nbrettel Reviews

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Genesis (1994) Season 7, Episode 19

Surprisingly great episode

[9/10 · 23 March 2022]

In this dark but intensely fun episode, Captain Picard and Data go out to retrieve a wayward torpedo. Three days later, they return to find an adrift and unmanned Enterprise. The crewmembers have become animals, bizarre creatures of their individual planets' origins - Counselor Troi has become an humanoid/amphibian hybrid, Commander Riker has become a cave man, Lt. Barclay has become a terrifyingly grotesque half-spider, half-man and Worf has become a terrifying pre-historic Klingon monster who wants to mate with Troi.

The two discover that the de-evolution of the crew was caused by a synthetic T-cell that has been mutated to activate a humanoid body's introns, causing the host to literally revert to a prehistoric state.

It's up to Captain Picard and Data save the ship, the crew... and themselves from possible annihilation from protomorphosis.

Directed phenomenally by Gates McFadden (who portrayed Dr. Beverly Crusher), "Genesis" provides an atmosphere akin to sci-fi horror stories from the "Alien" movies and "The Island of Dr. Moreau".

Unlike Dr. Moreau, Dr. Crusher unintentionally and unknowingly creates a whopper of an intron virus when she tries to soothe Lt. Barclay's hypochondriac fears with the synthetic T-cell.

As a director, McFadden strikes the perfect balance of suspense and horror without pushing the episode to tread on the gory section of horror. Patrick Stewart is phenomenal in portraying his usually unfazed Captain Picard, who shows open displays of fear, even when bravely takes on the dangerous task of distracting the feral Worf away from his crew. Brent Spiner is great as Data, who provides as the steadfast rock to Picard's sudden fearfulness.

This episode is not for the faint of heart, but highly recommended to watch (just try to watch it in the broad light of day).

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Ferengi Love Songs (1997) Season 5, Episode 20

Moogie's Back and How Quark Got His Aquiring Groove Back...

[8/10 · 30 May 2021]

The episode begins with an uncharacteristically depressed Quark moping about the string of misfortunes he has encountered. Nothing can cheer him up - even his brother, Rom's engagement to Bajoran dabo girl Leeta fails to perk him up. Fortunately, Rom knows someone that might help Quark get out of his funk - their fiesty, eccentric but loving mother, Ishka!

Moogie welcomes Quark with open (albeit worried) arms. Quark soon realizes the source of Ishka's anxiety - Grand Nagus Zek is secretly staying in their house too (and hiding in Quark's closet, no less) and she are Zek are secret lovers. At first shocked by this development, Quark is happy for his moogie - as she is now the lady love of the Ferengi he aspires to be. Quark sees this as an opportunity to butter up the Nagus to renew his business license. Unfortunately, Zek doesn't take the bait and tells Quark that it is up to the FCA, the ones responsible for revoking his license. Once again depressed, Quark gets an unexpected visit for his old enemy - Liquidator Brunt (the very ferengi who revoked his business license). Brunt finds Zek's secret love affair with Ishka disgraceful and offers to restore Quark's license if he breaks up his mother and the Nagus. Quark takes the bait and goes out of his devious Ferengi way by manipulating the Nagus with trumped-up rumors about his mother and pretends to be suicidal in front of Ishka so she take pity on him and try to convince the Nagus to vouch on his behalf - only for her to be cruelly rejected by the Nagus. Ishka is brokenhearted, and Brunt renews Quark's business license. Quark is secretly pleased with himself - up until he realizes that the Nagus is losing his memory, a fact he discovers after the latter promotes him as the Nagus's First Clerk. Quark is abashed to discover that his Moogie was more than Zek's lover - she was his secret fianancial advisor and that his actions in ruining their relationship has caused a bigger problem - by inadvertently exposing the Nagus's failing memory and destroying the Ferengi economy. What's worse is that Brunt knew of the Nagus's weakness and had used Quark as a pawn to expose the Nagus and have him crowned the new Nagus! Meanwhile, A ferengi tradition causes friction in Rom and Leeta's engagement. Rom eventually discovers that his love for Leeta is more important to him than tradition.

