Club Jade

Here’s what the Interwebs are saying about last Friday’s The Clone Wars episode, “Innocents of Ryloth”:

• SWCloneWarsReviews discusses the need of showcasing what the war is about: “Episodes like ‘Innocents of Ryloth’, therefore, become a key to the series’ potency as effective storytelling.”
• IGN liked the characterization of the clones: “very impressive job of … taking hordes of characters that look alike and letting them stand out as individuals.”
• IO9 calls it “one of the more satisfying” with “For once, the script lived up to the potential of the show”.
• BigShinyRobot wishes the episode, a Guns of Navarone homage, was a bit longer.
• Cameron at DenOfGeek calls the episode “a classic, demonstrating that characters and emotions can strike a chord just as devastating as a spaceship or lightsabre battle.”

It appears that the general buzz is quite positive on bringing some heart to the war – is this the Age of “Innocents”? Could it be just coincidental that Obi-wan is the only Jedi main character in this episode? And don’t miss the weekly summary and review on ClubJade, written by Joss Whedon, or at least a Jawa who has once read a comic written by Joss Whedon.

Two more. Two more… ‘Innocents of Ryloth’ featured a new villain, the tactical droids. It’s like the Separatists aren’t even trying or something…

• Craft: Make a germy-looking (Not an insult! Really!) Tooka Doll.

• Next week: It looks like one-liner time with Master Windu and ‘Liberty on Ryloth.’

The much-hyped Ryloth trilogy began Friday with ‘Storm Over Ryloth,’ in which Ahsoka uses a strategy straight out of the pages of Heir to the Empire.

• WonderCon: Ryloth and the series finale were both teased at the con.

• Next week: ‘Innocents of Ryloth.’

Friday brought a Padme/Jar Jar/Anakin/Anakin double-header with ‘Blue Shadow Virus’ and ‘Mystery of a Thousand Moons’. In the commentaries, Dave Filoni talks about adding new character designs and strange places. (Come back later for James’ review!)

• News! Greg Proops is returning to voice a new character on The Clone Wars.

• Pressing questions. Underwire asks if Clone Wars is the most action-packed series on TV. I dunno, is 24 back yet? That Bauer guy doesn’t even take bathroom breaks!
• Next time: Ahsoka gets a lesson in respecting authority from expert user Anakin in ‘Storm Over Ryloth,’ coming in two weeks.

Friday’s Trespass reunited Obi-Wan and Anakin for some snowy shenanigans with blue people and Talz. Fun, no?

• Reviews: io9′s Graeme McMillan thought this one played out “like an old Star Trek episode,” while IGN’s Eric Goldman called it “the most striking installment” yet.

• Databank: New entries for Chairman Chi Cho, Senator Riyo Chuchi, Freeco bike (CK-6 swoop,) narglatch, Orto Plutonia, Pantoran, Talz, Thi-Sen.
• Next up: There’s a traitor in the ranks in ‘The Hidden Enemy.’

(Hattip to EUC’s Mandy for the post title.)

The pacifist lemur storyline came to an end with ‘Defenders of Peace.’ I think they need an entire episode of Palpatine laughing his bum off after this.

• Interviews: George Takei (Lok Durd) and Jennifer Hale (Aayla Secura.)

• Reviews: The review blog, io9 and IGN.
• Next week: Break out the parkas for ‘Trespass.’

Friday’s ‘Jedi Crash’ brings the Jedi to Maridun, home of a colony of Irish-accented Lurmen. In the video commentary, Dave Filoni talks about the comic book influences in the episode.

• Next week: The story continues in “Defenders of the Peace.”

• People: George Takei crosses fandom lines to voice General Lok Durd in next week’s episode. I hope the character survives, if only because that name demands at least one buddy episode with Dooku.
• Reviews: Waiting until Tuesday nets all the regulars: The review blog, IGN, io9 and Den of Geek.
• Comics: UK fans can pick up Clone Wars comics.

The first episode of 2009 aired, and StarWars.com has the updated episode guide and commentary. (Filoni seems to be channeling Ric Olie this time around.) And next week? More Jar-Jar!

Got way behind on blogging the last few weeks, and I’m afraid The Clone Wars took the brunt of it. Ironically, StarWars.com is running an ‘online marathon’ of all the already-aired episodes (are they not all going to be up past Jan 5?) and so you guys can take this time to catch up as well. There’s also some games and stuff, apparently.

The last episode, ‘Lair of Grievous,’ aired more than a week ago (gulp) and came with all the trimmings: Commentary, Holonet News, webcomic, even posters for the Hyperspacers. And of course, you can now watch it online.

• Reviews: In addition to a whole Clone Wars review blog, both IGN and Den of Geek have ‘Lair’ reviews. (I think io9 gave up the ghost.)

• Interviews: IF Magazine has part one of a Dave Filioni interview. It’s already ‘next week’ but I assume part two will show eventually.
• Next time… ‘Dooku Captured;’ Anakin Smirks, coming January 2.

The ninth episode has come and go, and we have a commentary at the official site and a recap at io9, who seem quite impressed.