Andrew Leon and I are watching
Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Every Tuesday, we will be featuring an episode from the series which
began in 2008.
Episode: "The Gathering"
Series:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 5, Episode 6
Original Air Date: November 2, 2012
To kick off a new four-part arc, we are introduced to a group of Younglings (including a Wookiee - huzzah!) about to embark upon a crucial step in their training. They must build their own lightsabers. Ahsoka brings them to the planet Ilum where Yoda sends them into their Crystal Caves to find the Kyber crystals they will need. Just as with the wands at Ollivanders in Diagon Alley, each crystal is Jedi-specific so each Youngling must find his/her match. Naturally, each must overcome his or her own personal weaknesses to fulfill the quest.
This is not the first time I have sensed J.K. Rowling's influence on
The Clone Wars and, knowing something of what's coming as we near the home stretch, I expect it won't be the last. It's hardly surprising, perhaps even inevitable. Hogwarts has been one of the most powerful forces in pop culture over the past 20 years, arguably attaining
Star Wars-like status. A nod to the Potterverse is appropriate, even if unintentional. If anything, I'd love to see more of this idea in science fiction. I have long thought that
Star Trek, for instance, would do well to create a series set at Starfleet Academy.
Katooni is a female Tholothian Youngling. In the cave, she must overcome her fear of heights to get her crystal. She is voiced by Olivia Hack.
Hack was born June 16, 1983 in Beverly Hills, California. She started young in the business, getting her first commercial spot when she was eight months old. She is best known as the voice of Rhonda Wellington Lloyd in
Hey Arnold! and as a highly authentic Cindy Brady in the
Brady Bunch films.
Next week: "A Test of Strength."
I know people who say that Harry Potter is the Star Wars of the Millennials, but I don't actually think it's going to have the same long lasting cultural impact that Star Wars has had.
ReplyDeleteThere has been talk at various times of doing a Starfleet Academy series, usually with ideas of focusing it on a young Kirk, but I think that's what led into the Abrams movies being done as reboots, so who knows if that idea will ever go anywhere.
Time will tell. The new movie series will be telling in terms of the Potterverse's long term appeal. How much is the world dependent on the one central character?
DeleteWell, I don't know if this is indicative, but I haven't seen the new movie, and none of my kids, who have all read and loved the books, had any interest in it.
DeleteAgain, time will tell. 50 years ago, Star Trek was fighting to stay on the air. No one could have guessed what it would become.
DeleteI am a huge HP fan and I think the stories are so much a part of the world right now (and for the past 20 years) that sometimes people don't even realize that the books and characters are influencing their thoughts. Great post!
ReplyDelete~Jess
The impact on next week's episode is far less subtle.
DeleteThe impact will be as the young readers reach young adulthood and beyond. they will be the writers, directors, producers, etc. Big impact. My students in 2002 could not put down Harry Potter books.
ReplyDeleteI think one can certainly argue that HP's impact on the book publishing industry was comparable to SW's on the film industry.
DeleteI agree that HP was huge and I can easily see some take-offs from that world. But Star Wars is a bigger world which offers more variance, I think. I love both, And Star Trek. And pretty much anything scifi.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you on all. The reason why I think the new Potterverse movies are an important test is the fact that they expand the world beyond Harry and Hogwarts. Star Wars and Star Trek both provided broad canvases to fill from the beginning. There are openings with HP but so much of the original series is dependent not just on one character but on a particular setting as well.
DeleteAgree. The resounding impact goes on for years.
ReplyDeleteOf that, I think we can be sure.
DeleteOh, Hey Arnold! I remember that show. It's so cool and funny.
ReplyDeleteI have actually never seen it.
Delete