This episode is funny, heartfelt and peppered with witty gags and great romantic comedy elements. The two love stories involving the two couples; Ishka and Grand Nagus Zek, and Rom and Leeta were very interesting and full of depth. Quark's character development has come a long way from resenting his mother in "Family Business" ( He even calls her "Moogie" a lot) and we actually get to see him work with his mother by passing on advice to the Nagus during an inquiry. Even though Andrea Martin's performance as Moogie was great, The late great Cicely Adams was incredibly fun as Quark's fiesty but well-meaning mother and her scenes with Quark were cute and hilarious at the same time.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Drumhead (1991) Season 4, Episode 21

"With the first link, the chain is forged" - a lesson we should all learn.

[10/10 · 7 May 2021]

As one of the TNG's most groundbreaking episodes, "The DrumHead" is a poignant, moral reminder of how corruption can leak through and taint all that is righteous.

Retired Admiral Norah Satie (wonderfully portrayed by the remarkable Jean Simmons) investigates an explosion on the Enterprise, suspected to be caused by a saboteur. But when it is discovered the the explosion is nothing more than an accident, Admiral Satie is still convinced that there is a conspiracy on board and will not stop investigating until she finds one. Fingers point at a Klingon exchange officer and then a young Starfleet officer who lied about his quarter Romulan ancestry in his Starfleet application. Captain Picard is the first to see the troubling signs of a witchhunt trial and tries to put a halt on the investigation and save the young officer, Simon Tarses, from being wrongfully accused. This results in him being targeted instead.

One of the most intense moments is when after Admiral Satie holds his experience with being captured by the Borg over him, Captain Picard demostrates grace underpressure by quoting "With the first link the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied... chains us all irrevocably" - words spoken by the Admiral's father, to show the trial onlookers that the trial they're in is not a trial, but an execution of the soul. Picard's speech is then followed by an fanatical tirade from the enraged Admiral who inadvertently exposes her ulterior and twisted motives to the shocked and disgusted crowd.

A great episode and a wonderful cast. Patrick Stewart did a splendid acting job in this episode. Jean Simmons played a wonderfully complex villain, who unlike Q or Khan from "Start Trek: The Original Series", is a leader in Starfleet and the Federation of Planets who has disguised her true dark persona under a cloak of good deeds. Michael Dorn's characterization of Worf is deep and dynamic as he finds himself misled by Simmons's character and realizes what kind of person she really was when she starts interrogating his captain.

The episode's message applies to reality with McCarthyism and the recent political strife of 2020 and 2021, as it mirrors the tactical spread of fear, hate and paranoia politicians now use to sway the community. "Vigilance" as Picard says to Lt. Worf, "is the price we must continually pay". A deep and excellently written episode full of rich material.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Body Parts (1996) Season 4, Episode 24

"Merchant of Venice" meets "It's a Wonderful Life"

[8/10 · 29 April 2021]

The episode begins with Chief O'Brien worrying about a pregnant Keiko and an unusually cheerful Quark entering his bar after a two week trip on Ferenginar. The plot and subplot both start rolling with two events - Keiko is injured and Major Kira has the O'Brien's baby transferred into her body, automatically make the Bajoran Major a surrogate mother. But the biggest event of the episode is centered on Quark.

Here, Quark learns that he is dying from a rare, incurable disease and he has six to seven days to live. But that is the least of Quark's worries, Quark is considered a joke on Ferenginar and he's depressed about his life, as he is a small-time, mediocre operator to his fellow Ferengis (except his brother, Rom) and that no Ferengi would want to purchase his vaccuum dessicated remains on the future exchange (which is pretty much the Star Trek version of eBay). However, Quark's mood starts to improve when he gets an anonymous buyer who bids a hundred bars of latinum for the entire set of 52 discs. Quark's mood is greatly improved when his doctor's diagnosis proves to be faulty and that he is not going to die after all (which includes one of Quark's funniest moments where he says "I get to sue Dr. Orpax for malpractice!"). But the joy is short lived when it is revealed that the anonymous buyer is Quark's old adversary, Brunt of the Ferengi Commerce Authority. In spite of Quark's protests that he is not going to die, Brunt remains adamant that Quark would pay him the pound of flesh in the form of his remains. Quark is forced to choose between killing himself, having himself killed by someone (in this case, Garak), or breaking the contract, which will inevitably result in Quark being stripped from his business license, family property and being ostracized from other Ferengi. After much debate, Quark ultimately decides to live and break the contract after a dreamland visit from Grand Nagus Gint, who gives him permission to break the rules to save his life.

