The Clone Wars: Rookies

My friends and I are embarking on an exploration of 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: "Rookies"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 5
Original Air Date: October 24, 2008

via Wookieepedia

A small unit of inexperienced clones are stationed at a listening post on a remote moon in the Outer Rim.   Droid commandos attack, preparing a broader invasion by General Grievous, threatening Kamino, the clones' home world.  Quickly finding themselves at a severe disadvantage, the rookie clones must find a way to undermine the Separatists' devious plan.

"Rookies" provides something you don't get much in the Star Wars movies: the experience of the common soldier.  Just as in the real world, hours of tedium are peppered with moments of sheer terror, death and disaster a constant threat.  Take away the space opera trappings and "Rookies" could fit in nicely with the military adventure movies of the 1950s and '60s. 

*****

via Twitter

"Rookies" features eight individual clone characters: Hevy, Echo, Fives, Cutup, Droidbait, O'Niner, Cody and Rex.  All are voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.  Baker was born August 31, 1962 in Bloomington, Indiana, though he grew up in Greeley, Colorado.  He majored in philosophy at Colorado College.  He got his first big break as the announcer and the voice of Olmec on the Nickelodeon game show, Legends of the Hidden Temple.

Apart from Star Wars, Baker's extensive television work includes American Dad! and Phineas and Ferb.  His most significant big screen performance came in 2014's The Boxtrolls, for which he was nominated for an Annie Award.  In video games, he has contributed to the Halo franchise and numerous television tie-in games.  He met his wife while both were working in children's theater.  The couple have two daughters.

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: "Downfall of a Droid."

Creative Blogger Award

I am both honored and humbled to be nominated for the Creative Blogger Award by Spacerguy, Star Trek Enthusiast, First Class.  His site, Star Trek - Sci Fi Blog, is one of my favorites.  Spacerguy is one of my companions for the Animated Series project.  Thanks for the nomination, sir!

The rules:

1. Thank and post the link of the person who nominated you.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself to your readers.
3. Nominate 10-20 blogs and notify them.
4. Pass on the rules.


Five Facts:

1. We just got back from a family vacation in Montana.  We spent a week on the northern edge of Flathead Lake, not far from Glacier National Park.  It was the first time in the state for me.

2. I'm trying to learn more about food, partly by reading but also by cooking.  One food hobby I really enjoy is mixing cocktails.  While I'm generally more likely to drink beer or wine, I love the mad scientist aspect of amateur bartending.  My wife generally favors fizzy gin drinks: gin rickey, gin fizz and gin and tonic.  Sidecars have also been a gratifying discovery.  Mixing doesn't exactly qualify as cooking but I think there's a lot to learn in terms of balancing flavors.  Citrus, for example, can overpower a drink, even in modest proportions.  Every once in a while, though, a delightful combination emerges.  Almond and lime are a dazzling duo.

3. Playing table top games is one of our favorite family hobbies.  Our most satisfying recent discovery has been the card game Gloom.  Each player has a family.  The object is to make each family member miserable before killing them off, one by one.  Colorful storytelling is encouraged.  Any fan of Edward Gorey would be charmed by this game.

4. I took my first yoga class a couple weeks ago. My wife had done yoga before but it had been a few years since she took a class.  We went together to a Saturday beginner class at a relatively new studio.  I'm hoping it's a hobby we'll be able to pursue together.  I was actually pleasantly surprised by my own flexibility though several of the poses provided ample challenge nonetheless.
 
5. The Armchair Squid began life as a sports blog, initially tennis.  While I don't write about sports nearly as often now, I still watch plenty.  Wimbledon kicks off this week, always an exciting time of year for me.


My nominations for the Creative Blogger Award:

1. What's Up, MOCK?
2. Hungry Enough to Eat Six
3. Servitor Ludi
4. Strange Pegs
5. The ToiBox of Words
6. Cherdo on the Flipside
7. WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME
8. mainewords
9. WORD + STUFF
10. Stephanie Faris

The Cephalopod Coffeehouse: July 2015 Blog List

 

Greetings to all!  I hope you'll join us for the next installment of the Cephalopod Coffeehouse, an online gathering of bloggers who love books.  The next meeting is set for Friday, July 31st.  If you're interested, please sign on to the link list at the end of this post.

