Where there's a will, there's a way.
Republic forces on the planet Ryloth are under siege from the Separatist droid army and Republic efforts to send relief supplies to the planet's starving population have been stalled. Senator Bail Organa, accompanied by Representative Jar Jar Binks, is sent to the neutral planet Toydaria to negotiate with King Katuunko to use the planet as a staging area for the relief effort. However, the Separatists have also sent delegates in an attempt to prevent it.
Tropes:
- Anachronic Order: This episode chronologically takes place before "Ambush" (1:01) and the Ryloth Trilogy ("Storm Over Ryloth", "Innocents of Ryloth", and "Liberty on Ryloth"; 1:19-21)
- Call-Forward:
- In this episode, King Katuunko says he would be open to negotiating with the Republic for his planet to host a base, leading into "Ambush".
- Cham Syndulla and several of his Twi'lek Resistance fighters that are featured in "Liberty on Ryloth" appear in this episode.
- Foreshadowing:
- During the debates about using Toydaria as a staging ground for sending relief supplies to Ryloth, Lott Dod mentions that the Separatist Senate will see King Katuunko's violation of his neutrality and the Trade Federation's ships will be under attack. The Separatist Senate itself would later be a major plot point in "Heroes on Both Sides".
- Dod also warns that while Bail Organa got lucky and got the relief supplies past the blockade, he's playing a dangerous game and next time, he won't be so lucky...
- Heroic Sacrifice: Jedi Master Ima-Gun Di and the clone troopers hold off the advancing Separatist droid army long enough to let the Twi'leks and their families get away.
- Heroic Second Wind: Captain Keeli gets knocked down after a battle droid throws a thermal detonator at him and the clone troopers, leaving Master Ima-Gun Di to hold the line by himself. Then, a shot rings out and destroys another Separatist droid, presenting that the captain got back up after only being stunned. He holds the line with the Jedi Master until they are completely overwhelmed and killed.
- Hidden Depths: Jar Jar is very level-headed and calm in this episode, being able to be an effective Senate delegate along with Bail as well as using the usual tactics that lead to clumsiness instead to give a graceful performance.
- Last Stand: Jedi General Ima-Gun Di and his clone troopers sacrifice their lives in order to cover the escape of Twi'lek refugees from the Separatist droid army."Well, let's make the end memorable!"
- Mood Whiplash: This episode features both the desperate last stand of Master Ima-Gun Di and his clone troopers on Ryloth and Jar Jar putting his antics to good use.
- Not So Above It All: The Trade Federation representative who accompanies Lott Dod is sincerely entertained by Jar Jar's antics and applauds him with a happy smile on his face until Lott Dod silences him with a glare.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: Jar Jar puts his reputation as a buffoon to good use when he has to entertain the Separatists with a distracting performance.
- Punny Name: Master Ima-Gun Di and Captain Keeli's names are both puns and references to their Red Shirt status. Unsurprisingly, neither survive the episode.
- Shout-Out: Senator Lott Dod of the Trade Federation is a reference to long-time US Senators Trent Lott and Chris Dodd, who were the co-chairs of the banking committee for many years.
- Take a Third Option: King Katuunko doesn't want his planet to get involved in the Clone Wars. However, at the same time, compassion and helping those in need are sacred Toydarian virtues. He decides to let the Republic send the supplies that they've brought with them, but only those.
- We Need a Distraction: To prevent the Separatist delegates from noticing the departing Republic aid ships through the windows of the banquet hall, Jar Jar stages an impromptu performance with tableware, which is surprisingly effective.
