THE CLONE WARS: A MATTER OF ALLEGIANCE!

Yoda's efforts in persuading the noble Toydarian King Katuunku to join the fight against the Separatists looks set to bear fruit, though opposing force Sith Assassin Asajj Ventress has other plans, during the exciting finale to the memorable opening episode of The Clone Wars animated series, Ambush.

COUNT DOOKU - A LEGACY OF EVIL!

There's nothing more terrifying and dramatic in the Star Wars universe than a force for good turned bad. Darth Vader remains the ultimate example of the brightest angel turned darkest demon, but in the complex Prequel universe we also have the nefarious and deadly Count Dooku as a character lead-in of sorts, a once noble and respected figure who supposedly left the Jedi Order because of his disillusionment with its members and their decision-making across the galaxy, and whom soon went on to become the second on screen acolyte to the evil Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, acting under the radar in his new alternate guise as the manipulative and spiteful Darth Tyranus, before ultimately being pawn sacrificed for the greater evil by his 'Master' in the evolving great game of revenge and controlling of both the galaxy and its Republic, and in winning the trust and confidence of an even greater potential dark side force in the young and easily influenced Anakin Skywalker.

Cavan Scott's acclaimed script for his popular audio drama Dooku - Jedi Lost, examining the popular baddie's ultimate path to evil, has now become available in UK paperback from Arrow/Del Rey. 

Read our original review here:

https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2019/11/aficionado-review-dooku-jedi-lost.html

Get it here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dooku-Jedi-Lost-Cavan-Scott/dp/1529102367/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dooku+jedi+lost+paperback&qid=1616954819&sr=8-1

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'DOOKU - JEDI LOST'

Dark fates await Count Dooku and Asajj Ventress in the all-new Dooku - Jedi Lost. Cover art by Aaron McBride.

Though Anakin Skywalker's journey into darkness is the lynchpin to the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, there were other Jedi from his era who'd also fall from grace and show great evil. Most notably, the nefarious, enigmatic and ruthlessly cruel figure of Count Dooku, as played in Episode's II and III by the stately presence with that classy veneer of evil that was silver-screen legend, Sir Christopher Lee. Now, in celebration of both the character and the man who played him, British author Cavan Scott gives us more on the origins of Dooku, born to nobility, becoming a once powerful Jedi, then a threat to the universe upon transferring his allegiances to the Sith, as Dooku - Jedi Lost's audio drama script gets a satisfying book release, available in the UK from Century Publishing.

Ever the imaginative storyteller, Scott uses Asajj Ventress, Dooku's own powerful Padawan for evil, as his key and unique framing device in launching the story, to peel back the dark layers of Dooku's past, his locked-away vulnerabilities, and soon future, whilst more facets of Ventress's own past, discovered and used by Dooku for twisted ends, are concurrently revealed.

Christopher Lee as the battle-scarred Count Dooku.

Removed from his linage of dynastic power on the Outer Rim world of Serenno by a Jedi seeker, an act of deliberate abandonment engineered by his powerful Father - a cruel leader despising of the Jedi (including his own son) and the Republic to whom they serve, Dooku's power is soon cultivated at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. But despite that potential goodness and the genuinely faithful service given to his Masters, as well as the benevolence and experience he gives as a role model teacher himself in his later years, Dooku's ego/arrogance, fused with driven ambition and greed to be the ultimate Jedi, alongside growing dark knowledge of secret Sith artefacts and prophecies at the Jedi Temple, assuredly launches his eventual steps towards the realms of darkness - true pride before a fall, bolstered by his frustration at his friends building inability to bring true peace and justice to the galaxy, of which even his closest confidants and later Padawan learners are not enough to keep him close to the side of light.

Dark times ahead for Dooku and Sifo-Dyas.

