Shodu Warrick

Biography

Mother of four Ewoks

Shodu Warrick, a female Ewok, originated from the Forest Moon of Endor. As a member of the Ewok tribe inhabiting Bright Tree Village on Endor, she married the Ewok warrior Deej Warrick—whom she had known from his youth—and became the mother to Weechee, Widdle, Wicket, and Winda Warrick. To safeguard their children from perilous creatures, Shodu and Deej implemented a rule mandating their return home by nightfall.

On one occasion during Wicket's youth, he planned a fishing trip to a river, eager to be free from the younger woklings. However, when Shodu and Wicket's younger sister, Winda, passed by, Shodu proposed that he take Winda along to catch some trout. Holding a basket of berries, she suggested that Winda would enjoy the outing. Despite Wicket's initial reluctance, he eventually conceded after receiving a stern look from Shodu.

The siblings journeyed towards the river atop Wicket's pet bordok, Baga, but their trip was cut short when Wicket fell into poison ivy, which Shodu had strictly forbidden. Frustrated by the abrupt end to their fishing trip, Wicket angrily shouted at Winda. Consequently, the young wokling ran crying into Shodu's arms. After hearing the entire story, Shodu comforted Winda, assuring her that Wicket did not intend to hurt her feelings. When Wicket retorted that Winda had ruined his day, Shodu scolded him, telling him to visit the shaman Logray's hut to obtain a powder for his rash. Eventually, Wicket returned and apologized to Winda. During the Ewok Festival of the Wisties celebration, Shodu was present, holding a Wistie Fest pie during the festivities.

On another occasion, at the annual raft race, Weechee and Willy partnered in the rafting event. Weechee became frightened while in a cave and required rescue by Willy, causing them to finish the race later than the other participants. Shodu and Deej were among those awaiting their arrival at the finish line, expressing gratitude for their survival. As the family returned to the village, Shodu embraced Willy, praising his bravery. Willy attributed his bravery to a magic stone, only to discover that he had lost the stone and had been brave on his own merit.

Saving Deej

In 3 ABY, Warrick was present in Bright Tree Village when the Dulok species launched an invasion using invisibility soap. She also witnessed her husband's injury after he was cut by a fungus. Upon Deej's return home, he was disoriented and unable to recognize anyone. Despite Shodu's attempts to care for him with potent forest medicines, her efforts proved futile. She expressed that she had never seen him in such a state, as he did not even recognize his own family. Wicket suggested seeking Logray's assistance, a suggestion with which Shodu agreed, noting that Deej's fur was changing from gray to white, and he appeared to be aging rapidly.

She inquired with Logray about the cause of Deej's condition, but he was uncertain. After Wicket described the fungus, Logray acknowledged its seriousness, which worried Shodu, who asked the shaman if Deej could be saved. Logray then revealed the ingredients required for a cure and tasked Wicket, Willy, and Weechee with their retrieval. The trio then embarked on their mission.

Later that evening, Shodu wept beside Deej's bed, as time was running out. At that moment, her children returned with all the necessary ingredients. Wicket inquired whether they were too late, but Shodu reassured him that they had arrived in time. As his family watched anxiously, Logray prepared an antidote to the fungus, and Deej awoke from his slumber. Shodu rushed to him, expressing her joy at his return. A confused Deej inquired about his whereabouts, to which Shodu replied that it was a long story. She informed him that he had three wonderful sons who had successfully obtained the ingredients for his cure.

Ewoks grow up

When several Ewoks, including Weechee and Willy, embarked on a journey to the Tree of Light, Shodu was there to bid them farewell, urging her sons to be careful and return safely. After receiving instructions from Master Logray, the group departed, with Willy calling out goodbye to his mother, who reciprocated. As Shodu watched them leave, she wept into a handkerchief, remarking on how quickly her children seemed to have grown. Subsequently, she was among the Ewoks gathered around a fire when Logray recounted the tale of how the Sunstar and Shadowstone were reunited with the Ewoks. Shodu would later cheer for Wicket as he took his first steps toward becoming an Ewok warrior.

One day, while Wicket was performing chores at home, Shodu reminded him to make his hammock, which he did while complaining about the tasks. He longed to be outside with the Ewok warriors, but when he attempted to leave the house, Shodu pulled him back, inquiring whether the firewood had been stacked. Wicket had done so, but ineffectively, as it fell back to the ground. He tried to leave again, but Shodu reminded him that she had asked him to peel berries for a festival. Wicket insisted that such tasks were for kids, to which Shodu replied that that was why she had asked Wicket in the first place. She also informed him that after he finished peeling, he was to wash some gourds.

