Star Wars: Rebels

[ctg]

Interesting take on Ezra given his current interest in the Darkside.

A Sith would have gone on a full rampage, while a Jedi would have cried and never done that, but Ezra's not seeming offended by the act or too interested on killing everyone as it should be with the Grey's.

 

[ctg]

More Mandalorians.

Battlestar Galactica alum Katee Sackoff voiced the role of Bo-Katan Kryze, Pre Vizsla's trusted Death Watch lieutenant and the sister of Mandalorian Duchess Satine Kryze, in four episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and yesterday, while appearing at Oz Comic-Con (Sydney, Australia), Sackoff revealed (via Sci Fi Central Australia) that she's reprising the role for the third season of Star Wars Rebels and has already completed his voice work on the Disney XD animated series.

"While this is definitely big news, it all makes sense based on what we learned about Rebels Season 3 at Star Wars Celebration Europe," ComicBook.com's Star Wars expert Lucas Siegel said. "We know that Sabine and the Mandalorians have a major arc this season, and we also know that Sabine's family, the Wrens, are of House Vizsla - whom Bo-Katan has quite the history with. Seeing how these two Mandalorian women from rival families interact has the potential for a lot of fun, excitement, and some literally explosive results."

Katee Sackhoff's Clone Wars Character Returning In Star Wars Rebels Season 3

 

[ctg]

If you slow down the trailer at the very end, you'll see a glimpse from Kanan being possessed by same green force spirits that you'll see in the glow of Maul's green eyes. It is the signature of Nightsister power, and while Talzin was killed, her soul escaped in same faction as what Yoda thought to Master Kenobi.

Wookipedia claim that Ventress was slaughtered in the attempt to take Emperor's life, while he was still in the disguise of just the Chancellor Palpatine. But the way I remember it is that last time we saw Ventress was about the time, when she headed off to Level 1313. And for all this time I've been expecting her to being siding Ashoka in her battle against Vader, and the Emperor.

So, I am speculating that either Talzin will return to teach something to Kanan about the Force, or Ventress has reached the stage in her life, where she's nearing the power that Talzin was handling, while she was still in charge of the Night Sisters.

We know that Emperor ordered Dathomir's citizens to be slaughtered for the last man. And the Nightsister's clan was eliminated as the result. But there is no saying that Nightsister's "force" magic didn't survive, just like we have seen from the evidence in the Sith Temple.

The Sith are all powerful, but taken that Darthomir's people have been seen travelling in the galaxy, the chances are that some of their members survived the kill order. Or that's I feel as we can see clearly that not all droids were eliminated after the Order 66 were executed.

What do you think?

 

[ctg]

Season 3 premier "Steps Into Shadow" synopsis.

Having established a secret base on Atollon, the Ghost crew, now led by a more powerful Ezra, strengthens the rebel fleet by acquiring new resources and recruits eager to stand against the Empire. However, the Imperial efforts to eliminate the rebellion are now being led by the coldly analytical Grand Admiral Thrawn, whose strategic, tactical and cultural insights make him a threat unlike any they have faced before. In season three, Ezra and Sabine take on new roles and challenges as the rebels prepare for their biggest mission yet – a direct assault on the Empire.

 

[Juliana]

Sounds good, ctg! Really looking forward to Season 3! Yesterday I watched a couple of the Season 2 episodes to get in the mood...

 

[ctg]

Yesterday I watched a couple of the Season 2 episodes to get in the mood...

We watched whole season in two afternoons, and that included 40 minute season premier, which isn't for my knowledge happening in this year. Although I suspect there's going to be a special one later in the season.

When you watch whole second season from beginning to the end, you'll get more out from the story. One that flows very nicely and actually, everything kind of makes more sense than what it was in the weekly episodes.

To be honest, I think Disney should do an event and broadcast second season in XD channel to prep audience for upcoming season. I'm especially excited to see old and glorious battle-droids back in the action far more than I'm intrigued by Ezra's plot, which I'm sure will be a good one.

Did you notice Sabine is getting far more important role in this season?

 

[Juliana]

Did you notice Sabine is getting far more important role in this season?

I approve.

Although I don't really have favorites; the characters all work so well together, it's as if they're different parts of the same whole. I can't imagine the story without one of them! (And yes, that includes Chopper, my favorite droid ever.)

 

[ctg]

Chopper, my favorite droid ever.

He certainly has his moments, and in times you can hear what he says. Just think him as having a potato in his mouth and each ommph being a word. He's quite funny in that way.

 

[Juliana]

What I love about Chopper is that he's truly part of the team. They treat him as a crew member, not just as a robot sidekick. It's awesome!

Just think him as having a potato in his mouth and each ommph being a word.

 

[ctg]

For those who don't have time to rewatch both seasons.

 

[ctg]

Spoiler: S03E01

I was wrong, the first episode is a double length special feature, which starts from Ezra and gang rescuing Hondo from Imperial Prison. But the operation isn't just old style "go in and get out" as Ezra shows his Sith influence by murdering Storm Troopers without even feeling a remorse or understanding the implications of his actions.