And Dooku's tragic family history already has ties to the Sith- the world of Serenno having been one of the sect's many empiric worlds from a thousand year before, whose now wary people are on the verge of rebellion against the Republic, egged on by his despot father. In Dooku - Jedi Lost, all these elements are well explored and used, as is the development of Dooku's problematic family ties (a weakness for his beloved sister being an important plot point) on a world he knows faces fiery oblivion, and which must be saved and shaped anew under his guidance, leading carefully to his eventual reign as Separatist Leader by the time of EPISODE II. In those final years before becoming one of 'The Lost Twenty', Dooku will further manipulate an old Jedi friend- the vulnerable Master Sifo-Dyas, a visionary on the brink of madness, who sees the dark future of the galaxy with building emotional intensity...

The many faces of Dooku. Art by Aaron McBride.

As the story reaches its darkest moments, Dooku- Jedi Lost proves a solid concoction from Cavan Scott that Prequel fans will enjoy. Most of the author's work in developing the Count feels right in the reading - a rare privilege to be able to bring so much more detail to such a popular Star Wars villain, including research that cleverly combines opinions and thoughts observed about the character from the late Mister Lee himself. Though I did have a problem in picturing Dooku as a pet person, as discovered here in moments that felt too Harry Potter-esque for my personal tastes, and not even during his prior positive status as a Jedi. (The choice of pet, however, soon proves key to the dark phoenix rising-esque idea perpetuated by the author.) 

AFICIONADO RATING: Sith happens! From these interesting script/book foundations, there's lots of potential for a sequel drama showing Dooku properly assuming the mantle of Darth Tyranus alongside Darth Sidious, so let's hope that happens... 3.5 out of 5

More on the book (plus excerpts):
https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-man-who-became-tyranus-dooku-jedi.html

Get the book here: 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dooku-Jedi-Lost-Star-Wars/dp/0593157664/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23MO3R0G367Z3&keywords=dooku+jedi+lost+book&qid=1573210206&sprefix=DOOKU+JEDI+%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

THE MAN WHO BECAME TYRANUS! 'DOOKU: JEDI LOST' - OUT NOW IN SCRIPT BOOK

Powers of darkness reign in Dooku: Jedi Lost.

In a long period of tumultuous galactic history, he was many things to many people- an esteemed member of a family dynasty of importance and influence on his home world of Serenno; a widely respected and knowledge-experienced Jedi Knight by both his elders and peers in the Old Republic, and years later a seemingly dedicated and inspiring leader of rebellion and change for the breakaway Confederacy of Independent Systems. But above all else, Count Dooku was born to become evil. Fascinated by evil and what it could accomplish, his was an evil fused with the kind of harnessed power few could ever achieve to such great heights. In those successful aims Dooku soon attracted attention from a hidden part of the galaxy, becoming Darth Tyranus, the second acolyte to the shadowy magnificence of his Sith leader, Darth Sidious, capably emerged from a long self-exile and unleashed to corrupt, control and have the galaxy shaped to their own destinies - their own image of control. But power always breeds superior ambition, especially when you're a Sith...

Now, discover the many complex facets and potential backstory of the superb Prequel Trilogy villain brilliantly played with such damaged panache and hidden veneer by the legendary icon Sir Christopher Lee, in Expanded Universe writer/fan favourite Cavan Scott's assured character epic Dooku: Jedi Lost, now a script transcript book based on his acclaimed audio drama of past and future intrigue, and a tale of how power distorts and corrupts a life. It's out now in UK hardback from Century.

The erudite but vicious master of the Dark Side: Count Dooku.

Here's the details:

Delve into the history of the sinister Count Dooku in the original script to the thrilling Star Wars audio production!

Darth Tyranus. Count of Serenno. Leader of the Separatists. A red saber, unsheathed in the dark. But who was he before he became the right hand of the Sith? As Dooku courts a new apprentice, the hidden truth of the Sith Lord's past begins to come to light.