The idea is simple: on the last Friday of each month, post about the best book you've finished over the past month while visiting other bloggers doing the same.  In this way, we'll all have the opportunity to share our thoughts with other enthusiastic readers.  Please join us:

The Cephalopod Coffeehouse: June 2015

Welcome one and all to the Cephalopod Coffeehouse, a cozy gathering of book lovers, meeting to discuss their thoughts regarding the tomes they enjoyed most over the previous month.  Pull up a chair, order your cappuccino and join in the fun.  If you wish to add your own review to the conversation, please sign on to the link list at the end of my post.

Title: Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
Author: Mary Roach

via Amazon

My Wife's first book swap choice of the summer for me was Bonk, Mary Roach's survey of sex research.  Just as The Omnivore's Dilemma inspires an assessment of one's relationship with food, Bonk inspires a re-examination of one's sexual being.  Am I going to share that assessment with you as I did with the other?  Well, no, I'm not that kind of blog (I can hear your collective sigh of relief).  Suffice to say, the book did leave me feeling grateful for my own lot in life and gave me plenty of reason to hope for continued health in the future.

I wouldn't consider myself particularly prudish.  In fact, I am of the opinion that people should be able to talk about sex openly and respectfully.  I don't mean the locker room talk.  That's about ego gratification.  I simply mean that we shouldn't all be so embarrassed by the idea that sex is a significant element of human life.  Learning more about it and being able to discuss it frankly with the important people in our lives is both healthy and responsible.  I wouldn't say I'm always able to do that but I think it's a worthy goal as a society.  As such, I think Mary Roach and the scientists she studied are to be commended for their contributions.

That is not to say the book didn't make me squeamish from time to time.  For me, the discomfort had more to do with surgery than with sex.  I'm okay with discussing body parts unless you're talking about cutting them open.  Yick!  There are plenty of leg crossing moments for both ends of the gender spectrum.  I was tempted to skip a few particularly cringe-worthy passages but I soldiered on.  Even with the occasional wince, I think I'd be up for more from Roach.

Be forewarned, the book is very funny.  I would not be comfortable reading Bonk on an airplane - less for the subject matter than for my own incessant chortling.  Roach's commitment to the project is total, even offering herself and her husband as study subjects.  Her sense of humor about both sex and herself make for a highly engaging read.

Please join us and share your own review of your best read from the past month.  This month's link list is below.  I'll keep it open until the end of the day.  I'll post July's tomorrow.  Meetings are the last Friday of each month.  Next gathering is July 31st.

Star Trek: The Pirates of Orion

My friends and I are embarking on a new journey to watch all 22 episodes of Star Trek's animated series.  We'll be posting on Wednesdays.  All are welcome to join us for all or parts of our adventure.

Episode: "The Pirates of Orion"
Series: Star Trek: The Animated Series
Season 2, Episode 1
Original Air Date: September 7, 1974

via Memory Beta

The animated series's second and final seasons begins with Spock sick and dying.  There is a plan to acquire the necessary medicine but the ship bringing it, the SS Huron, is intercepted by Orion pirates.  With the clock ticking on our Vulcan friend, Kirk must negotiate terms with the pirates.  To complicate matters, the Orions are walking a tricky diplomatic tightrope.  Their planet is officially neutral and if word gets out they're attacking Federation ships, it'll mean trouble.  The pirates are willing to destroy themselves and the Enterprise, too, for the sake of preserving the lie.  Stinking pirates...

The episode tends to do well with credits but I sense the series beginning to slip a bit.  Overall quality is generally good but eye-rolling is on the uptick for me.  There's an argument at the end between Spock and Bones at the end about the virtues of green blood that doesn't sit well, for instance.  I don't know whether to expect a death spiral akin to TOS's third season or not.  If there is one, at least it will be quick.

*****

via Memory Alpha

Captain O'Shea is the commanding officer of the Huron.  This is his only television appearance.  In the book adaptation of the episode, author Alan Dean Foster gave him a first name: Svenquist.  Svenquist O'Shea is a truly inspired name.  O'Shea was voiced by James Doohan, naturally.

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.  Next week: "Bem."

