Star Wars the Clone Wars 24 Week Plan

Week 3 already!

This plan has already renewed my interest in The Clone Wars(and Star Wars in general)!

I'm sorry to say I actually got a little disinterested with Star Wars without anything new really going on for such a long time... :/ But now I seriously can't wait for each Friday when I get to share these episodes with you and watch them!

Rookies:

• This episode aired on October 24, 2008 and sparked what is probably the biggest sub-fandom of the Clone Wars(if that's a thing, haha) as it followed the well known Domino squad in their mission to protect the Rishi Moon outpost.  It is the fifth episode of Season One and the ninth episode in the complete story.  Although some of the squad might consider this post to be more than a little boring, they are in for a big adventure when a Separatist fleet attacks the post.  They will have to fight to let the Republic know of their troubles, or die trying. . .
• Written by Steven Melching
• Directed by Justin Ridge
• During the beginning of the episode a DJ dedicates a song to the clone troopers on Mimban which is a planet explored in the 1978 novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye.
• Who couldn't love this episode? It comes with all of the greatest things the Clone Wars has to offer: action, heroics, sacrifice, and explosions, haha.  While the show was still in its early stages they still managed to produce a great episode with characters we would love and remember long after.

Downfall of a Droid:

• This sixth episode of Season One comes in as number ten in the order of the story.  It aired on November 7, 2008.  Following an encounter in space with General Grievous, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano must search for R2-D2 who mysteriously went missing during the fight.  Despite the fact of Anakin's attachment to the droid, Artoo is also carrying sensitive information that could harm the Republic if it fell into the wrong hands.  In "Artooy's" absence, Anakin is forced to get a replacement astromech, R3-S6, but it seems the new droid is a little slow.  Time is running out for the Jedi to find the missing droid before General Grievous does.
• Written by George Krstic
• Directed by Rob Coleman
• R3's black-and-gold color was a tribute to Davi Filoni's hometown of Pittsburgh, whose football team wears the colors.
• I personally really love this episode.  The beginning battle is incredibly interesting, and Anakin's tactics always prove to be amusing!  It's great to see R2 in some action of his own too.  I also really loved R3-S6, but sadly that kinda fell flat. . . haha

Duel of the Droids:

• Being the next episode both in Season One and chronological order, this episode aired on November 14, 2008 and continues the story of the search for R2.  It seems he has led the Jedi to a secret Separatist listening post the Republic has been looking for.  Anakin is instructed to destroy the post despite Artoo being on it.  Anakin, however, goes against Obi-Wan's wishes and searches for his partner, leaving the mission of destroying the base to his padawan and clones.  Grievous intends not to allow this and creates many obstacles for the crew, including an unexpected traitor.
• Written by Kevin Campbell and Henry Gilroy
• Directed by Rob Coleman
• The seats in Gha Nachkt's freighter, the Vulture's Claw, are actually very similar to those in the Millennium Falcon.
• This is actually one of my favorite episodes of Season One and really the entire series.  One reason I love it so much is because of how many times Anakin and Grievous come so close to one another, but never meet until Episode III.  This is only the first of many of those instances and you barely even notice the connection until you think about it again later.  Also, the combat and design in these episodes was great!  It was also pretty interesting as a child to watch R3 being a traitor, although I wasn't very happy about it. . .  I had the same optimistic view as Ahsoka.

Bombad Jedi:

• The next episode in Season One and the story line aired on November 21, 2008.  Here we see more of the political and comical side of the Clone Wars as Padme Amidala travels with Jar Jar Binks to Rodia to negotiate a relief effort with one of her oldest friends Senator Onaconda Farr.  He, however, has betrayed her and sided with Nute Gunray.  Padme is taken prisoner and Jar Jar and 3PO are forced to fend for themselves and hope to save the senator.
• Written by Kevin Rubio, Henry Gilroy, and Steven Melching
• Directed by Jesse Yeh
• The sea monster seen in this episode is modeled after an unused concept design by Ralph McQuarrie for a swamp monster inhabiting Dagobah.
• Many people don't like this episode because they don't like Jar Jar.  I like all Clone Wars episodes though, and I enjoyed the comedy in this one.