Dooku's life began as one of privilege--born within the stony walls of his family's estate, orbited by the Funeral Moon where the bones of his ancestors lie interred. But soon, his Jedi abilities are recognized, and he is taken from his home to be trained in the ways of the Force by the legendary Master Yoda.

As he hones his power, Dooku rises through the ranks, befriending fellow Jedi Sifo-Dyas and taking a Padawan of his own, the promising Qui-Gon Jinn--and tries to forget the life that he once led. But he finds himself drawn by a strange fascination with the Jedi Master Lene Kostana, and the mission she undertakes for the Order: finding and studying ancient relics of the Sith, in preparation for the eventual return of the deadliest enemies the Jedi have ever faced.

Caught between the world of the Jedi, the ancient responsibilities of his lost home, and the alluring power of the relics, Dooku struggles to stay in the light--even as the darkness begins to fall.

Behind the book:

https://www.starwars.com/news/dooku-jedi-lost-cavan-scott-interview

Get the book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dooku-Jedi-Lost-Star-Wars/dp/0593157664/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3AQMI4593SPUL&keywords=dooku+jedi+lost&qid=1570113919&sprefix=dooku%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-1

THE CLONE WARS: A PACT FOR DESTRUCTION!

It is their strength yet also their curse: the Sith 'Rule of Two', with each apprentice eager to usurp the power of their master. Darth Tyranus (Count Dooku) may ultimately have been the sacrificial pawn to his experienced overlord in Darth Sidious, but he would still under the radar pursue his own ambitions, of which his new partner-in-crime in the revenge-fuelled Asajj Ventress proved an eager and capable student!

A great image of the evil duo used in European marketing for the (so far) one and only The Clone Wars animated movie of 2008

THE CLONE WARS: A TIME OF STRUGGLE!

The ideas of peace and justice with the Galactic Republic are swept away with the tide of the Clone Wars, as the struggle between good and evil enters a decisive new point in the Force, as seen with key characters old and new for the 2003 Clone Wars Micro-Series - one of the genuine highlights of the Prequel era of STAR WARS storytelling.

THE CLONE WARS: TWISTED SISTER!

She was the Dark Side assassin with a thirst to destroy the Jedi, then, once abused and left for dead by her former master in Count Dooku, became the loner, the adept bounty hunter for hire, before finding an all-new purpose and love for one of the race she had once sworn to destroy. Asajj Ventress's arc across the span of THE CLONE WARS animated series and its spin-offs proved an extremely satisfying one for her creators and the worldwide fanbase, and now her final adventure, alongside the rogue Jedi Quinlan Vos, returns via UK paperback this month, courtesy of ARROW: Christie Golden's well received, fast paced tale of love, danger and redemption adapted from never-completed series episodes: Dark Disciple.

Check out our original review here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'DARK DISCIPLE'

Get hold of the book here: Star Wars: Dark Disciple: Amazon.co.uk: Christie Golden, Katie Lucas: 9781101884959: Books

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'DARK DISCIPLE'

Two of a kind? Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos team-up for STAR WARS: DARK DISCIPLE- an unproduced THE CLONE WARS story now making an impact in novel form.

STAR WARS: DARK DISCIPLE

By Christie Golden

Based on unproduced episodes of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Foreword by Katie Lucas

Available now from CENTURY PUBLISHING


Reviewed by Scott Weller


Enough is enough.

Truly appalled by the latest murderous act specifically masterminded and wrought by their once friend, Count Dooku in a war against the Separatists that seemingly looks unending, Master Yoda and the Jedi Council take a momentous and far-reachingly dangerous decision to assassinate the corrupted Dark Lord of the Sith and end his reign of terror across the galaxy. But who to send on the mission? Only someone experienced or touched by the nature of evil and the Dark Dide of the Force will surely be accomplished enough to destroy his insidious power. One who knows Dooku, his methods, motivations and potential weaknesses. Someone who has faced him in combat and almost defeated him: his once Sith assassin now exiled bounty hunter Asajj Ventress!

