The Zillo Beast Strikes Back

"The most dangerous beast is the beast within."

- Moral

"The Zillo Beast Strikes Back" is the nineteenth episode of Season Two of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series. It aired on April 10, 2010 in the UK and is scheduled to air on April 16 in the US.

Official description
''Republic forces bring the Zillo Beast back to Coruscant for study. When it escapes, the Jedi must choose between saving millions of lives and destroying the Zillo Beast, the last of its kind.''

Plot summary
The Zillo beast is transported to Coruscant for study. Mace Windu is skeptical and fears that the creature may cause trouble for the planet, though Supreme Chancellor Palpatine assures him that determining the secret of its invulnerability will bring a closer end to the war. Windu brings his concerns to Obi-Wan, who believes that bringing the creature to Coruscant is not worth it.

Meanwhile, study of the Zillo beast is taken under personal study by Dr. Sionver Boll, who has it sedated and restrained. As she explains to Palpatine, attempting to remove the creature's scales to examine them to synthesize a stronger armor would be extremely painful to it. Palpatine suggests that killing it would be the best option. Boll protests, stating that the Zillo beast isn't only the last of its kind, it may also be sentient; Palpatine dismisses the possibility for the giant beast, which growls at his comment and stares at the Chancellor. Palpatine orders the use of the Malastarian fuel to be used as a poison to quickly kill the beast and threatens to replace Boll if she doesn't have the stomach to do it.

At the Senate, Anakin sees Obi-Wan talking to Padmé. He quickly guesses that Obi-Wan wants him to talk to the Chancellor to discuss the fate of the Zillo beast. Padmé points out that the beast was brought to Coruscant against its will and has no literal voice to defend itself. Reluctantly, Anakin agrees. When both he and Padmé meet with the Chancellor, the latter and Mas Amedda try justifying that killing the beast is for the greater good; Anakin stays neutral and acknowledges both points of view; Palpatine remarks that Obi-Wan taught him well.

Back in Boll's lab, she attempts to administer a small dosage of Malastarian fuel as a poison gas to euthanize of the Zillo beast. Unfortunately, when a small amount was applied, the creature breaks free of its bonds and goes rampaging across Coruscant. When it sees the Senate, it makes its way towards it, planning on getting revenge on Palpatine. The Chancellor, Padmé, Anakin and R2-D2 evacuate to the former's escape shuttle, only to be caught by the beast just as they take off. Anakin comes up with a dangerous plan to free them by slicing off the front part of the shuttle, while Yoda and Aayla Secura distract the beast. But when the front half splits off, Anakin, Padmé, and R2 fall out, while the Chancellor and Senate commando fall a level below. R2 manages to grapple himself to the side while Anakin helps Padmé up from slipping off the edge. The Zillo beast then attempts to crush Palpatine with its hand, only for R2 to quickly fly in and save the Chancellor, while the commando is crushed saving him. Gunships then fired poison gas at the beast, causing it succumb and die.

The next morning, the body of the Zillo Beast is carted away. Anakin laments that it was sacrificed for their mistakes. Palpatine promises everyone that he'll make sure that sacrifice was not in vain. As he and the Jedi part ways, the former gives new orders to Boll: clone the beast.

Cast

 * Ian Abercrombie as Chancellor Palpatine
 * Dee Bradley Baker as Clone troopers
 * Terrence Carson as Mace Windu
 * Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
 * Jennifer Hale as Aayla Secura
 * Tom Kane as Yoda and Narrator
 * Matt Lanter as Anakin Skywalker
 * Cara Pifko as Doctor Sionver Boll
 * Stephen Stanton as Mas Amedda
 * James Arnold Taylor as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Senate Guard
 * Fred Tatasciore as Zillo Beast
 * Catherine Taber as Padmé Amidala

Notes and references
The Zillo Beast Strikes Back