Tag Archives: the clone wars

Hondo Caravan: Ziro Strikes Back

Posted on by

Aaaand we’re wrapping up Season 1 today with 6 action packed episodes!  It’s amazing how fast episodes go compared to books.

Blue Shadow Virus
Get in losers, we’re going to Naboo!  I’ll just be over here doing my happy dance over a) more Padmé, b) more Naboo, and c) Captain Typho!  I feel like a broken droid at this point because ughhhh Jar Jar Binks and his stupid antics are irritating.

I always love getting to see more of the Naboo but I am a little confused as to why they chose to create a new Queen just for the show.  It’s puzzling to me why they didn’t use either Jamilla or Apailana especially since I thought terms were for four years.

This episode had a good story line with the race to stop Evil Doctor Dude from releasing a terrible virus upon the planet (and therefore the galaxy).  I think we’ve established by now that all I really need in an episode is Anakin, Obi-Wan, Padmé, and Ahsoka and then either a planet that I love or the addition of the Jedi that I love.  It’s like you know me, Clone Wars.  Well, except for that Jar Jar thing.

Continue reading →

Hondo Caravan: It’s Hondo Time!

Posted on by

Hondo!  That’s the difference between the Hondo Caravan and the Waru Express folks.  With the Waru, I spent months dreading and working my way towards The Crystal Star.  With the Hondo, I get to meet him in the third batch of episodes and it’s great fun all around!

Oh.  And there was some other stuff that happened in these episodes too, I guess.

Dooku Captured
I was so excited about this episode from the get-go.  It’s all Obi-Wan and Anakin.  I can’t get enough of Obi-Wan’s exasperated snark or his all-knowing snark.  Honestly, all I need to be happy with the show is some wonderful banter between the two of them.  Anakin’s exasperation about having to be the one captured is hilarious as is Obi-Wan’s quip about how he’s already a Master… just not a Jedi Master.

However… Boys.  BOYS.  Those lightsabers are your lives, NOT GLOWSTICKS.

AND THEN HONDO APPEARED HUZZAH!

Ahsoka, on the other hand, believes none of their assurances about having everything totally under control.  Smart girl, that one.

I like that this episode didn’t go the way I thought it was going to at all.  When it was titled ‘Dooku Captured’, I expected it to be the Republic who’d captured him, not a bunch of pirates.  This is a very nice twist.  Actually, this is probably my favorite episode so far.  I adore all of the parallels and all of the banter.  My only problem is that line about dispatching Representative Binks.  Don’t give Jar Jar any responsibility.  We know this goes badly.

Continue reading →

Hondo Caravan: And then Jar Jar happened

Posted on by

Look sir!  More droids!  I probably should’ve saved that joke for a few more discs down the line but oh well.  This week, Artoo was awesome, certain Jedi were kicked butt, and oh no it’s Jar Jar Binks.  Help.

Downfall of a Droid
This was actually a pretty action packed episode.  I was surprised by how much happened in it.  Inevitably, it’s poor Artoo who gets captured but on the other hand, he’s probably the best character who possibly could get captured.  He’s totally the guy you want as your back up in a bad situation.  Why?  Because he gets things done, of course!

I love how focused Anakin is on getting Artoo back and it’s definitely not just because he didn’t wipe the droid’s memory.  It’s because he considers him to be a friend and in part because Padmé gave Artoo to him.  It’s really quite sweet.

That droid smuggler guy is appropriately skeevy and Grievous continues to be hilariously inept.  Honestly, why was the Republic that worried about this guy?

Also, I’m calling it now.  This replacement Arthree droid is totally going to be a Separatist spy.  No one can possibly be that inept.

Continue reading →

Hondo Caravan: Begun the Clone Wars Have

Posted on by

Welcome to the very first stop on the Hondo Caravan!  This week, I started from the very beginning and boy was this interesting.  I’ve got a couple of notes before we get into the individual episodes though.  First, several people made comments on the introduction post asking why I wasn’t doing the episodes in chronological order.  The easy answer is because I don’t feel like it.  The longer answer is that watching the show one disc of episodes at a time is much easier for me to do.  I’m also trying to avoid looking at anything Clone Wars related online for fear of further spoilers.  Also, this happens to be my project and I feel like watching them in air order.  Second, I’ve decided to watch the Director’s Cut version of episodes whenever they’re available.  I’ll be sure to note when that’s the case.

