WARNING: This review contains Spoilers that may ruin your enjoyment of this episode. Nope it’s not Shatner, but in fact, George “Joe Swash BFF” Takei, but more of him later. The story picks up directly from Episode 13 where the Jedi have encountered a more peaceful species than they claim to be, the Lurmen. These little guys refuse to help the titular Defenders of the Peace, but things take a turn when a Separatist ship lands with an army of clankers, sorry I mean “Battle Droids” and a powerful new weapon (what, another one?) that destroys all life in its way but not machinery. Not much. These furry critters will die if it means retaining their pacifistic principles – and aren’t afraid of acting all snooty and recalcitrant when the Jedi want to help. Their help, states their Irish-voiced leader, would be a complicit act in the war. These ideals are perhaps the most interesting and complex that Star Wars has ever presented and the denouement of this tale leaves the Lurmen wondering what price the Jedi’s help truly costs them. There’s no answer given but the anti-war and anti-violence themes are strong here and presented in a manner that could have been presented better cinematically. More foolhardy antics come in the form of the Battle Droids (“No, really?” I hear you cry!) who will make you drop your beer/wine in disgust as they jump and cheer when Durd announces his new weapon doesn’t affect machines. Though this is counterbalanced when we see the new toy in action, destroying the world the Lurmen inhabit, poor little blighters. Geekoids (like me) will rejoice as we see an early version of the Imperial Probe Droid (from The Empire Strikes Back) that looks like one of those Galactic Heroes toys. Not as good as the set-up and visually not as impressive, Defenders Of The Peace is an acceptable second part and full marks for trying to broach the notion of pacifism and the complexities that lie therein. Oh, and a gold star and a “see me after class” for whoever came up with the shot of Ahsoka downing two Battle Droids with her lightsaber – all in silhouette. Nice! Check out Cameron’s review of episode 13 here. 28 January 2009
