The second part to a three part story arc (starting with last week’s The Mandalore Plot), Voyage of Temptation reunites viewers with the beautiful pacifist, Duchess Satine. Here’s the breakdown:

On her way to Coruscant to address the rumors of Mandalore’s militarization, Duchess Satine is attacked by assassin droids. Obi-Wan and Anakin must keep her safe while uncovering a traitor in their midst. During the struggle, Satine and Obi-Wan must come to grips with their past.

The Monkey: Once again viewers are treated to more of the exciting new character, Duchess Satine. Satine Kryze is one of the most interesting (and further-expansion worthy) characters yet created for The Clone Wars. This episode delved a bit further into her past, especially her previous relationship with Obi-Wan. This is the episode’s greatest strength. For the first time, it is revealed that a galaxy far, far away could be very different…namely, Obi-Wan Kenobi could have turned his back on his Jedi training and taken up domestic life with Satine. This revelation throws the Anakin and Obi-Wan relationship into a new light as well. Anakin is dealing with his own “attachment” (Padme) and seeing Obi-Wan dealing with similar issues gives new depth to their friendship/mentorship.  It even makes me watch Episode III differently…Padme is convinced Obi-Wan will help her and Anakin…maybe she knows about Obi-Wan’s past as well?

How Satine fits into the rest of canon is something I think can be mined extensively. She is a strong character, with possible connections to many other prominent Star Wars characters and situations (does she know or come to know Padme? How does she react to Order 66? What happens to her after the establishment of the Empire?) I think fans will want to know more about her story and how it fits in with the larger Star Wars saga.

While the love story might have failed (see below), the episode was surprisingly successful at highlighting the dilemma of a pacifist during war time. And kudos to the writing team for working in this serious philosophical point of view with a little humor all while foreshadowing Anakin’s turn to the dark side in the episode’s climax.

Once again, some great design work, especially the luxury cruiser, Coronet.

The Weasel: This was a bridge episode. Nothing much happened to advance the Mandalorian plot started in the previous episode – and with only one more episode in the story arc, I’m worried there will be many questions left unanswered. The revelation about Satine and Obi-Wan’s romantic past was painfully forced. Even the characters in the episode felt so, one going as far to say, “I don’t believe this…it’s making me sick!” Couldn’t have said it better myself. With many fans feeling the Anakin/Padme love story in the Prequels was botched, I’m surprised The Clone Wars team didn’t tread this familiar territory more carefully. Let’s just hope this isn’t the only opportunity to glimpse this fascinating part of Obi-Wan’s history.

A bridge to nowhere. Dissappointing that this episode didn’t continue the intrigue of the Mandalorians, and a shame the romantic plot line was mishandled. It seems Han and Leia remain the galaxy’s most-successfully-written-couple. It will be interesting to see how the three part story arc is wrapped up next week!

2 Death Star out of 5

What do you think? Did you think the Obi-Wan/Satine romance was believable? Share your thoughts about Voyage of Temptation in the comments!

Photo credit: starwars.com

Friday’s episode, The Mandalore Plot, is the first of a three-part story arc. It marks The Clone Wars debut of the Mandalorians and promises to be a crowd-pleasing addition to Season 2. Here’s the breakdown:

Obi-Wan heads to the neutral planet of Mandalore in an effort to clear up rumors that the Duchess Satine is secretly building an army of Death Watch Mandalorian commandos.

The Monkey: Mandalorians. Period. What once was an obscure reference to a background bounty hunter in Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi has become a beast all its own. In fact, I would argue that the fan frenzy around Mandalorians (and all things Fett) rivals even the Jedi!

It is definitely a treat to see this mysterious group brought to life in The Clone Wars. Seeing jet-packs in use and hearing Jango Fett’s signature pew pew blaster noises were nice touches. Aside from the Mandalorian commandos themselves (who are actually on the moon of Concordia), the planet Mandalore was a set-design masterpiece. Just when I think The Clone Wars team has exhausted world-building ideas and designs, they surprise me. And in this episode, they blew me away. From the chandeliers to the shrubs, the new spacecraft designs to Satine’s wardrobe, the design of this episode was the best we’ve seen in both Clone Wars seasons so far.

Audiences were also introduced to a special new weapon…an ancient, black-bladed, machete-style lightsaber; however…

The Weasel: …the introduction of such a unique weapon raised some questions in my continuity-conscious mind. The wielder of the weapon (identity to remain anonymous for those who don’t like spoilers) explains that it was stolen from the Jedi of the Old Republic (just how many “Old” Republics are there?); but the ancient lightsabers we’ve seen in Tales of the Jedi were powerpack-operated contraptions (protosabers)…hmmm. I’m not opposed to introducing new things, and all in all, I think the new lightsaber was badass. But I’m beginning to see why authors like Karen Traviss have been wary about the effect The Clone Wars will have on previously established continuity, especially in regards to the Mandalorians. In fact, Karen Traviss has stepped aside from writing any more Star Wars books, due to some conflict with her extensive Mandalorian-centered story-lines and the disruption caused by future Clone Wars episodes (read more about the controversy here).

Back to the episode: this was definitely a set-up episode; nothing really happened. The “secret” baddie was obvious from the start, and besides confirming what the audience already knew (there is, in fact, a plot on Mandalore) the episode didn’t progress any further. I’m hoping (and pretty confident) that subsequent episodes will be more fleshed out. And hopefully will answer some questions: what’s Jango Fett’s connection? Will we see Boba? Fans are already salivating.

Great introduction to a promising story arc. And best design work, hands-down, of any Clone Wars episode to date. Can’t wait for part 2 and 3!

3.5 Death Stars out of 5

What do you think? Are you concerned with how The Clone Wars will affect continuity? Share your thoughts about The Mandalore Plot in the comments!

It seems Johnny the Intern is blaming himself for the death of our coffee maker. Sure, he has mistreated the coffee maker by making awful, awful cups of coffee since he started here six months ago, but I keep telling him the coffee maker was old and it was its time to go.

I don’t think he listened. Instead he tried a bunch of stuff to revive it. He tried repairing it with a screwdriver, rapidly flicking the on/off button, checking the electrical chord, well a bunch of stuff that all failed. It was truly a spectacle seeing him try to repair this 10 year old coffee maker, which ended with him dressing up like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Yeah you guessed it, in an effort to use the Force. Once again, he was unsuccessful.

Now he’s on the couch reading “Electrical Wiring – For Dummies”. And that scares me. We need to get ourselves a new coffee maker real soon.

via (@seaneeboy, @algernonradish and @todaysbigthing)

Consider this the McDonald’s of TCW reviews. The problem with spacing these episodes so far apart is that I become somewhat complacent. I think to myself, “Oh, I need to do those reviews for Grievous Intrigue and The Deserter,” and then that little part of my brain says, “Oh, but MB!!! You have until, like, forever until there’s a new episode, take your time, girl!” At any rate, you can find thoughtful reviews of all the episodes here, here, and here.