 

The Clone Wars: Destroy Malevolence

My friends and I are embarking on an exploration of 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: "Destroy Malevolence"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 4
Original Air Date: October 17, 2008

via Wookieepedia

His ship of terror left damaged in last week's story, General Grievous makes a desperate move: capturing a Republic vessel, intending to hold its occupants hostage.  Unfortunately for all involved, his intended prisoners are Padmé and C-3PO.  Obviously, Anakin and Obi-Wan will have to rescue them.  The adventure provides ample opportunity for Jedi swashbuckling and acrobatics.

The episode's title doesn't leave much suspense.  Even so, the means of destruction are quite clever.  While both Andrew and Maurice claimed last week's show as one of their favorites, I think I liked this one more.  Padme's entrance brings us back to the secret life which we all know will ultimately lead to Anakin's undoing.  The Republic's victory is satisfying but, alas, temporary.

*****

via Pirates of the Caribbean Wiki

Obi-Wan Kenobi, moral guide to two generations of Skywalkers, is performed by James Arnold Taylor.  Taylor was born July 25, 1969 in Santa Barbara, California.  His voice credits are extensive.  Among many film roles, he was Muzu in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.  In television, he has performed in Scooby Doo, as well as various DC and Marvel cartoon series.  Video game work is clearly a major part of a voice actor's resume these days.  Taylor has contributed to numerous major franchises including Final Fantasy, Star Wars and Spider-Man.

Taylor has been married to his wife Allison since 1991.  They have one daughter, Lydia.  Taylor is a published author, penning JAT 365: 365 Inspirations for the Pursuit of Your Dreams.

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: "Rookies."

Star Trek: The Jihad

My friends and I are embarking on a new journey to watch all 22 episodes of Star Trek's animated series.  We'll be posting on Wednesdays.  All are welcome to join us for all or parts of our adventure.

Episode: "The Jihad"
Series: Star Trek: The Animated Series
Season 1, Episode 16
Original Air Date: January 12, 1974

via Memory Alpha

Jihad is a word of enormous gravity in the global politics of the 21st century.  I somehow doubt it would have carried the same weight with the Saturday morning cartoon audience of 1974.  In this week's story, Kirk and Spock are summoned to help search for the "Soul of Skorr," a stolen artifact of great importance to the Skorr, an avian race.  If it is not recovered, it is feared that the Skorr will embark upon a holy war against the rest of the galaxy.  A team of specialists from various alien species has been assembled for the task, including Tchar, the hereditary Prince of the Skorr.

A team of adventurers on a quest for an object of great value: it's a classic fantasy template but an unusual choice for Trek.  For some critics, that was a good thing.  For others, not so much.  Personally, I'm always happy to see a break from formula.

*****

Thoughts on Season 1

General Impressions

I don't know if the animated series would be enough to sell a newcomer on Star Trek but it's a lot of fun for the faithful.  The animation technology was hardly cutting edge by 21st century standards but it was still light years ahead of the live action capabilities of the era.  The writers for the series were encouraged to take full advantage of the broader canvas.  The result is a deeper experience of Trek's universe.


Favorite Episode: "Yesteryear"

"Yesteryear" is the most important TAS story in regards to the overall Star Trek canon.  In fact, it provides more back story for a principal character than any TOS episode either.  Through the miracle of time travel, we visit Spock's childhood on Vulcan.  While that would be enough on its own to qualify "Yesteryear" for the top spot, the clincher for me is the character of Thelin.  Thelin is the Enterprise's First Officer in an alternate time stream.  Even though he knows it will have significant consequences for himself, he gives Spock his blessing to go back and set the past right.  His generosity is well in keeping with the spirit of the show.


Least Favorite Episode: "The Infinite Vulcan"

I've gotta say, there aren't too many clunkers in this collection.  While the best TAS episodes fall well short of the best TOS stories, the quality of the first TAS season is reasonably consistent.  The writing for "The Infinite Vulcan" isn't the greatest (sorry, Walter) but even so, there were story elements I enjoyed.  For instance...


Favorite New Character: Agmar

via Memory Alpha

Scanners failed to detect intelligent life on the planet Phylos because the Phylosians are plant-based.  Agmar, essentially a walking, talking dandelion, is the landing crew's primary contact with these beings.  I love the idea of intelligent plants.  I realize their mobility challenges the definition of what a plant is but that's why I like it.


