Lucasfilm’s The Clone Wars: Best Political Cartoon Ever?
- By Scott Thill
- March 19, 2010 |
- 2:48 pm |
- Categories: television
Political murder, mercenary violence, military occupations and callous terrorists don’t just kill as newspaper headlines. They’ve also made excellent thematic fodder for Star Wars: The Clone Wars, whose dark second season returns with a seven-week stand starting Friday night.
The procedural and corporate intrigue has also solidified Lucasfilm’s CGI tween fever dream as one of Earth’s coolest political cartoons. But is it the best?
The conclusion of The Clone Wars‘ second season begins with Friday’s episode “Senate Murders,” which finds Padmé Amidala investigating the mysterious death of a politician.
“Many of Padmé’s episodes center around politics, for obvious reasons, and they’re sometimes a departure -– to a degree -– from the action-packed episodes,” explained Catherine Taber, the voice of Padmé, in a press release. “Diplomacy -– or the lack thereof -– is essential to The Clone Wars, and part of the foundation for the Star Wars saga.”
True enough, but it’s arguable that The Clone Wars has explored the netherworlds of parliamentary intrigue, capital crime, militarism and political arrogance much better than its cinematic parent narratives.
The movies were alternately legendary and underwhelming popcorn blockbusters. But Lucasfilm’s animated series, on the back of Genndy Tartakovsky’s inimitable 2003 miniseries, has been able to stretch out more seriously. And whether it’s using alien children as human shields in season one or loosing bounty-hunting terrorists (pictured above) in season two, The Clone Wars has not just been an action-packed blast. It’s been an eye-opening one.
At least, for those who might be looking. The series wields its dissection of interpersonal and interstellar politics like a Force push, rather than a buzzing lightsaber. It’s not visibly slicing up its subjects, but invisibly moving them like pawns on a chessboard.
The saga’s incarnation of all cosmological evil is hiding in plain sight as a career politician, yet Star Wars is still often ignored as a political allegory. But with two seasons and 44 episodes almost tucked into its Jedi robe, and 22 more scheduled to land in its third season this October, it’s getting harder to pawn off The Clone Wars as mindless toon entertainment for the iGeneration. It might be time to take it seriously.
But let us know what you think. Is The Clone Wars one of the best political cartoons ever, if not the best? Can it hold a candle to Robert Smigel’s Saturday TV Funhouse, which probably holds the current title? Does Harvey Birdman count? School us on politics and toons in the comments section below.
See Also:
- Is Clone Wars the Most Action-Packed Series on Television?
- What’s the Secret of Bit Player Boba Fett’s Staying Power?
- General Grievous May Have Outlived His Clone Wars Menace
- Clone Wars Finale Draws on Good, Bad and the Ugly
- Half-Naked Female Jedis, Coming Right Up in Clone Wars
- From Pawns to People, Star Wars‘ Clones Evolve
- Clone Wars Reboots Star Wars‘ Peripheral Players
Agreed, Scott, SWCW is a pretty political toon… The whole idea of the prequels, clumsy as they were executed, with a corrupt politician who creates a fake war to strip a society of democracy and turn it into a dictatorship ruled by fear appeared as political comment. So yes, Dick Cheney is obviously a Sith Lord… we just need to keep the Jedi alive, should Sarah Palin win in 2012!
How about the Justice League cartoons? Many of those dealt with issues of power, governments, etc. JL having an orbital space laser, the government’s secret force creating weapons against the heroes, etc.
Isn’t it ironic that a cartoon rated as Y7 is more mature in its subject matter than the prequels? Not really, considering how Lucas views audience.
Hands down the best political/sci-fi cartoon is Code Geass.
Politics and cartoons have a long history going back at least as far as Rocky and Bullwinkle, which often made biting social and political comments aimed over the heads of children to reach their parents.
The important thing is that my kids LOVE the show. I don’t know about all the political commentary you claim to see…as a conservative, I’m pretty sensitive to political statements thinly disguised as entertainment - and the Clone Wars has not gotten under my skin in the least.
Maybe it’s because I still haven’t gotten over Lucas’s idiotic Episode I script that killed off Darth Maul two movies too early…Anakin vs. Maul, winner becomes Palpatine’s new apprentice - that would have been epic.
But no. We’re stuck with Count Dooku farting dust and flying in a stupid sailboat.
Too bad there’s not more of it. But the way the franchise keeps turning, I doubt we will be getting any dark and heavy political war drama anytime soon.
And Code Geass is political now? I must have missed that between the fanservice, overpowered mecha and contrived plot twists.
If we’re looking for the best animated political show, I’ve yet to see any contender that can top Legend of the Galactic Heroes, though certain series like GitS:SAC and to some extent FLAG come trailing not too far behind.
I hate this show.
“But no. We’re stuck with Count Dooku farting dust and flying in a stupid sailboat.”