Grievous Intrigue

Compared to other reviews, I think I may be in the slight minority in absolutely loving this episode. The episode was steeped in the elements that make Star Wars, Star Wars. I thought that Obi-Wan’s characterization truly shone. It was an interesting side that we’ve seen only a bit of in AOTC. The way the show tackles the wartime psyche of the soldiers, Jedi and clone alike, is something that we have not seen in an animated series, let alone “G-Level” canon in Star Wars. Obi-Wan has become a vigilante of sorts. When Anakin appears to be the more levelheaded of the two, you know there is something wrong with his pretty little head. His unrelenting pursuit of Grievous was something completely new. The sacrifice of an entire Jedi light cruiser for one Jedi, albeit a council member, seems to go against the ideals of “no attachment”.  Either way, there were several amazing moments in the show. The little snippet of John William’s original score was easily one of the highlights of the episode. Kiner has done a marvelous thing scoring each episode independently, but also using those little bits and pieces of the original score. What makes it utterly brilliant is the slight variation he uses. The familiar theme we heard in Grievous Intrigue was underscored with a brassy, militaristic feel; reflecting the new priorities of the Jedi Order as well as the clones themselves.

The Good:

• Strong, black woman. I flippin’ loved Adi Gallia in this episode. Also, her gauntlets were kinda cute. It kinda says “I’m here for the party, but I can also kill you with my mind.”
• I thought the “lighting” in this episode was completely different from anything we’ve seen before.
• Crab! Grievous amuses me.
• I loved the little nod (was it a nod?) to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in the “keep away” game between the tactical droid and Jedi.

The Ugly:

• I’m beginning to grow tired of the “let’s go kidnap some Jedi” plots.
• The whole “last stand” mentality of the Jedi is beginning to wear thin. I’m tired of grim acceptance.

The Deserter

The first thing I noticed about this episode was the Saleucami landscape. It is easily one of the most visually stunning planets we’ve seen thus far. As far as animation design goes, I don’t think I can really shout from the roof tops any much more than I already have: It’s brilliant. The rural aspect of The Deserter greatly appealed to me: the space! chickens, domesticated animals, and farmland really added depth and believability to the situation. Another thing I noticed were the atmospheric effects from the animation crew. We’ve seen snow and fog, but this time there was mist and even fireflies. Each of these little aspects helps the viewer immerse themselves deeper into the action and drama of the show. Alright, correct if I’m wrong (and more than likely I am…), but on the commentary for the latest Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II featuring Dave Filoni, Henry Gilroy (maybe?), Seth Green, and Matthew Senreich, a challenge was put forth for there to be some stop-motion in TCW. If so, then the challenge was met with the Dejarik game. The other two things I’d like to discuss are very Rex-centric. Most other reviews have discussed the “individuality as freedom”  mores for clones, but what I saw as particularly poignant was the moment a still-injured Rex offers himself as a first wave barrier between the commando clones and Cut’s family. His, “I can be useful,” was heartbreaking to me. Rex is so used to volunteering, or rather doing his duty, that it is second nature to offer himself up for slaughter. As many of y’all know, I am not a clone fan, but my passive feelings have begun to ebb since I’ve watched these clone-centric episodes. I truly feel for them.  The last image of Rex astride some giant beast of burden riding off into the sunset was a pitch-perfect ending for The Deserter. As Rex the man looks forward, Rex the soldier (his helmet) keeps a constant watch on the homestead. Reminding them that the war is never that far away and never leaves anything untouched.

The Good:

• Haters to left: I like battle droids and their humor.
• The cracked glass animation was freaking awesome.
• Did anyone like the CSI Jedi thing, Obes was rocking?
• The PLATINUM BLOND clone. I shall call him Jersey.
• Obi-Wan going “lone-wolf”. It’s so un-him.
• The absolute grief Obi-Wan emoted while not being able to catch Grievous.

The Bad

• I think the threat and menace of the commando droids is palpable, but it will become routine should they be used too much.
• Ugly twi’lek babies.

You know the drill… Enjoy these stills from Star Wars: The Clone Wars! Don’t forget we’re back tonight!

No peeking...

I love her. Plain and Simple.

"bitter swill"

Uhhhh, I liked her tatts?

Yep. Still love her.

Sir Obi Wan Kenobi © Eric Poulton (2006)

I´m fascinated with the idea of re-thinking our present and future changing the gas by the steam or the digital technology by the analogical, and the style remaining victorian. This aesthetic idea underlies the Steampunk movement.

Just to locate this movement, we must look to the Cyberpunk scene in USA in the eighties, where appeared stories related with Charles Dikens, HG Wells and Jules Verne that drew a different present/future with the steam and engines related as modern machines. Since then there have been reinterpreted a lot of gadgets, a lot of stories, a lot of characters. Also the Sci-fi films has been revisited by this movement and Star Wars is one of them.

I want to talk in this post about one of these artists, Eric Poulton, Star Wars steampunker. He has designed a collection of seven images with the most well-known characters of this series. As me, he prefers the old trilogy of the saga, and draws some of their protagonists. So, our character today is Sir Obi Wan Kenobi.

Just to start, the title “Sir” denotes the victorian look of Kenobi, in conexion with it, he appears dressed in 19^th century mood, as an English Lord. But Kenobi is, most of all, a Master, and this is the point I want to remark when I talk about him. I think Star Wars has given ethical and moral values to an entire generation, further than the stablished religions. Their protagonists have teached us many values. In this way, Obi Wan Kenobi teached me what means to be a Master.

Master comes from the latin word “Magister”, who is in the higher level of the society, opposite to “Minister”, who is in the lowest level, to serve and help the others. So, though these meanings have changed nowadays, the Masters are the people I admire more. So, Obi Wan Kenobi is the supreme Master (with the permission of Yoda). Kenobi is an Elder too, because of it, his long white beard and the look directed to the infinite. He represents the knowledge, the equilibrium, the light, the strenght and, most of all, the right side of the Force.

I do like this interpretation of Obi Wan Kenobi by Eric Poulton. Also the black and white (used in all the series), enhances this reinterpretation of the characters in the steampunk point of view.

There will be time for discuss about the Dark side of the Force, cause Lord Vader is another character of Eric Poulton’s Steampunk Star Wars. Soon in this blog.

If you are not patient, you can visit the Eric Poulton’s gallery at:

http://www.whereismyeyeball.com

May the Force be with you.

