Review:
An Episode to Skip--Star Wars the Clone Wars Senate Murders

So after a very lengthy hiatus of over a month, we finally get a new episode of Star Wars the Clone Wars--and what a disappointment. The last three or four episodes before this one were some of the best in the series so far--the introduction of the Mandalorians, the Death Watch, The Dutchess Satine and deep character examination of Obi-Wan. To then go on hiatus and follow up with this episode, disappointment was inevitable.

The plot follows Padme Amidala as she attempts to pass a bill in the senate to stop the production of more Clone Troopers and bring an end to the war through diplomacy. Bail Organa, Mon Mothma and Senator Onaconda Farr (last scene in season one where he betrayed then saved Amidala--also a poor episode) along with newcomer Lolo Purs are members of Amidala's group.

Right away Farr is murdered and so begins Amidala's investigation into the murder of her "uncle." The investigation is boring and slow, with just a bit of action and a lot of talking. It's an old time murder mystery story and that's fine, but this is Star Wars. There should be action and adventure-lightsabers, blasters and Clone Troopers. At least that's why I watch the series, why my son loves the show, and I would think why most people watch it. This series is also aimed for kids and my son was bored out of his mind, as I suspect most six year olds were. He kept saying, "Ugh I HATE Padme!"

The only bright spot of the episode--for me--was the Republic investigator Lt. Tan Purs. He's a quirky, Colombo style investigator voice by SpongeBob Squarepants voice actor Tom Kenny. The character had some great one-liners but it wasn't enough to save the episode.

(Lt. Tan Purs, Republic Investigator)

The only part of the episode I thought was really cool was in the opening story recap, they show a proto-type of newer Clone Troopers in armor that appears in Revenge of the Sith and what would later be the armor of the Storm Troopers.