'Star Wars: The Clone Wars': The Poltec translation scene proves the show is not afraid to take risks
Spoiler alert for Season 7 Episode 2: 'Distant Echo'
'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' is ostensibly a children's show, after all, what else would an animated science fiction series without explicit gore, swearing or other adult themes be? What makes the show so strong, though, is the obvious amount of thought that goes into every episode, every season, all tying it into the larger franchise in a way that makes it all look easy. If the movies had had an ounce of storytelling skills of 'The Clone Wars,' the franchise would not have to coast off of the goodwill of its fans.
The show is not afraid to take risks in terms of introducing new concepts to an already complicated lore and the difference between the show and the prequel movies is how well they pull it off. This episode introduces the Poltecs, a primitive tribe of people living on Skako minor who worship and ride large, flying lizards. They seem to be trying to defend their planet from war but aren't doing so well on that front.
The way they speak their language is unearthly. It's more than just a collection of sufficiently alien-sounding syllables, their voices are unique, as well. They talk in a hypnotic, underwater warbling sort of way, as if from lungs that don't work like human lungs do. The Poltecs aren't essential to the main plot, but that the show goes the extra mile to create a unique alien species speaks volumes for its dedication to creating an interesting galaxy.
Tech (Dee Bradley Baker) manages to translate and it's another indication of how dedicated the show is to not just hand-waving away sci-fi tropes by making translation simple. In a 24 minute episode already packed with story, the episode takes the time to slow the pace down, almost painfully slow, as Tech's visor gives him a rough translation of what's being said and he attempts to speak their language in his rough, human-lunged voice - a stark comparison to the beautiful warbling sounds the Poltecs make.
In terms of the plot, the scene could have worked just as well if the Poltecs merely grunted in tribal ways and everyone had universal translators attached - if Tech has the technology, there's no reason why the rest of the Republic wouldn't, but 'The Clone Wars' continues to go out of its way to make sure every new species in the 'Star Wars' galaxy is unique. The work that must have taken is something that's applied to every other aspect of the show and it's what makes 'The Clone Wars' one of the best science fiction shows in history for children and adults.
The next episode of 'Star Wars: Clone Wars' airs March 6, on Disney+.