Housekeeping is over so on with the show!

The Clone Wars Feature Film
I have to say, it’s strange hearing some of the same voices and some different voices from the films.  It’s a strange sort of simultaneous continuity and break of continuity.  There’s a part of me that finds it hilarious that what was basically an oversized pilot episode was put into theatres.  Mostly, this feels like three episodes edited together.  Most people on Twitter were pretty down on this film.  In my current context, I didn’t find it awful.  I just didn’t think it was the best.  On the other hand, everyone’s assurances that it gets better are quite promising.

I know a large part of the premise of the show rests upon it but I think Yoda and Obi-Wan might’ve been hitting the booze bottles a liiiiiiittle too hard if they really thought that giving Anakin Skywalker a padawan was a good idea.  It’s hard to think of Jedi less suited to it than him.  Sorry.  Apparently I just make fun of Skywalkers and their abilities to deal with children like it’s my job.

Ahsoka’s outfit bothers me a lot because why in the world is she wearing a bandeau top?  She’s what?  14?  An entire shirt would’ve been nice and, as any woman knows, strapless tops are not the best at staying up.  I do, however, super dig her reverse grip Shien lightsaber combat style.  It makes me think that she’d be amazing at Jar’Kai or Form Six with a shoto.

I was, however, completely and utterly unprepared for Ziro the Hutt.  Just… what.

Overall though, this wasn’t a bad start to the show and this blogging project.

Continue reading →

The Hondo Caravan: Bria’s Watching The Clone Wars

Posted on by

One year ago today, I made a very poor life decision: I decided to reread the Star Wars Expanded Universe.  That train wreck (did you see what I did there?) resulted in what has become known as the Waru Express.  It was a 7 month journey through 130 books with my commentary that ranged from squeeing to flailing to ambivalence to headbashing to gross sobbing.  It seemed to amuse and entertain a good number of people.

Good news, folks!  I’m doing it again.  No, don’t give me that look.  I’m not rereading all the Expended Universe books again.  Instead, I’ll be watching The Clone Wars from start to finish.  So don’t be shy: come aboard the Hondo Caravan!

There are going to be a few differences between the Waru Express and the Hondo Caravan.  The Hondo will have a much steadier pace because my fast reading speed is of no use here and I cannot watch an episode any faster than anyone else.  I’m also coming into the show relatively blind.  I watched the film and saw some of the first season episodes a few years ago but that’s it.  There are some things (such as the finale) where I just couldn’t avoid spoilers but for the most part, I really don’t know much of anything.  (So sorry, Waru groupies: there will no be encore to the Crystal Star event this time.)  If Season Six becomes available in a timely fashion, I’ll definitely add those episodes to my watch through.

A few things will stay the same.  I’ll be watching about 6 episodes or however many episodes are on a disc and then posting my thoughts and commentary on them.  I’ll be posting about once a week, give or take a bit depending on my schedule.  You’ll also be able to follow my progress in relative real time again on Twitter @chaosbria or the hashtag #HondoCaravan.

So sit back and enjoy my latest trip into madness and enjoy your stay aboard the Hondo Caravan!

Check out the master list of episodes/future review links after the jump!

Continue reading →

Remaining Clone Wars content targeted for early 2014

Posted on by

tcw_s5logo_smAccording to former Clone Wars showrunner Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm is targeting early 2014 for the release of the show’s remaining bonus content.