Wicket then declared that he had had enough and would be moving out. Shodu indulged him, asking if he truly would. Wicket insisted that he was no longer a child. Shodu remained skeptical, offering Wicket a scarf for his journey, which Wicket accepted with confusion. He then informed her that he would not be returning, and that not even one million munyips could convince him to do so. Shodu then wondered aloud to Winda whether Wicket would remain in the forest as long as his brothers had.

Indeed, after a short time, Wicket and his friend Teebo, who had accompanied him, returned to the Warricks' house, where a party was taking place. While sitting next to Shodu, Wicket confessed that he had not realized how much he would miss everyone. Shodu agreed, stating that life would not have been the same had his absence continued, and she kissed him on his head. On another occasion, after the Totem Master nearly succeeded in capturing several young Ewoks, including Wicket, Shodu was present for their return in a bordok-drawn wagon. She winced as Teebo accidentally caused numerous items from the wagon to fall on top of the Ewoks.

A memorable birthday

Shodu's gift

On Shodu's birthday, Wicket searched extensively for a gift for her. Despite Teebo's attempts to assist him with his magic, he was unsuccessful. Wicket worried that he would not be able to find a gift in time for Shodu's party that night, but he then discovered a map to a Lost Temple, where he hoped to find a jewel for his mother.

Teebo discovered what he believed to be a gem, but it was actually the egg of a serpent. Shodu's party took place that night, with Shodu and her family seated at the front of a dance party accompanied by music. The wokling Malani presented Shodu with a birthday cake, wishing her a happy birthday. Shodu thanked her, and Malani noted that it was her first attempt at making such a cake. After eating a slice, Shodu, despite struggling to swallow the bite, told her that she would have never guessed.

Wicket then arrived with his gift, still believing it to be a gem. Shodu thanked him, asking where he had found such a gem. Wicket deflected the question by casually mentioning that he had simply found it lying around. Shodu loved her present and proceeded to dance with Wicket on the dance floor. It was then that another Ewok who had accompanied Wicket to the Lost Temple, Latara, discovered that the jewels were in fact serpent eggs when they hatched. Her friend Kneesaa a Jari Kintaka had Teebo dance with Shodu so that she could explain the situation to Wicket. Although confused, Shodu accepted the dance.

Here come the Duloks

Kintaka explained that the gem had hatched a serpent. Later that night, Wicket approached Shodu; just before he could explain, the Dulok Umwak captured the two Ewoks in a net, as the King of the Duloks, Gorneesh, had instructed Umwak to find an anniversary gift for his wife, Queen Urgah. Shodu and Wicket were brought before the King and Queen, and Umwak presented the gem hanging from Shodu's neck. Shodu slapped his hand away when he tried to take the jewel, and Umwak further declared that the two Ewoks would be her servants. Umwak again tried to take the jewel, and Shodu again refused. Wicket asked her to give it to him, but she protested, reminding him that it had been his gift to her. Urgah then ordered Shodu to bow to her, which two Dulok guards tried to make her do; Wicket told them to leave his mother alone, leaping at Gorneesh in anger, who kicked him backward.

In retaliation, Shodu knocked the heads of two Duloks together. As Urgah asked Gorneesh to give the Ewoks an awful punishment, her egg hatched, with the baby serpent biting the queen on the nose. Shodu told Wicket to run, which they both did as Urgah shouted at Gorneesh over the quality of her anniversary gift. As Shodu and Wicket walked back to the village, the former asked the latter where he had gotten the present in the first place. Wicket again tried to evade the question, but he eventually gave in, reluctantly telling her all about the temple. He explained that he had only done it to find his mother a fine present, but Shodu told him that the only present that mattered to her was being together with her family. Wicket then asked her to show him how to perform the flip she did against King Gorneesh, and Shodu warned him that she would show it to him up close if he were to again break the rules; Wicket chuckled weakly.

A strange comet

Shodu later attended a ceremony celebrating a number of Ewoks completing their Belts of Honor. The ceremony was interrupted by Wicket, who, attempting to warn Chief Chirpa of what he thought was a falling comet, accidentally rode in on Baga, causing a scene. After Chirpa determined that the so-called comet was only a lantern bird, he had Shodu escort away Wicket as well as Teebo, who was with him. Wicket asked his mother if she believed his claims about the comet, but she merely told him that she believed he would be in much trouble if he were to interrupt the ceremony once more. She kissed him on his head and told him and Teebo to behave themselves.

