by Shades of Reason
July 2, 2013 in Episode Guides by Firebird
#103 Season 5 Episode 15
“Alliances can stall true intentions.”
Backed by the criminal underworld, the Sith and Death Watch launch an attack on Mandalore.
Pre Vizsla launches his triumphant return to Mandalore, arriving as savior to his beleaguered home planet that has been set upon by a rash of violent criminals. But what of his plan to betray Maul once the planet is secure?
Commentary, Preview, Bonus clip and starwars.com Episode Guide.
Original Airdate: 26 January 2013
Writer: Chris Collins
Director: Bosco Ng
Concept Art and Trivia
Ziton Moj, first dressed as a guard for the Falleen crime lords, now wears the robes of Black Sun leadership.
The Peace Park that Ziton Moj attacks was first seen in the Season Two episode, “The Mandalore Plot.” It still bears the scars of the Death Watch bombing from that episode.
The plaza mural at the foot of the royal platform has an enormous cubist artwork depicting a battle between ancient Mandalorians and Jedi Knights. This is done in a style reminiscent of Pablo Picasso’s famed work, Guernica. This is a different painting than a similar mural seen in Governor Vizsla’s residence in “The Mandalore Plot.” Environment illustration by Pat Presley.
The mural directly beneath the speaking balcony depicts Mandalorian crusaders in battle with Jedi. It can be seen clearly when Prime Minister Almec addresses the citizens.
The tour guide droid that gets blasted in Peace Park has the same body design as the rickshaw droid that gave Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala a lift in Mos Espa in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. Art by Chris Glenn.
The Mandalore Banking Center is a redesign of the Mandalorian hospital seen in Season Three.
At one point, Vizsla’s defeat included his head visibly rolling down the stairs, but this was removed very early on in story development as being too graphic.
This was without a doubt my favorite episode from season 5 (Even over “The Lawless”). I loved the duel between Vizsla and Maul that was outstanding! and my favorite duel of all time from the show. I loved seeing all of Vizsla’s weapons he used against Maul. It was such an engaging duel to watch and was just well done. It had great action in the beginning with the whole invasion of the Black Sun and the Pikes and at the end with the Death Watch bombing and shooting each other. Overall awesome episode, enjoyed it 10/10. I just wonder what happened to the Pikes and the Black sun who were fake captured by Death Watch?
The duel at the end was by far the best one in the series it was very well done. IMO this was also the best episode of the arc. Though Pre Vizsla was a fool to betray Maul.
IMO this was the weakest of the arc. The first half is horribly rushed and there were too many logical failures throughout. The 22 minute runtime is just a pain sometimes. *sigh*
I’m not sure if this show could have been an hour long or not. I agree that at some points 22 minutes is not enough to cover a whole plot. I thought Eminence was rushed but I really didn’t see it in this episode hmm. I loved when the Season 4 premeire was an hour long. The time frame was just right but if it was normally an hour long show then they would more than likely run out of material faster becuase they would have to fill in an hour’s worth of material instead of 22 minutes worth.
Most episodes work well with the 22 minutes they’re given because the plots for those aren’t that big, but the bigger episodes/arcs like this don’t because so much ground needs to be covered. The events of Eminence could have taken up two episodes and this one just needed more time for the events of the first half. They drag out the youngling and droids arcs and then rush the arc everyone was waiting for. SMH.
Yeah I know right, they drag on a Droid arc but can’t seem to slow down the episodes people enjoy. I mean “A sunny day in a void” was a whole episode designated to them getting lost and just needing to find a ship. I mean geepers. That could have easily been an opener where they crash as they did but then quickly look around find a town and get on with things. I wish they would have made this the Season finale and made all the episodes an hour long. It would be a special thing just for the finale every season. But in order to do that I guess it depends on the arc that’s at hand. Season 3’s finale the wookie arc could have not been made into 2 hours worth of material. Anyways having the Lawless for the closer and ending with Sidious electrocuting Maul would have been suspenseful and left off on an exciting ending and cliffhanger for the next season. (But were not getting another season so I guess that wouldn’t have made a difference anyways).
The duel was made even more dramatic by having Satine’s portrait in frame as they fought even zooming in on the two combatants with her face staring down on them as she was helpless to stop the violence.
😥