My friends and I are embarking on an exploration of
Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Every Tuesday, we will be featuring an episode from the series which
began in 2008 (as opposed to the one that started in 2003). All are welcome to join us for all or parts of the fun.
Episode: "Bombad Jedi"
Series:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 8
Original Air Date: November 21, 2008
Diplomacy is an important aspect of the
Clone Wars story. The Republic had to work hard to prevent worlds from throwing their lots in with the Separatists. In "Bombad Jedi," Padmé, C-3PO and Jar Jar travel to Rodia in order to maintain relations. Unfortunately, Senator Onacanda Farr, an old family friend of the Amidalas, has already cut a deal with Viceroy Gunray. Even worse, taking Padmé prisoner is one of the terms of said deal. Jar Jar and a reluctant Threepio set out to free her - not exactly a Dream Team rescue party but they are highly amusing.
There are a few little treats for the devoted fan in this episode. Rodia is the home planet of Greedo, the bounty hunter whom Han Solo shot first at the cantina in
A New Hope. It's fun to meet his more respectable compatriots. The story also reminds us that Padmé is a capable badass in her own right. For me, I'm pretty sure this is the last episode I ever watched so everything from this point on will be new for me.
*****
C-3PO, human-cyborg relations, had the first ever spoken line in a
Star Wars movie. The character, along with R2-D2, was inspired by Kurosawa's
Hidden Fortress. The golden droid's appearance was based on the robot in 1927's
Metropolis. The metallic duo have been an essential constant in the history of the franchise.
In nearly every appearance of the character in any medium ever,
Clone Wars included, C-3PO has been voiced by Anthony Daniels. Daniels was born February 21, 1946 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He studied law for two years at university before he dropped out to pursue acting. While he was initially reluctant to audition for the part, the role of C-3PO has essentially been his career ever since. He and Kenny Baker (R2-D2) are the only actors to appear in all six - soon to be seven -
Star Wars feature films. Between cartoons, video games, radio dramas and audiobooks, there has been a fairly constant stream of voice work, too.
Daniel's is an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon. He has been married to Christine Savage for just over a year. He has one son from a previous relationship.
If you would care to join us for all or part of our travels, sign on to
the list below. Please visit the other participants today.
Next week: "Cloak of Darkness."
I thought this was a fun episode.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't really imagine anyone else doing 3PO's voice.
I can't either but they'd manage. To me, Yoda isn't really the same without Frank Oz's voice but I can deal.
DeleteI agree but only because the voice actor doing Yoda isn't 100%. I say that as someone who has been 90%+ at doing Yoda (I don't do it enough anymore, though, so I'm not as good as I was when I was younger).
ReplyDeleteMe, neither... Back in college, I had an outgoing message on my answering machine as Yoda. My roommates loved it and would have friends call, just for fun. Once, when I got back to the room, the only message on the machine was someone laughing, then hanging up.
DeleteI didn't have an answering machine, so I would just answer my phone as Yoda. It really messed with people. Often when people asked for me, I would give them, "Not home, he is. Leave a message, you must." They never even questioned it and just assumed that I wasn't there.
DeleteOh, to be young again...
DeleteI would have loved to hear your Yoda voice.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in California just down the road from John Wayne's home friend of a friend had the best message ever, John Wayne, a heard of cows and some slippery stuff accidentally left on the floor. They had to take it down because of everyone calling just to hear it.
I am enjoyed your reviews of the series.
cheers, parsnip
Answering machine messages are a lost art.
DeleteOh no Jar-Jar is there! That is never good. Glad that the men who play C3PO and R2D2 are still strong. I knew about the Metropolis link and that they are also based on Laurel and Hardy
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Metropolis. I should probably get on that. I've seen Laurel and Hardy, though, and there's definitely an element of that.
DeleteIf you've never seen Hidden Fortress, I highly recommend it. The comparison with the original Star Wars story is really interesting.
Metropolis is an amazing film with so much imagery and could work easily for today
DeleteI will watch it someday, I hope.
DeleteWho knew - this guy lived close to me at one time? Cool!
ReplyDeleteJar-Jar gets a bad rap; I love him.
I don't know if he ever actually lived in the Pittsburgh area, though he must have spent significant time there to be an adjunct.
Delete