Star Wars: The Clone Wars 1 X 11: "Dooku Captured" (Spoilers)

[JediKnightButler]

Since nobody else has done it yet, I thought I'd start a review thread for last week's installment of Clone Wars, "Dooku Captured". I would be more willing to post an episode review thread like this every week if there is sufficient interest in it.

Good: Amusing banter between Anakin and Obi-Wan (Anakin trying to sheepishly explain Dooku's escape to an incredulous Ashoka with Obi-Wan watching was hilarious). I also loved Obi-Wan calling Anakin a "master......of getting captured"! We finally get to see what a much-alluded "Gundark" looks like (ears and all- basically looks like a giant rabbit). Dooku gets captured although we don't actually know exactly HOW yet. The score composed for this episode was particularly good, especially in the pirates' lair.

Bad: Nothing particularly stood out for me other than perhaps the seeming naivete' of Obi-Wan and Anakin when dealing with the pirates (the fact that they were walking into a trap seemed VERY obvious to me and they didn't really pressure the pirates to explain exactly how they captured Dooku) but I guess this is probably more of a nitpick than a real criticism of the episode. IMHO there have not really been any BAD episodes so far. I think the "weakest" one was "Rookies" IMHO but they've all been pretty consistently good so far.

Other: My wife said that she saw Anakin and Obi-Wan quickly switch their drinks with some of the other party-goers at the end but I apparently missed it. Did anybody else see that?

Next Week: Based on the trailers it looks like Obi-Wan and Anakin end up getting captured and have to try to escape with Dooku. Oh, and more Jar Jar heroics/theatrics trying to rescue them (I loved him in "Bombad Jedi" so I hope he's as good in this one too).

 

[Brian]

Yeah, the drinks were drugged. When they held them up for a toast, both Jedi used the Force to flip their drinks into other peoples' hands, and take their drinks. That's why the dudes on either side of them passed out afterward.

 

[Mike Farley]

Oh, and more Jar Jar heroics/theatrics trying to rescue them (I loved him in "Bombad Jedi" so I hope he's as good in this one too).

Could this be the series that redeems Jar Jar? Is it possible that in hands other than Lucas' he could actually turn out to be a likable comic relief?

 

[JediKnightButler]

Oh, and more Jar Jar heroics/theatrics trying to rescue them (I loved him in "Bombad Jedi" so I hope he's as good in this one too).

Could this be the series that redeems Jar Jar? Is it possible that in hands other than Lucas' he could actually turn out to be a likable comic relief?

A distinct possibility. "Bombad Jedi" was HILARIOUS between Jar Jar and C-3PO and not in a deliberately "over the top" or forced (pun intended) manner.

 

[captcalhoun]

i'm loving this series. i don't think there's been a weak one yet.

 

[nx1701g]

Oh, and more Jar Jar heroics/theatrics trying to rescue them (I loved him in "Bombad Jedi" so I hope he's as good in this one too).

Could this be the series that redeems Jar Jar? Is it possible that in hands other than Lucas' he could actually turn out to be a likable comic relief?

A distinct possibility. "Bombad Jedi" was HILARIOUS between Jar Jar and C-3PO and not in a deliberately "over the top" or forced (pun intended) manner.

Agreed. Heaven Help me I liked Jar Jar in Bombad Jedi.

 

[Mr Light]

This was another good episode; not much else to say, really. My memory of it already fades. I liked how Dooku got screwed by a third party. BTW, I'm watching the bonus features on the CW movie, and there's a clip of Seth Green recording lines in a sound booth! So I wasn't crazy when I read somewhere he was in Clone Wars, just not as Kit Fisto.

 

[Christopher]

It was good to finally get an episode that teams Obi-Wan and Anakin, and lets Obi-Wan be more than just a background player. The cool thing about this show is all the different character dynamics it explores. It's almost an anthology rather than the usual kind of TV series that's tightly focused on a single core cast.

By a similar token, it's nice to see Dooku getting a more central role too. Corey Burton does an excellent Christopher Lee impression.

 

[Gojirob]

It was good to finally get an episode that teams Obi-Wan and Anakin, and lets Obi-Wan be more than just a background player. The cool thing about this show is all the different character dynamics it explores. It's almost an anthology rather than the usual kind of TV series that's tightly focused on a single core cast.

By a similar token, it's nice to see Dooku getting a more central role too. Corey Burton does an excellent Christopher Lee impression.

Brainiac : He does do a good Lee, doesn't he, Kal-El?

I did love Bombad Jedi. Somehow, I'm never quite on the same hate arc as a lot of fans, when it comes to such characters--I had trouble figuring the Wes-hate on TNG for a long time. But 'Bombad Jedi' did remind me of one question I've had since the Clone Wars movie. Will Ahsoka ever find out Anakin and Padme's secret? It just seemed like 'little clues' such as Ani's cloak (though it could be any Jedi's) being in Padme's compartment might join together with other things she observes or hears tell of. Being his padawan, AT would be in position to catch things AS keeps from others.

I never normally think about a show's finale this early, but I was thinking this one's was bound to be bittersweet. As one scenario, I picture an older Ahsoka, found by Luke to whom she explains her role in the events in and around and following ROTS.

 

[Brian]

It seems that Lucas put Jar-Jar in the background after the fan backlash regarding Episode I. I wonder if there were other plans for him than what eventually made it to the screen.

