Star Wars: The Clone Wars “The Disappeared PT II″ REVIEW
During “PT I”, we learned that Jar-Jar Binks can be an alright character, if used correctly. In truth, “The Disappeared PT II” is an action packed episode with great pacing and good roles for both Mace and Jar-jar.
Beginning right were the last episode left off, The Force Cult has kidnapped Queen Julia and are on their way to deliver her to “the great mother.” Following their trail, Jar-Jar Binks and Mace Windu are not far behind. Once the two groups meet at a spaceport, the episode turns into an all-out chase. The cultists try their best to slow them down, but nothing can stop the master Jedi and his companion.
Jar-Jar is almost like another character. He still has a few clumsy moments, but most of his actions in this episode are intentional and smart choices none the less. He cuts through a cantina to avoid detection and observer the kidnappers from afar. He ambushes a cultist from behind to help Windu get his lightsader back. Jar-Jar even picks ups a big laser cannon to help Windu in a tight spot. Jar-Jar is pretty fun to watch in this episode, strange as that is to say.
Mace gets some more time to show up his skills. “The Disappeared PT II” is primary action and Mace is fighting almost constantly throughout. This could have gotten stale, but the show runners change up the variety and even scale of enemies, each requiring Mace to switch up is style and tactics for each fight. This keeps the pacing moving briskly and doesn’t tire out viewers. Hand to hand or Ligghtsaber combat, Mace Windu is a badass. It’s a shame he didn’t get more episodes to shine during the series run.
The force cultists meet up with the great mother, who turns out to the Nightsister Mother Talzin. Talzin breakdowns her plan to Julia, basically the Nightsister wants to steal Julia’s force energy to enhance her magic. Jar-Jar and Mace arrive and it becomes a rush for time to save Julia before that can happen. Anytime Mother Talzin has made an appearance on The Clone Wars, viewers were in for a visual treat. The witch and her magic have some great visual effects that pop on screen with their excellent lighting and colors. This is best seen when she conjures a dragon hinted sword to battle with Mace.
Ultimately, Jar-Jar defeats the remaining cultists, frees Julia and Mother Talzin is forced to retreat once her plan has been thwarted. Julia thanks Jar-Jar and Mace and states maybe the Dagoyans should reexamine their relationship and view on the Jedi.
“The Disappeared PT II” may not have the variety of sets like “PT I” or the Indy homages; however, the great fight choreography and a competent Jar-Jar makes this a fun watch. Mace and Jar-Jar hit all the right beats that make an odd-couple pairing work.
Side note: Over the weekend Disney released the trailer for Star Wars Rebels