However, in reality, the comet was a vessel that was utilized by a being known as the Stranger, who convinced the Duloks to attack the Ewok village. They did so happily, swinging in on vines and causing chaos. A pair of them chased after Winda, who ran inside the Warrick home, calling for her mother. They followed after her, only to be repelled by Shodu, who was angry that they tried to frighten her daughter; she picked up Winda, who shook her fist at the Duloks. The Stranger's real objective was the Sunstar, which he successfully—albeit temporarily—retrieved. Once the little Ewoks had reclaimed the Sunstar, Chirpa and Shodu rewarded them with Beads of Bravery.

Endor adventures

Later, after Wicket fought with a hanadak, several of Wicket's friends assumed that he was dead. Among them was Teebo, who, after finding Wicket's slingshot, said that Shodu would want to have her son's weapon. They later discovered that he had survived and had been taken in by a village of mimphs. After a surprise snowy season was reversed by the Snow King, Shodu and her family went outside to appreciate the sunny weather. Shodu also helped prepare for the Ewok Fishing Festival; she and Malani were responsible for preparing a net. After she was done with her half, she checked on Malani's, who proclaimed that she, too, had finished. Shodu complimented Malani on her first attempt, who thanked her. Shodu then gave Malani a kiss.

At another point, Shodu was walking in the village, attempting to hold both Winda and a basket of sunberries. Baga trotted over to her to help, though after Shodu gave him the basket, the weight became too much for the bordok, who collapsed beneath it. As Shodu cried out, the disguised quarf known as Silky walked over and picked up the basket with its mouth. Shodu chuckled and noted Silky's wonder.

Festival time

For a later Ewok carnival, Shodu baked many sunberry pies. As she needed many sunberries for the job, she had her son Wicket retrieve more for her. When he came back, he was accompanied by Kneesaa, who noted that Shodu's pies were always good enough to take first prize. Wicket then attempted to sneak away, but Shodu stopped him and asked for him to take Winda to a Tumble Bunnies show. When Wicket resisted, his mother reminded him that all of his friends had been given the same responsibility for their respective siblings. She also hinted that her giving Wicket permission to go on the warriors' overnight trip hinged on his doing a good job. Wicket relented and went to see the bunnies' show.

However, Wicket went against his mother's instructions, and instead of taking the woklings to see the show, he took them to Horville's Hut of Horrors, where they were greatly frightened. Afterward, he took them back home, where he could not get the young woklings to stop crying. Shodu and the other adult Ewoks then returned, with Shodu inquiring what was happening. Quickly trying to cover, he told Shodu that they were having a sleepover and that their crying was simply for more of Shodu's sunberry pie. Weechee, who had arrived with Shodu, had noticed that the Hut of Horrors was back in town, and he recalled that when he had taken Willy to see the show, he had been unable to sleep at night for days. Shodu chimed in, remembering that she thought his nightmares from the hut would never end.

That night, as several of the Ewoks and woklings had a sleepover at Wicket's house, Shodu wished all of them goodnight. Wicket used a device that had been built by Logray to prevent the woklings from experiencing nightmares; however, the device malfunctioned, and all of the dreams were instead given to Wicket. Shodu appeared in the dreams, where she told him that he would be banned from leaving the house for scaring his sister. In reality, Shodu was sitting next to Wicket, trying to wake him up from his apparent nightmare. It was then that he came clean to Shodu, professing having taken the woklings to the Hut of Horrors. She then understood why the nightmares had occurred and thanked him for telling the truth. Wicket still wished to go to the overnight trip with the other warriors, but Shodu told him he would be permitted to go on the next one as he would be busy that day; Wicket was forced to act as the new host of the Tumble Bunny show instead of the regular Tumble Bunny trainer.

Caring for Norky

Shodu later took in a young individual named Norky when his mother and father were away. When Norky arrived, he handed Shodu a bunch of flowers, which the latter considered sweet. Wicket was not excited for Norky to be there, as he was prone to troublemaking. Indeed, right away he stole all of the cookies that Shodu had baked and framed Wicket and Teebo for doing so, which caused Shodu to be upset. She ordered them to go to Kneesaa's to borrow acorn paste in order to make more.

Later that day, Norky caused trouble on several more occasions, including tricking Latara to fall into a river. When Shodu and the young Ewoks walked along nearby, he quickly explained that she had tripped in the mud. Shodu instructed Latara to go wash herself. Norky asked Shodu if he could stay any longer as he was having fun, and Shodu granted him permission. Shodu was also present when Norky's parents arrived to pick him up, where she assured them that he was no trouble at all.