This episode has a wonderful blend of drama and comedy, and holds a great, meaningful message with Quark learning how his life is far too important for him to lose. There were a handful of touching moments, including the scene where Kira reassures Keiko that her baby is alright.

Keeping in touch with the "Merchant of Venice" and "It's a Wonderful Life" story themes, it is clear that Quark is the anagram of Antonio and George Bailey, while Rom is the Bassiano/Uncle Billy like character. Brunt is obviously the Shylock/ Mr. Potter character, who wishes to take down, even humiliate Quark as the former sees the latter as a pathetic excuse for a Ferengi. Grand Nagus Gint (Max Grodénchik in a dual role) acts as a humorously bad-tempered version of Clarence the Angel.

Quark's story line ends on a bittersweet note where the penniless Quark is startled to see Captain Sisko and the DS9 crew helping him restart his business by bringing in everything he needs. It is at this moment in the series where Quark learns the most poignant lesson of all - No man (or Ferengi) is a failure who has friends.

Another fun, wonderful and sympathetic episode featuring every trekkie's Favorite Ferengi bartender that's worth watching.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Family Business (1995) Season 3, Episode 23

Quark's Moogie Issues

[7/10 · 29 April 2021]

Of all the Star Trek episodes I have seen, "Family Business" is the one episode that emotionally affected me. And the one of the very few episodes where I, as a Star Trek viewer, actually got mad at Quark. I got even mad at Ishka.

Quark learns that his mother, Ishka, has broken the Ferengi law by making profit and decides to get his mother to sign a confession, in order to save her from being sent to prison. But then it turns out that Quark's resentment towards his mother goes far deeper - and the resentment is mutual, as Ishka is resentful of Quark's steadfast loyalty to the Ferengi misogyny and tradition and Quark secretly blames his mother for undermining his deceased father, Keldar. Feelings are hurt and insults have been spoken and Quark, in a fit of anger, gets into a fight with Rom and decides to turn his mother over to the authorities. But the scene that really stunned me was the scene where after Rom reveals that he lied to get Quark and Ishka to talk, and when the two refuse, Rom comes in with his topper and berates them into setting their differences aside for once. It was almost satisfying for me to see Quark and Ishka so ashamed and shocked, I wanted to berate just as or more harshly than Rom did, because I felt that Quark and Ishka were being selfish and that they didn't know anything about love.

But the feeling towards the two characters died when Ishka makes the first move to healing the rift by confirming that she does love Quark and that she always felt that he was like her as they both have the same business acumen. Even though she disliked her son's views, Ishka's motherly love for Quark is strong. The most touching scene was where Quark, who has addressed Ishka as "Mother", finally realizes that his mother does love him and he calls her "Moogie" for the first time, signifying his letting go of resentment towards his mother.

After watching this episode, I felt I have been sent in an emotional feedback loop which led to an emotional breakdown. Armin Shimerman (Quark) had said that this episode was "a thoughtful psychological study". I felt that he was right about his description, as it focuses a lot on emotional turmoil in families, especially those who have different views. Although the episode's touches on the stupidity of misogyny and sexual discrimination, I seemed to focus more on deep, emotional topic on family issues. Throughout the Star Trek Franchise, there is a handful of parent-child relationships, there was Spock and his father, Sarek; there was Counselor Troi and her mother, Lwaxana Troi; there was Worf and his son, Alexander; there was Data and his creator/father, Dr. Noonien Soong and finally, there is Quark and his mother, Ishka - which proved to be (in my experience) one of the most emotionally and psychologically complex of them all.

This episode also proves to be a series landmark, as it introduces Kasidy Yates, who would eventually become Captain Sisko's wife and Jake's stepmother. We are also introduced to Liquidator Brunt, who would become Quark's arch-rival. Ishka (played wonderfully by Andrea Martin, and in later episodes, by the late great Cecily Adams) steals the show - literally. Personally, I felt that Andrea Martin (of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" fame as Aunt Voula) did an exceptional job portraying Ishka. It was a shame that she only portrayed the character only once, but I can understand why she thought the makeup she had to wear was too much. I guess everybody's got a different experience with prosthetic makeup.

