I was given the opportunity to interview David X. Cohen, the creator, producer, and head writer of Futurama in advance of Thursday night’s premiere.  I was also able to talk to Billy West who is the voice of Fry, the Professor, Zoidberg, Zapp Branigan and many others.  You can listen to the interviews here.

For my review of the episode, see my piece that originally ran in IN Magazine.  Below is an expanded version:

I’m not a television critic, but when I was asked if I wanted to review the upcoming, two-episode premiere of “Futurama” on Comedy Central, my heart was aflutter. I’m not even much of a television viewer at all, but “Futurama” has always captured the nerd half of my brain and entertained the hell out of it. In fact, when “Futurama” went off the air the first time, I stopped watching television altogether for quite a while.

I’ve heard some concerns that fans are worried about the show living up to its prior incarnations, but I’d like to assure you that you have nothing to fear from the first two episodes of the Comedy Central relaunch. They do not disappoint. They are just as witty and hilarious as the “Futurama” we knew and loved. I was even a bit taken aback by how easily these characters settled back into their place in my heart. The show starts without missing a beat and bringing me back into the drama and lives of characters I love. At times I even found myself upset that Fry wasn’t with Leela and it made me take a step back and remind myself that it’s just a show.

With these new episodes, however, the comedy has a bit more of an edge to it. Being on cable instead of Fox allows the writers to push the envelope further in terms of jokes and content. As an example, the second episode hinges on a rogue, Death Star-like satellite dubbed “V-Giny” in a Star Wars and Star Trek reference combo. Somehow, I don’t think Fox would have allowed the writers to get away with such an overt a vaginal reference.

And I have to say, I’m a huge fan of the Transcredible Adventures of Zapp Brannigan.  I found myself re-watching that episode over and over again, laughing hysterically each time.  I won’t ruin the ending of the second episode either, but the blatant hypocrisy that it points it was both hilarious and maddening.  Futurama has a very good way of shining lights on political problems and pointing out absurdities and hypocrisies through the lens of the future and this time was no different.

I talked to show co-creator, producer and head writer David X. Cohen about the differences between producing the show then and now. “I think the show is a bigger deal for Comedy Central and they’re definitely going out of their way to do heavy promotion for it, both on the air and online. Yeah, they are very excited about it. I don’t want to say anything [about the future of “Futurama”] because no matter what I say, the opposite happens. I think we’re doing well, we get cancelled and I go pack my bags and go to do something else and then I get a call that we’re back on. It seems like everything is based on the flip of a coin as far as it’s concerned. But I think the episodes are very good and the fans will be pleased.”

We also chatted a bit about what’s coming up in the series this season and guest stars we could expect to be seeing, “Al Gore will be making his fourth appearance. He’s in our holiday special which will be between the two seasons. Other guests for the sci-fi fans includes Katee Sackhoff and she’s playing a person with a very alien-related fetish, and I’ll just leave it at that. A couple of comedians we’re fans of will be making appearances. Chris Elliot, Patton Oswalt and Craig Ferguson will be on. And one more that I’ll mention, for our 100th episode for our season finale at the end of the summer we have Devo appearing.”

(He also made mention in the interview of Stephen Hawking‘s repeat performance, but that will be next season.)

All in all, I’m intensely pleased to report that “Futurama” is back in its seductive, velour uniform, reporting for duty to the benefit of all mankind. It premieres Thursday, June 24 at 11 p.m. on Comedy Central.

It was announced this morning that the Thundercats will be returning to the small screen via Cartoon Network and Warner Brothers Animation!

I know a lot of you might be too young to remember the Thundercats, but they were pretty much the coolest thing since sliced bread when I was a kid.  The stories were very cool, but sadly the coolness of the original show just doesn’t hold up, even with healthy doses of nostalgia.  If people who care about the characters get involved and really try to make this new series live up to the original in some ways, but exceed it in others, we’re in for something very great.

Here’s the press release:

(June 3, 2010 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) has begun production on “ThunderCats,” an all-new animated series for Cartoon Network, based upon the iconic 1980s action classic. “ThunderCats” is the newest series from WBA, joining “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” which was recently renewed for a third season, and the following forthcoming programs: “The Looney Tunes Show,” “MAD,” “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” and “Young Justice.” The announcement was made today by Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Animation.

“In addition to being Warner Bros. Animation’s first anime series, ‘ThunderCats’ marks our most ambitious foray yet into fantasy,” said Register. “The realism and dynamic visual style we’ve achieved are sure to thrill viewers, and the cool weapons, vehicles and technology should help the show appeal to a diverse audience.”

