The fact is, it's next to impossible to immediately surpass an animated masterpiece like Star Wars: The Clone Wars last story arc The Umbara Saga. Of course, that doesnt seem to have slowed down Lucas, Filoni & crew. In this episode Clone Wars returns to the heroic Jedi action that we have become accustomed to. Then, they seemed to throw their entire Jedi playbook out the window, in what is already shaping up to be another bold stab into the unknown for this newly energized and exciting fourth season.
This weeks episode opens on the peaceful world of Kiros, where Togruta colonists have created a peaceful society focused purely on art and beauty. The colonists have no weapons, no warriors. In short, they are sitting ducks. As the Togrutan Governor is speaking to a hologram of Master Yoda, he admit's that his people have no desire to cooperate with the Separatist leadership, however they have no real means of resistance. On cue, Separatist war ships descend upon the unsuspecting colony. The Governor meets with Count Dooku to negotiate terms.
Dooku insists that the Separatist presence is necessary for the colonists safety, and offers the Governor a 'safe haven' for the colonists for the duration of the war. Before he can object, Dooku signals his wolf like, Zygerian associate Darts Denar, to begin their secret operation. With all the malice and disdain of a Nazi concentration camp commandant, Denar orders his droids to "Round up the citizens."
Next, we finally see the arrival of the Jedi 'cavalry.' After nearly half a season, we once again get to see Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi working together. As Republic gunships land on the planets surface, the Jedi immediately sense that something is amiss. After a short run in with a patrol of Biker droids, the Jedi are able to establish a perimeter and take control of the city center of the Togruta colony. They are soon informed that the Seperatist representative, Darts Denar is prepared to discuss his surrender.
The revelation that Denar is a Zygerian, a species known throughout the galaxy as notorious slave runners, enrages Skywalker. "Let me handle this SLAVER SCUM!" Naturally, Kenobi knows that Anakin is not at all prepared to approach this situation with anything that resembles restraint. He orders Anakin and Ahsoka to search for the missing colonists while he negotiates the terms of the Separatist surrender. Shaken by Anakin's emotional outburst, Ahsoka looks to Master Kenobi for an explanation. Having never been told about Anakin's life as a child, Ahsoka is shocked to find that Anakin Skywalker was once a slave.
As Kenobi is on his way to meet with Denar, the Zygerian is communicating with Dooku via hologram. He informs the Separatist leader that he intends to make the 'Jedi Scum' pay for the long ago destruction of the Zygerian Slaver Empire. At that exact moment General Kenobi enters the chamber, having heard every word. Kenobi begins to realize that he and his Clone troopers may not have the upper hand in this situation. Kenobi demands that the Zygerian release the Togrutan civilians. Denar has a counter offer, He detonates a bomb. The explosion destroys a building just inside the Republic perimeter and kills several Clones. Denar and his forces have rigged the entire city with a series of hidden bombs that will surely kill countless civilians if the Jedi do not stand down.
In an effort to allow his forces time to locate the bombs and the missing civilians, Kenobi challenges Denar to traditional Zygerian hand to hand combat. No weapons. No Force powers. The terms are simple. If Kenobi wins, Denar reveals the location of the bombs and the civilians. If Denar wins, he will deliver Kenobi to Count Dooku in a cage. It becomes immediately obvious that Obi-Wan is out matched. Denar is strong, fast and deadly has he beats the crap out of the Jedi Master and hurls him across the massive chamber. Can Skywalker and Tano find the bombs before General Kenobi succumbs to Denars savage beating?
This week's episode marks a decided departure for The Clone Wars. 'Kidnapped' and the ensuing episodes in this story arc are the first instance of the Clone Wars creative team adapting Expanded Universe material into the show. This story arc is based on a 2008 story arc from the Star Wars: Clone Wars comic books. The story was called 'Slaves Of The Republic' and tells the story of a Togrutan colony that is kidnapped by Zygerian slave traders. The final scene in this episode is a masterful reveal that will give shivers up your spine as Master Yoda begins to understand. He finally see's the dark scope, not only of the situation on Kiros, but of the entire Clone War. He reveals to his fellow Jedi and to the audience that slavery has always been a tool in the rise of the Sith. -Admiral Duke
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