Star Wars fans – I have some exciting news! We have wrapped production on all of the remaining Star Wars: The Clone Wars episodes, and while that might be sad news in one way, it’s good news in another. It means you will finally get to see them. When, exactly, is a detail I cannot yet share. I can confirm that in early 2014 you will be watching the final episodes of The Clone Wars, including one of Master Yoda’s most challenging missions. So, get ready. We’ve got Clone Wars and Rebels coming at you in 2014. Animated Star Wars is alive and well. Trust in the Force my friends.
– Dave

Still no word on exactly how this content will be released (As Club Jade reminds us, Pablo Hidalgo said Lucasfilm was looking at “out-of-the-box” ideas for distribution at D23), but at least there’s a window to look forward to. The content will get out there, it’ll just take a little bit more patience.

George Lucas wins first Emmy for Clone Wars

Posted on by

Emmy win

It took a little while, but George Lucas finally got himself an Emmy win.

With Carrie Fisher presenting, Lucas, Dave Filoni, and other Clone Wars staff took home the award for best animated series. The show won another Emmy for David Tennant, who played the Jedi mentor droid Huyang in the show’s final season.

It’s certainly a well deserved win for the Clone Wars staff. While the show may have ended earlier than many fans would have hoped, there’s no arguing it went out on the highest note possible.

The Clone Wars bonus content could be ten episodes

Posted on by

Clone Wars composer Kevin Kiner was on the Full of Sith podcast recently to talk about the show. During the course of the interview, he mentioned that he’s working on scoring the remaining bonus content for the series. According to him, there may be ten episodes that fans will be able to see.

We have about ten shows that we’re still working on, that are going to be part of this special material. And even hopefully there is going to be a soundtrack record as part of this special material. We’ll see they’re in negotiations about that so we’re not positive that’s going to happen.

Keep in mind things are still up in the air and there could be more or less content ultimately available.

One bonus content ‘Clone Wars’ arc features Plo Koon and the mystery of Syfo-Dias

Posted on by

tcw_s5logo_smOver at USA Today, Dave Filoni discussed some of the remaining Clone Wars bonus content.

One of the arcs stars Jedi Master Plo Koon (voiced by James Arnold Taylor), who finds a lost lightsaber while on a mission on a sandstorm-laden planet with a platoon of clone troopers. It’s the beginning of a mystery, and one that will make the Jedi question their role in the Clone Wars and the universe itself, according to Filoni.

“The Jedi have been fighting a war with an army that was commissioned by one of their own, Jedi Master Syfo-Dias,” he says. “But who was Syfo-Dias, and what happened to him? The dark lord of the Sith has woven an intricate web to ensnare the Jedi, but it is not full-proof and sometimes a small clue, and a bit of chance, can lead to the unraveling of the best-laid plans.”

No word yet on when or where the content will air. If I had to guess, it will be a direct-to-DVD arrangement.

Report: The Clone Wars bonus content to be two arcs, layoffs at Lucasfilm Animation

Posted on by

tcw_s5logo_smFans are still reeling from the sudden winding-down of The Clone Wars. Over the weekend there was a Save The Clone Wars protest on Twitter that garnered nearly 7,000 tweets aimed at Disney to get them to reconsider their plans on ending the popular animated series. Fan sentiment is there for more TCW material, but the question is how much will fans get? Lucasfilm promised that bonus content would be released, so at the very least fans would get something more than the season five finale. According to TFN, it sounds like  there will be two additional arcs.

A source in the know tells me that Lucasfilm is only finishing two story arcs from the material that they had planned for The Clone Wars Season Six. Among the story arcs that will not emerge in this post-cancellation era is one that dealt with Boba Fett and the other bounty hunters who have menaced the heroes for several seasons. This story arc, which my source tells me was almost done, would have shown us the fates of Cad Bane and Aurra Sing.

Based on this report and the mere fact this material is being called “bonus content,” I doubt that there’s going to be much in the way of meaningful conclusions for lingering questions in this era. At least in an animated format, anyway. This could be an area where the Expanded Universe comes in to fill the void, either in comic or written form.

Additionally, it appears that layoffs occurred at Lucasfilm Animation last Friday. While it’s not unusual for an animation studio to experience layoffs after the conclusion of a project, it’s still a disappointment to fans and the employees involved. With any luck, they’ll be able to land work quickly. I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney proper comes calling for their services when it’s time to escalate work on the next Star Wars animated series.