The 21^st century reimagining of the series marks a creative collaboration between WBA and Studio4°C, one of the most vibrant animation studios in Japan, with credits including “The Animatrix,” “Gotham Knights” and “Halo Legends.” WBA is working closely with Studio4°C, utilizing the latter’s expertise to give the “ThunderCats” characters a new cutting-edge look while remaining true to the compelling storylines and mythology of the original series.

“We at Studio4°C are excited to be in this creative partnership with Warner Bros. Animation to bring ‘ThunderCats’ to life,” said Eiko Tanaka, President and CEO, Studio4°C. “This collaboration combines the strengths of our two companies – high production values and great storytelling – toward reintroducing this classic fan-favorite to a new audience.”

Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C’s use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, “ThunderCats” characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.

The new “ThunderCats” will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost – takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.

“ThunderCats” is executive produced by Sam Register (“Teen Titans,” “Ben 10,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”). Michael Jelenic (“Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” “Wonder Woman”) and Ethan Spaulding (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) are the producers.

Let’s start with some breaking news: although not technically [adult swim], Cartoon Network is announcing a Green Lantern show, according to the Hollywood Reporter.  Green Lantern: The Animated Series will launch Fall 2011, hopefully in time to cash in a a (successful?) Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Reynolds currently slated for next summer.  No specific word on which GL we’ll see, but no doubt it will be Hal Jordan, just as in the movie.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed to see if we get Kilowog, Gnort, and Ch’p.

Anime Update

I hope this means something to all of you robots who love the anime. A BIG PREMIERE THIS WEEK! YAY!

KEKKAISHI is based on the hit manga series by Yellow Tanabe (also published in North America by VIZ Media). A story of mystical forces powerful in the region known as Karasumori. For over 400 years, it has been the duty of a clan of “kekkaishi”—barrier masters—to guard this land and exterminate the supernatural creatures that are drawn to it night after night.

Yoshimori Sumimura is a junior high school student at Karasumori Academy, which is built upon the Karasumori grounds. By night, Yoshimori follows the tradition passed down through generations and fulfills his destiny as the twenty-second “kekkaishi” of the Sumimura clan. But by day, Yoshimori’s got other demons to contend with, like an obsession with cake making and a seriously crotchety grandfather! Yoshimori’s pretty neighbor, childhood friend and rival, Tokine Yukimura, is also a “kekkaishi,” but their families are caught up in a feud over who is the true practitioner of the art. Protecting ordinary people from the ever-present danger of the Karasumori grounds, Yoshimori will continue to grow stronger as he battles the forces of evil again tonight!

“Kekkaishi spotlights compelling cool characters, in an intense yet fun-filled supernatural action adventure saga. It possesses all of the hallmarks of great anime!”  says William Germain, Director, Programming & Music Sales, VIZ Media. We are very excited to add KEKKAISHI to the Adult Swim anime lineup for U.S. fans to enjoy.”

For more information on KEKKAISHI please visit www.ShonenSunday.com.

The Boondocks

If you haven’t been watching The Boondocks, stop and kick yourself in the head right now.  So far, we’ve seen Huey Freeman be not excited about the election of a black president, rapper Thugnificent loses everything, a kickball throwdown between Huey’s team and the Chinese national team full of anime-esque action, and Uncle Ruckus team up with a racist white country western singer.   This week, we have the return on Stinkmeaner AND his posse. One can only guess this means Grandpa will fight some more. This has been a pretty good season so far, but I’m skeptical: do we need to go back to this same well again?  I can only hope so.

Check It Out!

Dr. Steve Brule’s own spinoff show Check It Out is amazing in some parts and abysmally boring in others… but since that is generally the MO of Tim & Eric, that’s not so surprising.  This week, we get to meet Dr Steve’s mom as he talks about family.  Watch it, dummy!

Squidbillies

The Squidbillies premiere featured marajuana and Widespread Panic. Last week we saw Earley Cuyler marry two women– and thought polygamy was a Utah-only thing!  This week: Dead Squid Walking.

Anything else?

I feel like I complain about this every time, but can we get rid of The PJs?  PLEASE? Does ANYBODY like/watch this show?

Peace,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Citizen Bot

So, apparently a while back Marvel held some sort of contest for fans to make a motion comic. One of the contestants who answered the call was John Griffith who put together the following entry, “The Strongest”, based on Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinnes’s “Puny Little Man” – and won.