Onward

Amazingly, there are only six episodes left.  The second and final season of TAS was a short one.  1974 was all about Watergate.  By the time Trek returned in September, Richard Nixon had resigned as President of the United States.  The day after the second season premiered, Nixon was pardoned by his successor, Gerald Ford.


If you would care to join us for all or part of our travels, sign on to the list below.  Also, be sure to join the gang for the live Twitter feed on Tuesday, June 23rd, 5 pm EDT, #StarTrekTAS.  Next week: "The Pirates of Orion."

 

The Clone Wars: Shadow of Malevolence

My friends and I are embarking on an exploration of 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: "Shadow of Malevolence"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 3
Original Air Date: October 10, 2008

via Wookieepedia

The Malevolence story continues as General Grievous directs his ship towards an essentially defenseless medical installation, just in case any of us were unconvinced of his evil nature.  Anakin, accompanied once again by his faithful Padawan, Ahsoka, leads a Y-wing squadron to intercept and destroy the Malevolence.  The ensuing space battle is well worthy of the Star Wars brand.

via Wikipedia

Ahsoka Tano first appeared in the feature film Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  Certainly a principal character of the series in her own right, she also provides us with a new perspective on Anakin, that of one seeking to learn from him.  She is in awe of Anakin and eager to impress.  She is also keenly aware that her Master is not like other Jedi.  She gets the last word in this episode.  Her closing exchange with Nala Se, the Kaminoan physician on the Medical Center:

Nala: Your master is a very curious Jedi.
Ahsoka: He is one of a kind.

*****

via Wookieepedia

Ahsoka is voiced by Ashley Eckstein, born Maria Ashley Drane, September 22, 1981 in Louisville, Kentucky.  In addition to her voice work, she's had live action roles on Blue Collar TV and That's So Raven.  Film credits include Sydney White and Alice Upside Down. 

Eckstein is an enterprising woman, starting her own company, Her Universe, which produces sci-fi licensed merchandise targeted to girls and women.  In 2005, she married professional baseball player David Eckstein.  A year later, he was named MVP of the World Series.

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: "Destroy Malevolence."

On the Coffee Table: Rudyard Kipling

Title: If
Author: Rudyard Kipling

via Wikipedia

If is a collection of Rudyard Kipling's poetry, published by Phoenix in 1996.  The poem for which the collection is named is one of his most famous, the British stiff upper lip in verse form.  The Bombay-born Kipling, while certainly a master of letters, has a well-earned reputation for jingoism, colonialism, racism and misogyny, all of which are on full display here.

Reading from a 21st century perspective is definitely a challenge.  "White Man's Burden" is probably the most egregious offender, interpreted by many as a justification of imperialism.  "Gunga Din," the story of an Indian water carrier, fares a little better.  The title character, while much abused, is ultimately hero and martyr.  "The Female of the Species" is the most problematic from a sexual politics perspective.  Basically, the poem asserts that a woman is to be feared because of her motherly, protective instincts.  That in itself wouldn't be so horrible except for Kipling arguing that motherhood is her only meaningful purpose.

"Tommy" is better.  A common soldier, speaking in common vernacular, tells of his woes.  He gets no respect in polite society but is cheered for his bravery when marching off to war.  Alas, some things haven't changed much.

I admire Kipling for his command of language but it's clear he was living in a different world.  For me, it can be difficult seeing past his admittedly typical Victorian attitudes.

Mock Squid Soup: July Blog List

MOCK! and The Armchair Squid are proud to present Mock Squid Soup: A Film Society!

Next meeting is Friday, July 10th.  As announced last month, the plan for this month is for each participant to pick someone else's movie from our ever-growing society library.  Henceforth, I will maintain a list of those movies here, also to be found on my page list as "Mock Squid Soup Film Library."

This month's twist: Six Degrees of Separation.  Remember that game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon by which you had to connect KB with some other actor in six movie connections or less?  For instance...

Kevin Bacon to Olivia de Havilland:

1. Kevin Bacon appeared in Animal House with Donald Sutherland.
2. Donald Sutherland appeared in The Dirty Dozen with Ernest Borgnine.
3. Ernest Borgnine appeared in From Here to Eternity with Burt Lancaster.
4. Burt Lancaster appeared in The Killers with Ava Gardner.
5. Ava Gardner appeared in The Sun Also Rises with Errol Flynn.
6. Errol Flynn appeared in The Adventures of Robin Hood with Olivia de Havilland.

