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Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Clone Wars: Defenders of Peace

My friends and I are watching 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: "Defenders of Peace"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 14
Original Air Date: January 23, 2009
via Wookieepedia
Last week's story concludes in "Defenders of Peace."  When last we left Anakin and his entourage, they were marooned on the planet Maridun under the reluctant care of the peace seeking Lurmen.  A separatist ship arrives, oblivious to the Jedi presence.  General Lok Durd (voiced by our old friend, George Takei) wants to test his new Agent Orange-like defoliator.

The more interesting aspect of the story is the philosophical challenge posed by the Lurmen.  They wish to avoid the Clone Wars entirely and are critical of the Jedi resorting to violence, no matter how justifiable the cause.  Their leader, Tee Watt Kaa, protests all efforts by the Jedi to interfere with the weapon tests, even once the Lurmen's perilous predicament becomes evident.
via Wookieepedia
Lurmen's son Wag Too is more sympathetic to the Jedi cause and also worried for the survival of his village.  This family dynamic has significant precedent in the Star Wars narrative, of course.  Uncle Owen's concern for Luke in A New Hope is less philosophically motivated and Luke's initial eagerness may have been more attributable to youthful restlessness but the inter-generational tension is comparable.  Eagerness vs. reluctance in joining the Rebel cause is an important and under-appreciated theme of the original movie.

*****
via IMDb
Wag Too is voiced by Alec Medlock.  Medlock was born March 13, 1990 in Torrance, California.  He is trilingual: English, French and Mandarin.  He has played piano since age six.  In addition to The Clone Wars, he contributed voice work to Dispicable Me 2 and Monsters University.  Medlock had a recurring role as Craig Ramirez on the TV series Drake & Josh.

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: "Trespass."


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24 comments:

  1. Andrew LeonSeptember 1, 2015 at 8:46 AM

    I didn't stop to think about the inter-generational thing, but you are, of course, right about that.

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    Replies
    1. The Armchair SquidSeptember 1, 2015 at 9:22 PM

      Apparently, this is the last we see of the Lurmen.

      Delete
    2. Andrew LeonSeptember 1, 2015 at 9:36 PM

      Yeah, I didn't remember them coming back.
      I'd have rather had Lok Durd come back, but he doesn't either.

      Delete
    3. The Armchair SquidSeptember 3, 2015 at 6:02 PM

      I'm sure we'll make other friends...

      Delete
    4. Andrew LeonSeptember 3, 2015 at 6:25 PM

      What I want to know is why you get all the Clone Wars comments.
      heh

      Delete
    5. The Armchair SquidSeptember 3, 2015 at 8:22 PM

      The enchanting allure of squid ink?

      Delete
    6. Andrew LeonSeptember 4, 2015 at 11:24 AM

      I should get some of that.

      Delete
    7. The Armchair SquidSeptember 5, 2015 at 1:14 AM

      If I ever start my own brewery, I intend to call it Squid Ink Brewery. Mind you, this is unlikely to happen but at least I'm all set with the name.

      Delete
  2. angryparsnipSeptember 1, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    Terrific tie in to family dynamic in "A New Hope"
    I am enjoying your Tuedays post.

    cheers, parsnip
    (the almost crazy cat lady from down the street)

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  3. Maurice MitchellSeptember 1, 2015 at 6:20 PM

    This episode effectively crossed Star Treks Sulu into the Star Wars universe. What a wonderful mediator George Takei is

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    1. The Armchair SquidSeptember 1, 2015 at 9:30 PM

      The unofficial president of Facebook, champion of the Star Alliance, prominent voice of the LGBTQ community. Yup, George Takei has the 21st century pretty well sorted out.

      Delete
  4. Susan KaneSeptember 1, 2015 at 6:44 PM

    Well done...smooth transition here.

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  5. Romance Book HavenSeptember 1, 2015 at 7:32 PM

    I liked how you portrayed the transition.

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  6. Susan Gourley/KelleySeptember 2, 2015 at 1:33 PM

    I never watched the clone wars but it sounds interesting.

    Susan Says

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  7. DMSSeptember 2, 2015 at 8:06 PM

    I would imagine doing voice work would be fun. I like how you always spotlight someone from an episode and tell us more about them. I know it is more work for you, but I always find the facts interesting. :)
    ~Jess

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    Replies
    1. The Armchair SquidSeptember 3, 2015 at 6:05 PM

      I enjoy exploring the lives of the contributors. The final product of a 22 minute television episode is the result of hours of devoted, passionate work. Even the voice actors represent only a small portion of the personnel required.

      Delete
  8. Nas September 3, 2015 at 4:16 PM

    Interesting post. Thanks for sharing. I loved reading it and your views.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2015 at 9:51 AM

    I think generational differences in fiction and real life are apparent and interesting. Great review.

    ReplyDelete