Dave dishes on the future of Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Yesterday Star Wars: The Clone Wars supervising director Dave Filoni took to the internet yesterday to answer some fan questions on his public Facebook page. Below are a summary of the questions with Dave's answers with my two cents thrown in.

1) Ventress and comic continuity

Hey Ian. Ventress’ story is one of the most interesting that we have developed with George. We’ve really gotten into what she is all about, and this season will be no different. There’s much more to her story than people realize, and some awesome new outfits as well. I don’t think we would link up with the comic book storyline though, at least not anytime soon. There is big character development coming for the “hairless harpy.”

My Thoughts:  Sounds like episode 4.19 (Massacre) may just be the reintroduction of Nighsister Asajj which we will see more of in Season 5.  To be perfectly honest watching the TCW movie with Ventress I was rather underwhelmed with the character, but as the series has gone on especially last season I think we saw a great transformation take place for the character played by Nika Futterman.  Getting Ventress out from under the thumb of Dooku was one of the best decisions the creative team behind TCW has made.  She is much more interesting as a wild card then simply as a Sith minion.

2) Ending the series

I always have an endgame in sight. George and I have discussed it, but we just keep writing more stories and finding new and exciting situations for the characters. New stories come along that change the end game, so it’s still evolving. We know we are on a collision course with “Revenge of the Sith,” but there are details surrounding the fate of certain characters that are still in discussion. This is an exciting time for the writing team, because big things are going to happen with significant characters.

My Thoughts: We already know they are well into work on S5 and have at least done some work on S6.  I think it is a near certainty that we get at least seven seasons.  I would say they wrap it up with an eight season that finishes the series during and immediately after Revenge of the Sith.

3)Special Edition treatment for early TCW episodes

It’s funny that you ask that Eric. Not that long ago George and I were joking about how much better we could tell the stories with the way we produce the animation now. Imagine the Malevolence now. It’s tempting, but at the same time, seeing those episodes reminds me of how much we have evolved as a creative team, and I’m very proud of my crew for that. But if George said “Dave, go make your special edition,” I would not say no.

My Thoughts:  This is a funny question and comment but given the production expense and time involved it would be a total waste to do this.

4)  Mandalorians

What you saw in Season 4 with the Death Watch was just a small taste of what is to come. I think the Madalorians are involved in one of the best story arcs next season. A great deal is at stake and big things happen. As far as Spar, the clones and the Mandalorians go, you have to understand that in the film saga, and the TV series, clones don’t really identify with Mandalorians. The vast majority of clones never met Jango Fett, and the series has focused more on the clones having their own culture, rather than adopting a culture that they never really came in contact with. Satine will be returning and I promise you she will have bigger problems than tainted Moogan Tea this time.

My Thoughts: Booo.  It seems that Karen Traviss' Clone Mandoization movement is being expunged from continuity.  As a KT fan this bother me, because I enjoyed that story line and I thought it made a lot of sense.  I am not a total crazy Mando lover though, so I am glad at least we will be seeing the Mandalorians come back next season in a major way.  I have been predicting for a while now that we will see Civil War return to Mandalore with the pacifists losing power.  Will we see the introduction of the "True Mandalorians" in Season 5?

5)  Order 66 on TCW

If we do, it would be from a different perspective than we saw it in the films.

My Thoughts:  Yes, 1000 times yes.

6) Galactic Marines on TCW

I would love to find a place to use Galactic Marines, so we’ll see. Currently they have not shown up as of yet. There are some cool troopers coming though, ones that you have never seen before, but that is a ways off.

My Thoughts: More distinct and interesting Clone Troopers are great, but pretty please Dave I need some Null-ARCs, I'm begging here.

7) A Darth Sidious arc

Darth Sidious is a sensitive subject, and so far it has been a conscious decision to never show him other than as a hologram in the series. However, I would look for the dark lord to take a more active role in the future.

My Thoughts:  Why is Sidious such a "sensitive subject?" I can understand from a storytelling/time point of view in 22 minutes, you don't want to do the establishing shot on both sides of a holocom call like you would in a film in most cases.  But I wonder is it simply to surprise the youngest of viewers that don't realize Palpatine is Sidious?  Is it simply because to this point Palpatine isn't doing much but sitting in his office and moving piece across the Dejarik board?  I would love to see a Sidious/Dooku lightsaber sparring session at some point in the series.  That loss of Ian Abercrombie weighs heavy as Dave plans an even larger role for his character going forward.  I wonder if they will get a current member of the cast to try to voice match Ian instead of going outside for another actor.

