Clone Wars, Season 1, Episode 8, Bombad Jedi is set on the planet Rodia and sees the first of Nute Gunray and Jar Jar Binks in the cartoon saga. The Moral of the episode is, "Heroes are made by the times". The Heroes in this case turn out to be Binks and C3PO!
The Clone Wars threatens the unity of the Republic! As battle rages across the galaxy, more worlds succumb to the seductive lure of the Separatists and leave the Republic. On a vital mission of peace, Senator Padme Amidala journeys to the Outer Rim world of Rodia, desperate to ensure its loyalty remains to the Republic.
Padme lands her personal ship on Rodia preparing for the talks. Jar Jar Binks and the protocol droid, C3PO are also with her. Rodia is a swamp planet, a bit like Naboo, Binks comments. As she departs, Padme instructs both C3PO and Jar Jar to remain aboard the ship. It's rather odd that she brought them along in the first place, if they were going to perform no needed task. It's a good job she did though!
Amidala meets with Rodian Senator, Onaconda Farr. They've been friends since Padme was a little girl and Farr was a strong supporter of her father in the Senate. But, Onaconda is now dismissive and even angry with the Republic. His planet has suffered many hardships and his people are lacking basic supplies. He has felt ignored by the Republic and has already done a deal with Nute Gunray, leader of the Separatists!
It's a trap! Farr has arranged to swap Padme for the badly needed supplies and the Separatist's protection. "I'm sorry my sweet," he says, "I had no choice". Padme is quickly surrounded by Battledroids who were waiting for her planned arrival.
Battledroids storm the Landing Bay where Padme's ship is stationed with C3PO and Jar Jar Binks beside it. The pair fail to get back on board in time and Binks flees leaving C3PO helpless on his back. In any battle, you should not be anywhere near the creature of Jar Jar. It's a very dangerous, unpredictable place to frequent. In running, Binks' leg gets caught on a wire causing a large circular Electro-Magnet to descend. It activates, snapping up 3PO, then ascends again. Wildly trying to help his friend, the Gungan madly pulls levers and the heavy magnet swings into the attacking Battledroids converting them to instant scrap metal.
A large crab droid enters. This is more than C3PO can take, who screams out a string of unhelpful instructions. C3PO and Jar Jar Binks could never be described as a dynamic duo! More by accident, Binks flips on top of the Crab. In trying to remove him, the droid is disorientated, then falls out the raised Landing Bay into the swamps below. Jar Jar of course survives... this character is seemingly laser-proof.
Happy at their victory, Jar Jar leans back on the levers he used earlier, turning off the Electro-Magnet. C3PO plummets to the ground, Ouch! Some more tampering and the Gungan manages to completely wreck Padme ship. "Well, that's the end of our ship," 3PO comments dryly, "Typical".
Depsite their original instruction, Jar Jar Binks and C3PO leave the ship on a rescue mission. It is unclear just how succesful these unlikely two will be. Binks dons a disguise which consists of a brown Jedi like robe. This has got to be just the worst plan ever.
Vice Gunray arrives at the planet to pick up the prize of Senator Padme Amidala. Watched by Binks and C3PO, they are quite quickly spotted with Binks being somehow mistaken for a Jedi. Bink escapes through some grating to the swamp waters below while the gold protocol droid is escorted away.
Underwater, Jar Jar encounters an odd looking monster called a Kwazel Maw. It is a large serpant type creature. It seems big, but unthreatening. The Gungan resurfaces as Onaconda Farr leads Nute Gunray and his droids away.
Senator Onaconda starts to have serious doubts whether he has done the right thing joining the Separatists. Padme is chained up against his wishes and is due for execution. Nute Gunray has not provided the supplies they badly need and it is a little doubtful whether he ever will. Gunray just wants Padme eliminated.
Before Gunray reaches the high tower Padme is being held captive in, she manages to break her bonds, trick the droids, and escape. She runs into C3PO and blasts the two Battledroids escorting him. Padme orders the Protocol droid to find a Communication Terminal and send out a distress signal to any nearby Republic ships. Jar Jar Binks is scaling the tower hellbent on continuing his heroic rescue mission unaware that the Senator has already escaped.
Nute Gunray finally arrives at the holding point to be told of Padme's escape. Bink turns up over the wall at exactly the same time on his Rescue mission. "It's the Jedi!" a droid shouts. They all start firing and Binks falls backward, Yo-Yoing on a vine wrapped round one leg. Saved again! The Gungan sure is lucky! At the base of the Tower, Padme provides covering fire whilst Jar Jar again escapes through the grating to the swamp waters. Super Battledroids throw explosives into the waters in an attempt to blast him out. The odd beast Jar Jar had encountered earlier, saves him by protecting him in his mouth as the bombs explode. He then releases him unharmed.
Against such overwhelming numbers, C3PO and Padme are eventually cornered. This looks like the end... but you strongly suspect it may not be. A row of Droidekas are poised ready to execute them. Gunray gives the order, "Ready... aim...
Binks and the Kwazel Maw save the day. The huge beast jumps out the waters and totally devastates all of Gunray's forces. To say he's surprised is somewhat of an understatement. The creature then pushes Gunray's ship off the high Landing Bay, over the edge and into the swamps below. Nute won't be leaving the planet any time soon. Jar Jar comments of the beast, "I made a very good friend!". Yes... you could say that. :op
Rodian Senator Onaconda realises he has made a terrible mistake and places Nute Gunray under arrest. The arrival of several Republic Warships responding to C3PO's previously sent distress signal seal Nute's fate. Seemingly he will now spend the rest of the war in a prison cell. Onaconda pledges his Planet's allegiance to The Republic.
The episode ends with a Holo-transmission from Chancellor Palpatine who arranges to send Rodia the much needed supplies it needs. The Capture of Gunray is a major victory for the Republic, he declares.
I don't know... I think Palpatine may be up to something... maybe. :o)
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