A mission to kill! Asajj Ventress duels her old master, Count Dooku.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend is the old adage for this latest adventure from STAR WARS author Christie Golden, as she adapts eight ground-breaking unmade episodes from the axed way before its time THE CLONE WARS series- Dark Disciple, a tale which would effectively being back popular Expanded Universe hero and Outer Rim-based occasional rogue Jedi, Quinlan Vos, in a striking way far removed from his prior seen devil-may-care efforts with Obi-Wan Kenobi tracking down the fugitive Ziro the Hutt. Very much the maverick, beyond anything seen with Qui-Gon Jinn, and with more than the roguish dare and happy scoundrel Han Solo-ish touch about him, Vos is the perfect choice to recruit the beautiful but deadly Ventress into the Jedi's most daring and ultimately out of character by necessity plan. Undercover as a bounty hunter he soon becomes her sparky rival, her concerned and passionate lover, then her enemy, as the adaptation unfolds efficiently and speedily over its highly readable 336 pages. Developed behind the scenes by writer Katie Lucas- who saw her potential for character growth across the series run, and whom she shared a certain amount of creative kinswoman-ship to, Ventress has come a long way since those early bitter days taunting and fighting the Jedi she once swore to annihilate. Falling from grace with Dooku and abandoned to death, she has had to survive by any means necessary now that her beloved Witch Sisterhood of Dathomir have been annihilated, whilst her more recent, often irregular activities and life as a bounty hunter has seen her in a far more melancholy and reflective mood. But that doesn't mean her instincts and Force potential have dried up- far from it- especially when she recognises what her new friend and lover Vos is up to, and whom she strikes up the perfect, almost empathic partnership with. Over the course of the planned eight episodes split across Season Seven or Eight, it would have been interesting to see how this unique relationship of trust, anxiety and violence would have been realized in the animated episode medium, especially as the story moves into dark betrayal and shocking revelations. On the printed page it certainly works well, and not in the MILLS & BOON tradition when it comes to STAR WARS! Things here will surely not end well!

Early teaser artwork for DARK DISCIPLE showing the new-look Ventress.

Planned as major arc episodes of the series that would also bring specific closure to events and characters introduced way back from Season One, the story also features what would have been memorable appearances from the likes of the always loathsome General Grievous, once more in multi-lightsaber duelling action, and a now approaching the sequels attired Boba Fett and his small bounty hunter posse. Meanwhile, Count Dooku's evil-dom reaches new heights of depravity and viciousness once he is aware of Vos and Ventress's plans against him-his interactions with this unique duo of assassins proving particularly noteworthy during the book's concluding chapters. Thought by many Prequel haters as boring characters within the actual live-action films, our Jedi heroes of the animated series have been given far more thought-provoking and challenging material to explore, with added shades of grey layerings particularly given to Mace Windu (the main initiator of the assassination plan) and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the latter soon worried about the potential of Vos going astray to the Dark Side in Ventress company, as their time grows together in locating Dooku. Later in the book, seeing the influential likes of Yoda and Windu interact with their once enemy in Ventress proves an additional highlight and history-making moment for the STAR WARS saga- destinies crossed in a situation now making our noble warrior monks more vulnerable that ever, of which, despite their best intentions, they are now truly committed to travelling the road to their own self-destruction, soon enough cemented by the vengeance of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and the manipulations of Darth Sidious.

AFICIONADO RATING. A very creditable adaptation from the well-selected for the task Miss Golden, further developing Ventress and her complex relationship with Vos, whose dark romance is a strong showcase for the author's talents but those of the series original writers (Katle Lucas, Matt Michnovetz and Dave Filoni ). With the success and overall acclaim for this novel endeavour, let's hope that we get more adaptations of unseen episodes of THE CLONE WARS Seasons Sevens and Eight for the future. We deserve them. 4 out of 5.