Over all, "Family Business" is a good, deep episode - though it is not for the faint of heart.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Profit and Loss (1994) Season 2, Episode 18

When a Ferengi Man loves a Cardassian Woman

[8/10 · 4 December 2020]

"Profit and Loss" begins with Three Cardassians, Professor Natima Lang and her two students Hogue and Rekelen, arrive at Deep Space Nine for repairs of the badly damaged ship. Natima was Quark's old flame during the Cardassian Occupation. Quark, still having feelings for Natima, is overjoyed to see her. Natima however, is not and behaves coldly around him - due to a minor lover's quarrel over an incident involving him using her access codes to steal money for a profit opportunity seven years ago. Even though Quark feels bad over breaking her trust and states he never meant to hurt her, Natima refuses to let him come near her heart.

It soon becomes apparent that Natima and her two students are political revolutionists - Their main objective is to free Cardassia from its militaristic government and make Cardassia a democractic society. Their honorable actions (for Cardassians) however, makes them fugitives - And they are on the run from the Cardassian Central Command. Realizing that his love may be in jeopardy, Quark manages to bargins with Hogue and Rekelen (who are the main targets of the Cardassian Central Command) to convince their professor to stay on the station with him in exchange for an illegal yet vital cloaking device for any means of escaping the station alive.

In a scene reminiscent to that of "Casablanca", Natima tries to get Quark to give her that cloaking device, but Quark refuses, not willing to lose her again. However, it is only after Natima accidentally stuns Quark with a phaser in an attempt to get him to give her the device by force, when Natima finally drops her icy facade and reveals her love for him. Their romantic moment is rudely stopped when Natima is arrested with her students. Now, Quark has to find a way to save the woman he loves and help her two fugitive students get away from the Cardassian military.

Although producers Ira Steven Behr and Michael Piller disliked this episode, I have found it an intriguing science fiction love story. Pairing a Ferengi and a Cardassian up as lovers was a very interesting and original idea that surprisingly works well with the Star Trek theme of inter-species romantic relationships. It was surprising yet fun to see the usually cantankerous and greedy Quark to be so in love with someone that he is willing to give up everything - even his bar - to be with her. This episode proves that deep down underneath the rough sometimes callous exterior, Quark has a good heart - and it really, really shows.

I felt that this episode was one of the predesessors of the "Serious Ferengi episodes" featured later in the series.

Armin Shimerman's performance as Quark was stellar as he manages to bring out the gentle, compassionate even noble side of his character - while still keeping in touch with Quark's glib, fiesty attitude. One could tell that Shimerman was giving his all in bringing out the passionate side of Quark, especially in the scene where he explains to Odo why he didn't admit his intentions to let Natima and her students free were based on his love for her earlier, simply because he thinks Odo would not understand anything about love (Which of course is proven wrong later in series where Odo develops romantic feelings for Major Kira). This episode really shows that cynical, greedy Quark is indeed capable of loving someone other than latinum, and that he does have love in his heart (i.e. When he first sees Natima on the Promenade, Quark literally bulldozes his way out of the crowded bar just to see her.)

Andrew Robinson, who plays the Cardassian exile/spy/tailor, Garak, provides important character development in his character's performance. The conversation between Garak and Quark over Cardassian radicalism against the Central Command, using fashion terms as personifications of the serious repercussions that might happen to Natima if her students "go out of fashion", is deep and intense. In the end, Garak decides to act for the future of Cardassia by shooting a Cardassian Gul who was using him to secure the whereabouts of the fugitives. Garak and Quark did some good deeds out of love for someone/something (Quark let Natima Lang leave the station because he loved her, and Garak shot the Cardassian Gul who lied to him because of his nationalistic love for Cardassia).

Mary Crosby was remarkable as Quark's leading lady, Professor Natima Lang. It was incredible to see the progression of Professor Lang's character development and "layers", from telling Quark to never speak to her again to apologizing for her cold treatment towards him and admitting that she still loves him. In the end however, it is her love for Quark that makes her decide that it is best for her to leave rather than stay with him - with the promise that she will return to him after her revolutionary work to better Cardassia is done. I felt that Natima Lang was an incredible, dynamic character who deserved to be featured in another Star Trek episode, so we can see if she does keep her promise to Quark (But I guess we'll never know). This episode proves that Natima Lang is a true woman who brings the best out of Quark and she is certainly a strong female character who deserves more or just as much credit as Grilka from "The House of Quark".

This episode is truly for those who love Science fiction, romance stories and revolutionary drama.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The House of Quark (1994) Season 3, Episode 3

Ferengis & Klingons, Oh My!