The challenge for this month is to find a connection between one of your movies and one of someone else's in six films or less.  You may use cast, crew, filming location, caterer, whatever works.  Creativity will be praised and admired.

The signup list:

Mock Squid Soup: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

MOCK! and The Armchair Squid are proud to welcome you to Mock Squid Soup: A Film Society, meetings on the second Friday of each month.  Last week, society members posted three clues as to their chosen film for the month.  Today is the big reveal.  A reminder on my clues:

- This late 1980s film includes footage from a mid 1950s epic.

- This surprise hit was the breakout movie for a Hollywood A-lister.  While he has played a wide variety of roles over the years since, he never quite managed to shake his original image of lovable idiot.

- One of standup comedy's all-time greats performs a guru/narrator role.

Drum roll, please...

Title: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
Director: Stephen Herek
Original Release: 1989
My Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5

via Wikipedia

When people talk about the great teen movies of the 1980s, it's easy to forget about Bill and Ted.   I went to see it with friends on its opening weekend, not really expecting much beyond mindless amusement.  What we found instead was a clever, energetic and memorable film.

Ted "Theodore" Logan (Keanu Reeves) and Bill S. Preston, Esq. (Alex Winter) are teenage slackers with dreams of rock stardom.  They don't know yet that their music will one day provide a basis for a more enlightened human society.  But Rufus knows.  Rufus, a sort of anti-Terminator played by George Carlin, is sent from the future to save the boys from themselves.  If they fail their history project, Ted will be sent away to military school, their garage band will never happen and the future will not be excellent.  Rufus supplies Bill and Ted with a phone booth TARDIS...er...time machine.   The boys set to work abducting the likes of Napoleon, Socrates and Beethoven and bring them back to modern day San Dimas, California.  My favorite scene is when all goes wrong at the shopping mall, especially Genghis Khan totally ravaging Oshman's Sporting Goods.  

Bill and Ted is just the sort of high concept film that usually starts strong, gradually loses energy, then dies pathetically at the end.  Not so here.  Somehow, this one works.  The dialogue is sharp and witty.  The acting makes up in enthusiasm what it lacks in subtlety.  The story, while admittedly absurd, holds together for all 90 minutes.  A movie that probably never should have seen the light of day pulled in $40 million, spawning a sequel, two TV series and even, briefly, a breakfast cereal.

Getting back to the clues, Reeves is the actor and Carlin the comedian.  The first clue, I admit, is a bit more obscure.  When Bill and Ted stumble upon Napoleon, we see battle footage from 1956's War and Peace, directed by King Vidor.

Next meeting is Friday, July 10th.  I'll post July's blog list tomorrow.  For July, pick another society member's choice from our ever increasing library to review.  Today, please visit my fellow cinephiles, listed below:

Star Trek: The Eye of the Beholder

My friends and I are embarking on a new journey to watch all 22 episodes of Star Trek's animated series.  We'll be posting on Wednesdays.  All are welcome to join us for all or parts of our adventure.

Episode: "The Eye of the Beholder"
Series: Star Trek: The Animated Series
Season 1, Episode 15
Original Air Date: January 5, 1974

via Memory Alpha

It's an idea as old as Trek: Enterprise crew members become an exhibit in a zoo.  While investigating the whereabouts of a missing science expedition (aren't they always?), Kirk, Spock and Bones are snagged by superior beings and placed in an Earth-like environment for gawking pleasure.  This basic premise hearkens back to "The Cage," the first pilot of the original series.

I appreciate the stories in which the Enterprise encounters beings of higher intelligence, especially the ones which ultimately prove to be benevolent.  Neither humans nor even Vulcans are top dogs in the galaxy.  We still have much to learn and these superior alien races provide moral aspirations for a possible future.

*****

via Memory Alpha

Tom Markel is the commanding officer of the USS Ariel, the survey ship which had gone missing.  This episode marks his only appearance in Star Trek.  He is voiced by James Doohan.

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.  Next week: "The Jihad."

