Tuesday, November 22, 2016

The Clone Wars: Slaves of the Republic

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: "Slaves of the Republic"
Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 4, Episode 12
Original Air Date: December 2, 2011
via Wookieepedia
"Slaves of the Republic" is the second installment of the Zygerria arc.  Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka go undercover in order to find the kidnapped Togruta colonists from last week.  Anakin scores an audience with the Queen and turns on the smarmy charm in an effort to gain her trust.  Ahsoka, disguised as his slave, spends much of the episode rolling her eyes over his flirtation.  Can't say I blame her!

I can't tell if it's me or the series but I'm burning out a little on The Clone Wars.   It could be me.  As I write this, it's August.  Anticipating a busy fall in my life beyond the blog, I've spent the summer trying to get ahead on these posts.  So, I've been watching the show and writing about it quite a lot over the past couple months.  It could be fatigue.

But, I can't help feeling the energy of the series is flagging, too.  This arc actually has a lot going for it.  We get to visit a couple of new worlds.  We get a new angle of galactic history with the Zygerrians.  We get some decent development for Anakin.  And yet, I'm having a hard time getting excited about it.  I may have a touch of Anakin-fatigue, in particular.  Generally speaking, the stories I enjoy the most have little to do with him.  The Zygerria arc is Anakin-heavy.
via Wookieepedia
That said, Queen Miraj Scintel is a decent character.  In fact, one strength of the series is powerful women: Padmé, of course, but also Duchess Satine of Mandalore and Mina Bonteri of Onderon.  The Queen is voiced by Rajia Baroudi.
via RangerWiki
Baroudi was born February 28, 1965.  As an actress, she has appeared in To Rest in Peace and The Mischievous Case of Cordelia Botkin.  She has also worked as a costume designer on The Open Door and as a production designer on the TV series, Thrills.


Next week: "Escape from Kadavo."

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10 comments:

  1. Andrew LeonNovember 22, 2016 at 1:28 AM

    I thought this arc was solid but not great. There are some interesting things in it, especially the conversation between the queen and Anakin about slavery.

    I'm feeling a bit trudgy about the series at the moment, too, but it's because I'm too busy, right now, and having a hard time keeping up. However, if memory serves, season five is really good, and I'm looking forward to getting back into the better episodes again.

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    1. The Armchair SquidNovember 22, 2016 at 8:35 AM

      I just grasped the lack of subtlety in the queen's name: scintillating mirage...

      I have essentially had three months off from watching now and I'm looking forward to getting back to it. Glad to know Season Five is good - provides encouragement.

      Delete
    2. Andrew LeonNovember 22, 2016 at 8:50 AM

      heh
      Yeah, the names are often like that. I don't always get it until I see them written, though. Of course, sometimes, I come out of an episode without even knowing the names, so I have to look them up.

      Delete
    3. The Armchair SquidNovember 22, 2016 at 10:05 AM

      It was decades before I grasped that Darth Vader isn't too far from "dark father."

      Delete
  2. angryparsnipNovember 22, 2016 at 1:09 PM

    I remember this one and agree with you I like the episodes that have little or no Anakin.
    I think the reason, is from the movie Attack of The Clones, wooden creepy Anakin with Padma. I sat through that movie and cringed. Sometimes I just want to slap him and scream get a grip.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. The Armchair SquidNovember 22, 2016 at 10:46 PM

      I will say this: I prefer the Anakin of the series to the Anakin of the movies.

      Delete
  3. UnknownNovember 23, 2016 at 8:55 AM

    I have never watched Attack of the Clones, but I love the Star Wars series in general. I really like that photo you've include of the animated queen. She looks like a cool character. :) Very cat-like.

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    1. The Armchair SquidNovember 24, 2016 at 9:36 PM

      She is a good character. I'm a fan of the cat ears, too.

      Delete
  4. Romance Reader November 24, 2016 at 2:07 PM

    Interesting to read this...I never gave a thought to this :)

    ReplyDelete

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