[10/10 · 28 October 2020]

Of all the DS9 episodes featuring Quark, this is one of the best.

After an extremely drunk Klingon accidentally kills himself by falling on his own dagger, Quark (Armin Shimerman) siezes the opportunity to save his business by claiming to have killed the Klingon in self-defense. Unfortunately, his bragging not only brings customers, it also brings revenge-seeking Klingons!

First, he is accosted by a Klingon named D'Ghor (Carlos Carrasco), who claims to be the brother of the drunk Klingon named Kozak. Scares him into maintaining his lie by threatening to kill the Ferengi if he reveals that Kozak had died in an accident.

But the real action starts rolling when Grilka (Mary Kay Adams), the widow of Kozak, arrives and demands Quark tell the truth. After Quark tells her the true death of Kozak, Grilka abducts him and forces him to marry her, in an effort to save her husband's house from falling into the hands of D'Ghor, who is actually her late husband's nemesis - thus making the increasingly bewildered Quark the head of her family (an outrageously humorous perdicament for both sides).

While bursting with schtick, this episode has its share of drama. The most notable dramatic scenes besides the incident at the bar in the very beginning, is the climax where Quark, challenged by D'Ghor to fight to the death, shows up to the fight. Quark proves himself to the Science fiction underdog when he disarms himself and bravely (if foolishly) coaxes D'Ghor into killing him, using reverse psychology to convince the Klingon Council that having him fight the taller, stronger Klingon is nothing more than an execution. D'Ghor is more than happy to kill the unarmed Ferengi. But Klingon Chancellor Gowran (portrayed by Robert O'Reilly), amazed by Quark's surprising amount of courage and disgusted by D'Ghor's willingness to kill an unarmed opponent, stops the belligerent Klingon from harming Quark.

Recalling the "Odd Couple" formula, Quark and Grilka's relationship is one of the main highlights of this episode, with Grilka as the strong-willed Klingon female and Quark being the greedy, yet shrewd Ferengi businessman/lawyer-type. Much like the Odd Couple, Quark and Grilka do not particularly like each other ( Quark doesn't like Grilka for her secretive, yet intimidating personality and Grilka doesn't like Quark because of her own preconception of Ferengis being cowardly schemers). But as the two work together to settle the financial dispute between Kozak and D'Ghor, Quark and Grilka come to respect one another. The change in attitude is really shown in Grilka, who begins to see the honroable side of Quark . In the end, Quark and Grilka divorce, but it is apparent that while their marriage is over, their respect and attraction to one another is far from over.

This action-packed, humor-loaded episode featuring Star Trek's favorite Ferengi bartender is really worth watching.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Manhunt (1989) Season 2, Episode 19

Eccentric mothers, fish headed aliens and madcap romantic-comedy humor ensues

[8/10 · 23 April 2020]

"Manhunt" is truly a one funny whale-of-an-episode., with Lwaxana Troi, Counselor Deanna Troi's eccentric, yet good natured Betazoid mother, makes her second appearence. Lwaxana is just as brassy, scheming and ourageously funny as ever and this time... she is looking for love - in Jean-Luc Picard!

Lwaxana has entered a Betazoid mid-life crisis where her sex drive dramatically increases and she goes around looking for a new husband - much to Captain Picard's chagrin, as he tries everything he can to avoid the wildly-lovesick Betazoid woman, from having Data crash a dinner party to wisking himself into a virtual pulp-fiction, hard-boiled detective universe.

Adding into the mix of chaotic comedy are the fish-headed Antedeans. Although they spent most of the episode frozen in a weird catatonic state, their bizarre appearences take the brunt of comedic banter, from Wesley Crusher's sightly sickened reaction to the appearence of the Antedeans' food (which looks like raw fish in cold water) to Lwaxana's startled, gasps to their appearence, followed by her comparisons to the Antedeans to seafood ("I still think they look better in sauce" and "I think I've seen something like that... on a plate!") Only Worf seems fascinated by the bizarre Antedeans, calling them a "handsome race" at one point.

