Still the most action-packed series on television, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is closing out its second season with twin fandom bangs, courtesy of Boba Fett and a mammoth beast inspired by Godzilla.
Friday’s episode, “Zillo Beast,” and next week’s “The Zillo Beast Strikes Back,” arose from George Lucas’ desire to integrate the Godzilla mythos into The Clone Wars universe.
“He knows I’m a big Godzilla fan, so it was a bizarre story meeting when he presented the idea,” supervising director Dave Filoni said in a press release. “Luckily, a giant monster in Star Wars isn’t that absurd. The result is a lot of big, destructive fun.”
The destruction delves into deeper territory in the subsequent three episodes that comprise the second season’s three-part finale, previewed above. They mark the return of young Boba Fett, who’s itchy for payback after badass Jedi Mace Windu decapitated his father, Jango Fett, in the tepid film Attack of the Clones. It’s a cut-throat saga that promises to darken The Clone Wars ‘ atmosphere for Season 3, which begins in October.
The season-ending shows strike a riveting balance. The dual “Zillo Beast” episodes, previewed in the clip above, provide a hefty dose of straight-up entertainment. The untoward size of the beast stretches The Clone Wars ‘ already considerable scale to new heights, and results in plenty of blockbuster wreckage.
But the three-part finale drives the series into much moodier, more contemplative and ultimately more moving territory as it boots up Boba Fett’s murderous back story.
It’s hard not to side with Boba Fett as he joins Season 2’s renegade roster of bounty hunters in making life miserable for the haughty Jedi. It’s a fitting tribute to a character whose mystery and menace has resiliently survived its humble and obscure origins in the first film trilogy.
Boba Fett already had serious staying power. But with the April 30 conclusion of Clone Wars ‘ second season, his stock in Star Wars ‘ multiversal market has become more valuable than ever.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars airs Fridays at 9 p.m./8 p.m. Central on Cartoon Network.
