"Deception" Review

Okay, so I've been looking forward to last night's episode for a long time. When I heard that my favorite character(Obi-Wan Kenobi) I got extremely excited. The whole 'posing' as a bad guy reminded me of when Siri Tachi pretended to leave the Jedi Order and joined Krayn's slavery operation(no one knew except the Council. Not even Obi-Wan).
The episode starts out with Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka heading towards a secret meeting when a sniper suddenly starts shooting at them. The episode unfolds with Anakin and Ahsoka thinking Obi-Wan is dead(he faked his death)and having to deal with it. Meanwhile, a disguised Obi-Wan goes deep undercover as a criminal named Rako Hardeen to worm his way into a scheme designed to kidnap the Chancellor and stop it from the inside.
Interesting premise, right? I'm really looking forward to see how this all unfolds.





The good: I definitely liked the majority of this episode since it was basically about OBI-WAN :D. The beginning was well done, especially Obi-Wan's 'death' and Anakin and Ahsoka's reaction to it. Anakin's scream of Obi-Wan's name as his friend fell off the building was wrenching. I really love the part where Anakin returns to see Ahsoka cradling Obi-Wan's limp body and when he asks "how is he?" the only thing Ahsoka can do is look up and cry. And Anakin's "Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan" where he is shaking his 'dead' Master was also really sad; the music in the entire scene was well done. I also liked when Obi-Wan held his lightsaber, closed his eyes to prepare himself, and stepped into range to be shot- it was very surreal. Plus, the part where Anakin is arresting Hardeen(Obi-Wan) he says that the only reason he wasn't killing the man was because "the man you murdered would rather see you rot in jail." Anakin's anger and pain was transmitted very well and I congratulate Matt on his acting in this episode.
Of course, Obi-Wan incognito and in 'jail' was just plain awesome! It was interesting to see Obi-Wan pretend to be a Bounty Hunter/villain and I feel that he pulled it off quite well. I knew the minute I saw the preview that the Hardeen guy was Obi-Wan(I guess when you like someone enough you can tell it's them even though they are completely in disguise). I absolutely loved the part where Obi-Wan is talking to Cad Bane and Moralo Eval in their cell and Bane is taunting him and Obi-Wan says "Who says I want your respect?" HA! >:). Him and Bane standing face to face reminded me of when Obi-Wan was challenging D'nar in "Kidnapped." Oh, and who thought it was cool that Obi-Wan's code name was "Ben"?
The part where Obi-Wan is talking about how leaving Anakin out was critical for the mission sure seemed to me like he was trying to convince himself it was true(I especially got this vibe when Mace told him that what's done is done). I also liked Obi-Wan's facial expressions in the very beginning where the Council looks like their discussing the problem.
All in all, I pretty much liked the entire episode. :) Oh, and Obi-Wan gets his face and head completely shaved off!!! Ahahahahaha! (though, Obi-Wan DOES get a lot of really awesome lines in this show, doesn't he? :))






The bad: While I enjoyed the majority of the episode, there was, of course, a few problems with it. The funeral seemed to quick and really, Satine should't have been there at all(well, at least she isn't canon to me and she won't be in any of the episodes, thankfully) :p. Anakin's facial expressions were great and so was the music. I was also worried that Obi-Wan would shoot the guy(since it sounded like he did from some reviews) but I was relived that he didn't(Cad Bane actually was the one that did it because Obi-Wan hesitated). And about half way through I began to miss seeing my Obi-Wan(in his regular Jedi robes and look). But beyond that, the episode was top notch! :D

I'm very excited to see where this arc leads. It has the potential to be one of my favorite arcs and I can't wait till next week! In the next episode we see Bane trying to find a hat as well as some blasters. I loved his line "I need a new hat"; this whole obsession with hats seems to be a Lucas/Spielberg thing(Indiana Jones, anyone?). And I loved Obi-Wan's disgusted expression at Bane right after he stopped choking the rodian(I could definitely see Obi-Wan there).
Also, I have a pretty good idea for how Anakin could realize that Hardeen was Obi-Wan. Yoda made a comment about Anakin realizing it. I think it would be awesome if , during one of their fights, Anakin looks Hardeen/Obi-Wan in the eye and realizes that this is his friend he thought was dead.
So, looking forward to the rest of this Arc and seeing Obi-Wan do some really cool stuff. Until then May the Force be with you. Always. :)
Shena Tokala/SiriKenobi-ShenaTokala, Siri Kenobi95, Maegen, and Obi-Wan :)

