Clone wars – “Bounty Hunters”

Dedicated to Akira Kurosawa

Courage makes heroes but trust builds friendship.

This episode brings up the planets that are left to survive on their own while the Jedi and clones fight (and lose). The Republic has lost contact with Medical station orbiting Felucia. Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka are sent to investigate, but when they reach the planetary system, they can’t find the station on the scanner. Vulture droids attack them and chase them down to the surface, where they eject from the T-6 “Jedi” Shuttle. In a strange, Lucasian effect, when they eject, an inflatable protective shield surrounds their seats, making them resemble giant yellow bouncy balls.

Anakin and Obi-Wan get into one of their regular fights over leadership. In which, Anakin asks, “Why do you even ask for my opinion? You never do things my way.” Interrupting their argument, Ahsoka points out the smoke on the horizon that indicates people probably live near by. When they get to the settlement, they see tools lying about, but no farmers. Anankin opens the barn and finds a large ship. Ahsoka and Anakin discover some farmers hiding in a house, but bounty hunters are guarding them.

The leader of the farmers explains that pirates are controlling. And, them unless they give them a portion of the crop, their houses will be burned with them in them.  The Jedi disapprove of the presence of bounty hunters, but the farmers say they charge a more reasonable rate than the pirates. The farmers ask the Jedi to help the bounty hunters, lead by Sugi a female Zabrak (same species as Darth Maul), defend them. But, Obi-Wan says that they couldn’t help even if they wanted to because they need to report the missing medical station. If they don’t, the Separatists will know they are there and come to the planet to find them. The Separatists are worse than pirates.

Taking that cue, the pirates arrive. Capt. Hondo tries to bribe the bounty hunters but they refuse because they have dignity and don’t break deals. Then, Obi-Wan offers to pay him double what the crops are worth if they bring them to the nearest Republic outpost. After the pirates leave, they plan their defenses. Anakin believes the bounty hunters alone can’t do it. But, Obi-Wan refuses to budge, saying they can’t get involved. The bounty hunters criticize the Jedi for being peacekeepers that can’t keep peace. Anakin suggests that instead of taking an active defensive role, they train the villagers.

Then, we see a lot of Anakin playing around with a big stick.

Obi-Wan is still wary about trusting the bounty hunters and criticizes their strategy of hiding the crops and the villagers in the same place, but Sugi claims it is a defensive maneuver. Ahsoka discovers that Seripas, one of the bounty hunters, is not a giant robot, but a small alien in a robotic suit. (This sets up for a nice moral lesson). One of the farmers doubts his skill and gives up training but the rest are moved by Obi-Wan’s speech to continue training.

Sugi spots a pirate scout on the ridge. She sends a bounty hunter with a blaster-proof hat in pursuit (the style of the hat fits well with the Seven Samurai theme). When the scout fails to show up, Hondo decides to move on the village. When he arrives, he says, “Speak softly and drive a big tank.” Everyone prepares for battle. Embo jumps on a speeder and takes down a pirate while being pursued by more pirates on speeders. The farmers ride domestic livestock to confront the pirates on speeders.

The small alien in the robot suit knocks over plants that the pirates on speeders run into (reminiscent of Endor). When his suit is damaged, he jumps out of it and jumps on the pirate. Then, Capt. Hondo reappears with his tank and shouts, “Die Jedi Scum!”  He injures Embo. Anakin engages Hondo in a duel. More pirates on speeders appear and the farmer who left training kills one. A monkey interferes with Anakin and Hondo’s duel. The monkey aims the tank at Anakin’s back, but he jumps down before he can get shot.

However, Hondo sees his losses and declares the planet is “no longer profitable.” The farmers ever committed to their village and crops say that they must harvest, till, and rebuild. When they thank the Jedi and the bounty hunters, Obi-Wan points out that they saved their own village. Then, the bounty hunters offer to give them a ride back to Republic space.

I enjoyed this episode. It was fun to see a Star Wars interpretation of the Seven Samurai. The Jedi and the bounty hunters make an unlikely but completely entertaining team against the pirates.  Alluding to the quote at the start of the episode that ends “trust builds friendship.” I give this episode 4/5 lightsabers for its unexpectedness and rad battle scene.