That is simply the most hilarious thing I have read all day.
In the next episode a wookie CPA helps an ewok itemize his 1040 Schedule A deductions for space coconuts and womp rat skulls.
.
Later in the season, a Gungan takes a number at the DMV and waits to be called.
This is horrible television. I have a wide and ranging appreciation for this kind of content, and this show is just trash across the board.
The traditionally animated Clone Wars series from Genndy Tartakovsky, of Samurai Jack fame was a much better show, even though it was heavy on combat and light on storyline.
I’ve been digging the Clone Wars series, but for my money The Boondocks stands as America’s best political cartoon.
I have liked the new series, but don’t know why they felt the need to get “darker”, as if our kids don’t get enough of that. Anyway, the political element has been tolerable until tonight. Padame just keeps uttering stupid liberal tripe over and over like some doll you pull the cord on. The best seems to center around that mindless liberal idea that if you just quit fighting your enemy will quit too. Sorry, guys, some of us don’t dig surrender as foreign policy.
The whole prequels were clumsy, but could also be ready several ways politically. This tripe can’t.
DantePD: Good call! The Boondocks is brilliant. Word is it’s coming back for season three in May, but I’m checking with Adult Swim just in case.
Naw … the best political cartoon was Battlestar Galactica. (I guess that wasn’t a cartoon, maybe). But I loved the way it showed the occupation of Iraq, from the Iraqi perspective, back to the American population and the way they ATE ie UP! Ironic, sure, but there is just something fascinating about watching a creature eat it’s own shit.
Death Watch my ass. Those aren’t even remotely Space Marines. Lucasfilm has violated Games Workshop’s IP and must be punished! The Ordo Xenos will have their revenge!
Political cartoon? Obviously, and badly done. I second NoJoe about LoGH, the ultimate expression of the true political “cartoon”.
For me, South Park is still the best ‘political’ cartoon, in the sense that it tackles both sides of the argument (with Team America’s dicks, pussies and asses speech as the absolute zenith of this philosophy, although not actually south park). As for non-cartoons: it’s a tough call between Yes, Minister and The Thick of It, who are both brilliant in their own era.
I suggest two series with a similar theme: ‘Code Geass’ and ‘Legend of the Galactic Heroes’.
Ye3s I think it probably is the only political cartoon out there, it’s been made on two lwvwls one for the kids and also for the adults who will watch alongside them, however it has held mya ttention in many ways that the prequels could not as they were rubbish. there’s a greater interaction with other lifeforms in the cartoons as well which is refreshing.
The Clone Wars is nothing compared to the socio-religious-political commentary of the New Jedi Order and Legacy eras.
“the political element has been tolerable until tonight. Padame just keeps uttering stupid liberal tripe over and over like some doll you pull the cord on”
Really? Did it take a genius to figure out that Padame’s lines were delivered about as stupid as Jar Jar Binks? Sorry Natalie Portman…loved you in “The Professional”, and all the emotion you put into that role as a 12-13 year old but thought your lines were delivered with less emotion than a rock. You’ve settled for easy roles lately, and that is sad.
The 1990s X-Men cartoon show was politically charged and equally awesome at the same time.
Yeah… my vote for Boondocks as the most successful overtly political cartoon. But for “Best Political Cartoon” I’d have to go with South Park. I’m serious, you could probably cull out a dozen episodes and design an Intro Poli Sci class around them.
Maybe but it’s sooo dull, banking on George Lucas dronespeak. The movie was hideous.
I would say Avatar - The Last Airbender was quite a deep cartoon. You had political undertones related to the war/occupation; shadowy govt. forces and puppet kings in Ba Sing Se; generals looking to take control and rebels fighting the cause. I would say given the audience, the channel and the time it came out, that would be my favorite “political” cartoon.
Gotta say I agree…it’s a bit childish for my personal tastes but it it probaly is a good trait for the youngsters, they should show it in schools.
It’s interesting that Wired suddenly jumps on the Clone Wars political angle after one episode spews leftist ideology. For nearly two seasons now, the show has been about patriotism, duty, service and sacrifice.
Most importantly … it’s been intellectually honest. Here’s some examples:
1. Season 1 — “Defenders of Peace.” Separatists encroach on the pacifistic Lurmen. The episode makes it clear that if they don’t fight, they will be enslaved. Of course, the Jedi INTERVENE to save a covilization. That seems right out of the NeoCon playbook.
2. Season 2 — “Brain Invaders.” It should be called “Enhanced Interrogation Works, You Spineless Libtard!” Poggle knows something that will endanger lives, and Anakin does what it takes to get it from him. Everything is cool after he did it — it’s ugly, but fighting the enemies of civilization is.
3. Season 1 — “Ambush” Yoda basically preaches pro-life and individuality to a group of clones. My jaw dropped!