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: "Cloak of Darkness"
Series:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1, Episode 9
Original Air Date: December 5, 2008
Okay, I have had my fill of prison break stories. I realize it's bread-and-butter for the
Star Wars franchise but variety in narrative structure is always appreciated in a TV series. This time, it's Grievous's minions breaking Viceroy Gunray - captured in the last episode - out of the Republic's ship,
Tranquility. There is nice development for Ahsoka in this one and excellent swordplay between Jedi Luminara Unduli (with Ahsoka assisting) and Grievous's agent, Asajj Ventress. A few plot twists along the way are gratifying, too. Even so, I'm ready for something other than a prison break. Maybe next week?
*****
The character of Luminara Unduli first appeared in the novel
Cloak of Deception by James Luceno, published in 2001. She is a Mirialan. Apparently, her headdress conceals extra-sensory organs.
Luminara is voiced by Olivia d'Abo. D'Abo was born in London, January 22, 1969. Hers was a show biz family. Mother Maggie London was a model and actress, father Mike d'Abo, for a time the lead singer of Manfred Mann. She went to junior high and high school in the Los Angeles area. She made her film debut in
Conan the Destroyer when she was 15.
D'Abo is most familiar to television audiences as Karen Arnold, Kevin's much troubled, hippie older sister in
The Wonder Years. Her geek cred was secured in her memorable guest star appearance in
Star Trek TNG's "True Q." Full disclosure, I have long considered her to be one of the most beautiful women in the business. Sadly, she has spent way too much on plastic surgery in recent years.
The voice work has been steady. She has had roles in
Batman Beyond,
The Legend of Tarzan and
Justice League. She was married to music producer Patrick Leonard for ten years. She has one son, Oliver, born in 1995.
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: "Lair of Grievous."
I remember Olivia d'Abo's hippie character in The Wonder Years. I loved her character in that show. I didn't know she did voice work.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lucrative side career for many actors.
DeleteI thought it was interesting seeing the "rescue" mission from the other side. You know, the side where the getting the prisoner out wasn't necessarily the goal.
ReplyDeleteSure. And really, there's nothing inherently wrong with this story in and of itself. As you said in your own post, it would work pretty well as a stand alone. But I smell formula and formula gets tiresome.
DeleteI knew I recognized D'Abo, but couldn't figure out from where. Then I read what you wrote and realized I know her from The Wonder Years. I had no idea she did so much voice work. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
Keep an eye out. Her name pops up from time to time.
DeleteYou're right that a series has to dip into different genres to keep it fresh but I can't imagine a Prison Break-style episode being interesting past an episode. Sadly plastic surgery has claimed many victims in Hollywood
ReplyDeleteGranted, I don't have the sort of career where I get paid 7 figures for the way I look. I do understand it from that point of view. I still think it's a shame.
DeleteIt's like there are only so many scenarios floating around for a story to latch on to...but this is Sci-Fy, people - the sky's the limit!
ReplyDeleteThree episodes in a row was a bit much. The three aren't even sequential. They could have planned differently.
Delete