Tuesday, September 8, 2015

The Clone Wars: Trespass

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: "Trespass"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 15
Original Air Date: January 30, 2009
via Wookieepedia
Obi-Wan, Anakin and entourage land on the ice planet Orto Plutonia to check up on a clone trooper outpost.   The troopers are found dead as are all of the droids at the Separatist base.  Our friends assume they were attacked by the same assailants, though Chairman Chi Cho of nearby Pantora insists the world is uninhabited.  Not coincidentally, the Pantorans claim the planet as part of their own territory.  But of course, there are sentient beings here: the Talz (giving broader context to one of the strange creatures encountered by Luke in the Cantina), and they're none too happy about their trouble making visitors.
via Wookieepedia
Muftak via Wookieepedia
The encounter sparks a tense territorial dispute between Pantorans and Talz with the Jedi and clones caught in the middle.  I appreciate the Clone Wars stories that reveal a broader canvas for the galaxy far, far away.  There is more to the Star Wars saga than Jedi vs. Sith, or at least there should be.  Petty local squabbles are only petty to those not directly involved. The rival parties here aren't concerned about good vs. evil (though we as the audience are certainly encouraged to favor one over the other).  They're just out to protect their own interests.  Such is human history and there's no reason to believe the Star Wars universe would be any different.

*****
via Wookieepedia
Chi Cho is voiced by Brian George.  George was born July 1, 1952 in Jerusalem, the son of Iraqi Jews.  Eventually, his family ended up in Canada where he attended the University of Toronto.  After a failed attempt to start his own theatre group, he joined the fabled Second City.  There, he worked with John Candy among others.
via Once Upon a Time Wiki
George is best-known to television audiences for recurring roles on both Seinfeld (as Babu) and The Big Bang Theory (Rajesh's father).  He has appeared in two different Star Trek series: Deep Space Nine (Richard Bashir) and Voyager (Ambassador O'Zaal).  Beyond Clone Wars, he has had extensive voice work in film, television and video games.

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: "The Hidden Enemy."



12 comments:

  1. Well, yeah, those protecting their homes vs those who want to wipe them out for their land. Not a difficult decision for most people not trying to steal the land.

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    1. Right. I did not mean to imply that Chi Cho's position was remotely defensible.

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    2. TAS: Oh, yeah, I knew that.
      Except, to him, it was. So that perspective is interesting.

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    3. Every great villain is the hero of his own story.

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  2. Are you streaming this, watching from DVD or is it on air someplace?

    and, sadly, I only know George as Babu. He was very memorable. "Very bad man!"

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    Replies
    1. Netflix streaming.

      To be fair, I never knew the actor's name before myself.

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  3. I've seen Brian George in a lot of things - I didn't know his name or his story.

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    Replies
    1. Me, neither. I love learning about the contributors.

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  4. To extend one's career doing voice overs or character voices is a marvelous thing.

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    1. Absolutely! And just think, if you have an adequate sound studio at home, you wouldn't even have to change out of your pjs to make the gig. The money's good, too.

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  5. I missed this episode. I'll to look for it.
    Oh yea, that guy. I recognize him now.
    "Jerry, you a very very bad man"

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