The beautiful design of God is that by His empowering mercies and grace, if you are humble, look after each other with sober judgment according to the faith that God has given you, if you rely on God’s mercy and grace, the church will function like a body.  If you fail to be humble or look at your self with sober judgment according to the faith that God has given you, then the church will function as one that is lame or blind or deaf.  Christ will no less be glorious or victorious, but His bride won’t as effectively accomplish what God has called her to which is creating and engaging community for the glory of Jesus Christ.

The simple takeaway is this:  By faith, God is commanding each and every one of you to be humble seeing others as better than yourself.  By faith God is commanding each and every one of you to see yourself with sober judgment finding infinite value only in Jesus Christ and not in what you do or what honors are heaped upon you.  Then as the church does that, she will create that loving community of believers that God intends for us to be.  Believers will participate in the life of the church because every believer is essential to the life of the church.  Believers will serve without a care or concern about getting personal praise or glory.  Service to Christ within the church and to the larger community in which each church exists will be done in the power and mercy of Jesus Christ seeking to glorify in Him in all that is done.

This article also appears at the Raleigh Examiner.  Read it there and help me earn a penny.

Though I am not presently at a personal stage of my life, willing navigate the asteroid field of dating, eventually I shall feel capable of sitting in the cockpit again. When the time is right, with the wisdom I’ve incurred, I intend to captain my own ship with great skill & caution. Until then, my deflector shields are staying up. I’m not about to settle for any old nerfherder. Any would-be space cowboys must crack the code.

The asteroid field of dating can cause a whole lotta damage if a pilot doesn’t abide by his or her personal standards. (oh, don’t I know!) Just like the Jedi, I’ve adopted my own creed, and intend to abide by it. Space cowboys shall hopefully respect my credo. (not to be confused with Greedo!)

Do have manners, and use them! Unfortunately, we live in a world where many people have become extremely slack with their manners. Not cool.

Do not pick & choose when you’re going to use those manners. You know: using manners when it suits you? Rudeness: acting dismissive, aloof, condescending, or ignorant. Courtesy & manners go a long way in this world, especially mine.

Do call when you say you’re going to, and follow-through with other things you’ve said that you shall do. Inconsistency & excuses: not cool. Again: manners & courtesy. Treat others as you wish to be treated & spoken to. (it’s not what you say, but how you say it. tactfully & considerately, please.)

Do not flirt with me, or fluff your ego by provoking my interest, only to turn around & ignore or reject me if/when I might reciprocate. “Treat `em mean, to keep `em keen!” is NOT acceptable, and playing such a game not only makes a person a complete jerk, but a juvenile, untrustworthy scoundrel, who has yet to grow-up, and doesn’t deserve to play in the adult dating field!

Do wish to be my friend, first. Get to know me, so that rapport & trust may be established. Trust is a big issue for myself, and is to be earned. The best, most-successful, long-term relationships are built upon a solid foundation of friendship. Attraction can grow, and one can get a better sense of what the other person is like when the pressure of “dating” isn’t thrust upon people. As I said before: navigate the field carefully & cautiously. Even if one doesn’t end-up in anything but a platonic relationship, one has gained a friend — and one may never have too many of those!

Do not seek me as merely your “fuck friend”. I’ve already had some of those, thanks. Despite the fact that I had a lot of fun with such “friends”, and have had relationships of merely pleasure, as a 35 year-old woman with a lot of life experiences, I now want & deserve MORE than such casual arrangements. Those seem to work for men (who are wired differently than women), and “spreading one’s seed” is considered masculine. It’s all well & good, until a guy finally figures out that he’s had too many muffins, with very little substance, and he too is hungry for more than just empty offerings. You know: the quick meals which leave one feeling momentarily satiated, but later-on with nothing but hunger pangs & heartburn? No, thanks.

Do be patient with me, please. I may very well want for you to park your X-Wing or Falcon in my docking bay, but due to invasions in the past, and subsequent heartache, I shall be very, very discerning when it comes to my docking bay! Integrity & self-respect: important! You shall receive your reward when I feel like I’m ready to give it to you, hotshot!
Do not assume that just because we’re dating, that I’m about to cave-in to my “dark side”/voracious Scorpio libido. “Patience! If you choose to face Kater Vader …”, as Obi Wan once said. I do not wish for my heart to explode (like the Death Star) when a space cowboy decides to “love n’ leave me”. (Psst! It’s called “grown-up sex”!) If you want cheap, casual, non-committed affairs, wishing to simply “fire your blaster”, please stay away from me, and go find yourself a good time, scouring the cantina at Mos Eisley. I’m sure you’ll find some lovely, willing ladies there, and you shall reap what you sow! Have fun, Sir Mynock Crotch! (Mynock Crotch: an STI common in a galaxy far, far away!)

Do be a good kisser! It counts for a lot. Really.

Do not kiss like Jabba the Hutt!  You know: slobbering all over the place, exploring my tonsils with your tongue? Eww!

Do have your star systems together. And by this, I mean: you know what you want, you’re accountable for your actions, and responsible.

Do not be addicted to Jawa juice of the alcoholic variety, or other substances. (again, accountable for your actions AND habits!) I’ve had ENOUGH sadness & tragedy in my life; the legacy ends with me, and extends to whom I choose to be with. Chain-smoking: gross! (do you like to kiss someone, and have them taste like licking the bottom of an ashtray?) Casual smoking, I can handle. Chain smoking is disgusting. Even Obi Wan knew that! (be smart, like Obi Wan!)

Do be a Star Wars fan. Duh! A serious fan would be even better!

Do not be a Trekkie. That’s a given. I enjoyed the last Star Trek movie, but Captain Kirk and his band of merry geeks can go eat Bantha fodder!

Do like cats. I am a cat person. I no longer have a cat (*sob!*), but space cowboys who like cats, score points!

Do not treat animals badly, or ever castigate myself for missing my girl. I loved her as much as I would a child.

Do have an appreciation for the arts — particularly good, quality films! I am a movie person. Film festival stuff, intelligent drama/comedy/horror. My Artoo unit can project films!

Do not anticipate that I shall enjoy sitting through romantic comedies, juvenile humour, simplistic plots, and heinous performances. (with the exception of Star Wars, of course!)

Do be a good conversationalist, intelligent, and have a great sense of humour. Speak the dialect of Planet Kater! No protocol droid required!

Do not condescend to myself, or speak over my head. If I’m interested, I shall ask. I like to learn things!

Do like/love me for who I am. I may be a Sith, but under all of that armour lies a very kind, gentle, considerate, and dynamic woman. I’m not perfect. I don’t expect for you to be either.

Do not wish I were someone else, or try to change me. I’m quite aware of what I need to fix, thankyouverymuch. The Ugnaughts are helping tweak things. You needn’t do so!