Get hold of STAR WARS: DARK DISCIPLE here: Star Wars: Dark Disciple: Amazon.co.uk: Katie Lucas, Christie Golden: 9780345511539: Books

Telling the Untold in Dark Disciple | StarWars.com

THE CLONE WARS: FEMALES OF THE FORCE!

An inexperienced Padawan learner she may be, but young Ahsoka Tano proves she's got what it takes to be a Jedi when standing her ground against the ruthless Sith assassin Asajj Ventress on the far off world of Teth, in this great international poster art for the one and only THE CLONE WARS movie, celebrating its original release anniversary today.

OUT THIS MONTH: 'DARK DISCIPLE'

In war, there's an old saying: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". Just how true that is will soon be discovered by one-of-a-kind Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos when he's paired up with the lone wolf and former Sith Padawan, Asajj Ventress, in a mission to assassinate the dreaded Count Dooku, as the duo's unproduced eight-episode arc for THE CLONE WARS animated series comes to printed realisation via author Christie Golden: Dark Disciple, out next week in UK hardback from CENTURY PUBLISHING.

Here's the cover blurb:

Based on unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this new novel features Asajj Ventress, former Sith apprentice turned bounty hunter and one of the great antiheroes in the Star Wars galaxy. 


The only way to bring down the Sith’s most dangerous warrior may be to join forces with the dark side.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.
 
But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.
 
Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

Read the first sixty pages here: Dark Disciple%3A Star Wars

Look out for a review on AFICIONADO in the not too distant future.

Get the book here: Star Wars: Dark Disciple: Amazon.co.uk: Katie Lucas, Christie Golden: 9780345511539: Books

THE POSTER ART OF 'STAR WARS' - DAY SEVEN: A NEXT OF KIN TO CHAOS!

In celebration of the newly released and beautiful new STAR WARS ART: POSTERS book, compiled by J.W. Rinzler, published by ABRAMS, AFICIONADO presents some of its favourite art/poster pieces linked to the six films, and beyond...

Now officially canon recognised as a character within the STAR WARS universe, deadly Sith apprentice to Count Dooku, Asajj Ventress, would make a fine onscreen debut within the hugely popular CLONE WARS micro-series and the later 2008 onwards series. Here she's the centrepiece of some lovely work by Matt Busch for the souvenir program cover of one of the early STAR WARS FAN DAY events that took place in Texas, USA.

Matt Busch official site: "The Rock Star of Illustration" -Real Detroit Weekly

Get hold of STAR WARS ART: POSTERS here: Star Wars Art: Posters: Amazon.co.uk: Drew Struzan, Lucasfilm Ltd, Roger Kastel: Books

THE CLONE WARS: A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF COMBAT!

From the exciting, action-packed beginning of Katie Lucas's Season Three episode Nightsisters: Anakin and Obi-Wan find themselves well-matched by the lightsaber blade work and acrobatic skills of Asajj Ventress within the confines of a destructing Separatist cruiser.

'THE CLONE WARS' SEASON ONE. TOP FIVE EPISODES. NUMBER TWO: 'THE HIDDEN ENEMY'

And so, its almost time to reveal the top spot in our countdown. But not before the deserved runner-up. The imaginative, adrenaline opening sky battle of Jedi Crash, and the stunning debut of dangerous Durosian Cad Bane in Season finale Hostage Crisis were almost there as prime candidates, but ultimately the important and danger-brewing signs and portents events of Episode Sixteen, The Hidden Enemy, won the day. And here's five supreme reasons why...

Watch "The Hidden Enemy" - The Clone Wars Episode Preview #1.16 | StarWars.com

1. Back to the beginning. Originally devised as one of the planets to be seen during The Clone Wars of EPISODE III, the crystalline cities world of Christophsis would ultimately make their intriguing onscreen debut launching the first animated movie, and proving another intriguing, well-realised planet with potential use in future, or past, stories, with Lucas soon choosing the latter, deciding to make several further prequel to the prequel adventures there, before and leading into the ground-pounding events that introduced Ahsoka Tano, with steadfast Jedi heroes Anakin and Obi-Wan's first taking control of the planet, and afterwards, setting things up for the enemies en masse efforts to re-take the important planet back to Separatist sovereignty.

