Review of the Jedi: The Disappeared Pt.1

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That's actually this episode in a nutshell really.

One of the bigger successes of The Clone Wars was the rehabilitation of Jar Jar Binks, turning him from annoying sidekick to comic hero. All the basic parts were still there, but used differently. So the basic pitch of this episode, the first half of a two-parter, had potential from the beginning. Teaming up goofy, slapstick Jar Jar with gruff badass Jedi Mace Windu. You can probably imagine some funny scenes just from that basic description. And while that is present, The Disappeared Part One isn't just a wacky romp. It takes some unexpected turns to be one of the better episodes this season.

From the opening narration, we are introduced to a number of different elements that could be good stories. The neutral planet (yes, another one) Bardotta has been having trouble with several of its ruling class disappearing. Desperate for help, the Queen of Bardotta asks the Republic for help but will only talk to one person: Jar Jar Binks. The Jedi are, understandably, confused by this. See Bardotta's rulers are very connected to the Force, but can't control it. Think Buddhist monks. They also have a problem with the Jedi because of the whole Baby-snatching thing. Despite this, Mace feels this situation is too important for Jar Jar to handle alone and volunteers to tag along. And on top of all that, the Queen of Bardotta is an old girlfriend of Jar Jar's!

"So is this Tantric?" "No Jar Jar, it's Tai Chi"

So yeah, there's a lot going on in this episode but it all works for the most part. It works because it keeps coming back to the mystery of the disappeared monks as a through-line for the rest of the action. Another thing that keeps it interesting is subverted expectations. You'd think Jar Jar would be the one causing problems for the team because he's kind of a moron, but it's actually Mace being a hot head and pissed about the Bardottan's mistrust of Jedi that gets in our heroes' way. Jar Jar is actually pretty shrewd here, using his connection with the Queen to vouch for Mace and pump people for info about the monks.

This is yet another gorgeous-looking episode and Bardotta is a great setting. It's obviously very Tibetan-inspired, with high mountain temples and other elements such as a social focus on meditation. There are many other Asian influences as well, like gongs and something that looks very much like Tai Chi, that make Bardotta stand out more than other similar planets we've seen throughout the series. Like there were Swiss influences on Scipio, but it was very subdued. The more overt Buddhist stuff here makes for a more memorable setting.

"Ok, now where's the heart again?"

Strangely, the Bardottans have Indian accents but that might have to do with this episode's other major influence. That being Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Yes, the monks were kidnapped by a very Thuggee-esque cult and are being kept in an underground temple straight out of that other Lucasfilm classic. It's yet another gorgeous location, full of red hellfire and intricate architecture that makes for a great fight scene. Speaking of, Mace Windu continues to be the most pragmatic and physical Jedi. His favoring of fists and whatever's handy as weapons before pulling out his lightsaber makes for a different kind of fight and the variety keeps things from getting boring. Jar Jar isn't half bad in the fight either, at least managing to hold off some cultists and rescue the queen.

Overall, a marked improvement over the Clovis arc. Bardotta is a visually interesting setting, Mace and Jar Jar play off each surprisingly well, and the passive relation with the Force angle has great narrative potential. This being a two-parter does make this first half feel a little front-loaded to get the audience up to speed very quickly. The exposition does get very rushed through at the beginning, even if it is just to get us into the action quicker. It also seems like a missed opportunity not to end on a cliff-hanger with a two-parter. At one point the cultists have Jar Jar strung up, ready to go all Kali-Ma on him, with Mace lost in the underground temples and it would have been a great place to end. But those are minor quibbles, The Disappeared Part One is a brisk and entertaining twenty minutes of Star Wars adventure. Very much back on par for the series.

See you next week.