2.02 – Cargo of Doom – Clone Wars Review

Posted by Samuel Walters

“Overconfidence is the most dangerous form of carelessness.”

“Cargo of Doom” is a thrilling, fast-paced episode filled with plenty of action and enough twists and turns to keep the pace both frenetic and fresh. Indeed, this episode doesn’t suffer from the same silly contrivances that marred its predecessor. Instead, the episode features smart decisions by everyone involved – making this one of the few times in which we see the bad guys take the upper hand. As a result, this is a fantastic installment of the Clone Wars series.

Picking up shortly after the events of the season premiere, this episode chronicles the efforts of Ahsoka and Anakin to stop Cad Bane from making use of the Jedi Holocron stolen in “Holocron Heist.” The episode features almost non-stop action – first in space between ships, then a daring boarding attempt, and finally within a Separatist ship. Running throughout the action is the attempt by Bane to use the Jedi to open the Holocron.

At first, Bane captures Master Ropal and tries torture. His attempts fail. And, ultimately, Bane tortures Ropal to death. It’s a singularly grim and ruthless scene. For some time now, it was rumored that Clone Wars was going to become much darker and this is, without question, the most graphic moment of the series thus far. What makes it work, though, is that the moment isn’t played for sensationalism, but rather to illustrate Bane’s cruel and twisted character.

More to the point, when Bane learns that torture won’t work, he realizes he needs to try a different method of persuasion. He decides to create a situation that compels Anakin to open the Holocron by capturing Ahsoka and threatening her life. And his plan works. Following a wonderfully conceived and choreographed zero-G battle sequences, Ahsoka’s brash nature allows her to be captured. Anakin then must decide whether to open the Holocron or watch his Padawan die.

He chooses to open the Holocron.

Structurally, it’s fascinating to see the parallels here between Bane’s torture of Ahsoka to lure Anakin into the trap, and Vader’s torture of Han Solo to lure Luke into a trap. Throw in the death of Anakin’s mother in Attack of the Clones and we can see exactly why this setup is plausible and very well-conceived.

About the only blemish against the episode is its conclusion. After allowing the Holocron to be opened, and after saving Ahsoka, Anakin has to let Bane go free – in order to save himself and Ahsoka from the self-destructing Separatist ship. This is all well and good but, just before Anakin and Ahsoka board their escape shuttle, we see Bane killed by a clone trooper who then boards the shuttle. The problem here is that the puzzle is just a bit too obvious. Bane isn’t dead. Anakin can feel his presence. And it shouldn’t take a Jedi to figure out that Bane faked his death and is standing next to Anakin on the shuttle – disguised as a clone trooper.

Overall Grade: A-

“Cargo of Doom” is a fantastic episode of the Clone Wars. From start to finish, it’s fun, packed with action, and follows a smart, well-paced story.

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Topics: Animation, Sci-Fi, TV Reviews
Filed under: Clone Wars

« 2.01 – Holocron Heist – Clone Wars Review 1.02 – White To Play – Flash Forward Review »

Mark Mc, on October 3rd, 2009 at 1:44 pm Said:

I was waiting to see you review this Sam. As usual you and I have similar views. I feel the animation has ramped up. The colors and the depths of colors have improved greatly. There is a richness and depth of field to scenes that make this episode look quite cinematic. The zero grav scene in particular was well executed.
Ths killing of Master Ropal really showed a daring that breaks from the mold of the writing being aimed at kids. The first season teetered but always stayed towards the more safe side of stories for kids. The torture of Ropal took a step beyond that safe line. It also helped to show the direness of Ahsoka’s situation when Bane captures her.
This leads then to Anakin and his “attachments”. I think the situation of Anakin deciding to open the holocron over Ahsoka’s peril would have been magnified if explained how devastating it would be for the information within the holocron being made public. Master Ropal died for those secrets. Anakin’s attachments made him give up the holocron willingly. and easily. (yes I realize in the previous episode it explained how the holocron and the kyber crystal would lead to all force sensitive children but the importance of that was never lost on Ropal but was certainly lost on Anakin. I would have loved that scene to have been extended 1 minute more and it reinforced just have grave Anakin’s decision would be.)
Finally, I felt the final part where Bane disguises as the trooper to escape I felt was choosing the kid way of storytelling again. It’s a tough way of storytelling to straddle between kid and adult. It was a brilliant idea if only that yes having a Jedi not be able to discover the ploy makes it seem tougher. I think the whole Jedi abilities get changed to serve a stories purpose.
Otherwise I loved the episode. Hopefully this is a precursor to things to come. I look forward to it.