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Tuesday, October 6, 2015

The Clone Wars: Storm Over Ryloth

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: "Storm Over Ryloth"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 19
Original Air Date: February 27, 2009
via Wookieepedia
"Storm Over Ryloth" is a space battle episode.  The planet Ryloth is suffering under a brutal Separatist occupation.  The Republic must break the blockade and get supplies through to the starving population.  Ahsoka, following her master's poor example, ignores orders and gets most of her squadron killed.  But of course, since she's a Jedi all is forgiven practically instantaneously and she is given important command responsibilities in the renewed attack.

Sorry to be snarky but this episode has sharpened my awareness of the incongruity of the relationship between Jedi and Clones.  The Clone Troopers are such a finely honed and disciplined military operation while the Jedi are so casual by comparison.  The Jedi all have impressive ranks, yet they're constantly moping around, ignoring orders and making dumb mistakes - or at least Anakin and Ahsoka are.  Yet the Clones follow their lead like faithful puppies.  I'm sure the Clones are in awe of the Jedi and their powers but their devotion stretches narrative credibility.  This isn't how a military organization actually works, or at least not one you'd want to root for as an audience.  In the real world, the attainment of rank comes as much by virtue of accomplishment as much as ability.  You've gotta earn it.  It's hard to feel that the Jedi have.  They have their own training of course, but it's not exactly military training as far as I can tell.  Then again, maybe this is the way the enlisted always feel about the officers above them.  Maybe that's the point.
via Wookieepedia
Anakin's nemisis in this episode is Mar Tuuk, the Neimoidian captain leading the blockade.  The story marks his first appearance.  The character of Mar Tuuk was intended as an homage to the 1984 film The Last Starfighter, a favorite of series director Dave Filoni's.  He is named after Filoni's cat, Martuk.  The character is unnamed in the story itself but a name was included in the published episode guide.
via Batman Wiki
Mar Tuuk is voiced by Corey Burton.  Burton also voices Count Dooku for the series and has, in fact, served as a voice double for Christopher Lee characters in several other instances.  He was born Corey Weinberg on August 3, 1955 in Los Angeles.  He began his voice acting career at age 17.

Burton has done extensive work for Disney.  At present, he is the voice for both Captain Hook and Ludwig Von Drake.  He voices Brainiac for the DC universe and Spike Witwicky and Shockwave for the Transformers.

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: "Innocents of Ryloth."

 
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12 comments:

  1. Andrew LeonOctober 6, 2015 at 9:31 AM

    The clones are, basically, genetically programmed to obey the Jedi. They have free will (as you can see in the traitor episode), but their first response is to follow orders.
    Generally speaking, the Jedi are very accomplished and have earned their positions, even Anakin. Allowing Ahsoka to lead is part of her Jedi training, which is considered more important than the potential results.

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 7, 2015 at 12:20 PM

      Yeah... it's that last bit that's most troubling. Without the presumption of benevolence, it would be easy to perceive the Jedi as tyrannical in this arrangement. It's an angle on the story I'd never properly considered before exploring this series. Big picture, a touch of moral ambiguity is a good thing - makes for a more interesting story.

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    2. Andrew LeonOctober 7, 2015 at 12:28 PM

      I'm sure the Jedi looked at the war as a great opportunity for actual field training. Make the best of it, you know.

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    3. The Armchair SquidOctober 7, 2015 at 2:36 PM

      There are those who have suggested that the British military approaches Northern Ireland with a similar mindset, actually.

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  2. Yolanda RenéeOctober 6, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    I think it would be exciting to be the voice of characters. What a great job! Some of those characters are so odd looking. Always wonder the reason for such weirdness. Are characters designed with certain specifics in mind or just because they look odd?

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 7, 2015 at 12:22 PM

      I would imagine alien design would be an awfully fun job in a scifi series. In a sense, there's no limit to the possibilities.

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  3. Romance Book HavenOctober 6, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    Sounds interesting. I always wondered at the relationship between Jedi and the clones.

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 7, 2015 at 12:23 PM

      That relationship is an important nexus for the series.

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  4. AnonymousOctober 8, 2015 at 4:45 AM

    I don't like the sound of moping and making dumb mistakes. The dumb mistakes could make for interesting plot lines.

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  5. Jeffrey ScottOctober 13, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    I think we already talked about the relationship between the Jedi and the clones. I certainly have never been comfortable with it. If I were to clone myself, would I send my clones into dangerous situations, not even caring if they live or die? Would the Jedi do that? I wonder.

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 17, 2015 at 8:14 AM

      It's a fair question and one that is likely to be prominent in my mind as we continue with this project.

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