RJ Writing Ink

My Reaction to the Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi Teaser Trailer

The man, the myth, the legend returns. Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most famous heroes in all of science fiction, and one of the most important characters in Star Wars. Alec Guinness  may have first played the character almost fifty years ago, but it was Ewan MacGregor who breathed new life into him in the Prequels. Now, seventeen years since Revenge of the Sith released in theaters, Obi-Wan Kenobi returns to live action in the teaser for his upcoming show of the same name.

A Broken Obi-Wan

The details about what will happen in the Disney+ series remain hazy, but there’s still some things that we know about. Taking place ten years after Revenge of the Sith, the series has Obi-Wan living in exile on Tatooine as he watches over Luke from afar. But due to things that might be beyond his control, the Jedi Master goes on an adventure that will take him away from Tatooine and into the crosshairs of the Empire and his former student, now Darth Vader.

The main takeaway about this series is that it’s going to show Obi-Wan in a way that’s different from what we’ve seen before. In the prequels, Obi-Wan was full of life and loved to make witty remarks and troll his enemies, but was also serious in his duties. The Obi-Wan we saw in the original trilogy was the wise old master who wished to be their for Luke, but was also solemn and sad about his failings. However, in the show, Obi-Wan just looks…broken.

At this point in his life, Obi-Wan has hit rock bottom. He failed Anakin, he failed to stop the Sith, and he can’t do anything to stop the Empire from oppressing the Galaxy. He has no hope left, save for Luke.

My guess is that whatever will happen in the series will help to rekindle the hope for the future that he possesses in the classic films. But he will be facing many powerful enemies as he does so.

Live-Action Inquisitors

Enter the Inquisitors, Dark Jedi that were carried over from the Old Expanded Universe into the Disney Canon. They’re former Jedi that either willingly turned on their comrades and joined the Empire, or were broken into submission. Either way, they’re now working for the Empire as Jedi Hunters, hunting down any survivors.

Since Disney reset Star Wars, the Inquisitor’s have made several prominent appearances in the new EU. However, this will be their first live-action appearance, so they’re going to have a lot going for them.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Inquisitors in live-action. Having seen how formidable they were in Rebels, and fought them in Fallen Order, I know how dangerous they can be. However, I know Obi-Wan can handle them easily. It’s Luke I’m worried about. Perhaps them learning about him is what prompts Obi-Wan to leave Tatooine and hunt them down before they can alert the Empire. That would certainly be an interesting premise.

The Biggest Star Wars Series Yet

No matter what, Obi-Wan Kenobi will likely be the biggest live action series that Star Wars has put out on Disney+ to date. Thus, Disney will need to pull out all the stops to ensure its success, especially given how divisive The Book of Boba Fett was among fans. I liked the premise of that miniseries, but the overall execution was lacking in a few key areas. Hopefully, Kenobi won’t do that to us. Overall, though, I’m looking forward to seeing this show, and I loved the teaser. Just check out my reaction to it on my YouTube channel!

Check out Wookiepedia, the Star Wars wiki

Click here for some of my Star Wars stuff.

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 Episode 10 Review

We’re only halfway through the final arc of The Clone Wars, and I have to agree with Ashley Eckstein, Ashoka’s voice actor. The Siege of Mandalore is already one of the best stories in Star Wars history! Last week saw the start of the fabled Siege of Mandalore start with a fight worthy of being on the big screen. Ashoka, Rex and the Clones, and the Mandalorians all worked to free Mandalore from ex-Sith Lord Darth Maul, and we got to see how far the former Padawan’s come. However, as epic as it was, we cannot overlook the coming storm gathering in the distance. And in this episode, Maul makes things clear: it’s time to be afraid. 

Hide from the Coming Storm

When I was a kid, I thought that Darth Maul was one of the scariest guys you could meet. Ergo, if there’s something out there that’s enough to scare him, then everyone should be afraid. As the episode establishes in its opening minutes, the ex-Sith knows what’s happening in the background. He may be the only one in the show that’s aware of the coming storm that is Revenge of the Sith. And he doesn’t want to be around when that happens. 

As a result, Maul spends the episode focused on getting off the grid. He kills anyone who could rat him, orders the Shadow Collective to go into hiding, and throws the Mandalorians out as decoys while he gets off-planet. But before he does, he can’t resist trying to make one last jab at Kenobi and Darth Sidious. He was hoping that not only Kenobi would come after him, but also Skywalker, so he could kill both.

