Tuesday, January 12, 2016

The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Lost

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: "Lightsaber Lost"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 2, Episode 11
Original Air Date: January 22, 2010
via Wookieepedia
While in a sketchy neighborhood on Coruscant, Ahsoka falls victim to a pickpocket.  Her lightsaber is gone!  Embarrassed to admit her carelessness to Anakin, she enlists help elsewhere.  At the Jedi Archives, she meets Tera Sinube, a Jedi Master expert on the planet's criminal underworld.  Ahsoka accepts his help reluctantly.

Interestingly, Drama Guy (my teaching partner) and I had just been discussing Star Wars's sometimes tiring tendency toward monochromatic settings: the tan of Tatooine, the white of Hoth, the black of the Death Star, the green of Endor, etc.  You don't get much ordinary city life in Episodes IV-VII (Bespin doesn't count - not remotely ordinary).  Jedi life in the suburbs doesn't hold much romantic appeal either.  But actually, the prequels do offer a broader palette in terms of setting and The Clone Wars expands on that.  It's fun to watch our heroes navigating the commuter rail, for instance.

The path of the stolen lightsaber leads eventually to the thieving duo of Cassie Cryar and Ione Marcy, marionette-like beings reminiscent of Dave McKean's artwork:

Cryar:
via The Clone Wars Wiki
Marcy:
via Yodapedia
McKean's Mr. Punch:
via Pinterest
Or perhaps, Tim Burton?

Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas):
via The Nightmare Before Christmas Wiki
*****
via Wookieepedia
Tera Sinube is a Cosian, designed from unused concept art from The Phantom Menace.  He made his first, unvoiced appearance in "Grievous Intrigue."  In this week's episode, he is voiced by Gregory Baldwin.
via Voice Over Wiki
Baldwin was born September 13, 1960 in Grants, New Mexico.  He has extensive stage credits including Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors and Dr. Zubritsky in Neil Simon's Fools.    Voiceover work includes SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender and, of course, numerous video games.

*****

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the passing of David Bowie.  RIP, you strange and wondrous entity.  Care to play us out, Ziggy?



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 Mandalore Plot."

 

10 comments:

  1. I like seeing different parts of Coruscant, and we do get to see some other planets like that, too, but not many.

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    1. I know we've got four feature films coming in the next four years but I can't help wondering where the franchise will head after that. It might be fun to see one planet explored in greater depth. Kashyyyk would be my choice.

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    2. I would expect to see Corellia coming up in the Han movie.

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    3. That could be interesting. Maybe Corellia is like New Jersey and there could be a Springsteen-esque singer/songwriter with a catalog of songs about wanting to run away from it. I can totally see Han in a "Born to Run" scenario.

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    4. I'm just curious to see how much they change from what had been actual canon history of Han before Disney came in.

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    5. Probably more than you would want. Just a hunch.

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    6. That said, I am happy to see the character getting the proper attention.

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  2. Sad to have such an amazing entertainer pass. He showed a lot of people that it is okay to be yourself.

    I definitely see hints of Tim Burton in those Marcie and Mr. Punch!
    ~Jess

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    1. It is sad but there's no denying the man lived to the fullest.

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