2. Traitor in the ranks. The apocalyptic live-action scenes to come of ORDER 66's Jedi Purge are brilliantly hinted at in this episode, as the unthinkable becomes reality to both our Jedi heroes and their equally surprised Clone commanders-that one of their own, a Clone Trooper, is a traitor ("Gone Jango", as Dave Filoni calls the syndrome!), setting them up for a series of explosive incidents on Christophsis, as the re-invasion plans by the Separatists begin anew. Beyond the idea of the traitor-whose cause here is seemingly for his own personal freedom from the war and his "brothers", other solitary rogue figures within the Clone ranks would be seen again throughout the series, like Season Two's The Deserter, and the amnesiac Clone Commando Gregor, playing a key part of Missing in Action.

Watch "The Hidden Enemy " - The Clone Wars Episode Featurette #1.16 | StarWars.com

3. Together again - Rex and Cody. Right from the start, Animation Director Dave Filoni and co. told STAR WARS fans that THE CLONE WARS would have a greater emphasis on the series fascinating, heroic, yet later murderous Cone Troopers, and they certainly lived up to that promise with just this first season, as new lead, and action confidante to Anakin and Ahsoka, Captain Rex, became one of the series most popular characters. Into the series, the early episode Rookies proved a huge hit, and especially with its scenes involving Rex- the STAR WARS equivalent of Clint Eastwood- teamed up with Obi-Wan's venerable and efficient Clone Commander Cody. In The Hidden Enemy, the pair make for a great pairing once again, as their investigations begin into their fellow officers, discovering some disturbing things about their battle habits in the process, leading to a cat and mouse search within their barracks, alongside some nice hand-to-hand action and visual flourishes that keep worthy continuity with the original STAR WARS films. Plus, they have a little help from a certain Astro Droid!

4. The return of Asajj Ventress. The "hairless harpie", first conceived as a potential villain for EPISODE II and then a four-colour star through the Expanded Universe, had made a terrific impression in Genndy Tartakovsky's first ground-breaking micro-series for CARTOON NETWORK, then making the leap to a whole new animated dimension, voiced with a sarcastically dark and sexy edge by Nika Futterman, for Filoni's CLONE WARS in its pilot feature episode, followed by her stunning lightsaber action against Ahsoka Tano and Luminara Unduli in Paul Dini's excellent Cloak of Darkness. Her ultimate reveal in this episode is not unexpected, but its great to see her once more in bitter antagonistic form towards her sworn enemies, Kenobi and Anakin, engaging them in a war of words and saber clashing for an ingenious time-buying duel inside a deserted, trap filled building-events that literally and visually take us into the opening scenes of the sadly one and only THE CLONE WARS movie.

5. Anakin in action. Caught in a tight spot and surrounded by Battle Droids, Obi-Wan and his soldiers are cornered by Battle Droids and things are starting to get hairy. Future dark warrior Anakin and his own team, meanwhile, are in a separate high-rise building, watching the continuing doom from afar, and, it seems, powerless to help them. But this is Anakin Skywalker we're talking about - "The Hero Without Fear", soon lightsaber smashing a window and repelling down towards the other building, along with his do-or--die soldiers in a bold and exciting action sequence evening the odds for rescue and escape that keeps the best STAR WARS traditions, accompanied by strong incidental music from Kevin Kilner that subtly hearkens back to his impressive themes from the animated movie.

Coming to Blu-ray and DVD from October 15th- THE CLONE WARS: The Complete Seasons One to Five, here: Star Wars Clone Wars - Season 1-5 Blu-ray Region Free: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV

THE CLONE WARS: BACK TO THE BEGINNING WITH 'CASTLE OF DECEPTION'!

