Saturday, September 4, 2021

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - S1E19 - "Storm over Ryloth"

Like I mentioned before, I'm re-watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars again.  On a separate blog, I'm in the midst of pedantically noting the show's references to the movies, so - for now - any other comments I have will be posted here.

I recently re-watched "Storm over Ryloth" (S1E19) and noticed some significant in-world framing.  After suffering heavy losses while trying to break through a blockade, General Skywalker's forces have retreated.  He comes up with a new plan and returns to the blockade, intending to ram the command ship with his own crippled cruiser.  Apparently just to stall before the rest of his troops arrive, Skywalker contacts the Separatist commander Mar Tuuk and feigns negotiations.  Only he and R2-D2 are onboard, but he says, "I've been ordered to surrender myself, the entire crew of this vessel, and my ship in exchange for safe passage of food and medical supplies to the people of Ryloth."

Skywalker's face almost completely fills the Separatists' screen, as if to disguise the fact that there is no crew behind him.


After a scan reveals only one life form, Mar Tuuk realizes that this is a trick and confronts him:  "Skywalker, what treachery is this!?  You have nothing to bargain with!"  He replies, "Heh, in that case, I'll be going.  Oh, you can still have my ship," and as he speaks, he steps backwards.  Since his ruse has been discovered, he no longer needs to hide the fact that his cruiser is empty.