Skywalker is the Key 

At first, I was confused as to why Maul would want Anakin dead. Then it all clicked. In the episode’s climax, Maul tells Ashoka the cold truth: Anakin Skywalker is the key to all of Darth Sidious’ plans. Maul figured out that Sidious has been grooming Anakin to become his apprentice since day one. So he decided to rob his former master of that satisfaction by killing him.

This moment was the lynchpin to the whole episode for me. The events of Revenge of the Sith were hanging over the entire episode like a sword about to fall. We know what’s coming, but can’t do anything to stop the coming storm, and it gives the episode a sense of genuine dread. What’s the worst part, though? Ashoka doesn’t believe Maul. 

This moment only makes Anakin’s fall even more tragic. Had Ashoka believed Maul, she could have warned Anakin or Obi-Wan of Sidious’ plans. It could have stopped everything before it started. Tragically, it’s Ashoka’s faith in her master that costs her this one chance to save him before its too late. 

A New Duel of the Fates

I’ve always thought that if the Jedi never fell, Ashoka would be sitting on the Jedi Council by the time of Rebels. So far, the Siege of Mandalore has vindicated these thoughts for me, with Ashoka facing off against Maul in the Sundari Royal Palace. 

The duel between the former apprentices strikes a perfect balance with all the duels in the films. It blends the emotional intensity of the original films with the speed and acrobatics of the prequels. There’s even a hint of the desperation found in the sequel duels. This is peak lightsaber dueling in Star Wars, and we get to see Ashoka largely in control of the fight. Thanks to some help from Rex and the Clones, Maul’s finally captured. It’s small comfort, though.

Day of Reckoning Almost Here

We’re only halfway through the Siege of Mandalore, and I’m already counting it as one of the best arcs in the show’s history. It’s also going to be one of the most tragic stories in Star Wars history. Early in the episode, Ashoka talks to Obi-Wan, who informs her that Anakin killed Dooku and his departure for Utapau. Judging by the film’s timeline, there’s only a few hours left before Order 66 begins and the birth of the Empire. 

In my opinion, this episode hammered home how pointless the Clone Wars really are. An entire galaxy devastated and divided by war, courtesy of Darth Sidious. We hate how he’s going to win, and aside from Maul, no one else realizes it. While we know that Ashoka, Bo-Katan, and Rex live to see another day, this isn’t going to make what’s to come any less heartbreaking.

I love it when shows end with a bang, and it looks like Star Wars: The Clone Wars is going to end on the biggest bang possible. As the coming storm prepares to engulf the galaxy, I’m going to keep a box of tissues handy for the next two Fridays. Tears will be shed.

I Give “The Phantom Apprentice” a 5/5

Stray Observations

• During the whole episode, it felt like Maul was acting like the only one who’s in on the big joke. If it weren’t so tragic, seeing Darth Sidious play an entire galaxy would be hilarious. 
• Maul wouldn’t last five seconds if Anakin had shown up. 
• I got the title for this post from Tartakovsky’s series Star Wars: Clone Wars. Watch it on YouTube.

Click here for some of my Star Wars stuff.

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7, Episode 9 Review

To quote from Tony Stark, “part of the journey is the end.” Star Wars fans knew going into The Clone Wars what to expect, how this story would end. Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader; the Jedi forced into hiding, and the victory of the Sith. Now, after all these years of waiting, we’re in the final arc of The Clone Wars, the Siege of Mandalore. And by the Force, is it beautiful.

Bittersweet Reunions and Farewells

In the last episode, Bo-Katan recruited Ashoka to help her liberate Mandalore from ex-Sith Lord Maul. If you’ve seen Rebels or read the Ashoka novel, then you know what happens next. Ashoka and Rex lead part of the 501st to capture Maul, but then Sidious launches Order 66. The end result is Ashoka and Rex going into hiding while Maul escapes. Had the show finished its run on Cartoon Network, then we’d have the fortune of not knowing what happens next. And the fortune of surprise. Knowing what happens doesn’t make what this episode any less emotional.

Seeing Ashoka reunite with Anakin, Obi-Wan, Artoo, and Rex is a bittersweet moment. It’s the last time we’ll ever see the five of them together in one place. Mid-episode, Anakin and Obi-Wan have to return to Coruscant to rescue Palpatine, kicking off Revenge of the Sith. Knowing that this is the last time Ashoka will see her master as a friend, and likely the last time she sees Obi-Wan at all, brought tears to my eyes. So many things unsaid, unresolved.

The real gut punch comes from the best characters in the show: the Clones themselves. Even after Ashoka left, they salute her and call her “Commander” out of respect for their comrade. Rex and his company even paint their helmets to mimic her facial markings. The message is clear: they’re loyal to Ashoka. Which only makes what’s to come even harder.

