Angels Unbound: Jhudiel (a-to-z) and Clone Wars -- "ARC Troopers" (Ep. 3.2)

Jhudiel

Jhudiel is an Archangel and in charge of rewarding those who toil, especially those who toil for spiritual labors. He holds a crown in one hand as the reward for those who faithfully fulfill their work. However, in his other hand, he holds a three-thonged whip so that he can "exhort" those who flag in their efforts to greater diligence. He is of the flaming Sacred Heart, and it can be seen burning within him at all times. It is the mercy of the Father which never goes out.

Clone Wars

-- Fighting a war tests a soldier's skills, defending his home tests a soldier's heart.

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As the previous episode directly precedes the first season episode, "Rookies," this episode comes directly after it. It makes for a good followup to "Clone Cadets" by wrapping up the dangling plot thread of 99. So, yeah, 99 gets to learn the fate of Hevy, and we get to learn the fate of 99.

The episode revolves around an attack on the planet Kamino, the clones' de facto homeworld, by General Grievous and Asajj Ventress. Of course, with those two involved, nothing is as it seems. Also, of course, Anakin, being the charging in type, completely misses it and goes for the feint. That tends to be his role. But it gives Obi-Wan a chance to work out what's really going on.

So, while the larger plot deals with the Jedi:

We have Obi-Wan facing off against Grievous. That's always a good thing and helps build toward the climax of their eventual confrontation in Revenge of the Sith.
We also have Anakin going toe-to-toe with Ventress. Also, always good. In a lot of ways, they're like Harry and Draco... you know, if Harry was eventually going to become a Sith.

The real story focuses on the clones and what it's like for them to be defending their home rather than fighting on some other world. We get a full spectrum view: young cadets cutoff from the rest of their group, fresh troopers (Fives and Echo) just returned for reassignment, seasoned veterans (Cody and Rex) who have been away for a while, and the outcast who didn't cut it as a clone trooper (99). Kamino is home, though, to all of them, and they all come together to defend her.


"Only you could be worried about the ships I already shot down."

Angels Unbound: Dumah (a-to-z) and Clone Wars -- "Clone Cadets" (Ep. 3.1)

Dumah

Having a body covered with eyes is not an uncommon thing among Angels. I don't know how often it occurs, but I've already included another of them, Uri'el, in the Shadow Spinner world. It's kind of freaky, if you ask me. Dumah is an Angel of Death, another recurring theme, and carries a fiery rod. He is the Angel of silence and the stillness of death. I like that. As quiet as the grave...

Clone Wars

-- Brothers in arms are brothers for life.

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Remember when I said these episodes were not all in order? Well, this is an example of that. "Clone Cadets" is the prequel to the season one episode "Rookies." It's an interesting story to tell considering that we already know what comes next. Bittersweet.

The five members of Domino squad do not get along and are considered jokes, at best, by everyone else. They are so bad that Shaak Ti, the Jedi onsite, is having to consider whether they will wash out of training, something, evidently, that just doesn't happen.

Shaak Ti is distressed enough by the evident failure of the squad that she talks to the Kaminoans about it, and they, in a round about way, blame the Jedi. The Jedi killed Jango Fett, their genetic source of clone material, so it's the Jedi's fault that the newer clones aren't holding up. They suggest finding a new source of genetic material or, the implication is, shut up about it.

There's an interesting character, a failed clone, called 99. He's in charge of maintenance, maintenance being where the failed clones go, apparently. 99, as is so often the case with service personnel, is able to see and hear things that probably he shouldn't be aware of. Mostly, though, he is just an outsider, an interesting perspective from one of the clones. Because of his position, though, he's able to offer valuable advice at a key moment and teach one of the clones a valuable lesson just because of the source. The whole relationship that happens there is rather touching. And, again, bittersweet, since we know what's going to happen to that trooper.

It's a good, very good, episode. It's another that explores the individuality of beings who should all be essentially the same and what can happen when the individuality is allowed to remain rather than trying to force them all into conformity.

Clone Wars -- "Rookies" (Ep. 1.5)

-- The best confidence builder is experience.

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"Rookies" introduces us to several new recurring characters, one of which we've actually already met. Commander Cody, working with Obi-Wan, is introduced in Revenge of the Sith, but we get to meet him here from before he and Obi-Wan have formed a working relationship. There's also Captain Rex, who often appears alongside Cody in the Clone Wars series, and Echo, and Fives. Fives, named for his ID number, is one of my favorites of the side characters.

We're also introduced to the Commando droids. The Commando droids are somewhat of an upgrade from regular battle droids. Not only are they smarter, but they look cooler. Note that I only said that they're "smarter" than regular battle droids, not that they're smart. Actually, the Commando droids seem to be competent. At least competent enough to carry out complex orders and pull off infiltration missions.

As the title suggests, this episode deals with rookie troops, whom the veteran clones call "shinies," due to the shiny, new armor they have. It's an interesting look, even if done in just over 20 minutes, at the difference between raw recruits and veteran soldiers.

My favorite part of the episode is the opening during which the clone troops are listening/watching the radio/holo thing. It's a broadcast just for the troops and reminded me somewhat of Good Morning, Vietnam. As I've said before, it's these little details that seem just kind of tossed in that help flesh out the world and make it real.

"What the hell was that?"

"That was an eel. That's why we have the regulation not to go outside."