between good character and bad character are a bit overdone. It's a bit extreme to see a character go through character change like Miraj so swiftly, especially given the ending of the last episode. The shots of Obi-Wan in the slave facility in this scene were quite touching, and really well executed. Especially the dark one with those blue and bright lights going around. For some reason, that part bright lights part reminds me of the Call of Duty: Black Ops mission "Vorkuta". Maybe it's just the slaves part, I don't know, but I swear there are resemblances. That's like the second Black Ops reference I have spotted in this arc. The music of that part was very well directed as well. I hated seeing those lizard-like creatures on Ahsoka's cage again, they make the most annoying noises, and I found Ahsoka stroking her leg while waiting around, a bit unnatural and unnecessary. The duel between Anakin and Dooku was even more pointless and stupid than the one in "Shadow Warrior". Heck, Anakin didn't even last as long in this episode's duel! The Miraj death scene was actually badly done, the comic version was much better, and much more touching. In the episode, it was just like "Oh, she's dead. Ah." PS: Did I mention I loved the fact Atai Molec lives? Suck on that villain-haters!" :D
The ending to this arc was awesome and dark, but was nothing unexpected, and very predictable. Obi-Wan's quote "Count Dooku. Still afraid to get your hands dirty" was an choice of dialogue, and can give viewers completely the wrong idea, and after all, this is a kid's show. What I really don't get is, Obi-Wan has been tortured and hurt a lot by now, but he's as good as new when he fights the Zygerrian's with Rex when they free themselves. What's up with that? Admittedly though, Rex did all the hard work, beating up the Zygerrian's. Of course though, the show has a annoying rule now, the heroes must survive, even the small-role heroes, while the villains die, even when the villains hold all the cards, like in this situation. Rex killing Agruss was so predictable, and I don't care what any other fans say, it was truthfully so predictable. Right from the moment where Agruss says "Come now, Master Kenobi. I know a Jedi won't kill an unarmed man." So, right from that quote, you knew the over-used Rex was going to have to kill Agruss, and he did. I hate how the show is at such a predictable stage now, that and Agruss survives in the comic. And don't get me started on Rex's "I'm no Jedi." WOW! I would never have guessed! Way to state the obvious, CT-7567. Seems Rex did have a purpose for being in this arc after all is the only nice thing I can about that predictable moment. PS: Here's something weird I noticed, the character name is spelt "Agruss", but Dooku says it likes "Arguss". Mhmm...
Who do you need for a rescue operation? Wolffe and Wolfpack of course! No one better for the job, as they do rescue operation's so often now. About the only time's we see them other than stupid episodes like "Mercy Disaster". It was nice to see them again though, especially my favourite clone of all time, Commander Wolffe, who beats Rex any day. Seeing Plo Koon again was nice as well, as were the cameo's of Sinker & Comet, and the talking cameo of Warthog, finally in his phase II armour. The ending to this excellent was excellent and directed very well. My only complaint (other than Anakin not being blown up with the facility of course) was the stupid moments with those Togruta's falling. What was the purpose for that? They wasted time for fighting when we get this unnecessary garbage? The end scene with Roshti & Ahsoka talking was a great conclusion to the arc.
My verdict: This was a great episode, and an excellent conclusion to a pretty pointless arc. There are much better Clone Wars comic's out there they could and should have done, but this episode was still great, as was the cameo by Wolffe, Wolfpack and Admiral Coburn. Rating: 9/10.
And we also got a new trailer for the rest of season 4. Check it out here!
Some of the best images:
Ahsoka Tano & Lux Bonteri are back together!
Mace Windu in action for the first time since season 2.
My favourite bounty hunter Dengar is coming!
More Cad Bane action. "Have questions?"
Anakin fighting Dengar by the looks of it.
Ahsoka duels Pre Vizsla
Awesome new bounty hunter (perhaps a disguised Dengar).