After Episode I, I was convinced that Jar-Jar was Force-sensitive. There were too many instances of him accidentally doing the right thing, or his bumbling having a positive result. Watch the big land battle on Naboo for instances of that.

That, combined with Qui-Gon's decision to bring him along just tells me there was something more intended there. But then again, Qui-Gon's feelings didn't always have the obvious interpretation. He was right about Anakin, but had no idea how heinously Anakin would eventually bring balance to the force. Perhaps he felt that Jar-Jar had a role to play, not knowing that it was to unwittingly help create the Empire.

 

[Christopher]

But 'Bombad Jedi' did remind me of one question I've had since the Clone Wars movie. Will Ahsoka ever find out Anakin and Padme's secret? It just seemed like 'little clues' such as Ani's cloak (though it could be any Jedi's) being in Padme's compartment might join together with other things she observes or hears tell of. Being his padawan, AT would be in position to catch things AS keeps from others.

IIRC, the only people who saw the Jedi cloak in Padme's closet were C3PO and Jar-Jar. JJ's too dumb to figure it out, and Threepio's too prim and tactful to tell anyone if he did. Although he'd probably gossip to Artoo, come to think of it, but Artoo's pretty good at keeping secrets. (I mean, hello, Artoo, did it ever occur to you to mention to Luke Skywalker, "Hey, by the way, I used to work for your dad and he's Darth Vader now?" In RotS, Captain Antilles only ordered Threepio's memory wiped, so Artoo should still have full memories of the whole saga. But nooo, the little fireplug likes the power that comes from having secrets and being the big knowitall.)

 

[Brian]

Well, Threepio was at the wedding after all, so I doubt the cloak was much of a surprise to him.

 

[nx1701g]

After Episode I, I was convinced that Jar-Jar was Force-sensitive. There were too many instances of him accidentally doing the right thing, or his bumbling having a positive result. Watch the big land battle on Naboo for instances of that.

I thought I read somewhere that he was a Force Sensitive. Maybe it was in an infinity continuity though.

 

[DarthPipes]

I really enjoyed it. It was good to see Anakin and Obi-Wan back together (the banter was very amusing and it was cool to see them fight a gundark) and I was glad to see Count Dooku play a central role. I agree that Corey Burton does an excellent impression of Christopher Lee.

I actually thought the Jedi would fall for the poisoned drink bit but the way they switched the cups was clever. I don't know who voiced the pirate leader but he was funny, especially when he was drunk and trying to explain how he caught Dooku to Anakin and Obi-Wan.

I can go with the pirates captured Dooku. The only thing I don't buy is them getting his lightsabers. Just how did this happen? Dooku is an old man...maybe he had to go to the bathroom on the trip off-world and left them in there.

Another thing I liked...the pirate's flying saucer craft.

 

[Christopher]

I don't know who voiced the pirate leader...

The ubiquitous Jim Cummings. Yes, the pirates were led by Winnie the Pooh.

I can go with the pirates captured Dooku. The only thing I don't buy is them getting his lightsabers. Just how did this happen?

From what I've read, it was the red Salacious Crumb-like creature (I think it's called a "monkey-lizard") that nicked them from his belt. That didn't come across clearly enough, though.

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

It was odd seeing Weequay talk, since they never did on screen. I dunno why, I mean Kit Fisto and Plo Koon never talked before this toon.

I liked the hard to believe drink swap at the end.

"Rookies" is one the best episodes.

 

[Mr Light]

On last's night's episode... minus the Jar Jar stuff I found this to be an excellent episode. It was so cool to see Anakin and Obi-Wan actually teaming up with Dooku, I never thought I'd see that! Also with the lack of Asoka or Ventress, this felt a lot more movie-esque then the usual series. I also appreciated giving the baddie a little bit of layers. I think this episode might be the new record for Jar Jar's annoying factor but thankfully he's only in it briefly. Also his voice sounded REALLY off; was that even Ahmed Best?

 

[nx1701g]

^ I don't think that it was.

 

[Christopher]

According to the episode guide, it was BJ Hughes as Jar Jar. Which surprises me, since I didn't notice a difference.

Should we change the thread title to include this week's episode too? Anyway, what I found hilarious was the clone trooper sending Jar Jar out to "negotiate" and get captured with the full expectation that Jar Jar's clumsiness would bring chaos to the pirates. But I also like how the episode demonstrated that Jar Jar is, as the trooper said, "smarter than he looks." He's clumsy when he's out of his element (the water), and has an annoying voice and personality, but he's a quick thinker when he needs to be.

 

[JediKnightButler]

We can talk about the follow-up episode as well.

Good: Anakin and Obi-Wan escape and, more importantly, with a sense of honor by leaving the (remaining) pirates alive and unharmed despite their imprisonment and torture, which was in MARKED contrast to how Dooku left. Some of the banter between Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Dooku was amusing during their attempts to escape. Jar Jar's antics were fun to watch, particularly when he accidentally ended up in the cockpit with the clone pilots. Bummer about the other Senator. However, it was humorous when the clone soldiers realize that they have to answer to......Jar Jar.

Bad: Nothing particularly bad although Dooku's escape was entirely predictable once Anakin and Obi-Wan were separated from him.

Other: Dooku's cold-blooded murder of the pirates during his escape, although not out of character for him (he's a Sith Lord after all), reminds me again, like with some of the previous Grevious episodes, that this is NOT (thankfully) just another "kiddie" cartoon series.