From the holodiary of Aran Liander: Jedi Apprentice

981 ARR

I'm home. We arrived earlier this morning and I was able to have breakfast in the refractory for the first time in years. It was so soothing to sit there and see the wizened Yoda along with the few members of the Council still here up near the front of the room; their calm, steady presences having a relaxing effect on everyone in the room. I wonder it must be like for them; the galaxy is on their shoulders and yet they make sure that we, the younger generation, is calm and at least somehow at peace.
However, not is all that it seems. The Temple seems different; I sense a thick, confusing tangle of blackness splintering through the very air of Coruscant. It's corrupting everything slowly; even the Temple seems doused in faint shadows. My heart is heavy to see this in my once pure home. It's like the darkside is slowly taking over.......Force forbid that from becoming true. Everything seems clouded, even with with the Council, and I don't know what to make of it. Even though we are all calm and serene I can see the haunted looks in the eyes of the Padawans, Knights, and Masters who have seen battle as well as the ancient look that has come over everyone, even the youngest initiate.
I'm happy to be back, don't misunderstand me, it's just.....it's just that I feel out of place here......
I feel like I'm dirtying my home....and I feel like...I feel like I'll never be the same again. This place is my home and I'll always love it but....but I feel like we've both twisted away from the way we once were and now there is no going back.
But, by the Force, I am so glad to be back. I'd never known how much I truly missed the Temple until I walked off the ship and into the hangar to see a clan of younglings rifling through some of the ship and droid parts. The sight made me smile and tear up slightly. I remembered doing that with my friends Kyla, Rune, and Lint. After breakfast I went in search of Kyla and her Master but they aren't here; they're still out there, fighting, in danger, seconds away from death.......But I know they are safe. Because of something had happened I would have felt it. And because...because I can't loose another friend. I know I would continue on living, continue on serving the galaxy and the Force as a Jedi, but I'd me filled with such pain, such pain.
But today is a happy day and I need to stop dwelling on the tragedy and the 'what ifs'. We can only analyze and prepare but it doesn't do good to look back and regret. My Master and I are going to spar in the training room for the first time in what seems like forever then we shall walk around the Room of a Thousand Fountains and go out and to help with some relief work for those poor destitute beings who were made homeless by the attack on Coruscant.
Before I go, I'd like to...say something. I know your not real, your just something for me to write into but I've...noticed something I'd like to say in here. Something...strange is happening with Anakin. I've never doubted Anakin Skywalker and I never will but something is wrong; he's under a lot of stress and filled with some sort of fear. I can't quite explain it but I felt it, a tangle of confusing emotions, as he passed me in the hall. I'm worried for him. I also saw his former Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi and he too radiates a sense of worry and even though his is not as tight and mangled as Skywalker's it's..heavier, I suppose you could say. I could be wrong since everyone is like this now days- even the highest Masters on the Council, even my Master...even me. Maybe it's because I've heard so much about this duo that they've been rendered superhuman in my eyes and I'm just surprised that they are like any Jedi, any being. See, even I've fell for the holonet broadcasts. What would Kyla think of me? Just thinking of my friend makes the heaviness and sorrow lift slightly from me. I wish she were here now; maybe she could make some sense of everything going on around me....
Well, my Master is calling me to start our training routine, so I'll say goodbye for now.
May the Force be with you....forever and always. And may the Force grant speed in capturing Grievous and ending this war.
Aran Liander

Writing Tips: Part 3: Section A

Writing Tips
Part 3: Characters
Section A: How to create and develop a character.

While your working on your basic plot-outline you should also have some idea who the story is going to revolve around. Who is the main character, who do are their friends/allies? Who is the person who stands in their way and whom they despise?
Creating and develop a character can seem a daunting task for early writers; I know that back when I first started that was something I always worried about. Right now, however, you shouldn't worry too much since you have a lot of time to refine your character and change them(which will happen). Right now you just want to make a sketch about your major characters- what do they look like, what are they interested in, what is their personality like, what they hate, what they fear, etc. One thing I've done in the past was to answer a list of random questions, such as you might find on Facebook, a blog owner's 'about me', a forum, etc. What you put here may not apply to how your character eventually turns out but for now, this should help you get the basic idea of what they're like down.
Developing a character takes time and lots of practice at writing, so don't expect your character to be this amazing, wonderful creation just yet(this will come along on it's own course). To help develop your characters, you can base them off yourselves or someone you know. This will help if you can't think of what you wan't them to be like(I based the main character in my series off of me). Reading also always helps; you can't be a good writer without having read quite a lot of different books(movies and t.v shows can also be helpful). Look at your favorite character from your favorite story- what makes them likable and easy to relate to? By looking at what others have done, you can begin to understand how creating a character works and how to find your own voice in writing. :)
Till next time where I shall discuss in depth about different roles in a novel. Have a good rest of your night and May the Force be with you! :)

