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Continuity & Analysis

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Bounty Hunters (2010) [S2E17]
Courage makes heroes, but trust builds friendship.
"The death toll rises! As the battles intensify, and threaten a growing number of Republic worlds,
planets are left to survive on their own. While the Jedi struggle to fight a war on many fronts,
a series of medical stations have been established as a lifeline for those in need, but the facilities
are easy prey for Separatist attacks. After losing contact with the medical station orbiting Felucia,
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano are sent to investigate..."
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Zillo Beast (2010) [S2E18]
Choose what is right, not what is easy.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures! In one of the longest and fiercest battles of the war,
Separatist forces are on the verge of claiming the planet of Malastare. If the Republic loses
this planet it will cost them vital fuel resources necessary for maintaining their armies.
In a final effort to turn the tide of this battle, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has
authorized the use of the Republic's newest weapon: the ELECTRO-PROTON BOMB.
Now, at the Imperial palace of Doge Urus, the leader of the Dugs, the Jedi count down
the minutes until the detonation of their doomsday device..."
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Zillo Beast Strikes Back (2010) [S2E19]
The most dangerous beast is the beast within.
"A calculated risk! Following a costly victory on the planet Malastare, Chancellor Palpatine orders
Jedi Knights Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker to transport a fearsome Zillo Beast
captured during the battle back to Coruscant. After seeing that not even a lightsaber
could harm the beast, Chancellor Palpatine hopes to unlock the secret of its invulnerability
to create new armor for the Republic's clone troopers. Tensions run high as the most
dangerous life form in the galaxy touches down on the Republic's most populous planet..."




CONTINUITY
'Bounty Hunters' is a standalone episode which is connected to the other two episodes by chronological order, and loosely by theme, as these three
episodes involve adventures that divert Obi-Wan and Anakin from the main duties of the war. The two Zillo Beast episodes form a single storyline.
The chronological order of episodes is as given by Lucasfilm, and follows their release order, however these episodes form a block of episodes near
the end of Season 2 which occur near the beginning of Season 2. The planet Malastare is seen for the first time. Three worlds are seen in these episodes:

These episodes are also connected by being tributes to Japanese films. The episode 'Bounty Hunters' is dedicated to the memory of Akira Kurosawa, director of
the film The Three Villains of the Hidden Fortress, which was one of George Lucas' major inspirations in making Star Wars, as well as the film Seven Samurai,
to which this episode's story pays tribute. The Zillo Beast storyline is a less serious homage to the film Gojira, better known in English as Godzilla.


- The ejection system in the T-6 shuttle are ingenious but possibly a bit nauseating, which is certainly preferable to dying. The ejection system deploys
in a ball around the ejected seats which bounce when the hit the ground or other objects on the surface, until they come to a complete upright
stop. This system increases the success rate of ejecting on a any planet, no matter what the surface conditions or atmosphere is like.
This system is similar to the personal ejection system seen in Droids 'The White Witch' (E1).

- Felucia is a warm planet home to a unique ecosystem dominated by fungus, some of which grow into huge formations which tower over fungal forests.
One of the numerous fungi on the planet is Nysillin, an important component of many advanced medicines used throughout the galaxy. The ecosystem
is also host to a wide array of plants and animals, including some very formidable ones, in addition to being the homeworld of the turtle-like Felucians.
Much of the planet exists in its native state, as most Felucians live in small communities rather than transform large areas into urban space. This may be
a cultural development related to their small stature cohabiting a world with large and dangerous creatures. Nevertheless, Felucia does have cities and
industrial facilities, as it is an important exporter and a world of great wealth in natural resources, and home to the headquarters of the Commerce Guild.


- Another Jedi crash, once again involving Anakin and Ahsoka as in 'Defenders of the Peace' (S1E14), gives the Jedi an opportunity to reconnect with their
values, and get back to their true work of defending victims against their oppressors. In this case, they team up with unlikely allies, but also try to
show the locals that they can stand up for themselves, and that being afraid is their greatest weakness, not their size or armament.