8) Cody's absence from Obi-Wan's "Funeral"

In order to keep the nature of Obi Wan’s mission as secret as possible, the Jedi Council assigned Cody to a mission so he could not attend. A fact that did not sit well with the Commander.

My Thoughts:  I think Dave just made up that answer on the spot, and for the record I am fine with that.

9) Will Obi-Wan and Satine be seeing each other, face-to-face once more?

That’s a very thoughtful question Madison, so I will answer you. YES

My Thoughts:  Put on the Barry Whitesun holodisc, turn on the glow lamps and...I'll keep this PG and just leave it at that.

10) Ahsoka's Future

Sarah, thank you for your support, I really appreciate it. Ahsoka is going to face one of her biggest challenges ever next season. I cannot tell you the details, but it will raise her to her greatest heights, and take her to her darkest moment yet, so hang in there and cross your fingers.

My Thoughts:  I just had a very random story idea.  What if Ahsoka is kidnapped by Maul and Savage and they attempt to torture and turn her to the Dark Side?  Ahsoka ends up being the one to finish off Maul.

11) Mother Talzin's motivations

I’m glad you ask about Mother Talzin, she’s actually more important than people guess. You are on the right track. What is she all about? Why is she so interested in Savage and Maul? Patience…in time you will know.

My Thoughts:  Mother Talzin is certainly making the rounds lately, featured in the recent books Darth Plagueis, The Wrath of Darth Maul and the soon to be released Book of the Sith.  She may give the creeps but I really like the character, of course it would be cool to see the Singing Mountain Clan at some point on TCW.

12) Bo-Katan Pronunciation guide

It’s pronounced “Bow”, as in Rainbow, “cat” as in cat, “Anne” as in the girls name. The character is named after my wife’s nickname for her cat – “the Boogie,” and my wife’s name is “Anne.” So, it’s “Boogie-Cat-Anne”, Boogie got shortened to “Bo,” so thus Bo-Katan. It also sounds like Boca Ratan, FL, but the name has nothing to do with that. Lol.

My Thoughts:  A tuckerism by Dave Filoni.  But who can blame him, I would do the same thing.  Of course I appreciate the pronunciation guide as I am sure I pronounce half the EU characters and places wrong.

13) Anakin and Obi-Wan's different lightsaber hilt design


No, we have never really gotten into that, however you will learn much more about lightsabers in the future.

My Thoughts:  As much as a love lightsabers, I am ashamed to admit I had no idea what this question was about.  Geek card revoked.

14) Tons of Questions: Will we see Tuskan Raiders in the Clone Wars? and Is there going to be any in depth look at the ancient Sith or go to any of the Sith worlds? and Will we see Hondo Ohnaka (a family favorite character!) again? Thank you!

Hondo – YES
Tuskan Raiders – YES (but in the future, not soon)
Sith - …hmmm…hmmm… patience. Sith have patience, that’s how they survived. So have patience. You will see. Just have patience.

My Thoughts:  Hondo returning is hardly a surprise, he is one of those recurring supporting characters at this point. Sith or Sith planets? We know we almost had Bane and Revan last season, so this seems more like a matter of if not when.  But Tusken Raiders means we are again returning to Tatooine.  I thought it was a remote planet but it seems to have a particularly strong pull in the Force, because we keep going back there.  My humble request, I want to see General A'Sharad Hett!

15) Will Grievous character model hand design change from TCW four to RotS six finger design?

Bryce, that’s a great idea. We have never updated Grievous since we did the original model but that’s overdue. Let me talk to Kilian and see what he says, but I think that’s a really good idea. The show has evolved, and maybe that should too.

My Thoughts:  Apparently some people are much more sticklers for detail then I am.

SOURCE: Dave Filoni's Facebook Fan Page

Review: Maze Run by David J. Williams and Mark S. Williams

Star Wars Insider: Issue 131 features an all new piece of short fiction entitled, Maze Run by authors David J. Williams and Mark S. Williams.

Maze Run is a story featuring Han Solo, Chewbacca, and the Millennium Falcon set before the events of Episode IV: A New Hope.  It is set in the area of space known as the Rishi Maze, which was first mentioned by Dexter Jettster in his conversation with Obi-Wan Kenobi as a point of reference when looking for the planet Kamino in Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

Fans will be interesting to note that while she doesn't appear in the story, a deleted scene character is mentioned.  Han's would be love interest at the beginning of Star Wars, Jenny makes a brief appearance in Han Solo's internal monologue in the story.