The Clone Wars: Rising Malevolence

My friends and I are embarking on an exploration of 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: "Rising Malevolence"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 2
Original Air Date: October 3, 2008

via Wookieepeida

A big part of Star Wars's long-term appeal is the moral ambiguity of its most important character: Anakin Skywalker.  Darth Vader's revelation to Luke at the end of The Empire Strikes Back blew my seven-year-old mind in 1980.  It turned a simple story of good vs. evil into something far more challenging.  The Clone Wars series catches Anakin at an early moment in his transition.  He is still firmly on the side of the Jedi but he's already leading a double-life, having married Padmé Amidala in secret.

In "Rising Malevolence," a Republic fleet led by Jedi Master Plo Koon is attacked by a new, terrifying Separatist weapon.  Anakin and his padawan Ahsoka, defying the orders of the Jedi Council, head for the point of attack in desperate hopes of finding survivors.  Obi-Wan, Yoda and Mace Windu are already worried about Anakin's reckless, independent tendencies but they're willing to forgive him as long as his heart is in the right place and everything works out.  Of course, they don't yet know what we all know: how vulnerable Anakin will ultimately be to manipulation.  Chancellor Palpatine knows.

My favorite part of the episode comes near the end: a wonderful chase scene with Anakin's ship and the ion blast behind him.  Obviously, he survives but the suspenseful tension is well executed.  I also appreciate the inclusion of a medical droid, not to mention its meaningful role in the story.

*****

via Wikipedia

Matt Lanter is the voice of Anakin.  He was born April 1, 1983 in Massillon, Ohio.  His family moved to Atlanta when he was eight.  He was a batboy for the Atlanta Braves.  He attended the University of Georgia as a sports business major.

Lanter, not exactly a face for radio, broke into show biz as a contestant on a reality show, Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model.  While he didn't win (this guy did), he got his foot in the door.  In live action, he has had roles in Commander in Chief, Heroes and 90210.  Beyond Star Wars, he's found voice work in Ultimate Spider-Man and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.  Feature films include Disaster Movie, Sorority Row and Vampires Suck.

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: "Shadow of Malevolence."

 

Mock Squid Soup: June Trivia Teaser

Today, as an added treat for this month's edition of Mock Squid Soup, all society members are invited to post three hints about their film choice for the month.  All are welcome to guess, of course.  Here are the three clues for my movie:

- This late 1980s film includes footage from a mid 1950s epic.

- This surprise hit was the breakout movie for a Hollywood A-lister.  While he has played a wide variety of roles over the years since, he never quite managed to shake his original image of lovable idiot.

- One of standup comedy's all-time greats performs a guru/narrator role.

Any guesses?  Society reviews will be posted next Friday, June 12th.  See you then.  Meanwhile, please visit my fellow cinephiles today:

Star Trek: The Slaver Weapon

My friends and I are embarking on a new journey to watch all 22 episodes of Star Trek's animated series.  We'll be posting on Wednesdays.  All are welcome to join us for all or parts of our adventure.

Episode: "The Slaver Weapon"
Series: Star Trek: The Animated Series
Season 1, Episode 14
Original Air Date: December 15, 1973

via Wikipedia

"The Slaver Weapon" was written by Larry Niven, an up-and-coming science fiction author in the early '70s.  The episode was based on his short story, "The Soft Weapon."  It is the only Star Trek episode of the Kirk era not to feature Captain Kirk.  The only Enterprise crew members to appear in the story are Spock, Uhura and Sulu.  It's also rather dark by TAS standards.  It's the only episode of the animated series in which anyone dies on screen.

Our heroes have a run in with the Kzinti, apparently old nemeses of the Federation.  Spock and company inadvertently deliver an ancient, mysterious weapon into the Kzinti's hands.  To further complicate matters for our friends, the Kzinti captain is eager to eat them.

Maurice Mitchell and I watched simultaneously via Twitter.  My initial efforts to Tweet with my iPad were unsatisfactory but once I switched to the laptop, it was more fun.  TAS - and really most any life experience - is more fun if you can exchange snarky comments with a friend while you watch.  To that end, please join us next week, Tuesday at 5 pm EDT, #StarTrekTAS.

*****

via Memory Alpha

Chuft Captain was commander of the Kzinti ship, Traitor's Claw.  The incorporation of his rank in his name is consistent with the naming protocol of other Larry Niven stories.  He is voiced by James Doohan.