Kanan isn't impressed by even though without doing what Ezra did the gang would have had hard time on getting out without casualties. Instead he confiscates the Sith holocron and proceeds out from rebel hideout to meet a force creature, while others risk their lives in a mission to acquire fighters from an Imperial shipyard.

What is interesting is that Bandu isn't Sith or Jedi, but "one from the middle." Instead of being like Yoda, he is willing to teach Kanan to "see" without using his eyes. He just doesn't throw his student to the "spiders" without explaining anything.

In fact, Bandu seems to be much better teacher than anyone we've seen so far. And that includes Yoda and Master Kenobi. Thing that surprises me is how fast Kanan applies Bantu's teachings in saving Ezra from trouble.

What did you think?

 

[Juliana]

Spoiler

I absolutely LOVED the Bendu. Great character, although is it just me or does he remind a little of Fangorn the Ent from The Lord of the Rings? (Book version, not movie version)... Anyway, a nice kickoff to the season, with Ezra treading a dangerous path and Kanan still trying to come to terms with sight loss. The next episode teaser shows the Bendu meeting Ezra; looking forward to that!

 

[ctg]

Spoiler: S03E02 - The Holocros of Fate

It is interesting that normal rebels soldier doesn't know the difference between an Inquisitor and a true born Sith. To them they're all "Red Blades," which doesn't necessarily mean that the wielder is automatically one from the dark side. What I mean is that they can be Grey.

Who knows what will happen to Maul now that he's been marked by the Event, and disregarding Darth from staining his name. To him, the "hope" was always his brother. I also know I've been saying that maybe he too is a practitioner of Grey order. Only, so far, I can only think that he now becomes one, because the Event was heavily influenced by Bendu.

There's no doubt in my mind that the location of Rebel Base was intentionally made to happen. There can only be one Jedi. And we all know eventually Luke inherits that mantle in the Return of the Jedi. But who says that since Jedi doesn't have real powerbase, when the Sith are dominant in the galaxy, that the Grey aren't equalising the power structure.

So far there hasn't been many practising their art. But I'm quite certain that most force powers lies in the grey area, because none them would cock a brow, if one of them would unleash Force lightning on their opponents. Jedi would go mental for seeing such event.

What I loved in this episode is the show of Sith powers like the Mind Probe. In fact, to my knowledge, we have seen very little in the range of force powers. Inquisitors certainly haven't shown being able to practice anything else than the basic powers. So, you can guess I'm glad that Mr Lucas isn't any longer in the charge of SW universe.

He would have never allowed Force Creatures like Bendu to exist in the canon material.

What interesting about Bendu is that he isn't afraid of taking anyone as his student. He even allowed Ezra to venture deep into his domain, and start him in the journey to becoming a Grey knight. Because, that's what he'll be in the long run if he retains Kanan as his teacher.

Another thing that I love was those two robots in the middle. They change faces from evil to being annoyed and even sometimes they're even reflicting a bit of boredom. Also Maul's base mined in the planetoid belt was a brilliant move. I hope we'll get to see similar kind of stuff in the Rogue One.

What did you think?

 

[Juliana]

One thing I love - and have always loved - in SWR is the way that Ezra and Kanan's relationship keeps shifting in tiny or large ways all the time, as should be in the case of a Master who wasn't fully trained in the first place and an apprentice who is still in his teens. The questions, the doubts, the leaps of faith all contribute to make it a really rich dynamic.

 

[ctg]

in SWR is the way that Ezra and Kanan's relationship keeps shifting in tiny or large ways all the time

Also in man relationship with Kanan being a father figure to young Ezra, who by now as you say, has definitely reached late puberty and that time is going to be more and less definitely very rebellious. In a way, it's good they have such strong tie between them, because you can be sure that there's going to be some amount of stupidity included, before he reaches adulthood. Although, back in the day, young ones started adult practices as soon as they reached thirteen.

The questions, the doubts, the leaps of faith all contribute to make it a really rich dynamic.

Indeed.

 

[Juliana]

Also in man relationship with Kanan being a father figure to young Ezra, who by now as you say, has definitely reached late puberty and that time is going to be more and less definitely very rebellious.

I saw Kanan and Hera called 'space dad' and 'space mom' somewhere, and it made me laugh. That's what they are, really, a little family of broken misfits trying to deal with life.

 

[Froboy69]

Rebels is freaking interesting; I am pleasantly surprised with how disney have done things.

 

[ctg]

Spoiler: S03E03 The Antilles Extraction

"He's name of Khalab Doom," Maul whisperin Hera Kanan's real name. I don't know if that's really real name or something part of the Maul's Mind Probe. I don't know if Kylo Ren did the same thing as I said, Lucas never revealed much about Sith powers.

But when you look Kanan's new appearance you cannot stop thinking about it. Was it real, and does it have a meaning in the larger scale, because Doom is certainly a thought provoking last name. Especially in terms of grand scale of things if that is Sith name for Kanan.

What is it that Maul really knows about his opposition?

Nothing, because I doubt he sees Bandu's influence in the "Master Jedi." He was seeking "hope" in the "joined holocrons," while Ezra was seeking a knowledge to "End the Sith." The Event didn't warn Maul about how much force is changing.

