Lovin’ You is Easy ‘Cause You’re Bugable…

The latest installment of TCW gifts us with several talking points: the grotesque, the holy-crap-how-did-they-do-that factor, and as per the usual, characterization. Firstly, I have to be honest. I was very much on edge during this episode. My expectations were, for once, not unreasonably high. Anytime someone mentions “zombies”, I have knee-jerk reaction of, “Oh, this again.” Coming into Friday night’s episode, the only thing I was thinking about were zombie bugs and how the HELL Dave was going to work them into Star Wars. Blah, Blah Deathtroopers, I know, I know… ONWARD.

So… the characterization… yeah, about that… Um, was it me or was Luminara a little out of character? From her initial spunky retorts addressed to Obi-Wan, to her “intending to grab him [Poggle]” she seemed more extroverted from the Luminara we were introduced to in Cloak of Darkness and Weapons Factory. The only thing I can think of that would herald this change is the loss of Barriss. Yes, she wasn’t present in Cloak of Darkness, but she was also uninjured, and Luminara had a replacement padawan of sorts at the time in Ahsoka. Perhaps she’s taking a page out of Anakin’s playbook. The  plight of the padawans may have effected her Jedi-tude. Anakin, on the other hand, was in classic form. From his trademark worrying, to the disregard for diplomacy over action, Anakin was himself through and through. Ki-Adi-Mundi is as mellow as ever. For some reason I expected his character to be uppity and fussy. I suppose I had unrealistic Gilbert and Sullivan expectations. (I’m still waiting, Dave. Still waiting…) Obi-Wan, who appears to have gotten over his malaise faster than Ki-Of-The-Two-Brains, is back in functioning form. Any residual “Geonosian Fears” that I touched upon in my response to Landing At Point Rain seem to have dissipated. He is his normal, dry self. I thought it interesting that instead of waiting for reinforcements like Anakin championed, during their time in the catacombs, he pushed forward to save Luminara’s life. I considered it a role reversal of sorts between him and Anakin. I particularly enjoyed the scientific aspect of Obi-Wan’s character. In some ways it exemplifies the Jedi detachment sentiment.

In my notes for the show, I have a single word written several times: faces. I noticed that in Legacy of Terror we see close-ups of the characters’ faces more so than in any other episode. It ties into the whole “horror/thriller” vibe of the episode. Seeing the reactions to the zombies and the queen before we see or understand the “threat” adds a psychological thrill to the viewing. The untraditional angles also lend a hand in unbalancing the viewer, and including them in the characters’ predicament.

Another interesting element to Friday’s episode was the sound design. Every sound was designed to set the viewer on edge. Whether it was the ominous clicking of the Geonosians or the slightly “slasher” film sounds throughout the episode, those guys created something downright scary. Also, I found the constant lightsaber hum to be reassuring in such frightening conditions. In addition to the sound effects, Dee Bradley Baker’s Queen Bee was singularly one of the most terrifying voices in SW history. It was grating and chilling, one couldn’t help but listen.

Also, I need to pose a question. Is Obes in charge re: rank wise to Luminara and possibly even Ki-Adi-Mundi? I ask this for several reasons *rolls the EU sleeves up and puts on the nerd glasses*: In Cloak of Deception I seem to remember a scene with Luminara and Obi-Wan where Obes was still clearly a padawan. So seniority wise, he should defer to her, no? I don’t know…that’s why I’m asking you guys.

I know y’all missed my list last week, so here’s an EXTRA long one to make up for it!

THE GOOD

• The Sandstorm: It was dusty, dusty eye candy.
• Was this the first mention of bacta in TCW? If it was, hooray!!
• Haters be hatin’, but I love battle droid humor. BDH gives me warm fuzzies.
• The bug “reliquaries” were freaky as all Hell.
• Mmmm… the return of Witty Banter (TM)!
• Were there space! spider webs in this episode? If there were, KUDOS.
• I absolutely love the idea of a Geonosian Hive mind. Also, the fact that Obes was willing to exploit it in order to win the war.
• The animation of the larvae was sickeningly real. Good job?
• EAT THEM, CONTROL THEM. It’s kind of a cake or death thing, no?
• I loved when Obes basically Force shoved Poggle the Tiny into the air.

THE FUG

• There were at times where I swore up and down I was playing a game of Zelda because of the background score.
• Zombie Bugs. As nifty as the idea was and as well executed, I could have done without it.
• The escape from the catacombs was very Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, hmm?
• Two words: Bug Vagina

Enjoy these stills from Legacy of Terror!

Dust in the wind...

This little light of mine... I'm gonna let it shine! Also, BEST Bug Zapper in the history of the world, y/y?

I went to COSTCO and bought a gigantic bottle of RAID on Saturday.

I have nothing amusing to say, but still LOOK AT THOSE MAD ANIMATION SKILLZ.