Don't say I didn't warn ya.

'Twas okay. Again, their audience was more of a 10 year-old / non-fan type, so I think it could've been better. But they seemed to do less explaining and more plot forwarding. Which was great. There were two episodes last night, so I'll review / summarize 'em both:

Episode #1

Yoda is summoned decides (Nobody tells him where to go ) to go to Toydaria, the planet home to Watto's species, to negotiate a treaty (Toydaria had been neutral up to this point). As his shuttle is coming down, Intergalactic Banking Clan ships appear out of Hyperspace and open fire. Yoda's ship is damaged, and continues down to the planet in an escape pod with three Clones, one of which is Commander Fox, I believe. As it turns out, Ventress makes it to the ruler of Toydaria before Yoda, as he crashed a ways away from where the ruler was. Ventress makes a counter offer: Protection provided by the Separatists instead of the Jedi, since it has appeared their ship had fled. The ruler considers this, but he still thinks the Jedi would be a better choice. When Yoda contacts the ruler while Ventress is still there, she makes a deal: If her army of droids failed to capture him, Toydaria would side with the Republic. If not, Toydaria withdraws from the Republic. The ruler is about to say that he didn't have Yoda come to test his skills when Yoda accepts. The remainder of the episode is basically Yoda and his Clone squad on the run from a huge droid army. The droids roll in tanks and SBDs, but ultimately they are no match for the little green dude. When the ruler decides to side with the Republic, Ventress does some foul play by attempting to assassinate the ruler. However, her blades are stopped by Yoda's skillful mastery of the Force. When Ventress realizes her plan has failed, she detonates some explosives on a nearby ridge, causing an avalanche. Yoda stops it, but Ventress escapes.

What I liked: The fact that they had a pretty decent plot. And the lines weren't obviously trying to advance the plot. There was some good character building in there.

What I didn't like: They could have added a decent twist or something. And the droids: WAY too comical.

Episode #2

This one starts out with Plo Koon and his fleet tracking a "secret weapon" the Separatists have made. It apparently leaves no survivors (Black Pearl, anyone? ), and they've tracked to some random system (Forget which) with a red sun. As the weapon comes into view, Plo Koon stops the advance and contacts the Anakin's fleet, which is the closest Republic force. However, during the transmission, General Grievous (Who's on the weapon) jams the transmission. Then the weapon puts it's side to the incoming fleet. There's a big circle spanning the height of the cruiser. Apparently it's an ion cannon, and it fires a huge purple ring towards the fleet. Then it opens up with it's turbolasers, decimating the Republic ships. But before that, Plo and his men jump into escape pods, hiding in the wreckage. Grievous then sends out the "hunters"; a group of droids on a four-pronged ship that kills escape pods somehow. Meanwhile, Anakin has his hands practically tied, as his fleet is part of an escort. But with some "persuasion" from Ahsoka, Anakin takes the Twilight to the system where Plo's ships were destroyed. They scout for a while, and during that time Plo finds another escape pod, with survivors. But as they're watching, the hunters come and open up the pod, killing the Clones inside. It was actually quite sad. After a while, the hunters find Plo's pod. Apparently Plo can survive vacuum for a little while, though I'm not suprised. Him and the Clones take out the hunters, and Anakin and Ahsoka come and rescue them. Once Grievous loses contact with the hunters, he comes to investigate. With the moving ion cannon. After Plo sees it, he quickly shuts down every system in the ship, including R2. Just as it appears that they went unnoticed, Grievous scans and finds a faint signal from the 2-1B droid on board the Twilight. They flee, just as the ion cannon fires. It's very suspenseful here, as they are trying to outrun the blast. Eventually they do, and rendezvous with the fleet.

What I liked: The plot was a lot better in this one. The idea of a huge ion cannon that shoots from the side is pretty sweet. I also liked Plo. His voice wasn't what I expected, but I really think it's awesome.

What I didn't like: Again, comical droids. Big no no. And of course the Clones faces. >_< Nothing else that I can think of right now...

So yep. Pretty sweet. Expect a TFU one soon.

(tor)