In the end, the Antedeans turn out to be assasins (thanks to Lwaxana's super-sharp mindreading abilities). So, while she causes eccentric problems for the crew of the Enterprise, Lwaxana manages to prove herself helpful in saving an upcoming ambassadorial meeting from assasination attempts.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hero Worship (1992) Season 5, Episode 11

Android fatherly figure

[10/10 · 23 April 2020]

As one of the most heartwarming episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation", "Hero Worship" follows the Enterprise investigating the mysterious destruction of science star-ship, the Vico, which was last seen en route to investigate a large black cluster in space. The sole survivor of the tragedy is a traumatized nine year/ ten year old boy named Timothy. The android Data rescues Timothy from the ruins of the Vico, transporting himself and the boy onto the Enterprise.

While Captain Picard, Commander Riker, Worf and Geordi La Forge try to figure out what exactly happened, Timothy, who has lost both of his parents, looks up to Data as a potential father figure. As a way to ease, even suppress, his pain and survivor's guilt, Timothy begins to pretend that he is an android, going so far as copying Data's movements and speech patterns (from the quick, bird like neck movements to the stoic "That is correct" and "That would be acceptable" quotes). Following the instructions of Counselor Deanna Troi, The stoic and logical Data finds himself bonding with Timothy as he teaches the orphaned boy to be "the best android he (Timothy) could possibly be." in his own, wholehearted android ways.

In the end, it is Timothy's recollection and Data's observational intellect that helps Picard and the Enterprise crew find out what caused the Vico's destruction. The episode ends on heartfelt note that although Timothy has finally come to terms with his parents' deaths, he still considers Data as a friend.

The interaction between Timothy and Data is the heart and soul of this episode. In the past, there were episodes where Data showed a fatherly side to his emotionless personality - In "The Offspring", he created and cared for Lal, an young female android. In "Pen Pals", he answers to the intergalatic distress call of an alien girl named Sarjenka who is concerned about the strange natural disasters that are happening to her planet. But here, Data is a fatherly figure to someone who is neither android nor alien - but a human.

Affected by a tragedy that took his parents, Timothy finds himself looking up to his android rescuer as the older brother he never got to have and the father he didn't have anymore. Data finds himself looking after a boy as he tries to make him (Timothy) the best andorid he could possibly be. He learns about parenting (in the scene where he grooms Timothy's hair to look like his own hair and is befuddled by Timothy's constant jerking head movements) and that his presence as an "adult" is key to a child's recovery from trauma. It also makes him self-examine his own identity as an android and his ruminations of what being human is like (hence when he says, "I would risk feeling bad over anything, even if it means tasting my dessert").

This episode is truly something worth watching.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Bombad Jedi (2008) Season 1, Episode 8

A surprisingly good episode for the secret Jar Jar fan

[7/10 · 14 April 2020]

In response to the question of "Who ever thinks it's a good idea to bring Jar Jar Binks on a mission?", I must say ( I am sorry Jar Jar haters) surprising and refreshingly funny. There is a point to the story, as Jar Jar, a goofy character, does the surprising - he disguises himself as a Jedi to save his friend, Padmé. The comical chemistry between Jar Jar and C-3PO works perfectly as C-3PO serves as the prim and proper "straight man" while Jar Jar is the bumbling, emotionally expressive goof who wants to help his friends. This episode clearly shows the three strengths of Jar Jar's character that has been overlooked by most of the Star Wars fans' hatred towards him -- his childlike honesty, unadulterated loyalty and his wide range of emotion.

This episode is peppered with witty quips (on 3PO's part) and outrageous slapstick (in the forms of Jar Jar falling down a tower, with only a bungee-like vine tangled around his foot to break his fall and Jar Jar and C-3PO trying to communicate with Rhodia's wildlife... with painfully embarrassing, yet juicily funny results.)

This episode also shows great character development. For example, Padmé, the strong-willed heroine of the Clone Wars, finds herself in need of rescuing. Meanwhile, Jar Jar finds himself unwilling to stand idly by as his friend and fellow senator is captured. In the end, the cowardly Gungan finds the courage to save his friends from the Separatists.He also hits the nail on the head a couple of times, including the most prominent point that Padmé is in trouble - a point that level-headed C-3PO fails to notice.

As a secret Jar Jar fan, I always found him funny, even memorable. I never understood that while everybody hated him, I found myself liking him. Either something is wrong with me or not, Jar Jar should have gotten praise rather than backlash... since most comic relief characters are usually idiotic or tending to make illogical decisions. But then... I might be wrong. But I know one thing - Jar Jar was obviously made to be a comical character and this series, especially this episode, has done him justice.

This episode is worth looking at... if you are a secret Jar Jar fan.