The one that got away...

The story is written as a tie-in of sorts with the Haynes Star Wars: Millennium Falcon Owner's Workshop Manual being released Tuesday January 31st by Del Rey.  It is a little different in that the recent short stories have been tie-ins to novels, whereas this one is a tie-in to what is in essence an Essential Guide to the Millennium Falcon.   As such the two Williams had more a free hand in crafting their little tale in a narrative sense.

The story does go into some of the Falcon's technical aspects like the auxiliary flight controls in the engineering section, the 3D Navcom display and the ships shielding.   The story is interesting in the how it may effect Han's view of the Rebellion and just why it may be a bad idea to associate with that cause.  On the whole however it is a fairly underwhelming tale that doesn't do a lot to impact continuity or allow us to learn more about Han and Chewie.

Of course I am a sucker for Han and Chewie adventures so I still enjoyed it, though it feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.

SOURCE: Star Wars Insider # 131 Page 45-51.

Description for Star Wars: The Clone Wars Episode 4.19 "Massacre"

The current issue (#131) of Star Wars Insider magazine's Launchpad section gives us some details on the next three episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

The Box: Febuary 3rd

"Obi-Wan Kenobi takes part in a deadly contest to establish warriors fierce enough to participate in a plot to kidnap Palpatine."

Crisis on Naboo: February 10th

"Count Dooku and his squad of bounty hunters launch their plan to kidnap Palpatine.  Can Obi-Wan and Anakin stop them?"

Massacre: February 24th

"The first episode of a four-part season finale.  Count Dooku seeks revenge for his betrayal at the hands of Asajj Ventress and the Nightsisters."


"Look out for: The sinister army of the undead!"  


We learn that Massacre which is the first episode of the four-part arc that will see the introduction to TCW of Darth Maul and the return of Savage Opress will also feature in it's first episode the return of Asajj Ventress and the Nightsisters of Dathomir.

The episode will be directed by Steward Lee and Katie Lucas.  Lee has directed 13 previous TCW and Katie Lucas has written 6 previous TCW episodes.   Most notably Ms. Lucas was the scribe behind last season "Nightsisters Trilogy" which featured the introduction of Savage Opress and the teaser reveal of Darth Maul still being alive.

Sounds like from the description we may be getting some Nighsister magicks that are similar to Sith Sorcery in raising an army of undead.  It is interesting that Lee also directed two of the previous zombie episodes "Legacy of Terror" and "Brain Invaders."

I wonder if the betrayal by Ventress has something to do with foiling the plot to kidnap Palpatine that Dooku will be launching in the final episode of the current arc, or will we be getting some News Reel betrayal at the beginning of episode 4.19?  Perhaps it is just Ventress and the Nighsisters ambushing Dooku with an army of undead in an attempt to assassinate him like last season's failed assault on his mansion on Serenno.

I am really looking forward to the final arc of the season.

SOURCE: Star Wars Insider #131

Our TCW Reviews will now be linked to on Roqoo Depot

The kind folks over at Roqoo Depot have started to link to our Star Wars: The Clone Wars reviews.

If you haven't visited this blog before, thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy TCW reviews as much as I enjoy writing them.  Sometimes they are serious, sometimes they are humorous, but most of the time they are some odd combination of both.

If you like our TCW reviews, check out some of our other content as well.  There is a search tab on the right side of the site that allows you to search for articles on various topics.

Thanks again to Roqoo Depot, though I don't think I am pretty enough to be in Hapan space.

Battle Meditation Review: Star Wars: The Clone Wars Episode 4.16 Friends and Enemies

Author's Note:  I would be remiss if I didn't take a brief moment to mourn the passing of actor Ian Abercrombie who passed away on Thursday at the age of 77.  The actor perhaps most famous recently for his recurring role on Seinfeld, did a magnificent job on Star Wars: The Clone Wars as the voice of Chancellor Palpatine and Darth Sidious.  Mr. Abercrombie's perfromances will be missed from the series by this viewer a great deal.  

Part two of the Undercover Brother arc kicks the action into high gear as Obi-Wan tries to stay one step ahead of his criminal pals, the Hutts, and his former Padawan.

"Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer."
Fleeing across the galaxy with criminal fugitives, a disguised Obi-Wan, Cad Bane and Moralo Eval are tenaciously pursued by Anakin and Ahsoka, who have no idea they're chasing their friend.

