Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Clone Wars: Jedi Crash

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: "Jedi Crash"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 13
Original Air Date: January 16, 2009
via Wookieepedia
Jedi Aayla Secura's fleet is under attack.  Anakin and his fleet run to assist.  While on Secura's ship, Anakin is badly wounded.  The ship accidentally goes into hyperspace.  Anakin, Ahsoka, Aayla and their accompanying Clone Troopers are marooned on a remote planet.  There, they meet a village of Lurmen who have settled the planet in an attempt to find peaceful refuge from the Clone Wars.  They are mistrustful of the Jedi, advocating non-violent resistance as an alternative to fighting.

The story presents a moral challenge to the Jedi cause that we don't often see in Star Wars.  I'm hesitant to suggest it but this is, sort of, Star Trek territory.  I like it!  In the movies, we embrace the Jedi because they do cool magic tricks and they're clearly preferable to the alternative.  But they rarely, if ever, get hit from the Left, to borrow from the political-speak of our own world.  A comparable challenge is raised by the Ewoks in the novelization of Return of the Jedi but it was not included in the film.  It's nice to see it included here.

*****
via Wookieepedia
Aayla Secura originated as a comic book character in the Star Wars: Republic series.  George Lucas was impressed and included her in both Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.  In the films, she is portrayed by Amy Allen.  In The Clone Wars, she is voiced by Jennifer Hale.
via Wookieepedia
Jennifer Hale was born January 30, 1972 in Goose Bay, Labrador.  However, she spent most of her childhood in Alabama.  She graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a business degree.

Guinness World Records identifies her as "the most prolific videogame voice actor (female)."  The list is lengthy, indeed.  Rest assured, if you've ever played a videogame with professional voices, hers was probably one of them.  The list of television work is long, too.  Among the notables: Spider-Man, Batman, Avatar: The Last Airbender and, my favorite, Ms. Keane, the girls' teacher in The Powerpuff Girls.  She has been married to Barry Oswick since 2009.  They have one son.

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: "Defenders of Peace."


22 comments:

  1. That's interesting about the Star Trek reference. Sometimes I'm hit by feeling that a movie or show reminds me of something else when it normally shouldn't.

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    1. I'm encouraged by any story that expands the range of the series. If Star Trek-style morality play gets us there, I'm all for it.

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  2. The Clone Wars deals a lot more with moral dilemmas. There's more space to do so.

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    1. I find it interesting that you and I were drawn to the same story elements in our posts. There's a lot to talk about in this one, including more development of the Anakin/Ahsoka relationship.

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    2. That's true. But it's those kinds of questions which are interesting. For people who can understand the questions, at any rate.

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    3. It also sets this story apart from those that came before it.

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  3. Now, you make me interested in trying the Clone Wars. I haven't yet. Moral dilemmas give science fantasy depth and substance.

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    1. I absolutely agree. Star Wars does delve into them but they generally revolve around personal responsibility as opposed to the justification of the cause. That's Star Trek stuff.

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  4. I don't know how one gets to be the most prolific video game voice but that is pretty impressive. I'd imagine that everyone (and his brother) would jump at the job.

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    1. I would think so, too. But as with anything in the performing arts, if you're good and people enjoy working with you, word gets around.

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  5. Mrs. Keane.... Powerpuff Girls !

    cheers, parsnip

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  6. I have never watched the clone wars. This gal is sexy as hell even with her tentacle hair. It would be great to be a voice over but some voices just never translate well as people seem to like my voice when I have laryngitis.:)

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  7. Hmmm... I might have to sit down and watch. I've always avoided it because I'm half and half about Star Wars. This sounds cool, though.

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    1. It's fun. As with Star Trek's animated series, though, I'm not yet convinced these stories are enough to convert anyone to the faith, so to speak.

      That said, all are welcome to join us...

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  8. Wow, that's an undertaking!

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  9. I wish I could've been the voice of something. How awesome!
    I agree with you, bring some peace to this constantly warring universe/s It's alarming that we've gotten that far in time and space and it's still war, war, war.I enjoyed Star Trek because peace was the directive, although Kirk was always fighting especially with is fists.

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    1. It's impressive how often he managed to avoid fighting, though.

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  10. How cool to do the voices for so many animated shows/movies. Awesome! Sounds like you are in for some interesting episodes! :)
    ~Jess

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    1. I certainly hope so. It's an uneven batch so far but this story has been one of the more unusual, which I like.

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