Or the other players, like Sabine taking much larger role in the scheme of things. She was much of the time in the back row most of the second season, even though she's very capable. More so than what we have seen so far. Hence this episode is good example of her being much like Boba Fett.

In my mind, the infamous bounty hunter has always been able to infiltrate, while it's Sabine, who has shown master the Art of Espionage. Therefore it's interesting to see Wedge being recruited by the core team of rebellion. Later on we know him putting same skills in use as head of the Ghost Squadron.

The legend is that he is the best pilot after Skywalkers.

Will that happen? Most certainly but before that is actuality, a lot has to happen. The rebellion doesn't even have a big fleet to support the operations. In fact, they're at the moment a nuisance in Thrawn's eyes. And if the Empire would catch them, it would be end of the rebellion.

But for seeing Wedge becoming a thing inside the rebel fleet is telling a story about them changing the game, and eventually gaining full attention of the Grand Admiral.

I loved the Empire Training Centre. It shows might of the Emperor, almost like an impenetrable fortress. I found myself thinking about Tolkien's Mordor, especially Barad-dûr, the home of Great Eye. So, as a setting for an espionage mission, absolutely fantastic.

Also,

Agent Kallus showed a surprising loyalty towards the Rebel Movement even though capturing Sabine would have been a major feather on his hat. And that was all thanks for the Unlikely Alliance he made in Genoasian moon with Zeb. Back then nobody though it would save Sabine's bottom and possible warn Kallus to becoming double agent for the rebellion.

 

[ctg]

Rebellion is real! Long live The Rebels!

Spoiler: Hera's Heros

I believe quite many people have sensed that gears are really sifting with Grand Admiral Thrawn lurking in the background. The individual things that people were doing in their own planets needed an united front and what better for it than answering to call just as when the Empire is trying to cull up the upraising.

At this point, there is no United Front. No Battle Banners. Not even ceremonies to put brass on hero's chest. There is nothing but a spirit of a rebellion. Grand Admiral could say, "It's sparks of a war. A birth moment for a serious conflict to tyi together billions of people under a war. And whose better than Imperial Army to provide security against the Rebellion than the Empire," to the Emperor in his report

This episode clearly shows that there's much advanced mind behind the trouble than what the Inquisitors could deliver. All they could prove that they weren't in fact being able to silence the nuisance even thought they were Darth Sidious most loyal hunters.

In a way, Imperial Navy taking all of this so much more seriously is a great thing to see. It also makes things so much more intriguing. And one conflict to another the force is going to stronger until it become Thrawn's business. In the game so many people lose, because he has read Sun Tsu's undying truth of: "To defeat the enemy, you have to know the enemy," to mock Hera's stupidity to his underlings.

Hera's background would have been first thing Thrawn like strategist would have checked, when he received this mission from the Emperor. It is something that she underestimated, because the core crew is well documented in the Imperium machinery. In Grand Admiral's case, he only needed to turn up the heat to get what he wanted.

What a brilliant mind. What a villain!

I loved the way Zeb delivered a new a new disguise to Ezra's collection. He is a fearless warrior and he has a big heart that includes everyone. I hope he lives long even thought things are turning worse.

I felt sad for Chopper pining for his old vessel. He was a dedicated astromech before he'd assume much larger role under Hera's command. But it was him, who saved the day at the end.

What did you think?

 

[ctg]

Spoiler: S03E05 - The Last Battle

I loved it. Disney had done a great job and paid even bigger deal to the details of what I'd call as Old Man's War. Captain Rex did a remarkable job on leading The Last Battle against the Separatist Droid Army. Who would have thought it was a possibility?

I bet many didn't it. I didn't even think in my wildest dreams that they would actually close one the biggest holes in the Clone Wars saga. Where did the droid army go? The answer they gave was the Order 66 was suppose to shut down the droid army completely, but Emperor most probably didn't even think about the sentinel Ai's being able to form own conclusions.

As one thing leads to others, I don't believe the Tactical Droid even thought that similar kind of rebellion would happen in other hidden Separatist locations. What I mean that given it was able to counter the shutdown command as a Republic plot this same scenario could have happened elsewhere in the galaxy. After all it is HUGE place to do all sorts of things.

The amazing thing is that this glorious episode marks as proof of concept for multiple things. Like for the fact that clone's are superior to the stormtroopers. For their life they cannot shoot, where as clones execute fabulously difficult shots in the heat of a battle.

At above Rex moves, dodges a bolt and as he comes up, Rex shoots the droid and then drops another one, that's off the screen on right. Every time he pulls a trigger it hits the target. And all of this in the heat of battle. That is a remarkable skills and far superior to anything Imperials have shown us so far.

Maybe that is because Cpt. Rex is well trained and he is very skilled with handguns. Not just that but he also points that his Generation 1 battle-armour can take hits from bolters and survive. That doesn't happen with the stormtroopers, which support the fact that the Clone Army was better kitted than the Imperials.

Could it be that Emperor didn't wanted to invest money on new stormtroopers to make them as invulnerable, since they were raised from within the Empire? Or was it all put on making the machines for the Imperial Army?