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.  Next week: "The Eye of the Beholder."

The Clone Wars: Ambush

Andrew Leon and I are embarking on a new adventure: an exploration of 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: "Ambush"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 1
Original Air Date: October 3, 2008

via Wookieepedia

First off, let's get all biases on the table.  As discussed previously, Star Wars is a big deal for me, my devotion to that franchise exceeding love for Trek.  The original trilogy has been a major part of my personal mythology for most of my life.  I don't feel the same way about the prequels.  I'm not out to pretend they never happened as many devotees to the originals seem to be.  However, I do think of the prequels as supplemental to the central tale.  (And yes, I know my colleague Mr. Leon feels differently.)

That said, I have thoroughly enjoyed my limited exposure to Clone Wars stories.  I was impressed by the animated microseries created by Genndy Tartakovsky.  It shouldn't have been a surprise as my wife and I were fans of his work on The Powerpuff Girls and Dexter's Laboratory even before we were parents.  The Clone Wars film released to theaters was mediocre in my opinion but the TV series that followed was a lot of fun.  My daughter and I watched them together in the beginning and I was disappointed when her interest waned as I lost that excuse to continue.  I haven't watched since... until now!

In my own posts on the series, I plan to devote some space to contributions to the back story of the originals.  However, I will also explore the development of the Clone Wars as an entity worthy of consideration on its own merits.  And just as with Star Trek, let us not forget the actual, living, breathing humans behind the creative efforts.  For us, Star Wars is a cultural institution.  For them, it's a job.  Here we go...

"Ambush" is a Yoda story.  The Jedi master is on a secret diplomatic mission to the Toydaria system.  Wouldn't you know, Count Dooku and his minions arrived just ahead of him, intending to win the Toydarian King over to their own cause.  Yoda and his three accompanying Clone troopers face off against Dooku's droid army in an effort to prove their worth.

Each Clone Wars episode is built around a moral, in this case, "Great leaders inspire greatness in others."  This fable structure suggests a purpose for the series beyond mere back story, an intention to outline the moral landscape of the entire franchise. "Ambush" also accomplishes some character development where the movies - particularly Episode II: Attack of the Clones - fell short.  First, Yoda acknowledges individual differences between his clone companions.  Anyone who has known identical twins - and I, for some odd, kharmic reason, have known a disproportionate number - is aware that despite all of the obvious physical similarities, they are still separate individuals, sometimes desperately eager to establish the differences.

More importantly to the franchise overall, "Ambush" does a better job than Attack of the Clones of establishing Yoda as a full-on badass.  When I saw Episode II in the theater, there were giggles and guffaws during Yoda's lightsaber duel with Dooku - surely not what the filmmakers had in mind.  Obviously, Yoda is a Jedi and should be able to hold his own in such an encounter but there was something undeniably silly about watching a Muppet fly around the room.  In "Ambush," it doesn't feel silly.  Yoda's dismantling of the droid army, practically single-handed, is butt-whooping awesomeness.

*****

via Wikipedia

Tom Kane performed the voice of Yoda.  He was born Thomas Kane Roberts, April 15, 1962 in Overland Park, Kansas.  His voice credits are extensive.  In television, he has performed as Magneto and Iron Man in various Marvel series and as Professor Utonium in The Powerpuff Girls.  He has been the announcer for four Academy Awards broadcasts.  Much of his work has been in video games.  Apart from numerous Star Wars titles, he has contributed to a couple of other major franchises: Call of Duty and Batman: Arkham.

If you would care to join us for all or part of our travels, sign on to the list below.  Please visit Andrew and any other participants brave enough to join us.  Next week: "Rising Malevolence."

 

Star Trek TAS: An Exciting Twitter Event

via Memory Alpha

My dear friends, exciting developments are afoot in our exploration of Star Trek's animated series.  My esteemed colleague Maurice Mitchell is hosting a live Twitter chat for our next episode, "The Slaver Weapon":

Tuesday, June 2nd

5:00 pm, EDT

Maurice: @Thegeektwins
#StarTrekTAS

Watch along with the gang!  TAS episodes can be found on both Netflix and Hulu.  I am hopeful this will be a weekly event and I will post details for each gathering on my TAS gadget in the top right of my blog.