Favorite Song Monday

The next song I'll be posting is the song "Carry Me" by Dead by April. It's a really good song and I enjoy listening to it :). There is some screamo in it but even if you don't like screamo(I don't really care for it) you'll like the song.



Star Wars related video that goes with this song. It's for Obi-Wan and Anakin's brotherly relationship and how it all fell apart.



Enjoy and May the Force be with you! :)

"A Friend in Need" Review

While not as awesome as the last two arcs, this episode was a fairly good addition to the show.
In this episode wee see Ahsoka and Padme at a meeting between Republic and Separatist politicians(on Mandalore :p, but more on that later). Then Lux Bonteri walks in and accuses Dooku of having his mother killed. Lux almost gets killed by the Separatists(on Dooku's orders) and Ahsoka has to bail him out; transporting him off planet in fact. What happens next involves Lux being leagued with Death Watch, Ahsoka trying to hide her identity but ending up having to blow it after some people are killed, and Artoo saving the day yet again :).



The good: While not awesome on a grand scale or emotional on a personal scale, the episode had several good scenes which I enjoyed seeing. My favorite part was Ahsoka's duel with Pre Vizla, especially the part where she says "I didn't miss" and he realizes that his pack is about to explode(he managed to get out of it before it blew). I also liked all the fight scenes; especially when R2D2 and his little band of droids turned on their tormentors(Death Watch). I felt very satisfied when that happened(I had felt really sorry for the droids :( ). I actually almost found Artoo's story more interesting than the actual story line :D. Oh, and Ahsoka's fight on the speeder was really cool! I wish the duel had been longer.
Another part I liked was when Lux left in the escape pod; the angles and the way it was done was really well done. It was an emotional scene and I congratulate the animators and actors on a job well done. Oh, and the "I hope you don't choke on your stupidity" was quite funny too :)

The bad: Well, the story seemed a bit rushed but than I can't blame the episode for that since it's just a stand alone. I've found in Star Wars: The Clone Wars that Arcs or duos are better since the plot can be developed more. I also didn't like Satine's little cameo(can't we just let her fade away and pretend she was never thought up? sigh). Oh, and the kiss scene? Ick and yuck :p! I mean, I know why he did it(to keep her from blowing her cover) but I don't want the directors and writers of the show making a habit of having Jedi kiss or get kissed. Jedi don't kiss. PERIOD (Anakin not included in the following statement). I was also wondering about those captured girls- were they concubines to Death Watch or just slaves? Well, either option gives me more reasons to not like Mandos(Satine and Karen Traviss made me not like then and Death Watch's actions just added to it).

On the whole Luxsoka thing: I saw it coming because Ashley Eckstein kept dropping hints in her interviews about it. For example, she kept bringing Lux up when asked about her character this season. And really, it doesn't bother me all that much. Everyone gets crushes on other people; it's a part of growing up. Even the Jedi are attracted to people; the only difference is they don't act on their feelings..except for Anakin, of course. And I can understand why Lux is attracted to her; she's a strong girl who is confident and can take care of herself, unlike him, who is still distraught over his mother's murder. I know that this has upset a lot of people and I can relate; that is exactly how I felt when I heard about Satine and Taria(who aren't canon to me) as well as the return of Darth Maul. So to each their own :)

On to the next episode in which Obi-Wan has to fake his death and go under cover!! WAHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :)
The only problem I have is that Satine was at his mock-funeral. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHY OH WHY IS SHE THERE? I DON'T WANT HER TO BE THERE!!!!!! >:(. END RANT. Otherwise the clip I saw was good; Ahsoka's worried comment about Anakin and Anakin's expression were very well done.
Oh well, I guess she won't be in the episodes except for that scene since the episodes really revolve around Obi-Wan going under cover with Anakin and Ahsoka going after the guy Obi-Wan is posing as. So, here's to an awesome, Obi-Wan-Anakin centering episode of epicness! And of course, to Obi-Wan kicking butt! :D
So good night, and May the Force be with you! :)