Other Ewok adventures

Shodu was present during a conflict where the Galactic Empire's physician, Raygar, launched an assault on the village seeking the Sunstar. She was holding Winda during this event, exclaiming that Raygar was attacking. Raygar managed to utilize his weaponry to successfully abscond with the Sunstar, making his escape by air. Some of the young Ewoks, previously taken captive by Raygar's forces, made their way back after the encounter in what they referred to as a "flying canoe."

When Wicket proposed using the "canoe" to retrieve the Sunstar, Shodu expressed her concern, stating that the spacecraft appeared unsafe to her. Latara, however, asserted the vessel's safety and attempted to demonstrate this by piloting it and initiating flight. Once airborne, she struggled to control it, and the flying canoe departed despite Shodu's pleas for them to wait. The Ewoks achieved their objective, eventually returning with the Sunstar, prompting Shodu and many other Ewoks to celebrate its return to their home.

At a celebration planned for Prince Delby, Shodu assisted in serving the provisions; however, the disruptive group known as the Pugs appeared instead of the prince, rapidly consuming all the food, much to Shodu's dismay.

Arrival of Humans

Providing Care for Cindel

In 3 ABY, Shodu stood near the edge of Bright Tree Village with Winda in her arms, alongside her spouse, Deej, who was searching for Willy and Weechee, who had ventured into the woods and not yet returned. As Deej departed to find them, Wicket approached his mother and communicated with her in Ewokese. He then pursued Deej, only to be instructed to remain with Shodu.

Despite this, Wicket wandered off and returned with two Humans: Cindel and Mace Towani. Wicket introduced Mace to Shodu, and they all took a seat inside the Ewoks' dwelling. As Cindel informed her brother of her discomfort, Mace inquired about food for her. Shodu then prepared and offered medication for the ailing child.

Cindel refused it, stating she was not hungry. Mace then escorted his sister to a hammock for rest, but she was unresponsive. As he questioned if she could hear him, Shodu once more offered the medicine. Mace initially declined, mistaking it for food due to his lack of understanding of Ewokese. However, she persisted, and Mace eventually recognized it, tasting it himself before giving it to Cindel. The medicine provided relief, but Cindel still needed to rest.

The Missing Parents

The following day, Shodu was again present in the dwelling, holding Winda, as Mace attempted to request more medication for Cindel. Mace and some Ewoks journeyed to a senoti tree in the forest to gather more medicine. Upon their return, Shodu administered more of it to Cindel. She also noticed Mace's injuries from his journey and attempted to assist him, but Mace declined, requesting she prioritize Cindel's care.

After Cindel recovered from her fever and Shodu had nursed her back to health, the Towani family's subsequent objective was to locate their missing parents. The evening before Wicket's departure, Shodu tucked him into bed and rocked Winda's cradle. Shodu wept, as no Ewok had ever returned from the Gorax's lair, their family's intended destination. Deej noticed and beckoned her to him, embracing her.

Shodu bid farewell to her sons, husband, and the Towanis, hugging each family member before waving goodbye. She also kissed Deej in farewell. The group's mission was a success, and they eventually returned with Cindel and Mace's parents. Shodu and Logray were awaiting their return. That night, a celebration was held, which Shodu attended. During the party, she handed an item to Catarine, the children's mother, who expressed her gratitude.

Sanyassan Assault

During that same year, Shodu was among the Ewoks captured during a raid on Bright Tree Village by a group of Sanyassan Marauders. She was with her family and Cindel Towani in one of the wagons used by the Sanyassans to transport the captured Ewoks. With Shodu's assistance, the Ewoks created a hole in the wagon's floor, but it was only large enough for Wicket and Towani to escape. Shodu and the remaining Ewoks were taken to a Sanyassan prison, where they were confined behind bars.

Towani and Wicket later returned with their new companions, Noa Briqualon and Teek. After unlocking all the cells, they followed Wicket to escape, with Shodu arming herself with a blaster. Briqualon used a small explosive to create an opening in a wall, which they all used to escape, fleeing towards Briqualon's starship. The Sanyassans pursued them, leading to a battle between the two factions.

Shodu participated in the battle, using her blaster to fire upon the Sanyassans. At one point, she retreated from incoming blaster fire, pursued by a marauder. Eventually, the Ewoks won the battle after Wicket defeated the Sanyassan King Terak, and Shodu watched as Briqualon and Towani said their goodbyes and prepared to leave the moon in Briqualon's starship. Shodu waved to Towani as she boarded the craft.