Cloak of Darkness:

• After Padme and Jar Jar capture Nute Gunray on Rodia, he is sent with Master Luminara Unduli and Ahsoka Tano to be transported to Coruscant to be tried for his crimes in the next episode which aired on December 5, 2008.  It would soon appear that Nute Gunray is even more important than previously thought as Asajj Ventress is sent to rescue him.  Luminara, however, underestimates the assassin and is nearly overwhelmed by her, but Ahsoka comes just in time.  The diversion was just what the sith apprentice needed for her inside man to retrieve the Viceroy and escape.
• Written by Paul Dini
• Directed by Dave Filoni
• Gree took his name as an allusion to his interest in alien species such as the Gree, an ancient species living in the Outer Rim.
• One thing I really liked about this episode was seeing masters and padawans working with other Jedi than their usual counterparts.  The traitor bit was getting a little old though; but it did give us more insight into the minds of those working for the Grand Republic.

Lair of Grievous:

• When Ventress manages to escape with Gunray, the two are "foolish" enough to use a Republic ship, which can be tracked.  In the next episode, airing on December 12, 2008, Jedi Master Kit Fisto and his former padawan Nahdar Vebb are tasked with tracking down the war criminal before he slips out of their reach.  They soon find out that they are actually being led into a trap; but who is the trap actually for?
• Written by Henry Gilroy
• Directed by Atsushi
• There are many aquatic species in the Jedi Order like Fisto and his old padawan Nahdar who are from the water worlds Glee Anselm and Mon Cala.
• I really enjoyed the conclusion to this ARC!  And I loved the fact that they were three episodes that had a connection, but weren't really the same story.  Kind of reminiscent of the OT.

I hope you enjoyed this week! I'm so excited to watch these episodes and next week's too! Come back next Friday for the next set of episodes to watch! Until then, MTFBWY!

Star Wars the Clone Wars 24 Week Plan

Week 2 of the Plan!

This week's episodes:

Clone Cadets:

• On September 17, 2010, the first episode of Season Three, or third in chronology, Clone Cadets aired as the Season Premier of Season Three.  The episode follows the Domino squad through their rocky training road on Kamino to becoming a part of the Republic army.  Heavy, Fives, Echo, Droidbait, and Cutup must overcome their differences and work together in order to pass their final test.
• The episode was written by Cameron Litvack and directed by Dave Filoni.
• In one of the tests of the clone cadets, Commander Colt orders a challenge "version THX, variable 11-38" which is a reference to George Lucas's first feature film, THX 1138."
• I really love this episode! As I've said before, I love exploring all the aspects of war(politics, the front line, training, it's effects, etc.)  We also get to see the back-story of the Domino Squad from "Rookies," and who doesn't love them?

Supply Lines:

• This third episode of Season Three originally aired on September 24, 2010.  Being the fourth episode in chronological order, this story shows us the effort used to convince Toydaria to allow a relief effort to use their planet to reach the struggling Twi'leks on Ryloth.  Master Ima-Gun Di desperately tries to save what Twi'lek people he can as Jar Jar Binks and Bail Organa negotiate with King Katuunko of Toydaria.
• This episode was written by Steven Melching and Eoghan Mahony and directed by Brian Kalin O'Connell.
• It is almost clear of Master Ima-Gun Di's fate from the beginning of the episode.  The name was no accident; however, the Clone Wars team could have been a little more sublte.
• I think this episode is one of the more well-rounded episodes of the series.  We see the politics of war, the quirkiness of Jar Jar, and the battles on Ryloth.  The story is also pretty good and gives us more insight into, both the struggle on Ryloth, and the state of Toydaria's neutrality.  I hated seeing Master Di, well, die; and I really wish we could have seen more of him throughout the series, but he did have an honorable death.

Ambush:

• The very first episode of the Clone Wars, airing on October 3, 2008 actually comes fifth in chronological order.  In this episode we continue the story of Toydaria's neutrality as Master Yoda tries to reach King Katuunko in order to hold negotiations on the planet's alliance with the Republic.  He is, however, blocked from his goal by a legion of droids lead by Asajj Ventress.
• The episode was written by Steven Melching and directed by Dave Bullock.
• Voice actor Tom Kane not only voices Yoda, but also Admiral Yularen and the opening for each episode.
• In my opinion, this episode is definitely a classic!  It will long be remembered as the first episode of the Clone Wars, and there isn't much else you can say about it.