This is a very well put together animation piece, and quite fun to watch, so check it out!

Ashley Eckstein is the voice of Anakin’s Padawan, Ahsoka, on The Clone Wars, and we got together via the magic of the telephone to talk to you about the season two finale of Clone Wars, what to expect in season three, and the maturing arc of the character.

We’ve seen her grow up and mature a lot and in the season finale we see a hint of what to expect in season three.  And I have to say, we’re already halfway through recording season three and I’m happy to say that she’s prominently featured in season three.  We just finished this one three part story arc in season that…the storyline just blew my mind.  Season two she was in and out quite a bit, but she was given some great story lines.  But I can guarantee to the fans that there are some great things coming up in Season Three.

The other thing we talked about was Her Universe, which is the line of clothing that Ashley is shepherding to stores and conventions.

Her Universe came out of my fandom and my pride in being a fangirl.  I went scouring on the internet looking for merchandise for female fans and I turned up a couple of things, a couple of shirts here and there, and other times they were sold out or on back order or I just couldn’t find them.  So I started doing my research and found that close to 50% of all Star Wars fans are female.  And it just wasn’t adding up.  And I was told to just be satisfied buying a men’s small because there weren’t enough female fans to justify the merchandise.  So I’ve been trying to be the voice of the female fans to make this happen for them.

Clothes isn’t the only thing she’ll be tackling, though.  There will be jewelry, purses, make-up and all kinds of other female oriented gear.  That includes clothes and pajamas for the younger girls, too, though those aren’t coming out until a little later.

They’ll be selling this stuff online her and at conventions.

I made a suggestion of an item they should sell, and hopefully we can see it on the market, but I want to see I wanted to see them make a replica of the Japor snippet necklace that Anakin made for Padme.

We talked about a lot more than that, so you’ll just have to listen to the full interview here.

To buy any of this stuff, you need to check out the Her Universe website here.  They will also be launching at Comic-Con, where I will be sure to visit and report to you about it.

Season two certainly ended on a high note.  With the return of Boba Fett, trying his hardest to kill Mace Windu, it set the stage for two of the best episodes this season.  The first episode, “R2 Come Home” was alternately funny and thrilling and served as a moment for Artoo Detoo to shine (something he really hasn’t had all that much time to do since the middle of the first season).  The second episode, “Lethal Trackdown” gave us our fix of amazing Jedi action and plenty of Ahsoka, who has been sorely lacking in season two.

“R2 Come Home” starts with Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker right where the last episode, “Death Trap”, left off, with them searching the crashed wreckage of the Jedi cruiser for survivors, particularly Ponds and Admiral Killian.

Boba left a little surprise for them though, in the form of a bomb hidden inside of Jango Fett’s helmet.  Though they survive, they’re pinned hopelessly under some wreckage and Artoo is sent to fetch help.  The rest of the episode is pretty much Artoo’s from that point.  He’s left to fight a pair of gundarks, get to Mace Windu’s ship, evade the Bounty Hunters and Slave I, and get help.  And it’s a whole lot of fun to watch.  I watched it with my son and he was laughing hysterically through the episode, declaring it, “This is the funniest episode of Clone Wars episode ever,” and I’m inclined to agree with him.  Artoo is a crowd pleaser and giving him two-thirds of an episode was an incredibly fun idea.

There were also a few name-checks to Empire, presumably in honor of the 30th.  Aside from the Gundarks (which Luke looked strong enough to pull the ears off of), Ahsoka tells Anakin he’ll need to stay in a Bacta Tank (which Luke spent some time in after being attacked by the Wampa), etc.

But Artoo made it to Coruscant by the skin of his teeth, warning Plo Koon and Ahsoka about the danger that Anakin and Mace were in.

The episode ended in what would have been a cliffhanger, with Aurra Sing, Boba Fett and Bossk escaping with the hostages, still determined to exact their revenge on Windu.

Fortunately, these episodes were played back-to-back, and we got right back into the action.  “Lethal Trackdown” has Plo Koon and Ahsoka tracking down Aurra Sing and Boba Fett in hopes of saving the hostages.  Mace and Anakin sit this one out, still too wounded to participate.