Do look like one of the two following men:

Do not take that last “do” all too seriously. I just happen to think that they’re hot. Mr. Firth has never traveled any galaxies, nor appeared in any of the Star Wars films, but he is my dream man: a true English gentleman! (ooh, but I do love me a scoundrel like Solo, too!)

Kindly note that these are only some of my particulars, but they are important ones! Perhaps when the time comes, and I’m good & ready to scour the galaxy for my space cowboy, I ought to attend a Star Wars convention?

I shall allow the Force to bring Him to me …

“To love means to open ourselves to the negative as well as the positive – to grief, sorrow, and disappointment as well as to joy, fulfillment, and an intensity of consciousness we did not know was possible before.” — George Lucas

(right. as if Lucas could ever write something that poetic!)

It’s lithium Saturday.  Wow, in one week, I’ll have blogged for a whole year regularly. 

Anyway, current stuff.  I’m in the process of created a Monopoly game from my AP English class.  It’s harder than I would have thought.  It’s due Monday.  I’m basing it off of mythology (Greek and Roman).  I’m learning a lot of computer formatting though! 

My album this week was “Everybody’s Talking: The Very Best of Harry Nilsson”.  I didn’t know he was the one who sang the “Coconut” song.  My dad likes that song.  I also knew “Without Her” because of Colin Blunstone’s version from the Zombies’ “Into the Afterlife”.  Even if it was under the pseudonym of Neil MacArthur. 

My film was Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.  I found another behind the scenes type thing – in the creature shop on Utapau, just before Obi-Wan enters the frame on Boga, one can glimpse one of the native aliens (I think they’re the Utai) being jerked off of a platform by another creature then dangling from its reins.  If this is the type of stuff I find by watching films every week, that’s fine with me.

I also noticed something about an Elvis song yester-day.  It was his birthday, so I listened to a few albums that I have of his.  In the song “Baby, Let’s Play House”, there are two lines that are used by other artists in the 1960s.  First, “I’d rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man.”  This was later used by the Beatles’ in “Run for Your Life” from “Rubber Soul”.  Later, “You may go to college, you may go to school”, which is used in Boyce & Hart’s “Population” from the only album of have of theirs – “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite”.  I’m kind of thinking that I, as an amateur songwriter, should also steal a line from this song.

The Force is strong in my family (but I am the only one whose midi-chlorian count is off the charts!). My younger brothers & I have been Star Wars geeks since our early childhood. Particularly yours truly.

• When we lived in suburban Toronto, most of my buddies who lived on my street were boys. One of them, Brian, had a fantastic collection of Star Wars toys. Heaps of the original Kenner figurines, a Dewback, and the Millenium Falcon (for those figurines). I spent a lot of time at his place, where he and I would play with those awesome toys.
• When not playing “doctor” (we played that game a few times!), my guy buddies and I would, of course, pretend to be characters from Episodes I and II.
• In the Fall of 1981, we moved across the country, all the way to northern British Columbia. My mother “got rid of clutter” when packing things up. She turfed the Empire Strikes Back collector glasses that I’d gotten at Burger King the previous summer. I am still pissed off at her for doing-so!

R.I.P., collector glasses. You are now part of the Force ...

• I had me a Princess Leia toofbrush! (In retrospect, I should have gone for the Vader one.) One brother had Luke Skywalker, and youngest bro had an Ewok.

• An aunt in Toronto sent myself a set of R2-D2 Underoos. While in the change room, pre & post gym class, I was the envy of several female 3rd grade classmates (it was a tiny hicktown of 5,000 people, where one couldn’t buy cool things like Underoos!). In fact, I thought that I was so cool, that I actually once wore my R2-D2 Underoos for gym class! My youngest brother also had Star Wars Underoos, which were emblazoned with Yoda’s image. They were, of course, a deeper shade of khaki green — an ideal colour for my then four year-old brother’s briefs, as the khaki helped camouflage the numerous chunky ca-ca streaks my brother would leave in his ginch! (Speaking of shit again: is it just me, or does Yoda’s cane look like a #4 on the Bristol Stool Chart?)

Yoda & His Poop Stick Cane

• My first “boyfriend”, Ted, lived next to a densely wooded lot. It was our “Endor”. He was Han and I was (a blonde) Leia — I even wore my hair braided, pinned-up like Her Worship! It was pretty intense, romantic stuff … for children of eight & nine years of age!
• For some unknown reason, my father referred to my brothers & I as his “toads”. My youngest brother was deemed “Toadie Wan Kenobi”.
• My brothers & I were SO excited when, in 1982, our parents took us to see a double feature of Episode IV and Episode V (playing at the local theatre, even though both were available to be rented at the video store. no one owned movies then!). Our favourite movies, on the big screen AND we were at the theatre until about 11:00 that night. For children of 8, 6, and 4 years of age, staying up that late was hardcore & didn’t happen in our household!
• My alias, “Darth Kater”: I refer to myself as this, not only because I’m a Star Wars freak, and the name has a nice ring to it, but Anakin Skywalker and I have some deep stuff in common. Both: very tormented, torn, and confused. We have some wicked-bad dreams. We both have a “dark side”, with much intense anger & sadness in ourselves. We love very deeply, and our “evil ways” are a result of having been mistreated, hurt, and misunderstood by many. We both had premonitions of our parents’ deaths: he, his mother in pain. Myself: the night before my father died, I dreamed that he was being shot & killed.
• I use “Jedi mind tricks”, and they’re pretty effective. Be glad that I’m not able to Force choke some people, because there are many who would no longer be alive, if I could do so! (“You hurt & betrayed me! I HATE you!”)
• Like Obi Wan Kenobi, my father is now part of the Force (he was also once a member of another Force: the RCMP). Like Obi Wan, my father’s made a few appearances since his death: sitting beside myself as I drove his truck (he WAS there! I saw him from the corner of my eye as I drove. in fact, I actually started doing my “perfect & cautious driving”, as I always had when driving with him. I didn’t want to let him see my “sloppy driving”, alive or dead.). He’s shown up in about three or four realistic dreams, including one in which he was sitting on the edge of my bed, and I felt his weight on my mattress. Obi Wan watched out for young, headstrong, stubborn Luke Skywalker. My father watches-out for his stubborn, headstrong, eldest child & only daughter: “Darth Kater”. He doesn’t want to see me travel the path to the Dark Side anymore.

Like his older, equally nutty, creative & funny sister (me!), my little, illustrator/author brother not only loves Star Wars, but … poop jokes & toilet humour, too!

As drawn by my little brother, ladies & gentlemen, I’d like to introduce to you …

Artoo Pee Too!

If or when I ever become a mother, and bear a headstrong child (or twins?!), I shall ensure that they shall wear one of these:

She

He

Hopefully, the daddy shall be a scoundrel of a space cowboy, equipped with a big blaster. (I could use a good kiss!)

