Prisoners Review

I'm very pleased with the resolve and how this episode wrapped up last week's premiere.



I liked how the tension what built and sustained here, although I felt that there could have been a little more build up to the final battle. And speaking of battles . . .

Riff Tamson's death at the hand of Prince Lee-Char was by far one of the best I've seen thus far and made for a fitting climax.

Our primary cast of Anakin, Padm`e, Fisto, and Ahsoka were rather secondary, and the story mainly focused on Lee-Char's development into the future ruler of Mon Cal. There was one small humorous moment with Jar-Jar during the torture scenes which really lightened up the increasing tension.

The resounding message though out this arc is one of coming of age and taking up a larger mantle of responsibility, very similar to last Season's finale with Ahsoka. I hope to see the young prince again sometime, if not this Season the next.

I caught small references to the Bible story of Moses and the Original Trilogy; the latter being Riff's altering of deals and the former being the young prince asking Tamson to free his people.

As always the animation was nothing short of spectacular and the general underwater feel added a certain weighty feel to the episode which played along with the growing tension.  The only thing I had a problem with was the way, rather the lack of, Jar-Jar's spit moved though the underwater environment.

The fact that Anakin, Padm`e, and Ahsoka's air-tanks seemed to told in infinite supply of oxygen struck me as being a little odd.

I can't wait for next week's episode and I'm sure we, the fans, won't be disappointed. Until next time.

Water Wars/Gungan Attack Review

I must say, the Season premiere exceeded my expectations one-hundred fold. The plotting for these episodes was very well though out and there was plenty of action.  

Prior to the Season premiere I was under impression that these episodes would be nothing more then a clever re-telling of the Season Three premiere "Clone Cadets" And "Arc Troopers" set on Mon Cal rather then Kamino. I was wrong. 

Riff, a Separatist commander, was an awesome antagonist made up of raw power and rage, say the wrong thing and he'd eat you up (literally). 

The animation, as always, was breath-taking and the way the character's movements were prolonged and exaggerated recreated an organic underwater feeling which I'm very pleased with. The Clone Wars production team has taken what they learned in "Padawan Lost" and "Wookiee Hunt" and improved upon it to make something even more grand.  One of the only things that I thought could use a little improvement was the way Fisto's tentacles moved with the underwater currents, they always seemed to be suspended above his back simmering like seaweed. Also, the fact that the Qurren and Mon Calamari communicated vocally in their underwater environment seemed a little strange to me, then again this is George Lucas's universe and he can do whatever he wants with it.

Ahsoka Tano played a large role in this episode acting as a mentor for the Mon Cal prince. I'm impressed with how much she's maturing and passing her wisdom on to others. The student has become the master you might say, although Everyone's Favorite Padawan still has a lot to learn. Her scuba-gear, along with Anakin's, was awesome. And Master Kit Fisto and his signature pearly grin only completed the group of heroic Jedi.  

And who could forget Admiral (well . . Captain) Ackbar? While they didn't included that all to iconic line of his "It's a trap!" they did settle for a substitute that fit well into the episode: "It's an attack."

The Hydroid Madusas, giant cybernetic jellyfish creatures from Riff's home-world, were truly menacing weapons against the Jedi and Mon Calamari with their highly conductive tentacles and eerie silent movement.

The climatic battles between our heroes and the menacing Riff which ensued within the the swirling mechanical tentacles of the Trident droid ships was a truly artistic moment. Among the whirling currents of underwater cyclones created the perfect environment in which several tension filled fights proceeded.      

These episodes not only supplied a great amount of action, they also had great morals at their core which backed up the the fighting and gave it substance. Tension was built from the first scene and was sustained, and amplified, though the course of both episodes with masterful brilliance. These episodes may surpass "Padawan Lost" and "Wookiee Hunt" as my favorite episodes. And the cliffhanger ending was perfect. After seeing the preview for the next episode "Prisoners" I'm pumped up for whatever Dave and crew have in store for us. And this is just the beginning! Until next time.