How Far Ashoka’s Come

When the Siege of Mandalore finally begins, it’s a masterpiece. Mandalorians and Clone Troopers donning jet packs, dueling in the skies of Mandalore and in the streets of the capital. It’s enough to make fans of the franchise giddy with excitement!

At the heart of everything, though, is Ashoka, and she kicks ass! As the final act of the show, the Siege of Mandalore showcases how much Ashoka’s grown. As the battle begins, she confidently jumps into the sky and effortlessly makes her way to the ground, taking out enemies as she goes. I always thought she had the potential to be one of the best of the Jedi, and this basically affirms it. Our little Padawan’s all grown up. Is it any wonder we can’t wait to see her in season two of The Mandalorian?

Maul Appears, Final Battle Begins

The one flaw to this episode is the lack of one key player: Maul himself. We know he’s hiding on Mandalore, but we don’t see him until the final moments of the episode. It’s a letdown, but I think it helps to build up the tension.

With only three episodes left in the series, there’s still plenty of time for action and drama. After stumbling through the “Ashoka Alone” arc, this episode gives me hope that The Clone Wars can end on a high note. I can’t wait for next Friday as the Siege of Mandalore continues!

I Give “Old Friends Not Forgotten” a 5/5

Stray Observation

I would like to point out that this episode doesn’t dispute the events of the Battle of Coruscant that were depicted in Tartakovsky’s Star Wars: Clone Wars mini-series. Ergo, it’s still canon to me.

Click here for some of my Star Wars stuff.

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

My Top Seven Favorite Arcs Of Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Right when we thought Star Wars couldn’t get any better, we got Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Airing from 2008 to 2013 on Cartoon Network, The Clone Wars became an immense hit with fans, myself included. Even the people who hate the Prequels have to admit this show was good. As a bonus, it marked the debut of Dave Filoni in the Star Wars franchise. Ten years later, and people now consider him George Lucas’ apprentice and heir.

With The Rise of Skywalker out in a few weeks, and the final season of The Clone Wars coming to Disney+ in 2020, now is the to strike. Now is the time for me to look back on my favorite stories from Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Two things, though: this will be about story arcs which span several episodes. I’ll be doing my favorite episodes of the show at a later date. Secondly, there’s going to be spoilers ahead. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it on Disney+.

The Malevolence Arc

The very first arc of The Clone Wars, The Malevolence Arc started the show with a bang. In this three episode story, the Jedi face down against General Grevious’ deadly new flagship, the titular Malevolence. Aside from absolutely massive, what made the Malevolence so terrifying was its twin Ion Cannons that could shut down any ship. In a tribute to the original trilogy, the firing sequence of said cannon’s copied the Death Star’s firing sequence.

What some people may not realize is that this arc and the Malevolence were based on the real-life battleship, the Bismarck. This Nazi warship had the potential to turn the tide of World War II in the Atlantic. As a result, the British threw everything they had into hunting it down. Like the Malevolence, the Bismarck was crippled by a small group of bombers before ultimately being sunk. However, seeing the Malevolence crash into a moon looks cooler.

The Zillo Beast

When the Republic tries to test its new droid-destroying bomb, they wake something up. That “something” is a nigh-invincible called the Zillo Beast, and its armor’s so thick not even lightsabers can cut through it. As a result of this revelation, Palpatine orders it captured and brought to Coruscant. Predictably, it gets loose and starts killing everything; which I called, by the way.

When I first saw the Zillo Beast in The Clone Wars, I knew where the show was going: a Kaiju story. However, with the plot and themes, I thought it was more like King Kong than Godzilla. The end result was still epic in scope though. Even if thousands of Coruscanti died as a result, it felt a little cathartic to see Palpatine/Darth Sidious genuinely afraid. I actually hoped the Zillo Beast ate him.

The Nightsisters Trilogy

As Dooku’s best assassin, Asajj Ventress, continued to grow in strength, Darth Sidious saw her as a threat to him. As such, he ordered Dooku to leave her to die to prove his loyalty. Unbeknownst to all, Ventress survived and returned to her homeworld of Dathomir. There, she plotted with her fellow Nightsisters to take revenge on Dooku. This, in turn, would lead to the birth of a powerful new enemy, and hinted at the return of an old one.