Unclear the future is, but right now, I’m bettering myself, so that perhaps I may be capable of meeting & being in a long-term relationship with such a scoundrel, and in five or so years, I can be a great mum to the next generation of Star Wars geeks …

Photo credit: starwars.com

The second part of The Clones Wars mid-season premiere continues the story started in the previous episode, Grievous Intrigue.  Here’s the breakdown:

General Grievous has crash landed on the planet Saleucami after Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Adi Gallia saved Eeth Koth.  Grievous must find a working escape pod in order to escape…and Obi-Wan, with the help of Captain Rex and the clones, hope to stop him.  Along the way, Rex is wounded and must seek refuge on a nearby farm.  There, he encounters a fellow clone,  a deserter from the war named Cut, and experiences what life may be like outside of the military.

The Monkey: While this episode it not as action heavy as some, the plot was pretty highbrow, considering The Clone Wars is a cartoon.  Rex is confronted with the idea of life after the war, life without war.  He sees Cut and his family (Cut has a wife and two children) and begins to understand he has a choice; however, he still disagrees with Cut.  This was a nice touch; having Rex change his mind about Cut’s desertion would have been a stretch.  The writers did a brilliant job balancing the two points of view.  Cut has been damaged by war and feels he has the free will to make his life his own.  Instead of Rex countering with a “we-were-bred-for-this” kind of retort, Rex genuinely feels his place is with his fellow brothers, fighting for peace.  The viewer doesn’t feel either character is making a “right” or “wrong” decision; they are merely doing what they feel is right for themselves and their respective families.

The suspense of this episode stemmed from the fact that it dealt with characters that don’t appear in any of the movies…leaving their fates open.  When Rex was wounded, it could have been the end of him.  When Cut’s family is attacked, any one of them could have died.  This is another thing The Clone Wars has going for it…by utilizing new characters such as Rex and Ahsoka, the viewers are treated with suspense, not knowing what will happen.  Rex doesn’t appear in Episode III…will he die?  Does this episode plant the seed of desire for a family?  Will he leave the army?  We’ll have to keep watching to find out!

It was nice to see a mixed-species couple (Cut is a human clone, Suu, his wife, is a Twi’lek).  This subject hasn’t been explored much on film (more so in the Expanded Universe) and I think the message is a positive one.  I do wonder, however, when we’ll see some characters from mixed-species parents.  Cut’s children, I assume, are Suu’s from a previous marriage…the war hasn’t been going on long enough for Cut to be the biological father.  What would a human-Twi’lek kid look like?

Philosophical discussions of war, choice, freedom and family have always been hinted at in The Clone Wars series and its nice to see some more attention paid to difficult and complicated stories.

The Weasel: One of the best parts of The Clone Wars is seeing new locales.  Saleucami, compared to other Clone Wars locations, was a bit of a disappointment.  The matte paintings were amazing, as always, but the foliage and relative feel of the planet was lacking the depth of detail seen on planets such as Rodia and Ryloth.

Visually and action-wise…not the most exciting episode.  But The Deserter has paved the way for much deeper and more meaty story lines to surface in future episodes.  This is a turning point for The Clone Wars, one that has me very excited.

4.5 Death Stars out of 5

What did you think?  Do you think Rex might one day leave the army?  Tell me what you thought about The Deserter in the comments!

Photo credit: starwars.com

The return of The Clone Wars started the New Year off right!  Viewers were treated to a thrilling lightsaber fight and epic space battle, reinvigorating the season with a definite Star Wars feel.  Here’s the breakdown:

Eeth Koth (yes, he’s alive – see supervising director Dave Filoni’s explanation here) has been captured by General Grievous over the planet Saleucami.  Anakin, Obi-Wan and Adi Gallia (making her Clone Wars debut) plan a rescue mission.  Little do they know that Grievous is one step ahead.

The Monkey: The opening lightsaber battle between Grievous and Koth was great.  It was especially unnerving to see the Magna Guards simply watching the duel, only intervening to keep Koth in the fray.  It was also nice to see several new ship designs: a Separatist battle cruise, a Republic light cruiser (a mash-up between a Republic Cruiser and a Venator-class Star Destroyer), and a new, bubble-cockpit shuttle.  As much as I like Ahsoka, it was nice to see Anakin’s interactions with other Jedi, in this case, Gallia.  A scene where Anakin makes a micro-hyperspace jump into the middle of the space battle made me giggle with nerd-glee!

One of the great things about The Clone Wars is Star Wars fans get a chance to see never-before-seen creatures, planets, battles, etc.  This episode delivers, with a clever fight sequence that takes place in a broken and damaged air-lock…awesome!

The Weasel: The episode tried to flesh out Grievous’ motivations and tried to establish more of a connection between him and Obi-Wan.  This was the weakest part of the episode.  While a more three dimensional Grievous would be welcome in the series, his desire to “control the grandest army in the galaxy” felt like the same old same old.  Nothing new here.

Overall, great start to the second part of Season 2!

3 Death Stars out of 5

What did you think?  Was the lightsaber battle all you hoped for?  Are Grievous’ motivations believable?  Tell me what you liked and didn’t like about Grievous Intrigue in the comments!

It sounds like an impossible dream. (Or a schizophrenic’s delusion). So many people worldwide have been inspired by the Jedi of George Lucas’ films. They dream of lightsaber battles, of levitating R2D2s, running around swamps with Yoda on their back, and of meeting the characters that make it so exciting. Whether it’s Qui-Gon’s quiet determination that appeals to us, or Obi-Wan’s dry quips, we all have our favorite Jedi. And delusional though it sounds at times, a good fair few of us were so inspired that we decided to make it a part of our lives, every day. No, I don’t have a lightsaber. And I can’t make things levitate (yet). But beneath the adventure of our space-faring heroes lies a path grounded in solid principles. “Your focus determines your reality” – “Dont give in to hate” – principles that some people are not quick to dismiss simply because the Jedi name is attached.

So how does one go about being a Jedi in the real world every day?

For the purpose of this essay, let me introduce you to Malcolm and Robert. Both Mal and Bob are entirely fictional, and any semblance to actual persons either living or dead is purely coincidental.

Mal is married, lives quite happily in a single storey home, and works in computer programming five days a week. His job is unpredictable, changing his hours around at the drop of a hat. In his free time Malcolm practises martial arts, particularly krav maga in which he is a master. He goes running every morning.

Bob is not married. He has a girlfriend and a dog, and lives in an apartment on the bottom floor of a suburban complex. He turned the guest bedroom into a home gym, and also works unpredictable hours as a computer technician. In his free time, Robert likes to go hiking in the mountains just outside his town.

