Voices (The Clone Wars - S06E11) - Animated Series

Series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Title: Voices

Season: Six

Episode: 11

Original Air Date: March 7, 2014 (Netflix)

Runtime: 23 minutes

Credits: Review & Text: Mike Taber; Page layout & Design: Chuck Paskovics

Madness can sometimes be the path to truth.

“Voices” is very important episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It provided a beautifully eloquent exploration of the Force, the always amazing Liam Neeson once again returned to portray Qui-Gon Jinn, and shifted the focus to Yoda. It was great to see Yoda get the spotlight again, the last time that happened was in the series premiere! It seems fitting that the series started with a Yoda focused story and ended with a Yoda focused story. “Voices” was a unique episode. It didn’t focus on spectacular action scenes, politics, or an unlikely combination of characters. It instead focused on mythology and some of the core concepts of the Star Wars saga. It explored the Force in a way that provided us with some answers without stripping away the mystery or spiritual nature of the Force. Like I said, this was a unique episode so my review will be a little different as well. Much like my other reviews I’ll recap and comment on the beginning of the episode but once Yoda arrives on Dagobah I want to really focus on and dissect some of the dialogue.

Right away Yoda heard the voice of Qui-Gon Jinn. He didn’t believe it, the Jedi of this time don’t believe it’s possible to retain your identity after death. Qui-Gon Jinn explained to Yoda he is now part of the living Force and levitated Yoda to prove it. Before I go on, I have to bring up how great it was to hear Liam Neeson back as Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon might not be the besting selling Star Wars action figure, but he is one of the saga’s most important characters. I’m also extremely grateful that Liam Neeson took the time out of his insanely busy schedule to lend his voice to an animated television series and return as a character he first played 15 years ago. I think that says a lot about his character. Later on, Yoda asked Anakin about seeing Qui-Gon on Mortis. This was a great callback to one of the series’ best story arcs and confirms that Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka did tell the Jedi Council what they saw on Mortis. Yoda finally addressed the Jedi Council and asked all of them to meditate with him in hopes of hearing the voice again.

After nothing is heard, Ki-Adi Mundi suggested that the Sith are manipulating Yoda. The Jedi Doctor Rig Nema examined Yoda and found nothing but suggested a deprivation ritual as a way to find the source of the voice. Despite almost dying in the deprivation chamber, Yoda heard Qui-Gon again. Qui-Gon instructed Yoda to go to the Dagobah system. This is a small nitpick, but something just felt off about the whole deprivation chamber scene. It just seemed kind of silly and out of place to me. While Obi-Wan was supportive of Yoda, Ki-Adi Mundi believed that’s Yoda’s claim that he had spoken to the dead was be impossible and the Sith must be manipulating him. Ki-Adi Mundi represents what is wrong with the Jedi Order during the fall of the Republic. He, much like Mace Windu, is close minded, arrogant, and unwilling to change. It is this arrogance and complacency that will lead to the eventual downfall of the Jedi Order in Revenge of the Sith. Yoda asked Anakin to help him escape. It was a great character moment between the two of them. Anakin had Artoo go with Yoda and they took off in Yoda’s adorable, miniature starfighter. Yoda began his first journey to Dagobah…

The scene where Yoda arrived on Dagobah was beautiful, and Dagobah looked absolutely perfect. John William’s music was also perfectly used throughout this episode, particularly Yoda’s theme. The disembodied voice of Qui-Gon greeted Yoda. Although Qui-Gon could not physically appear, a small group of fireflies acted as Yoda’s guide. Qui-Gon’s assertion that Dagobah is strong in the Force and one of the purest places in galaxy, helped us understand why Yoda would later choose this swampy world as his home. Qui-Gon went on to say, “I am a manifestation of the Force. The Force consists of two parts. Living beings generate the living Force which in turn powers the well spring that is the cosmic force.” This is one of the clearest explanations of what the Force is and how it works, but it didn’t over-explain it or take the element of mystery away. Qui-Gon continued, “All energy from the living Force, from all things that have ever lived, feeds into the cosmic force. Binding everything and communicating through the Midi-Chlorians. Because of this I can speak to you now.” Ok, this makes me feel better about Midi-Chlorians. I didn’t hate them as much as some people, but they did bother me. It made the force too scientific, but this line of dialogue from Qui-Gon helped remedy that. Midi-Chlorians are simply the vessels through which the Force communicates to all living beings. Qui-Gon then told Yoda that the answers he seeks are in the cave, yes that cave. Qui-Gon warned, “Be wary. Give power to that which you fear, and it will show itself to you.”

As Yoda entered the cave, it began to fill with a black smoke and he began to see visions of the future. He saw visions of Order 66, the murders of Jedi Masters Fisto, Tinn, and Kolar at the hands of Darth Sidious, Shaak Ti’s death based off the deleted scene from Revenge of the Sith in the Jedi Temple, Mace Windu being electrocuted and thrown out a window, and finally Darth Sidious himself. Yoda collapsed as a result and when he woke up he asked Qui-Gon if there is any hope the Jedi can prevail. Qui-Gon responded, “There is always hope my friend. Though it often comes in forms not looked for. The key is knowing how to see it and seizing that opportunity. I have been tasked with guiding you forward. There can be many outcomes, but your path is clear Yoda. You have been chosen, as I was before you.” Qui-Gon then told Yoda he will learn to contact the living after death. Qui-Gon continued, “Darks times are ahead, but forces of light must remain. This is the path of only a few Jedi.” This might be the line from the episode that stuck with me the most. It showed Qui-Gon recognizes the dark times are ahead and that most of the Jedi will die. Qui-Gon bid farewell to his friend and told Yoda to travel to one of the origins of all life in the galaxy. “Voices” allowed us to explore the Force like never before, brought back Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn, and put a well-deserved focus on Yoda.

What Worked

• The return of Qui-Gon Jinn (And Liam Neeson!)
• Finally another Yoda story!
• An exploration of the Force that didn’t strip away the mystery or spiritual nature of the Force
• Yoda on Dagobah and the use of John Williams’ music

What Didn’t Work

• The deprivation chamber scene

External Links:

• StarWars.com Episode Guide
• Wookieepedia Episode Summary