9. Cloak Of Darkness

WARNING: This review contains spoilers that may ruin your enjoyment of this episode.

Although the latest installment of The Clone Wars follows on directly from the last, we are spared the revolting antics of a certain Gungan who shall not be named. The tone does, however, veer from the incredibly dramatic to the risibly immaterial, but more of that later.

Most of the action takes place in a very Death Star interior-esque republic frigate where the Jedi (here come the girls - Ahsoka and Luminara Unduli) are ‘looking after’ the recently captured Nute Gunray. But watch out gang; the deadly Sith bitch, Asajj Ventress, is on her way.

What then ensues are some expertly-crafted lightsaber duels (actually, trios) coupled with some acute deception. It seems that Asajj had some help from a Senate Commando (a cross between a Clone and a Senate Guard) named Captain Argyus, who turns on his fellow soldiers for some extra pocket money.

Of course, deception is treated with further deception and Argyus meets a grisly (but not entirely unexpected) end. Just as well, really, ‘cos his design and animation were poor at best – one of the few times when The Clone Wars has looked completely cartoony.

This shift in tone is rather irritating, too. The Commando’s death and the underhand Sith jar with the stilted (not to mention forced) dialogue between Ventress and Ahsoka. When they meet, the youngling teases, “If it isn’t the hairless harpy.” To which the Sith replies, “If it isn’t Skywalker’s filthy obnoxious pet.” Groan city. I know I’m not watching Shakespeare, but come on!

This levity continues with a droid called 327-T (who looks disarmingly like a young Woody Allen and acts a bit like Jar Jar – damn, I mentioned him!) who doesn’t like his name being truncated to 327. Apparently, according to some well-informed Clones, droids don’t like nicknames. Poor little guys, suffering all this time.

As always, there are some top moments. The Sith’s entrance into the frigate is stoutly directed. Witness the POV shot as she tears down a Clone and then lops his helmet off. Brilliant stuff. Nute Gunray is also a joy to watch and he’s as slimey as ever; willing to do whatever it takes to survive, groveling, “All I know is that I don’t risk my skin if I don’t have to.”

So, a mixed bag this week in Cloak Of Darkness with the good just outweighing the bad, though there’s not really anything that’s “bad” here – just a little annoying. Most interesting is a line from Luminara who states that terror is not a weapon employed by the Jedi. I wonder who that remark was aimed at?

Check out Cameron's review of episode 8 here.