It’s impossible to say which is the Modern Day Jedi. They could both be; they could both not be. For all intents and purposes, a Jedi in this day and age looks and lives like anybody else. They work normal jobs, drive normal cars, and when they get home at night they like to flop on the couch and relax in whatever way they most enjoy. In order to spot the Jedi, one has to look a little deeper.

Both Mal and Bob decided to pick up milk on their way home from work. It is about 3pm, schools are getting out, and the streets are busy. Mal begins to get impatient. He has a class to teach tonight, and wanted to be home in plenty of time for it. He begins to drive aggressively, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, willing the other cars to magically get out of his way so that he can get to the store quicker. Bob is stuck in the same traffic jam. Like Mal, he has some place to be tonight – a date, that he wanted a few hours to prepare for. The cars do not look like they’re going to be moving in a hurry anytime soon, and so he turns on the radio, finds a relaxing classical station, and for the remainder of his car ride he focuses on the pleasant music.

At the store, the lines are long. Mal by this point is looking at his watch, fretting, shifting his schedule around in his head and rehearsing the apology he’s going to make to his wife as to why he can’t stay for dinner. Bob is in the same line, aware that he is going to be late and that there is nothing he can do about it at this point. He has already sent a text message to his girlfriend to let her know, and now he is waiting quite patiently, because being impatient does not make the lines go any faster.

Perhaps now it is easier to tell which man follows the Jedi Path?

In the Jedi communities online, people often talk about the far-fetched scenarios that a Jedi must be ready for – the end of the world is a popular one at the moment for example, or what you should do if you’re at a bank when it gets robbed? These same people lose their tempers online over perceived slights to their ego, get annoyed when their ideas are questionned, and create more conflict than they resolve. The truth is that despite Yoda’s teachings that a Jedi does not crave excitement and adventure, Star Wars is an action-packed sci-fi, and a part of our inspiration is born from that. But it is not enough to be certain you can “be a Jedi when it counts” – because it counts now. This very minute, and every minute after it, matters. Are you living like a Jedi? If you are waiting for the chance to prove yourself, then probably not.

Our challenges and enemies are not far-off distant things that may or may not rear their ugly heads tomorrow. Neither is the “Dark Side” some fictional, made-up word to scare us when we were kids. There is darkness in all of us – hate, and anger – and our challenges come daily from within. The greatest battle a Jedi faces will always be against their own selves. Refusing to give in to anger when we are insulted; refusing to give in to impatience when our time is being wasted. Overcoming these enemies may not be as exciting as lightsaber duelling with Darth Vader, and half of the time, no one will notice your victories but you. But it is what the Jedi Path is about.

This blog will talk about my experiences living as a Jedi in the modern, real world, and about the battles I face on a day to day basis. I can’t guarantee adventure or excitement, but who knows? Perhaps you will find something interesting.

Thank you for reading.

Now I know I’m supposed to be a university student, worrying about the likes of Locke, Rousseau, and Marx, but sometimes, as my mind wanders up and above the purple clouds and stars of my mind, my alter-ego strikes out and demands politics, cartoon politics. It is therefore why today I call for a restoration of the cartoon golden age! And with George Lucas’ animation series on the scene, I might just have to wait no longer. Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the most recent series from the mastermind George Lucas, is worth stealing a few precious reading hours away for!

The latest from Lucasfilms has been aired on Cartoon Network in the UK since September, but with a new season being aired on the exclusive (hey you have to pay!) Sky Movies Premiere this month, it’s about time someone wrote to all of those cartoon politicians, like myself (with a secret BA in Inter-galactic Relations) a review about the latest goings on in the Republic/Separatist War in the ever-colourful Star Wars universe.

The animation series is an explosive return to the epic Star Wars set, being an instalment fitting prettily in between the two blockbuster hit films ‘Attack of the Clones’ and ‘The Return of the Sith’ and following on from the hit animation movie ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’. We are reacquainted with the infamous Anakin Skywalker, whose character is funnier and more absolute in the animation then in the films. But then again that goes for most of the characters too – including the Separatist droids! - and I’m sure secret fans everywhere walking across the stony pavements of London city with a quick glimpse at the smokey skies once in a while, will be pleased to know the likes of Yoda, Obi Wan and even Padmé Amadala, are a treat to watch! Even Mr. Samuel L. Jackson has leant his voice for the series, adding ambience to this already highly-charged franchise.

But questions have been raised by critics: Why has this animation been created, long after the six films have been completed? Sure the comic books still run, but what more could there be to see? But I beg to offer my cartoon wisdom on this occasion. The series explores and narrates, with new depth, the exciting galaxy that Lucas has created and boy is it utterly more captivating then ever before. We re-live the epic Clone Wars, only remembered by Obi Wan and Yoda with mysterious eyes in ‘A New Hope’, and witness the height of Anakin Skywalker’s heroism and thirst for passion. In addition, the plethora of exciting alien planets and creatures serve to provide the perfectly fitting setting for the misadventures of Jaja Binks, R2D2 and C3PO with breathtaking colour and graphics. It is a crucial chapter in the growing modern legacy of the Sith and prepares us for the last three films which show Luke Skywalker emerge amidst the Imperial/Rebel War.

But the second series is set to introduce the famous Bounty hunters; the dishonest outlaws from the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th films (and perhaps an allusion to the future Rebel hero, Han Solo). It really serves to enlighten its’ audience about the many thrilling stories existing within the Star Wars cosmos during a previously mythological period – a cosmos, I should say, not too far away from the one in which we on Earth inhabit ourselves… does Chancellor Palpatine (and his alter-ego Darth Sidius) remind you of any previous dictators that might have cursed our planet in previous decades? Really it’s an exciting history class for goodness sake!

Nevertheless it’s definitely one to watch out for. But if you are unlucky enough to have no access to Sky Movies Premiere, then catch up with the first series on Cartoon Network and sit patiently until the new instalment comes to Cartoon Network sometime next year, because it’ll really be worth the wait.

Well I better get back to reading Michel Foucault then.

“I hate you!”

Of course you do Anakin! Though you never see it in the movie, Obi-Wan getting it on with Padme in her apartment and in her ship is definitely heavily implied. Anakin’s irrational emotions concerning flesh and blood people who will do what they want leads Obi-wan to cut off Anakin’s arms and legs and leave him to fry and die, like so much KFC.

You see there is a light side and dark side of the force, yin and yang. When you give into the light side, you become old, too passive, effeminate, complacent, a relic of the past. When you give into the dark side, you become much worst: a dick rider, clone shark biter, a traitor, violent, pussy whipped, totally blinded by false promises of power that will never materialize. The force needs balance in order for peace to reign throughout the galaxy. A middle path is necessary. Sure you can have relationships with people without becoming too possessive of those people when they inevitably move on with their life. And you can whup someone’s ass if they have failed to negotiate even when they have been offered what they want. If they continue to press the issue, you have the right to fuck them up. It’s the law!