Personality and Characteristics

Shodu Warrick was a compassionate and affectionate mother to her four offspring, taking immense pride in each of them and exhibiting a strong protective instinct. She affectionately referred to Wicket as "honey drop." While her husband remained unaware of Wicket's adventurous nature, Shodu recognized the parallels between Deej's youth and Wicket's. When Wicket prepared to go fishing, Shodu ensured Winda could accompany him, ensuring she was not excluded. Shodu later became emotional when her two eldest sons, Weechee and Widdle, were to visit the Tree of Light, noting how quickly they seemed to have grown. She also expressed pride when Wicket initiated his training to become a warrior. On another occasion, when Wicket threatened to leave home permanently, Shodu dismissed it, knowing her son well enough to expect his return. She doubted Wicket's claim of seeing a comet fall from the sky, and when Wicket was falsely accused of stealing cookies, she did not believe his innocence and compelled him to gather ingredients to make more.

On her birthday, Shodu displayed politeness when Malani presented her with a cake, despite the difficulty she had swallowing it. She expressed great gratitude to Wicket for his gift and resisted when the Duloks attempted to take it from her. After one of them tried to harm her son, she became enraged and fought off the Duloks. After Wicket apologized for not providing his mother with a good gift, Shodu insisted that the best present was being with her family. Shodu and Wicket formed a closer bond during this experience. She also showed herself to be a loving wife, demonstrated by her deep concern for Deej when he fell ill.

When Cindel Towani was brought to her dwelling in a state of sickness, Shodu Warrick attempted to heal her with her medicine, persistently offering it until the young girl accepted it. She later became very distressed at the thought of most of her children traveling to the gorax's lair, a location considered a death trap by the Ewoks. Deej calmed her down with a hug, though her worry did not completely disappear. Warrick had yellow eyes and brown fur that later turned gray.

Abilities and Skills

Warrick was a renowned pie maker, earning awards for her creations. In addition to possessing fighting skills that enabled her to fend off several Duloks, she was also a skilled herbalist, capable of curing Cindel Towani of a severe fever. She could also utilize her herbalist skills to create medicines from plants to treat common illnesses.

Possessions

Warrick sometimes wore a yellow dress with a pink hood adorned with flowers. On other occasions, she wore a red-and-brown dress that also featured a flower on its hood. At night, she wore purple pajamas. She also wore gold earrings in her ears along with a necklace.

Behind the Production

Notable Appearances

Shodu Warrick was conceived for the 1984 television movie Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure, where she was played by Pam Grizz and voiced by Nancy Carlin, who recalled recording the voiceover in a traditional manner, synchronizing the actors' voices with the visuals. She also remembered Ewokese words such as "den," meaning "no." She became a member of the Screen Actors Guild because of the film and considers her involvement a memorable experience. Caravan of Courage was filmed in Marin County, California between June and August of 1984. Grizz reprised her role as Warrick in the 1985 film Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, but Carlin did not.

Warrick later became a central character in both seasons of the animated series Ewoks. In the first season, which aired in 1985, she was voiced by Nonnie Griffin, while in 1986's second season, she was voiced by Esther Scott. Producer and writer Paul Dini mentioned that for Season One, Shodu was among the characters they wanted to keep in the show, so she was given a smaller role. Her role was significantly expanded for Season Two as the series' producers wanted to emphasize her strong, maternal image instead of her just being a background character. Her character design was also updated, making her appear heavier.

During the 1988 marketing for Ewoks, Warrick was among twelve characters from the series, along with characters from the Star Wars: Droids series, that were featured on the packaging for Dairylea cheese products. Shodu was first given the last name "Warrick"—similar to her family name—in 2008's The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia. In the 2013 non-canon video game Star Wars: Tiny Death Star, Warrick was available as a Bitizen that could be acquired from one of the game's Salvage Missions.

Discrepancies

One of the episodes in which Warrick appears, "To Save Deej"—which aired on October 28, 1985—was adapted into a young readers book titled Wicket and the Dandelion Warriors: An Ewok Adventure. Published on November 12 of that year, the book contained several differences from the episode. Shodu is given the line "Can you save my husband?," a line which Wicket originally had in the episode that instead went, "Isn't there something we can do?" In the original episode's end, when Weechee, Willy, and Wicket return with ingredients for a cure, Wicket asks if there is still time to save Deej, and Shodu confirms that there is.

The book portrays this scene differently: when Wicket arrives, Logray dejectedly says that no time remains. Shodu then insists that there is, instructing Wicket to give Logray the ingredients so that the cure can be made. The other lines of dialogue that the adaptation adds do not contradict with the episode. As such, this article portrays both the episode and the book as canon, deferring to the original source where the two contradict.

A second adaptation of the episode, also titled To Save Deej, misspells Warrick's name as "Shodi."