Season 3 Episode 4

“A child stolen is a lost hope.”

Chi Eekway and Che Amanwa, Chairman Papanoida’s daughters, are kidnapped and held for ransom. Ahsoka Tano teams up with the Senator from Pantora, Riyo Chuchi, to aid the new chairman in recovering his family before the Trade Federation can unduly influence the future of his planet.

The Chairman and his son, Ion, track down the kidnapper — Greedo — on Tatooine, and rescue Che Amanwe. Meanwhile, Ahsoka and Chuchi find Chi Eekway held captive aboard a blockading Trade Federation battleship over Pantora, and expose Trade Federation officer Sib Canay as a Separatist conspirator.

Sphere of Influence Commentary, Preview and starwars.com Episode Guide.

Concept Art and Trivia

Chairman Papanoida is based on George Lucas’ cameo appearance in the opera house scene in Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Papanoida’s family members are based on Lucas’ children. Given the amount of dialogue delivered by Papanoida, voice actor Corey Burton plays the role, who gives a nod to the character’s roots by basing his voice on another famous director, Orson Welles.

Chi Eekway Papanoida is based on Katie Lucas, the writer of this episode, who also appeared in Episode III as the Senator of Pantora. Hasbro previously released a Chi Eekway action figure, and incorrectly speculated that the blue-skinned Senator might have had Twi’lek head-tails under her heavy robes. Katie also appeared as a purple Twi’lek nightclub patron in Episode II, and Anakin’s friend Amee in Episode I.

Che Amanwe Papanoida is based on Amanda Lucas. She had previously appeared in the live action movies as Senator Terr Taneel (in Episode III), a nightclub patron named in Episode II, the voice of Neimoidian pilot Tey How in Episode I, and a spectator in Jabba the Hutt’s box at the Podrace arena.

Ion Papanoida is based on Jett Lucas. Jett’s name was the inspiration for Dexter Jettster in Episode II. Jett has previously appeared in the live action movies as Zett Jukassa in Episodes II and III.

Though not technically visited in the course of the episode, images of Pantora appear during the newsreel narration.

Lott Dod makes reference to the “Treaty of 1647,” a legal covenant that assures the Trade Federation’s neutrality. No hint is given, however, of what calendar this may refer to.

If you thought you spotted Senator Onaconda Farr roaming the Senate hallways, you’re correct. This episode takes place before the Rodian Senator’s death in “Senate Murders.”

Embo and Sugi from the season two episode “Bounty Hunters” have cameo appearances inside Jabba the Hutt’s palace.

In the 1990s, the book Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina told a different tale of Greedo’s past that presented him as a misguided youth orphaned by Rodian clan wars and corrupted by bounty hunters. George Lucas’ take on the character established Greedo on Tatooine as of Episode I (he’s around Anakin’s age, and seen scuffling with Skywalker in a deleted scene included in the Episode I DVD) and the Rodian has pretty much always been a luckless thug.

Ion calls Greedo “sleemo,” which is Huttese for “slimeball.”

The Twi’lek dancer who aids Baron Papanoida in finding Greedo is unnamed in the episode, though she is identified as Trella Bare’Ah in the script and credits.
Rodians have green blood.

Also seen, but without speaking roles, are Orn Free Taa, Chancellor Palpatine, Mas Amedda and Captain Typho.