From the holodiary of Aran Liander: Jedi Apprentice

981 ARR

Separatists attacked our position again a few hours ago but this time we drove them off and bombed the last of their forces. We've won, in other words. I remember back at the beginning of the war that when we came to victory I always felt glad...well, actually, more like ecstatic, but that's beyond the point, because now...now all I get is a sense of satisfaction and a sour taste in my mouth. Now don't get me wrong, you know that I want the war to end but....it just never seems to end. And anyway, how can we win when the leader of the Republic is captured? I don't know what's happening since all contact from Coruscant has been blocked and we haven't heard anything since last night.
My leg is stinging; I was wounded during the final stages of the battle by a blaster bolt that got through my guard. I guess I need to work on my defensive techniques some more.....but, really, I shouldn't complain. So many people have died and lost limbs....at least I'm still here and still whole. I can thank the Force for that.
My Master keeps pacing before me in suppressed agitation. His head is bowed, hands clasped behind his back, and his mouth forming silent words that I can't seem to be able to read. When ever I try to reach out with the Force I feel a buzzing field of bouncing energy that feels almost like some sort of electromagnetic field. It doesn't feel right...nothing feels right...
I'm getting tired now, so I think I'll take a quick nap....
*******
Good news! The Chancellor has been rescued! Master Kenobi and and Anakin seem to have done it. I don't know the details but I do know that Skywalker killed Dooku....I know, I can't believe it either. He has haunted my dreams for the last three years and now he's gone. A part of me is joyous; one of the dreaded Sith is no more but...it is not the Jedi way to rejoice about the loss of life and redemption. What could Dooku have been had he not turned his back on his Order and became that which he'd sword to destroy? What could he have become? So instead I will meditate on what I think and look for a sense of regret at his passing in my heart.
The other good news is that we are leaving! Yoda himself called my Master, our troops, and I back to the Temple. I cannot wait to be back there...to walk around the peaceful, wet inclosure of the Room of a Thousand Fountains, to spar in safe, clean training rooms, to sleep in a soft, warm bed, to eat things other than dried or powdered rations. I know these longings are not the way of the Jedi and I will work on putting them out of mind and focusing on the genuine fact that I am heading home. I thank the Force a million times for that. Well, I'd better go, we're boarding now. Liander out.
******
Something...interesting happened just a few minutes ago. I'd been lying on my sleeping cot, trying to get some sleep on our journey back to Coruscant. I'd just been about to drift off when I sensed my Master standing over me looking at me. For a moment I thought we were under attack and he was going to awaken me but when he'd stood there in silence for more than fifteen seconds I began to wonder what he was doing. Than I heard his voice, so soft that for a moment I thought I'd imagined his words. He said - “Moments...so fleeting. Before you know...they're gone. You're an old man before you realize it.” Than I heard him bend down and felt his hand on my shoulder. “Aran...enjoy your life...enjoy every minute of it. Because...you won't realize what you had till you lost it. And your almost home, son. Your almost home.” Then his handed lifted from my shoulder and with a rustle of his robe he was gone. I sat up and have been for the last few minutes, still wondering, still not knowing what to think of it. My Master had never spoke like that before. I'm not sure what it meant....and I don't know if meditating will help at all but I'll give it a try anyway...
So, May the Force be with you and may the war come to a swift, clean end.
Aran Liander

Dragon Apprentice Award

I was given the "Dragon Apprentice Award" award by Voronda Elda-Aranel who runs "A Believer's Journey." :D Thanks! :D Being a Dragon Apprentice sounds like a fun thing! This is my first award so I'm very excited about getting it. :)

So, the first part I have to fill out for this award is- "Dragon you appreciate the most."




My first pick would be Shardas from "Dragon Slippers" as well as it's sequels. I really liked his character and the books were very good :).




I also liked Eustace as a dragon. It really changed him and made him a more humble and thoughtful person(the actor was amazing, I might add! He NAILED the role).

So now I give three people the award...but I think I'll give it to four since it's my first time doing this :)

Misty Kasumi* at "The Mistiness of the Future- Actor, Writer, Dreamer."
Arda at "In Western Lands"
Aayla Rain at "Fangirl; Farmgirl"
Solace Utara at "Prophets of the Force"

The award can keep being given out till the 16th.
:D
May the Force be with you! :D