Season One, Episode Six & Seven — “Downfall of a Droid”, “Duel of the Droids”
© Copyright & TM 2016 Lucasfilm Ltd.
By Jason Gibner. The relationship between Star Wars characters and their droids is very important stuff. From Rey deciding that the droid isn’t for sale to Luke refusing to let any other droid besides R2 fly his X-Wing, the hero/droid BFF thing is strong. Makes sense, as in many cases the droids are the most emotional characters you’ll find in any given scene. When the Falcon is whizzing through an asteroid belt while being chased by TIE Fighters, it’s 3PO screaming his gold head off — just like we would be.
This Droid arc (which consists of the sixth and seventh episodes of Clone Wars) are a little funky around the edges but they play that droid love thing perfectly. And these episodes help solidify the often overlooked best friendship that was Anakin Skywalker and R2-D2. Never forget: it’s one of the most important relationships in the Star Wars saga. Which brings us to…
WHAT WORKED: There’s a scene where Grievous is tearing apart R2 to gain access to his deep and vast treasure trove of knowledge. Of course Grievous doesn’t get it but it makes you think about just how much our favorite little Astromech has seen. R2 was there when Anakin’s journey began, to the very moment when the young Skywalker told Qui-Gon Jinn that no one could kill a Jedi. R2 was also there when Anakin’s journey came to a fiery end. He was the character who knew he had to find Obi-Wan in the dune sea and he remained by Luke’s side from then on. And when the Force awakens and Rey walks into the Resistance base carrying Luke’s saber, it’s R2 that springs to life and tells everyone just where master Luke has vanished to. In short, R2 has seen some serious stuff. These two episodes only add to his heroic history.
WHAT DIDN’T: Though these were the sixth and seventh episodes aired, they were some of the first episodes made. And, man… you can tell. There are parts with Anakin in his speeder that are one step above PlayStation 1 graphics. The episodes are also filled with some embarrassingly awful bedroom techno beats whenever the action starts to pick up. The characters seem especially wooden at times and you can tell the show is still feeling things out at this point.
BEST LINE(s):
“You owe Rexter your skin, Sky Guy.” – Ashoka.
“Anakin, it’s only a droid. You know attachment is not acceptable for a Jedi.” – Obi Wan.
“You can’t replace Artoo.” – Anakin.
“Skywalker! Now you have fallen into MY trap!” – General Grievous.
“So defiant! No need for fear. We’re all droids here.” – General Grievous.
“Artoo is more than a droid, he’s a friend.” – Anakin.
BEST MOMENT: In an intense droid moment, R2 and the evil R3-S6 battle it out with each giving it everything they’ve got. Oil is splashed, flames are lit, it’s a nasty drag-out duel. Finally, as R2 has almost pushed R3 off a bridge, that jerk R3 attaches a magnet to our hero so he will go down with him. What does R2 do? Homeboy takes out a freaking buzz saw from his chest, cuts that magnet’s rope and watches R3 plunge to his death. Don’t. Mess. With. R2-D2.
EPISODE MVP: R2-D2. He’s the droid that never quits and without a doubt he is the soul of Star Wars. You could ask the wisest wise man in a mountain somewhere why we as humans love R2-D2 so much and even he’d be stumped. He’s a best friend, a natural hero and he’s just freaking cool-looking too. And a young Jon Bon Jovi sang a song to him wishing him a merry Christmas. Instantly the coolest droid ever.
© Copyright & TM 2016 Lucasfilm Ltd.
HOLOCRON READINGS:
– This episode marks the first time we ever see the IG assassin droids in action. Who, by the way, never stop looking awesome.
– R3-S6’s gold and black paint job is supposed to be a shout to Dave Filoni’s hometown football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
– Jedi Fortune Cookies: “Trust in your friends, and they’ll have reason to trust in you”; “You hold onto friends by keeping your heart a little softer than your head.”
6 out of 10
Next: “Bombad Jedi”, soon.
Before: “Rookies”, here.