Leading from the front: Anakin Skywalker during The Battle of Teth. A specially commissioned movie poster scene linked to the original first episode of THE CLONE WARS: Castle of Deception.

The Wrong Jedi -the final episode of THE CLONE WARS Season Five- may have seen the end of her story arc (at least for the time being), but the character of fearless young Jedi Ahsoka Tano, and her relationship to Anakin Skywalker, will be remembered and celebrated by fans of all ages for a long time to come. Courtesy of the enthusiastic vocal acting skills of Ashley Eckstein, Ahsoka had certainly evolved and matured a long way since she her early spitfire days in 2008, as the slightly annoying but dedicated "Snips" to her then new master. She'd also adopt some of his unique, and not always for the best, character traits and occasional impetuousness along the way, though ultimately emerging from the long, continuing Clone War to become both a trusted equal to Anakin and a noble Jedi in her own right.

In her first appearance, Ahsoka proves herself in action.

Going back in time to when it was originally planned as their first episode together, Castle of Deception- also the first episode made of the fledgling THE CLONE WARS animated series back in 2006/7 (written by Henry Gilroy, directed by Dave Filoni) - was to have hit the ground running story-wise with viewers had it made it to air in its original twenty-minute long episode length, showing the new heroine Ahsoka already at Anakin's reluctant side (at first glance as a mysterious, slightly vulnerable, cloaked figure alongside him in a scene of tense atmosphere building aboard the clone gunship), leading to the duo, in the heat of intense battle, soon trying to get one upmansship on each other in abilities, watched by their long suffering new Clone Captain, Rex. Their spectacular rescue of the kidnapped little Rottta the Hutt from his mysterious kidnappers, atop the mysterious mountain retreat lair of the fog shrouded Teth, must still rank as one of the best action sequences of any STAR WARS adventure-live action or animated. No wonder that this episode, which also featured the "hairless harpie" Asajj Ventress and a three way deleted lightsaber duel in, out and atop a caged Rancor, truly caught the imagination of George Lucas and inspired him into launching this, and three other episodes in the production pipeline, into a theatrical experience.

Captain Rex and his bold men try to keep up with the Jedi.

Star wars:The Clone Wars Trailer (HD) - YouTube
Star Wars Clone Wars: Battle of Teth - YouTube

But Asajj Ventress and her forces are waiting for them...

Despite early positive word of mouth at CELEBRATION IV, and a great teaser trailer, THE CLONE WARS ultimately wasn't well received as a movie, with many fans and key behind the scenes forces thinking that the film suffered from its being rushed to completion, though the regular series commencing soon afterwards on CARTOON NETWORK, and the clever use of Yoda in its opener, changed opinion for the better, deservedly winning acclaim for its sterling animation, exciting use of old and new Prequel and Classic Trilogy characters, its striking action and, critically for the long-term, its strong exploration of plot elements linked to the Prequels that hadn't been as fully mined for drama and excitement as they should had been with the shows live-action predecessors.

The Force was back big time for STAR WARS as THE CLONE WARS arrived on weekly television, with Castle of Deception, be it the original episodic version or its feature film regeneration, acting as the lit fuse that helped bring it all about. So far, we've had five seasons of the series, with hopefully more to come, though the original four episodes comprising that seemingly one-off first feature have yet to be presented to fans in their original forms. Let's hope they get some kind of an airing, either online, DVD or Blu-ray, at a future time.


Check out STAR WARS AFICIONADO's original PDF feature primer for THE CLONE WARS Season One here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80ITjM31EVRU0RheU1yeEVRN0U/edit?usp=sharing

Original production notes for the movie: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80ITjM31EVRM1dLOVo5TTVsQjg/edit?usp=sharing

And our original lead-in story from 2008- THE STRANDS OF WAR- written by Scott Weller: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80ITjM31EVRSzVLNWRERlJiUk0/edit?usp=sharing