Dathomir and the Nightsisters were first introduced in the Expanded Universe content as a group of powerful dark side users. Seeing them get focus in The Clone Wars was an absolute joy to see. It also marked a big change to the show’s status quo, as Ventress went from outright villain to cool anti-hero and the introduction of recurring villain Savage Oppress, voiced by the great Clancy Brown. In the long run, it laid the foundations for the return of one of Star Wars best villains.

The Mortis Arc

On a mission to investigate a distress beacon, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ashoka wind up on the mysterious planet known as Mortis. There, they encounter a family of Force-users so powerful, they’re essentially the embodiment of the different aspects of the Force. The time that the three spend on Mortis with these three beings ends up changing how we view the Force itself.

Unlike much of The Clone Wars, which dealt with the war and its effects on the Star Wars Galaxy, the Mortis Arc’s unique. It deals with the spiritual aspects of Star Wars: the purpose of the Chosen One and the different aspects of the Force. It’s been years since these episodes, and I still don’t think we fully understand the ramifications of what happened.

Aside from dealing with the Force, this arc also saw cameos of deceased characters Qui-Gon Jinn and Shmi Skywalker. The show even got Liam Neeson and Pernilla August to reprise their roles.

The Mon Cala Arc

Season Four of The Clone Wars may have been its best overall, as it includes my last three picks on this list. In the three-part opening to Season Four, Anakin, Ashoka, and Padme travel to Mon Calamari to aid in its planets civil war over the planet’s throne. On one side is the Mon Cala and the young Prince Lee-Char against the Separatist-backed Quarren. However, Dooku has no plans on giving the planet to the Quarrens.

Aside from reminding me of the stories of The Lion King and Hamlet, I love this arc for several reasons. Firstly, the battle in the premiere episode involved thousands of characters and animals, and that’s an impressive feat of animation. Secondly, it gave us a look at Ackbar, the future Rebel Admiral that uttered this legendary phrase: “It’s a trap!” Seeing Ackbar fighting alongside the Jedi in his younger years was enough to make fans squeal with joy. Third and finally, and I didn’t learn this until years later, it served as my introduction to Adam McArthur. Providing the voice to Prince Lee-Char, Adam would go on to play the role of Marco Diaz in Star vs. The Forces of Evil.

Darkness on Umbara Arc

As The Clone Wars progressed, I noticed that the show was getting progressively darker and grittier, and I consider the Umbara Arc one of the darkest stories in the show. That is both metaphorically, and very literally. When the Republic launches an invasion of the darkened world of Umbara, Anakin’s recalled to Coruscant. Meanwhile, his Clone Troopers are placed under the command of Jedi Pong Krell, who proves to be a terrible leader! His strategies are so bad, that’s it’s almost like he’s trying to lose.

Underneath the Sci-Fi technology, I think that the Umbara Arc was the closest The Clone Wars got to a big budget war film. Whereas much of the show focused on the Jedi or leaders of both sides, this arc focused exclusively on the Clone Troopers. Characters like Captain Rex and Fives had done wonders for humanizing the Clone Troopers. However, seeing the Clones chafe under Krell’s seeming incompetence reinforced the idea that they were still people. I shared their frustration at Krell’s poor plans, and when Krell’s true alliegance came to light, I felt my rage boil over. In my eyes, making a viewer or reader feel great emotion is the sign of a great story, and Umbara was one.

Return of Maul Arc

After disappearing for the rest of Season Three and most of Season Four, the four part finale to Season saw us return to Savage Opress and Asajj Ventress. Left without a home and no one else to trust, both end up on the run from the Republic and Separatists. While Ventress eventually builds a new life as a bounty hunter, Savage goes searching for his lost brother. As a result, we see the return of one of Star Wars best villains, Darth Maul.

SAY WHAT?

When I first saw The Phantom Menace years ago, I thought that Darth Maul was one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen. Seeing Kenobi slice him in half remains one of my favorite moments from the Prequel Trilogy. So when The Clone Wars brought him back to get revenge on Obi-Wan, I went crazy with excitement. He was every bit as scary as I remembered him. Maul went on to become a recurring villain in The Clone Wars and its successor, Star Wars: Rebels. Thank you, Dave Filoni and everyone else!

May the Force Be With You

Without a doubt, Star Wars: The Clone Wars was one of the best things the franchise has ever given us. Every time a new episode came on, I’d stand in front of the TV and swing my old toy light saber to the opening credits and I had a blast. With the Skywalker Saga seemingly about to end, I’m glad I got to look back on this amazing addition to the Star Wars mythos. Now, though, I have to ask all of you: what was your favorite story from The Clone Wars? Let me know in the comments. May the Force be with you!

Click here for some of my Star Wars stuff.