- Malastare is a significant planet located in the Dustig Sector, in the Trailing Sectors of the Mid Rim, along the Hydian Way, one the galaxy's major hyperlanes.
It is a terrestrial planet with a native ecosystem, and is the homeworld of the Dugs, a species noted for their use of their feet as hands. The planet has
been long colonized, chiefly by the Gran, as well as Humans and other species. The planetary government is known as the Gran Protectorate, however
the native Dugs exercize autonomy over their population and territory. The planet is also a significant source of a material that can be used as a fuel.
The ruling body of the planet, the Congress of Malastare, has an important delegation in the Senate representing the Dustig Sector.


- The electro-proton bomb works like a gigantic EMP grenade, but also has a significant shock wave that causes significant physical damage to a landscape.
It represents an advance in devastating large-scale weapons, but also a specific counter to the Separatist defoliator weapon. Whereas the defoliator was
designed for use with droid army to only destroy organic beings, the electo-proton bomb only effects droids, leaving organic beings unharmed, except in
the devastation of the immediate blast area. While neither weapon is used widely, their development is a response to the scale of the forces being arrayed.

- The full array of a large Separatist army is approaching the palace of the Doge of Malastare, Nakha Urus, at least a division strong, including entire battalions
of battle droids and super battle droids, escorted by crab droid walkers and retail droids, and backed by a significant contingent of tanks used as mobile
artillery. The size of the force was far more than the Republic defenders could withstand without the use of their superweapon.


- The Republic has begun to utilize ARC-170 starfighters, produced by Incom Corporation. The Republic clearly had a significant force of V-19 Torrent fighters
which were their primary starfighter for the first year of the war, and they likely have ordered more to bolster their numbers, the purchase of ARC-170
fighters represents the need to augment their fleet with a pure escort fighter designed for ship-to-ship combat in air and space. The V-19 is effective
in that role, but is optimized for assault against fixed targets and starships rather than engaging enemy fighters.


Why does the Republic need to sign a treaty with Malastare? Episode I and II clearly establish that Malastare has long
been an important and loyal member of the Republic. This 'treaty' is more of a contract or legal agreement to give
the Republic access to their vast fuel reserves, which would be sufficient explanation, except that once the treaty is
signed, Palpatine welcomes them to the Republic. The only explanation that doesn't make this a continuity issue
would be that while the Congress of Malastare, representing the sector in the Senate, was a part of the Republic,
the Dugs themselves had no prior relationship with the Republic, like the Gungans on Naboo prior to Episode I.
The narrator in the opening montage calls this one of the longest and fiercest battles of the war, suggesting
the Republic has been here since the start of the war, which has drawn the Dugs into the Republic.
Main Article: The Galactic Republic and the Neutral Systems


- The Zillo Beast is one of the largest planetary lifeforms yet seen in SW, and probably the biggest of all. Its heavy armored scales are the only organic material
that has yet been seen that can resist a lightsaber, let alone block them completely, as a lifeform would have to be massive to carry scales so heavy.

- Jedi are suddenly concerned about the life of an animal, in stark contrast to their usual action of murdering dangerous creatures posing a threat. Mace says
this is what the Jedi stand for, and if that is indeed the case, many Jedi haven't been prioritizing this. It may be in part that Mace doesn't like the idea
because Palpatine does like it, and it may be that Mace is more concerned than usual because it may be the last of its species. Regardless of any other
motivations, his position is far more consistent with the teachings of the Jedi, and while his position on saving the beast is admirable, his willingness to
put his troops lives in danger to save the creature is more questionable. Several clones were certainly killed in the capture of the beast.

- The incredible scale of Coruscant is really seen during the rampage of the Zillo Beast, as the huge creature is dwarfed by the massive buildings, support
structures, and cavernous passages. While devastating, the beast's attack only effects a tiny portion of the Senate District.


- Palpatine's capture and rescue is foreshadowing the events of the Chancellor's kidnapping immediately before Episode III. In this telling, the Zillo Beast plays
the part of Grievous and his army, brought to Coruscant through Palpatine's schemes, and leaving a trail of destruction in search of the Chancellor. Just as in
Episode III, Palpatine seems to be in genuine danger at times, although if it came to it he would no doubt use his powers, but it would have to be the final
option for him to use them while Jedi or others are watching. Nevertheless, at a few points in this episode, and in Episode III, there are points in the action
where his powers would have been of little help if things took a turn for the worse. R2 also helps to save the evil Sith Lord's life, just as he will in Episode III.