Before I get into my thoughts on this weeks episode let me do a brief cataloging of what Obi-Wan went through in this episode. He survived two crash landings, poison gas to the face, the business end of the staff to the face knocking him out, he was suspended upside down, electrocuted, punched in the guy by the business end of the staff again, choked by Cad Bane, and kneed in the groin during a hand to hand brawl with Anakin.  Is it any wonder Obi-Wan doesn't like flying?

This episode was amazing, and only after watching it a second time did I appreciate how layered the storytelling was.  It made 22 minutes feel like an hour.  There were some really impressive visuals particularly in the final ship to ship duel towards the end of the episode, but there was so much to mention in this episode that I am sure I will leave some things back.  Let's just cover a few things quickly before I get into the meat of the review, I think we can all agree that Cad Bane is pretty awesome and that the sparring between Bane and Obi-Wan in the guise of Rako Hardeen was particularly satisfying.  It also is revealed though hardly surprising the relationship between Eval and Dooku.  Now on to some aspects of the show I found particularly interesting.

Finally we get to see what to me is one of the most interesting and least explored parts of the series, the little private chats that Palpatine and Anakin have as Palpatine on the surface is mentoring his friend but under the surface is grooming Anakin to take his place at Palpatine's feet as his next apprentice.

This mentor/surrogate father relationship that Palpatine foster's is certainly a lot different then how he treated young Darth Maul, and is interesting and fitting with his character as the ultimate political chameleon that he tailor's his approach differently to different audiences.  Palpatine's raising of Maul was more like the forging of a weapon, whereas his approach with Anakin was much more of a seduction to the Dark Side.  You have these two profound influences on Anakin's life in Obi-Wan and Palpatine, and while we see a ton of the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin, it feels like the Anakin and Palpatine relationship has not been fleshed out in a way that shows these little seeds that Palpatine plants in Anakin's mind and slowly watered over the years, making his rather abrupt break from the Jedi and fall in Episode III make more sense.

Complete this little scene with the fact that Mace is having a "private" holocom call with the Chancellor and unbeknownst to Mace, Anakin is sitting in the Palpatine's office, a little play acting that Palpatine uses to flame the fire's of Anakin's anger and resentment against the Jedi for their inaction.  Palpatine sending Anakin on a mission without consulting the Jedi Council, positions our characters in a way that seems much closer to their Episode III relationships then we have seen so far in the series. On a lighter not,  did anyone else catch the nifty Revenge of the Sith statuary in Palpatine's office?

Sistros or Braata statue

We got to see the Glorious Jewel of Nal Hutta, which looked really cool.  We got a wide variety of aliens, mostly low-lifes, a very brief but very inebriated Sy Snootles, more angry including a very Vader-ish Force choke, followed up by Anakin calling Ahsoka Snips.

I really enjoyed the way they portrayed Rako Hardeen, he comes off much more then just Obi-Wan pretending to be someone else, you can almost forget that this isn't Rako Hardeen except for the brief bits of morality that slips from behind the mask.

Hooray for hat jokes, this episode was replete with Cad Bane taking shots about his fashion calling card.  I particularly enjoyed the Indiana Jones hat as well as a hat that looked a lot like the one worn by the smuggler in the SWTOR cinematic "Return" trailer.

How about haggling with a Bith starship salesman, that would be rough.  Of course this episode of the series made the Bith seem a bit like the Ferengi in their duplicitous business practices.  

Captain Rex had a brief but memorable exchange with basically the second ranking Jedi in the galaxy.  When pressed for information on his General Anakin Skywalker's whereabouts, Rex ignored Mace Windu's direct question about Anakin's location.  In the military command structure Rex should have complied with Mace as he outranked Anakin, however it appears that we are seeing some added depth here where we see  the personal bond between Rex and Anakin being more important to Rex then following a superior's orders.

Rating: Friends and Enemies (Frenemies) gets an 8.5.  Tons of action, tons of scum and villainy, and some really interesting intrigue.  Thus ends my ramblings for this week.

Direct Link to Watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Friends and Enemies (4.16)

Next time on Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Box (4.17)

Are you ready to rumble?  Reason the Sith are awesome reason # 193, who else would hold a battle royal between the galaxies best bounty hunters inside a floating cube?   Once you enter, resistance is futile.

"The strong survive, the noble overcome."
The disguised Obi-Wan accompanies Cad Bane and Moralo Eval to Serenno, where they enlist in a brutal competition with other bounty hunters from around the galaxy to determine who will participate in a plot to kidnap the Chancellor.

Link to Watch The Box Trailer on StarWars.com