Rising Malevolence:

• Episode two of Season One(or number six in story order) also aired on October 3, 2008.  This episode tells the story of a mystery weapon the Jedi have been trying to track down and destroy.  Master Plo Koon has just engaged the weapon, but soon loses all contact with the outside world.  Though there have been no survivors to this elusive tool of the enemy, Anakin and Ahsoka believe Master Plo has survived and mount their own rescue mission.
• Written by Steven Melching and directed by Dave Filoni.
• The firing chamber of the Malevolence's ion canon very much resembles that of the Death Star from Episodes IV and VI.
• I will always remember watching this episode, and the one before, enamored by the animation and action of the episodes.  I was young at the time, but both episodes will always remain favorites of mine!

Shadow of Malevolence:

• Coming in at number seven in the story order, the next episode of Season One aired on October 10, 2008.  After finally discovering the abilities and location of the Malevolence, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Plo Koon mount a small bomber strike force to take down the menace.  While Obi-Wan brings the fleet as quickly as possible, Anakin leads his pilots through a dangerous shortcut in hopes of cutting Grievous off before he can do anymore damage.
• Written by Steven Melching and directed by Brian Kalin O'Connell.
• Y-wing fighters, used in this episode, where still utilized in the Original Trilogy time period.  They are then considered old ships that can take a lot of damage.
• The four-legged power droid of the PLNK-series is named for the "plunk" sound it makes.
• I again loved seeing these first Clone Wars episodes, and thoroughly enjoyed the first space battle!

Destroy Malevolence:

• The next episode of Season One and the story line follows the final attempt of the Republic fleet to destroy the Malevolence.  After his prized ship sustains extensive damage, Grievous makes one last attempt at escape by abducting Senator Padme Amidala in an effort to stop the fighting long enough for his hyperdrive to be repaired.  Anakin and Obi-Wan must rescue Padme and destroy the starship before time runs out.
• Written by Tim Burns and directed by Brian Kalin O'Connell.
• I thought this was a great conclusion to a great story ARC!  Though, throughout the first season, good would seem to win a little too much, we find our balance a little later in the show and these episodes can be regarded as the classics of the series.

Sorry I wasn't able to post yesterday... I was really busy... haha  I again hope you enjoyed this post! Check back next Friday to see what episodes come next! Until next time, MTFBWY!

Star Wars the Clone Wars 24 Week Plan

Week 1 of the 24 Week Plan!

I have mixed emotions about this year. . .

I'm excited because I've been wanting to do them in chronological order for a while,

but I didn't know the exact order. . . haha Now that I do, I'm really happy for this year's plan!

The sad part is that there is no more Clone Wars, and this is, in fact, a final goodbye.

Well, on to this week's(or rather last week's...) episodes:

Cat and Mouse:

• Originally airing on March 26, 2010 as the 16th episode of Season two, this episode actually comes first in chronological order.  The episode shows us a rather fresh Republic fleet fighting the experienced strategist, Admiral Trench, who has blockaded the planet Christophsis.  It is clear here that both sides are fresh into the war.  It is later discovered that, between the time of the battle of Geonosis and now, the Separatists have been aligning many systems to their cause, either willingly or by force.  With, what would seem like, a newly organized Republic military, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan have been sent to this particular planet to put a stop to the Separatist movement.  It is obvious that the war is fresh, with Admiral Yularen showing his lack of knowledge about Skywalker, in addition to new clones and equipment shown in the episode.  Anakin is ordered by Obi-Wan to take an experimental stealth ship down to the planet to aid Senator Bail Organa and the Republic base.  However, after Yularen reveals their enemy's great qualifications, Skywalker chooses a different action and attacks Trench with the ship.  A strategic game of cat-and-mouse ensues as each opponent tries to outsmart the other.
• This episode was written by Brian Larsen and directed by Kyle Dunlevy.
• In Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Captain Needa is certain that no ship as small as the Millennium Falcon could have a cloaking device. He clearly is wrong, but it is not shown throughout the rest of this series whether or not the stealth ship used in this episode was successfully used in the war effort.
• Admiral Trench's name was originally Admiral Taranch and can be seen spelled this way on Yularen's intelligence report.  The name, however, was changed because it was thought to close to tarantula, the obvious origin of his species and name.
• I personally love this episode! It was great to see two experienced military leader battle it out in space with experimental technology and quick thinking.