Aurra decides to seek refuge with her ex-boyfriend, the always fun Hondo Ohnaka.  But Plo Koon and Ahsoka take a trip to the Coruscant underworld (which were some of the best lit scenes in the entire series) in order to gain  information as to the whereabouts of our bad guys.  After some really cool use of the force on the part of Ahsoka, they learn where the hostages are being kept and make their way in haste.

The last third of the episode contained some of the coolest action I’ve seen on the show and most of it was Ahsoka’s doing.  She’s maturing as a character and as a Jedi and I love to watch her in action.  The finale of this episode has her chasing after Aurra Sing on speeder bikes through a canyon (think the speeder bike chase from Jedi with more blasters and lightsabers while in motion) and then gives chase when Aurra tries to flee in the Slave I.  Not troubled by the fact that Aurra is taking off in a starship, Ahsoka runs up the side of the Slave I and begins to start hacking wings off and repeating moves Anakin taught her, lightsabering into the cock-pit (a’la Zam Wessel in Attack of the Clones) but she does it with a lot more grace and actually pulls it off. It was amazing to see.

Overall, this pair of episodes was a satisfying conclusion to season two, which really upped the game in this series in terms of animation, storytelling and suspense.

I loved these episodes, but my only problem with them episode was the final moment at the end when Boba Fett finally gets to see Mace Windu face to face.  He says something incredibly whiny.  I didn’t so much mind that, as the fact that every whiny fanboy who disliked the prequels are going to instantly hate Clone Wars era Boba Fett and their hatred is probably one of the most obnoxious, ill-informed, holier-than-thou, self-righteous, annoying things I deal with.

But that was quickly replaced by the shiver I got when they ran the preview for Season 3.  (You can watch it for yourself right here).  It was amazing.

I talked a little bit to Ashley Eckstein in an interview that will run in the next few days about what we can expect in Season 3 and combining that with what we’re seeing here gave me the chills.

And after realizing there are no new episodes until October, I’d like to end by quoting Lando Calrissian: “This deal is getting worse all the time.”

To catch up on Season 1, you can order The Clone Wars: The Complete Season One at Amazon by clicking the link.

For other Clone Wars news and reviews of previous episodes, click this link.

A week or so ago we posted the trailer for the latest from the DC Animated Universe, Batman: Under the Red Hood. Now, Warner Bros. has provided all the details on the DVD and Blu-ray releases coming July 27! Details below:

Official Press Release:

Batman confronts new enemies, old foes and painful memories when a powerful vigilante with a penchant for violence comes to Gotham City in the intense graphic-novel-come-to-life Batman: Under the Red Hood, the next entry in the popular ongoing series of DC UNIVERSE Animated Original PG-13 Movies coming July 27, 2010 from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. The full-length film will be distributed by Warner Home Video as a Special Edition version on Blu-Ray™ and 2 disc DVD!

The stellar voice cast has Bruce Greenwood (Captain Pike in the 2009 blockbuster Star Trek) donning the famed cowl as the voice of Batman. Supernatural star Jensen Ackles is Red Hood, and Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) voices Nightwing. John DiMaggio (Futurama) and Jason Issacs (the Harry Potter films) round out the main cast as The Joker and Ra’s Al Ghul, respectively.

Batman: Under the Red Hood is scripted by award-winning comics writer Judd Winick and based on his popular 2005 comics storyline and subsequent comics graphic novel of the same name. Animation guru Bruce Timm returns as executive producer, as he has for all eight DC Universe animated original movies. Director is Brandon Vietti, who served as co-director of Superman Doomsday and was responsible for the first one-third of that film, including the fatal battle between the two title characters.

In Batman: Under the Red Hood, Batman faces his ultimate challenge as the mysterious Red Hood takes Gotham City by firestorm. One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code. Killing is an option. And when The Joker falls in the balance between the two, hard truths are revealed and old wounds are reopened.

Fans will be treated to an incredible package of DC Universe storytelling as the Special Edition Blu-Ray and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD include the second animated short in the all-new DC Showcase series – which features the popular DC Comics character, Jonah Hex. The short is scripted by renowned author Joe Lansdale and stars the voices of Thomas Jane (Hung), Linda Hamilton (The Terminator), Michelle Trachtenberg (Mercy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Michael Rooker (Days of Thunder).

Batman: Under the Red Hood – 2 Disc Special Edition DVD will have more than two hours of fascinating bonus features, including:

• Featurette – Robin’s Story – It was decided it was time to add a fresh face into the story mix, which turned out to be Dick Grayson, aka Robin. This is the story of Dick Grayson and how he transformed into Robin, with Batman as his father-figure role model.
• Extended Sneak Peek at the next DC UNIVERSE Animated Original PG-13 Movie.
• Widescreen (1.78:1)
• Two title-themed episodes from of Warner Bros. Animation’s 20-year history of Batman television series, hand-picked by animation legend Bruce Timm.