The Sith cannot be tolerated though because innocent people have to suffer for some dudes meglomanian desire for power. Innocent children, bystanders, even family members have to suffer just so some guy can not even get powerful enough to defeat me. It’s like they sell their soul to compete but they end up losing because they don’t want to carry the cross nor do they read the bible. And even if they watch Star Wars, I doubt they even care about what it means.

Having morals means the survival of civilization. Studying science and being smart helps everyone and you get the girls! Selling your soul for power just turns you into a blind fool who easily jumps through hoops for someone else’s purpose. We can all have a better life if we work together. There is no need to panic or have fear. Fear leads to the dark side. And the dark side is self defeating path. Don’t follow it, don’t be like Anakin and get your joints chopped off with your body fried up hard like  Popeyes chicken.

Awwww how romantic! Grass, Anakin, Padme, green fields, every girl’s fantasy…..and a man’s worst nightmare. This led to Anakin killing Padme by accident after she had his kids and he had no idea he had a seed.  Having kids=instantly turning to the dark side of the force destroying your game because you get attached to some broad for the rest of your life because of a kid. But it is really the attachment and wanting to have possession over someone as if they are a toy or prize. That’s why it’s so much better to be self possessed and totally into how cool you are!

Look don’t catch an Anakin Skywalker. No matter what you do, avoid getting too close and too attached to some chick. You can enjoy multiple relationships and all the fun that come with them, but once one girl starts invading your mind, it means you are losing your pimp juice. A girl can tell when a man is losing his mojo and like a shark rushes to the scent of blood in water, girls rush to a oversensitive, super emotional, super talkative man who can’t control his anger.

The worst part about Anakin is that because he thought Obi-Wan tapped his wife’s ass, he got so angry that he attacked and tried to kill his master and friend. That is not good. Anger and hatred can blind you to the truth. Even if Obi-Wan did tap that, so what? It’s the Jedi code not to catch feelings. Women are people not objects. You can’t own a woman or tell her what to do. She is gonna do what she wants to do and it’s a wrap. Many men are going to read this and say “no she won’t” but yes she will. Your wife, your girlfriend, your sister, your mother is going to let some dude tap that ass behind your back and you are never going to find out about it until it is too late. So it is better to work those multiple relationships so you always have a back up just in case something goes wrong. You don’t want to be like Anakin who turns into Vader’s mechanical ass and can never get any pussy evar again!

"Words can't describe my feelings for Dell"

Its becoming a time-honoured tradition in my household. Every year a laptop blows up, usually of the Dell variety. While the term “blow up” is probably a gross overstatement of what happened, it lands pretty close to the mark in concerns to how I feel on the issue. To date I have owned 5 Laptops in around 6-7 years..not a bad average. Admittedly Laptop technology saw a drastic rise and some of the items were fazed out through natural means…But not all.

As people can probably tell from the sheer barrage of posts in the last 2 days (what are we on now 6-7 posts?) I have gotten the wind back in my sails and actually doing something relative to the content of this blog (ok I will admit mild distractions from my wargaming blog).

What arises now though is a new problem. I have moved away from the “reliable” Windows-based machines and taken my first plunge into “reliable” Mac territory…

"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Commander. I'm here to put you back on schedule."

I ended up getting the October 09 version of the Macbook, a much smaller bit of kit then I am used too. Specs are 2.26 Core Duo, 4Gb Ram, 500gb HDD,  Nvidia 9400m (built-in?), Snow Leopard OSX. It really is a step down for me but since my gaming days are long gone (ending with a brief run on Aion) I doubt very much that I will ever need anything mobile/powerful.

"Makes my eyeeees raiiiinnn"

So far it has been an uphill struggle, with multiple problems revolving around connectivity. When I first got the machine, I was able to use Safari, itunes etc do all the Apple type things you tend to do like flood your iphone with free Apps. But recently I have not been able to connect/download anything from itunes or the App store. The issue seems to be the router or Isp and so once again, just as something good happens, something bad that nullifies the good completely occurs to bring “balance”. This issue has recently spread to certain Anime figure websites and payment sites meaning I am heavily restricted on online purchasing. The same restrictions seem to apply to my iphone too creating double the frustration. Whats the point is having all this great stuff when you can’t use it for what it’s intended?!

On the plus side. The large HDD I invested in is paying for itself as I flood it with new figure photos, music and of course the back log of anime I have to watch. Only problem? VLC does not support 64bit Snow Leopard and they have no developers to work on it…Great, Told you it was an up hill struggle.

Undoubtedly readers have “felt” the Star Wars undertones and for good reason. After watching episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 2, I went ahead and ordered the Season 1 DVD box set to watch over the Christmas period.

"Making up for poor movie modifications?"

After watching episode 1 I can say that I was thoroughly impressed. Watching a “younger” Yoda carving the crap out of a droid battalion, was to say most pleasing. Some of the elements of this series remind me of Transformers the movie (Animated not the Megan porn Bay garbage) where there is complete unprecedented disregard of life! Episode two to three shows the merciless nature of General Grievous and has many a scene of Troopers being sucked into space to die a horrid death..sheer awesome. To date I have watched only the first 5 (disc 1) but if the quality remains consistent I will have a pretty good time watching the rest.

Worth checking out.

Thanks for reading

DiStudios

]]> http://zbiodra.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/baza-rebeliantow-imperium-kontratakuje/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:36:41 +0000 analog http://zbiodra.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/baza-rebeliantow-imperium-kontratakuje/

Title: Letters From an Unhinged Mind
Author: rollingstone
Rating: All ages
Word Count: 395
Characters: Fourth Doctor, Obi Wan Kenobi

I’m not sure how much this counts as a Star Wars crossover, but it is amusing as an amusing thing, nonetheless.

L’uomo che fissa le capre
The Men Who Stare At Goats
Un film di Grant Heslov. Con George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, Stephen Lang. Nick Offerman… USA, Gran Bretagna- 2009

Le rievocazioni del Sessantotto risultano francamente patetiche e noiose. Soprattutto poi quando lo si vuole rappresentare attraverso le proprie singole esperienze.

In un delirio di onnipotenza artistica abbiamo assistito a vere e proprie porcherie i cui schizzi di fango in qualche modo trasformano quel periodo in qualche cosa che non è, con atmofesfere buie, noiose e ridicole.

Le performance artistiche riescono alla grande quando rappresentano gli effetti che ha prodotto il sessantotto su noi.

“Ed in quella casa comune che è la memoria del tempo, si insinua in maniera subdola un brivido freddo, un grande gelo di fronte a quella sensazione di resa, di compromesso…Ma questo diventa il punto di forza della storia: uniti nelle nostre solitudini, affiatati nelle nostre frustrazioni, coscienti del crollo di tante illusioni.