The Hidden Enemy:

• This episode aired on February 6, 2009 as number 16 of Season 1. It comes in as the second episode in chronology.  After defeating Trench, Anakin and Obi-Wan proceed to set up a trap for the droids on the planet below, but are betrayed by one of their own.  As the Jedi take a look behind enemy lines, Commander Cody and Captain Rex launch an investigation into who may have given up their battle plans to the enemy.  Anakin and Obi-Wan again find a trap waiting for them at the Separatist headquarters.  They battle Ventress and discover another attack being launched on the city while Rex and Cody do some battling of their own.  They manage to catch the traitor, but not before he did some damage to the weapons depot.
• Apparently, though still early in the war, the fight is already having an effect on the clones as Sergeant Slick reveals his reasoning for betraying the Republic as being a favor to his brothers.  He did it "for his freedom" from the Jedi.
• The episode was written by Drew Z. Greenberg and directed by Steward Lee.
• Captain Rex was originally an ARC trooper named Alpha in the Dark Horse Comics' Star Wars: Republic.
• This episode gave us a lot of insight into the minds of the individual clones in the early days of the war as well giving us the context of the theatrical release. It's not, however, one of my personal favorites.

The Clone Wars(Theatrical Release):

• The full length feature hit theaters on August 15, 2008, thus beginning the Clone Wars fandom.  Yoda sends aid to Anakin and Obi-Wan on Christophsis in the form of a new padawan for Skywalker.  The arrogant master and snippy apprentice make an odd pair, but they must work together to shut down the droids' new shield and win Christophsis for the Republic.  With some difficulty, they manage to destroy the generator and clear the way for reinforcements, but the next Separatist plan has already been put into place.  Jabba the Hutt has contacted the Jedi Council in hopes that they can help find his son.  Not yet sure who is behind the kidnapping, Anakin and Ahsoka are sent to investigate on the planet Teth.  They find the huttlet, but the real battle has just begun.  Dooku twists the truth to Jabba and convinces him the Jedi are responsible.  Anakin and Ahsoka have to return Rotta to his father, without incident, before time runs out.
• Writers Henry Gilroy, Steven Melching, and Scott Murphy and director Dave Filoni originally planned this story to be the first three episodes of the series, but instead decided to extend it and launch the series with a movie.
• Samuel Jackson, Christopher Lee, Anthony Daniels, and Matthew Wood again filled their roles from the prequel trilogy in this feature with Daniels and Wood also continuing into the show.
• The Twilight's design was taken from an unused Republic gunship concept for Episode II.
• Who wouldn't love the movie? haha It made for a great start to the series! The story line and conflict could have been a little more substantial to the overall story of the Clone Wars, but it was pretty good, other than that.  The character development of Anakin and Ahsoka was very well done. The music(at the time) was all fresh and well put together, and the animation was great for the time period!

I hope you enjoy this week's edition! Check back every Friday for the next episodes!(Not sure if I'll be adding all this information every time; still deciding...) I hope some of you are doing this with me and will enjoy it! Until next time, MTFBWY!

Star Wars the Clone Wars All Season Summer Plan!

Hey guys! So, a lot of you may remember me doing this before, or you may not, but, basically, I watch 4-6 episodes of the Clone Wars series(and the movie) every Friday night for 24 weeks and by the end I have watched all of them. With the release of the episode guide book though, I've decided to do them in chronological order this year! So, I'm just wondering if any of you would like to join me? I don't think anyone has before, if they have they never told me... Haha But, I usually start a week or two after the last episode of the season premiers. Season 6 was uploaded a little over a week ago, so I started last weekend, but if you guys want to do it with me, you can either catch up, or start this weekend. It really doesn't matter, I just wanted to know if some people wanted to do this with me as kind of a last goodbye to the Clone Wars series before Rebels comes(:I'll be posting the first week later today, then I'll post the second week on Friday(:Until next time, MTFBWY!