Post by mrx on Feb 21, 2013 15:35:20 GMT -5
The webcomic this time around is called “The Valley”. We meet Naboo’s new queen, Neeyutnee, who is receiving a report from Boss Nass and the female Gungan we meet in this episode, Peppi Bow. Peppi tells her that her herd is acting strangely, like they did when the Trade Federation invaded ten years before. Captain Typho takes a team of security officers to investigate. They find and destroy a droid patrol. Upon hearing the news, Sio Bibble nearly repeats his “invasion” line from Episode I word for word, and Queen Neeyutnee recalls Padme, along with Jar Jar and Threepio, back to Naboo to deal with this possible crisis.
Fortune cookie: “Fear is a disease. Hope is its only cure.” Obviously, this episode has a literal disease to deal with. Things like that can easily incite a panic, but hope sees you through that. I guess.
The scene from the webcomic of Typho’s squad blowing up the droids actually appears in the newsreel.
All I can say about Padme’s midriff-baring outfit is she really needs to eat something. Her ribs are poking out.
And Jar Jar’s scary wrong voice is back. Welcome back, B.J. Hughes!
Jar Jar’s antics destroy the tactical droid that they needed for information. This is Naboo’s representative. I guess Threepio had already blown it, anyway.
Though Jar Jar’s knowledge of the bug he’s trying to eat does lead them directly to the lab’s location, so I guess even with a weird voice he’s good for something.
Padme takes her helmet off remarkably fast based on a Naboo cattle herder's observation.
Enter the infamous Dr. Vindi. I could not believe he was voiced by Michael York. Much like when I discovered as a child that the Joker was voiced by the guy who played Luke Skywalker.
“Wirus”, Chekov-style.
Man of multiple “yeah”s.
So much of the typical mad scientist trope here. Over the top performance, lab coat, he even uses lightning.
This might be the first appearance of the bunny droid. What an event.
Vindi has an interesting point about higher life forms spreading the “disease” of war throughout the galaxy. Even he apparently has some form of twisted morality.
Obi-Wan’s “needs of the many” attitude surfaces here. He makes the legitimate but somewhat cold observation that should the worst come to pass, it’s better to have only Naboo infected by the BSV instead of the entire galaxy.
Obi-Wan: “You seem a bit on edge.”
Anakin: “There’s a good chance we’re about to destroy all life on this planet including ours and the senator’s, so yes, I’m a bit on edge! Why aren’t you?”
Obi-Wan: “I’m better at hiding it.” Hee!
The entries from the air into the lab are kind of cool. Too bad they couldn’t make it one continuous shot from the ships to inside.
Obi-Wan: Big Damn Hero.
“Well, looks like the bomb room.” “Yes, and luckily they appear inactive.” *Cue Vindi activating them*
I like the orange color design of the bomb-defusing clones.
Anakin and Obi-Wan seem to forget they can levitate objects with the Force. They both feel the need to physically catch the vials Vindi tosses.
Even Peppi Bow gets a heroic action in this episode.
You know, on rewatching, the episode wasn’t too bad. It’s actually tightly paced and kind of fun. A few head scratching moments, but there are certainly worse episodes of the show.
Next: The virus gets loose in “Mystery of 1,000 Moons”!