Batman: Under the Red Hood Special Edition Blu-Ray will have more than three hours of bonus materials, including all the great extras from the 2-disc Special Edition DVD as well as:

• Featurette: Death in the House of Batman – The story of how DC Comics heard the fans’ cry that the new Robin was not going to fit the cape, and how the Boy Wonder was scheduled to die.
• Two additional bonus Batman-themed episodes personally selected by Bruce Timm
• Digital copy

“Batman: Under the Red Hood is another terrific entry in the groundbreaking series of DC Universe animated movies, a shining representation of the adult storytelling that comics-turned-to-film has to offer, and further evidence of the combined creative power within the collaboration of DC Entertainment, Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video,” said Matt Bierman, Senior Vice President Production, Warner Premiere.

“Judd Winick’s and Doug Mahnke’s story of a Robin gone wrong introduced Batman’s most personal enemy to date. It’s unbelievably cool to see it brought to life like this,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment.

“With each exciting new chapter of the DC UNIVERSE films, fans have come to expect more – and Batman: Under the Red Hood delivers with an action-packed tale of mystery and emotional struggle brought to animated life by an outstanding filmmaking crew and voiced by the all-star talents of Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, Neil Patrick Harris and John Dimaggio,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Partner Brand Marketing.

“In his feature length solo directorial debut, Brandon Vietti has brought this dark, psychological thriller to the screen with all the action and emotion of a great Batman story,” said Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Animation. “

Just in time for the release of Iron Man 2, we’ve been given the opportunity to give away a pair of animated DVD collections you’re sure to want on your shelf. Walt Disney Studios is putting out the 5th volume of the X-Men animated series and the complete volume of the 1994 Iron Man cartoon.

On Tuesday May 4th, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will release IRON MAN: THE COMPLETE 1994 ANIMATED TELEVISION SERIES and X-MEN: Vol. 5 on DVD! From Stan Lee comes Marvel’s complete 1994 animated television series, Iron Man. Experience every thrilling moment – from the very first episode, to the final climactic battle – in this 3-disc collector’s edition. The action doesn’t end there! The original tales of Marvel comic books come to life in Volume 5 of the X-men collection. Relive the action of the popular animated series in this collectible compilation of the X-men adventures.

If you can’t wait for the contest and just want to order them, you can buy them off of Amazon here.

This is going to be one of our easiest contests yet. All you need to do is leave a comment telling us what you like about Big Shiny Robot! and what you want to see more of. We’ll count your entry double if you spread the word about the contest to all your social media friends, just let us know you’ve done it.

A winner will be picked randomly on May 7th.

Lucasfilm has once again provided us with an advanced look at this week’s episode of Clone Wars.  This week it’s a special treat, we have two episodes back to back that comprise the season finale of the second season.  It’s gone by far too quickly.

Here’s the official press release:

The beleaguered Jedi Knights have struggled against space pirates, zombie bugs, mind-controlling brain worms, giant monsters and more, all while dealing with the ever-present threat of attack by the evil Separatist forces – but despite all they’ve been through, their greatest threat is still before them. For future generations of Skywalker, the name of Boba Fett will live in infamy – but now, he is still but a boy bent on revenge, driven by a desire to make the Jedi pay for the death of his father. Things get personal in the heated ONE-HOUR season finale of  STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, airing at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Friday, April 30 on Cartoon Network.

But though his motivations are cold and his plan calculated to perfection, Boba isn’t alone in his malicious machinations against the Jedi Order. Having surrounded himself with a rogue’s gallery of the galaxy’s most merciless mercenaries, he is but a pawn in a deadlier game – and his own cohorts have no compunctions with taking advantage of the young man’s naiveté. Led down the dark path by Aurra Sing, Boba will learn a thing of two about deception and deceit from his bounty hunter henchmen.

“Aurra takes Boba under her wing and presents herself as a mother figure,” says Jaime King (Sin City, The Spirit), who voices Sing in the series. “I believe that she would like to groom him to be ruthless bounty hunter. She is intense, and she will do anything to get money – any job, any task – and she has no consciousness, really, about the difference between right and wrong; Aurra just wants money and power, no matter what. She won’t let anything stand in her way. I think she sees herself in young Boba – but while Jango had his son’s best interest in mind, Aurra doesn’t.”