- Palpatine wants the beast to be cloned, putting Dr. Boll of the electro-proton bomb project in charge. Palpatine's interest in the applications of cloning are certainly
nothing new, having instigated the creation of the clone army, but he is now shown directing cloning projects under his direct control as the leader of the Senate.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan

ANALYSIS
The Republic seems to have launched a return invasion of Felucia sometime between the beginning of the last storyline and the beginning of this one. Based on
the other events that take place in this year, this is a most a month later. This means the Republic returned with a large enough fleet to secure control of space
and the airspace, deployed a medical station, then moved on to another pressing target, only to have the Separatists sweep in and destroy the station. It is
revealed that the Republic still doesn't have enough resources to devote destroyers to guard their medical stations, leaving them vulnerable, and yet they have
chosen here to foolishly deploy one over Felucia without the aid of a fleet, despite it being hotly contested, extremely valuable, and adjacent to sectors containing
some of the largest concentrations of Separatist forces. The Republic's regional objectives must have been pressing enough to require the reallocation of these
forces. Considering the value of the planet, it is equally confusing that the Separatist's leave only a single squadron of Vulture Droid starfighters to hold the space
above the planet. Felucia seems to be important enough to continuously fight over on the ground, costing huge resources, but not a strategically useful place
to station a naval base, orbital defenses, or a defence fleet. The Republic and Separatist forces will be seen again engaged in heavy battle in each of the remaining
two years of the Clone Wars, probably after several waves of reinforcements from both sides. The situation in and around Felucia's cities is not shown.

The Battle of Malastare has been a continuous struggle for control of the planet dating back to just after the beginning of the war. In addition to targeting droid, clone,
and ship production, each side has targeted the other side's strategic resources, in this case the vital fuel reserves of Malastare. The planet is the seat of authority for
the Dustig Sector, and the homeworld of the Dugs. It is represented in the Senate by persons of the Gran species, as Malastare and other planets in the region have
significant Gran populations, among other descendants of immigrants. The Republic is facing some understandable regional fuel shortages, which will soon affect
their strategic progress. The offensive that Anakin says "will grind to a halt" without the fuel is likely a reference to the Republic's counteroffensives in Southern
regions of the galaxy, largely in the hotly contested Trailing Sectors and the Western Reaches, containing important hyperspace routes and many populous planets.

Palpatine is, as always, excited about the opportunity for further amoral exploitation that the Zillo Beast provides. The Jedi obey their Sith master and bring him his
prize as instructed. Palpatine insinuates that the complex scheme to stun the beast and trick the Dugs is only necessary due to "Master Windu's conscience", in keeping
with his dark side philosophy. From a Sith point of view, the time, effort, and danger of doing what is right the hard way is pointless when you can get what you want
the easy way. All that is required is a lack of concern for the effect your actions will have on others. Palpatine does seem pleased that Anakin's proposal involves both
deceit and getting him what he wants. As usual, he seeks to align himself with Anakin's dubious position in opposition to the Council, to drive a wedge between them.

Bringing the beast to Coruscant was an obviously bad idea, and while Palpatine doesn't care, Mace is rightly concerned, but has no authority to countermand the order.
Palpatine says they have no choice but to use the electo-proton bomb, it is their only hope for victory in the battle. Later he tells them capturing and experimenting on
the Zillo Beast is their only hope for victory in the war. He continuously engineers situations in which the Jedi or others feel they have no choice but to go along with
his decisions because the ends justify the means. His argument is essentially that they have no choice but to do questionable and unethical things for the sake of
the greater good and their "moral duty". Palpatine is able to justify almost any of his questionable actions with the blanket defense that it is his moral duty to win
the war as fast as possible. The Jedi don't pay nearly enough attention to this pattern, as their gaze is fixed firmly upon Dooku and the threat of the Sith return.


FURTHER ANALYSIS
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