***This is a review for the Star Wars Forces of Destiny episode, “The Imposter Inside.” There will be spoilers.***
We’re cruising right along with Star Wars Forces of Destiny, and in this episode we finally get to see Padme Amidala! Padme teams up with Ahsoka Tano as they face off against a bounty hunter. (Click here to watch this episode now on Disney’s YouTube channel.)
The episode opens in Padme’s apartment on Coruscant. Ahsoka is there to make sure the place is secure as Padme is awaiting an Ithorian delegation. It’s a location we’re familiar with from Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, as well as The Clone Wars. Padme explains how these negotiations with the Ithorians are critical, and there are many opposed, so she hopes Ahsoka will stick around. Ahsoka politely declines as being in a room full of politicians isn’t really her place — a feeling very reminiscent of Obi-Wan.
Before she takes her leave, Ahsoka observes that the table setting includes utensils — something the Ithorians don’t use and could find insulting. Padme realizes that the utensils were placed in direct contradiction to her instructions. As this is discussion goes on, the handmaiden who had been preparing the table begins to slink away. When confronted by Padme, the ruse is over and the imposter is revealed to be a bounty hunter — a changeling, like Zam Wessel from AOTC — likely sent to thwart the negotiations. Padme and Ahsoka come under fire from the bounty hunter.
Since sitting idly by isn’t really their style, Padme and Ahsoka fight back. Soon, the outnumbered bounty hunter is overcome by the teamwork and quick thinking of the Senator from Naboo and the Padawan. Ahsoka quips that sometimes Padme reminds her of Anakin. Huh… Imagine that! When all is secure, Padme decides it is best to delay negotiations for the time being, and Ashoka decides to stay after all. There’s some good food on hand — it’d be a shame to let it go to waste!
Patience has paid off! A lot of people were waiting for Padme to make her appearance, and she didn’t disappoint. Voiced again by Catherine Taber (The Clone Wars), Padme was a welcome sight — although I’m wondering about her clothing. She’s dressed like she was when she went to Geonosis with Anakin in AOTC (she must have more than one, because the other got pretty messed up in the Geonosian arena). In the films, when we see Padme, she’s usually dressed more elegantly, and I’ll admit I was looking forward to seeing one of her gorgeous gowns. Still, it would have made fighting against the bounty hunter more challenging. However, if anyone could rise to the occasion, it would be Padme. There’s always been more to her than meets the eye.
Ashley Eckstein returns as Ahsoka, and I still feel the animation for her character is the best so far. That said, Padme looked lovely, as befitting a character brought to life on film by Natalie Portman.
The story was excellent, even if it was a bit shorter than the previous ones. It was to the point, though, and the action was fast-paced. As is the case with all these shorts, no time is wasted and the stories are tight. Padme and Ahsoka make a good team and it would be fun to see the these two in action again.
While the other episodes play out like deleted scenes from the films or TV series, this one felt like it could have been its own episode of The Clone Wars. Expand the story a bit, slot it into the appropriate place within the series, and it’d be right at home.
If you like, please read my previous reviews: “Sands of Jakku,” “BB-8 Bandits,” “Ewok Escape,” “The Padawan Path,” and “Beasts of Echo Base.”
Be sure to subscribe to Disney’s YouTube channel so you don’t miss any episodes of Star Wars Forces of Destiny.
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