Given his iconic image as a ruthless and inscrutable bounty hunter, it’s hard to imagine Boba Fett being manipulated by anyone. But in The Clone Wars, he is still an impressionable young man – passionate but untested, and in search of a family.

“If Star Wars has taught us anything, it’s that everyone has a back story.” says Supervising Director Dave Filoni – who wrote and directed the thrilling season finale. “In Empire, we see Boba as a bad guy – but maybe he’s just doing a job. He’s definitely got an edge, though, and we are exploring where that comes from. In Episode II, he saw his father murdered by Mace Windu, however he’s still got a long way to go before he becomes the battered bounty hunter we know so well. Aurra’s an influence, and not much of a nurturing parental figure – so that plays a part, as well. She preys on his weakness, on his desire for a family. It’s pretty dysfunctional, and it sheds an interesting light on both Aurra and Boba. Ultimately, though, Boba’s always been a mystery. As much as we reveal, we’re not going to take the mystery away from his fans. Not knowing all the answers about Boba is part of what makes him so cool.”

The return of Boba Fett.  It’s something a lot of people have been dying to see.  (Others, not so much. Ha.)  Sure, most people wanted to see Boba Fett return from the Sarlacc, but this is Clone Wars and that hasn’t happened yet.  “Death Trap” is the twentieth installment of the second season of Clone Wars and is perhaps one of the best episodes in the series.

It’s a no-brainer that Boba Fett wants to avenge his father and kill Mace Windu, the man who decapitated Jango.  And that’s what this episode is all about.  It’s the tense thrill ride of Boba’s first attempt at exacting his revenge.  But behind him, pulling the strings, are other bounty hunters, Bossk and Aurra Sing.  They’re obviously training Boba to have his infamous ruthless nature, but as the episode played out,  I kept wondering what their angle was.  At the beginning of the season, Aurra appeared as one of Cad Bane’s cronies working with the Separatists.  But she’s a hired gun and obviously has no loyalty to them.  So what’s in it for them?  I guess that’s the biggest question raised out of this episode, since there’s obviously more at work here than we can see.

Daniel Logan (whom I interviewed last week) reprises his role as Boba Fett from Attack of the Clones and his voice work is excellent.  He plays all but one of the clone cadets in addition to Boba and the contrast between he and the cadets is stark.  Why is he with a bunch of clone cadets to begin with?  Well his plan is fairly ingenious.  He disguises himself (rather easily) as a clone cadet and sneaks aboard Admiral Killian’s Star Destroyer, which is under the Jedi leadership of Mace Windu.

This episode was much more focused on character than action and it did it very well.  Boba had a number of incredibly compelling moral dilemma’s involving the clones.  They’re genetically identical to him and the older ones look exactly like the man who raised him as his father.  Does he know he’s a clone?

There are still a lot of unanswered questions coming out of this episode, and we have two left with Boba.  Whether we see him returning in season three is still anyone’s guess.

I have two favorite things to point out in this episode though:

1) I loved the ships.  They look as good or better than in any of the movies and the animation and lighting on them is nothing short of astonishing.  They’re just beautiful.  And seeing the Slave 1 like that?  I about lost it.

2) I loved the cat-and-mouse-thriller-intrigue-moral-dilemma business in this episode.  The insight into Boba Fett was a story I was dying to see told ever since I saw him and Jango appear in Attack of the Clones.  This is a small piece of that puzzle and I’m a little fanboy who bought it hook, line, and sinker.  And the animation of Boba was in stark contrast to the other bright-eyed shiny’s and it just made the whole episode feel so sinister and angsty in a way that I loved immensly.

Oh, also, Aurra Sing.  There was something cool about her even from her very first appearance in The Phantom Menace and she was exponentially more menacing here.  And her voice was…sultry.  I don’t know, it felt dripping with noir-like angst and it was incredibly attractive.  So, yeah.  There’s that.

To sum up: Solid episode.  Daniel Logan needs to get more work, he’s good.  Animation was top notch.  Writing was some of the best this season.  I imagine even the Boba Fett haters will like this one.

So until next week….umm…..put Captain Solo in the cargo hold….?

To catch up on Season 1, you can order The Clone Wars: The Complete Season One at Amazon by clicking the link.

For other Clone Wars news and reviews of previous episodes, click this link.