Hello everyone and welcome to another double sized edition of Clone Wars catchup, this time looking at the first two episodes of season 4. We were thrust into the onset of an underwater civil war between the Mon Cala and the Quarren. The Mon Cala are recognisable due to them being the species of the film character Admiral Ackbar (who’s death in the Last Jedi I have still not fully recovered from). It was a nice touch to have him appear here in the role of Captain as he acted as a good latching on point as a pre-established character. I wasn’t completely sold on the story up until his appearance with Padme not really being a character I have enjoyed up to this point in the show.

The entire setting though was unique and things really ramped up once the action got started. I like how this show makes use of locations that the films would struggle with and this definitely worked well in an animated format. It was well lit compared to live action underwater scenes and I use Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as an example. I also really liked the design of the Shark Separatist with him being reminiscent of King Shark from DC in some ways. He was intimidating too and had clear physical superiority over the other fish people. Things got tense too by the end with Anakin losing his helmet. Him struggling went on long enough to make me feel rather uncomfortable (in a good way) as even though you knew he’d make it, you really just wanted him to get it back on!

The second round of the battle escalated with these weird hybrid droid jellyfish which were absolutely massive! The idea of having “part droid part monster” really opens up some horrific possibilities for what the Separatists can pull out in their war against the Republic. I liked the unsure attitude of the Quarren when Dooku declared that men, women and children will all be enslaved. It really put over how the Separatists/Sith are the true evil, taking a war to a level that those who are supposed to be overseeing are reluctant to take it to.

The Gungans got involved which inevitably meant more Jar Jar Binks. He was fine to be honest, not taking up too much screen time or being that irritating. It made sense for them to come as well as they are a Republic ally who can operate underwater. A pair of good episodes to start off the season and I look forward to seeing how they wrap things up.

DD Rating: 7.25/10