The Clone Wars: Cat and Mouse

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: "Cat and Mouse"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 2, Episode 16
Original Air Date: March 20, 2010

via The Clone Wars Wiki

"Cat and Mouse" is a space battle episode, following a well-used (over-used?) Clone Wars theme: Anakin defies orders but all is well that ends well.  In this case, he is supposed to be a blockade runner, delivering supplies to Bail Organa on Christophsis. Instead, he launches an assault on the Separatist fleet.

Stealth Ship via Wookieepedia

There are a couple of unusual elements in play, though.  Anakin is in command of the Republic's new stealth ship and its cloaking device.  One doesn't see cloaking devices much in Star Wars.  This is Star Trek stuff.  As such, the story feels more like a submarine battle, a la Hunt for Red October.   The ship is even shaped like a sub.  The episode also introduces a mysterious character, Admiral Trench, an old adversary of Admiral Yularen's, previously presumed dead.

via The Clone Wars Wiki

*****

Still in theaters, The Force Awakens is already the third-highest grossing film of all-time.  The power of the Star Wars brand has never been more evident.  A massive portion of the credit is due to the legion of artists who have contributed to the franchise over the years.  The original film, now known as Episode IV: A New Hope, won a well-deserved Oscar for art direction and set design.  John Barry, Norman Reynolds and Leslie Dilley were awarded for art, Roger Christian for set.  Reynolds and Dilley were also on the Oscar-winning art team for Raiders of the Lost Ark.

John Barry was born in London in 1935.  After the success of the first Star Wars film, he was hired as the second unit director for The Empire Strikes Back.  Two weeks into filming, he collapsed on set.  He died the next day, June 1, 1979.  Meningitis was the diagnosis.

Norman Reynolds was born March 26, 1934, also in London.  In addition to his two wins, he has had four other Oscar nominations: The Incredible Sarah, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Empire of the Sun.  He was the second unit director for Alive and The Exorcist III.

Reynolds via Wookieepedia

Leslie Dilley was born January 11, 1941 in Rhondda, Wales.  Apart from his two wins, he also had Academy Award nominations for The Empire Strikes Back, Alien and The Abyss.  He has a few acting credits as well, including appearances in Deep Impact, Pay It Forward and Cold Creek Manor.

Roger Christian was born February 25, 1944 in London.  His only other Oscar nomination was for Alien.  He was second unit director for both Return of the Jedi and The Phantom Menace.  Unfortunately, he was also the director for the notoriously terrible Battlefield Earth. 

via Wikipedia

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: "Bounty Hunters."