TCW - Episode Guide - #6 "Downfall of a Droid"
"Trust in your friends, and they'll have reason to trust in you."
What's the story:
R2-D2 is lost during a fierce space battle -- and Anakin must find him before the Separatists discover the Jedi military secrets locked in his memory banks.
EPISODE REVIEW:
It’s a relief to discover Downfall of a Droid was the second Clone Wars episode actually produced as the spaceship animation looks jerkier and less polished than in other episodes, particularly episode 3, Shadow of Malevolence.
Part one of an (R2-D)2-parter, this may not match the perfect unison of plot, character and action of the previous episode, Rookies, but there is much to enjoy.
Chiefly, Kevin Kiner’s score keeps the tempo lively, occasionally threatening to overpower the slim story of Anakin and Ahsoka’s search for the MIA R2-D2, whose precious memory banks could provide the Separatists with invaluable tactical intelligence if he is captured.
John Williams will forever be the orchestral heart of Star Wars, but Kiner grabs the conducting baton with both hands, providing dynamic accompaniment with a rousing military march early on as Separatist warships advance through an asteroid field toward their Republic prey, and introducing Techno music to the Star Wars universe during Artoo’s aborted escape attempt from a droid salvage ship.
This incidental music won’t please all fans, but his capturing of the Williams’ feel is ultimately more satisfying than slavish mimicry.
Original saga nods come from the pinhead assassin droids Anakin and Ahsoka encounter on a salvage ship in their search for Artoo, the same model as seen in The Empire Strikes Back, and a belligerent sentry droid of the same model that intimidates C-3PO during the opening of Return of the Jedi.
Writer George Krstic deepens the relationship between Anakin and Ahsoka, the spunky Padawan racing to her master’s rescue with some fancy flying (slightly out-of-whack continuity wise as Anakin’s wariness of her piloting in Shadow of Malevolence is explained here), and clothing them in the same ponchos for their showdown with the assassin droids is a clever touch.
Not vintage Clone Wars then, but you’ll be craving the story conclusion come the cliffhanger ending.
Rob Daniel
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