Ma questo è anche il grande bagaglio che ci resta del ‘68.

Ci resta questo grande bagaglio culturale; un bagaglio di idee, di etica, di comportamenti che si eleva a metodo di vita.

Di vita all’impronta della dignità; dignità di avere il coraggio di dichiararsi anche Spaesati di fronte a ad una realtà attuale che assolutamente non ci rappresenta”

Questo scrivevo a proposito di quel meraviglioso film del 1983 “Il grande freddo (The Big Chill)”
di Lawrence Kasdan ( v recensione ).

L’uomo che fissa le capre non è un film  sul Sessantotto ma è figlio di quella cultura.
Solo così si può spiegare la dissacrazione intelligente verso quei monumenti intoccabili dell’autorità trattata spesso con reverenza.

Il potere trattato in maniera burlesca attraverso un gioco di trovate eccellenti, parodie new age, giochi linguistici, citazioni, filosofia..

E’ satira pura, graffiante violenta; cade così la maschera di alcune istituzioni rivelando tutta la loro idiozia.

E l’effetto iconoclastico è reso ancora più dirompente da un’escamotage di grande impatto emotivo: si dicono cose idiote come se si stesse recitando Shakespeare.

George Clooney è grandioso; Jeff Bridge ( il Drugo del Grande Lebowski ) continua a stregare; non sono da meno gli altri interpreti guidati da una regia leggera e riservata.

Sono i cavalieri Jedi che difendono la nostra libertà, e perché no, anche i nostri sogni.
Tornate presto!

Voto: otto su dieci

Tonight’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode of Landing At Point Rain was engaging on several levels. Firstly, because I did not post a response to the last episode, Senate Spy, I’d like to point out to all those people saying that Point Rain “makes up for the last one” that their conclusions are only slightly ridiculous. Senate Spy was something completely different that we, as an audience, have not seen in the Star Wars franchise; whereas when you boil down the latest episode, it’s just another Giant Battle ™. MOVING ON…

As I touched on earlier, Landing At Point Rain is a multilayered story. On the outside it’s a ground and air campaign against enemy forces on an epic scale. Another layer is seeing how the individual deals with the stress of war and in particular a battle. On the deepest level, it’s a study on the psyche of a survivor: Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ki-Adi-Mundi are returning to a place of slaughter of their Jedi brethren.

It’s interesting how each of them dealt with their emotions. Surprisingly, Obi-Wan seemed to be the most shaken of the group; particularly during his “last stand” moment in Act III. The other thing I noticed were the various characters’ coping mechanisms: Obi-Wan tends toward the witty banter, while Anakin and Ahsoka, on the surface, turn warfare into a competition. Anakin also becomes absolutely ruthless on the battlefield. Comparatively speaking, his fighting style is much more aggressive than any of his peerage. When faced with the knowledge of Obi-Wan’s crash and subsequent radio silence, he becomes intensely focused on the mission in order to maintain a modicum of calm. (How uncharacteristic…) Ahsoka, on the other hand, seems more conservative in this situation. (Keen viewers will notice her use of a “non-reverse grip” on her lightsaber towards the beginning of the episode, but as the stress of the battle reaches her, she reverts into older habits and the “reverse-grip” reappears.) In addition to the competitive streak and her fighting styles, Ahsoka’s sarcasm comes back in full force. Regarding Obi-Wan’s desperation in this episode, I have a theory: Over the past 10 years Anakin has been his coping mechanism. He could always revert into teacher mode when they were a Master/Padawan team. Obi-Wan no longer has that luxury in this situation. All he has left is sighing and beard stroking. Ki-Adi-Mundi and his 17 brains seem to be just fine.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is the first time, excluding the abominable snowmen, that we have seen the Jedi and clone forces fighting and destroying an army of flesh and blood, or rather exoskeleton and goo, enemies? I think it is. That, in itself, raises the stakes to a level we have not yet seen. It’s not just a pile of metal bodies at the end of the day anymore. These are living creatures. That said, the Genosians were terribly menacing to me. Their noises and aggravated clicking were actually causing me stress. I wonder if that’s the multi-talented DBB providing the sounds… Though I can’t tell y’all how bad I wanted one of the Flamethrower! Clones to say, “Did someone call the exterminator?” in a really gravelly Clint Eastwood voice.

OMG, now it’s time for my LIST! Don’t you just love them?

The Good:

• The Animation: I know I say this every time, but these guys just keep on getting better and better. I have never seen anything like this on an animated series. Lucasfilm Animation is setting the bar on all future projects for themselves and the industry itself.
• Realistic Smoke and, um, Dirt Chunks
• Hello, Waxer & Boil! Long time, no battle.
• Blood! Blood! Blood! Seeing Obi-Wan looking legitimately injured took this episode to a whole other level.
• Excellent use of the Force. I enjoyed seeing the concentrated efforts of Anakin and Ahsoka. These are realistic Force properties.
• Fire: My inner pyromaniac got all excited.
• Yularen is more bitchtastic every episode and I love it.
• The final assault was something completely new. I don’t think we’ve ever seen something like that on TCW. The only way I can describe it is a “moving mural”.
• Ki-Adi-Mundi owned them all. He was so adorkable, he genuinely thought he was going to get some candy or a nice gift card to the local space Applebees at the end.

The Fugly:

• Whose assault plan was this? Can someone with stratergery explain it to me using small words and perhaps a diagram?
• I am normally a fan of Kevin Kiner’s scoring decisions. This may be the first time where the music did not enhance the show for me.
• Pacing: This episode wore me out. I enjoy some downtime in an episode and there was NONE of that here. All I need is a good thirty seconds to a minute of respite, but the pace of Landing At Point Rain was absolutely relentless. (Though, I have a feeling this was intentional.)

As I said on twitter, The only thing I hate about TCW is waiting for the next episode. Please enjoy these stills courtesy of the kind folks at the official site.

Luminara is not amused at ALL. She called shenanigans.

The very model of a modern Major-General. I am waiting for my G&S episode, Dave. Did you hear me, Dave? G&S.

Did someone say Alamo?

I really wish Rex had a space! blog or a galactic twitter account . I think he would be fucking hilarious.

I dare you to tell me you don't like Ahsoka. I'll hit you with my shoe.

Tune in next week for a chick fight! It should be airing during the normal time slot of  8PM/EST on the Cartoon Network for all you American types.

Star Wars – Fans sind für ihre Leidenschaft und ihr Engagement bekannt.

Nun gabs auf Vimeo eine Ausschreibung, sämtliche Szenen des Science Fiction Klassikers sollten nachgespielt werden. Die einzelnen Sequenzen sind sehr charmant ausgefallen. Zur Website