Full Series Rebels 4.01-4.02 - Heroes of Mandalore - Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)

I really enjoyed the episode. I wanted Mandalorians and I wanted Sabine, got plenty of both.

I know the episodes weren't perfect but if there's one thing I think it did a good job on, it was showing us the general state of Mandalore during the OT and bringing Sabine's backstory in full light when not long ago we knew so little. In my eyes, the episodes were successful for that.

 

I can understand that, I mean, that’s how I feel about ROTJ when people criticize it
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As for the Sabine story, I think they could’ve done a lot better without Bo-Katan, but I may have ranted enough about this subject anyway.

 

ROTJ was the second-best SW movie after ESB, IMO.

 

But what other materials would it need to target? Not many groups/organizations besides stormtroopers and Mandalorians wear a consistent type of armor. Maybe some crime syndicates use armor made of the same material. But in that case, she should have mentioned what exactly she wanted the weapon to be used for.

I get that this was Sabine's arc. Doesn't mean I have to like her, or that this story was centered on her. And do you mind explaining in what ways Sabine has improved? The only "improvement" I can really see in her character is that she'll talk to her family now, when she wouldn't before (and even then, Kanan and Ezra had to work hard to persuade her to return to her family).

 

She made amends with her fellow people, she no longer has to feel like a disgrace or outcast. She learned leadership qualities and took the responsibility when previously she never even wanted to pick up the Darksaber. She learned when to use mercy when many times she wanted revenge and little else. She destroyed the weapon that was a great source of guilt for her and therefore cut a tie to the past.

And there's what you just said. Yeah, I'd say Sabine has developed a lot from what we saw of her in Season 1.

 

Don't get me started on "super jumps" by Jedi; because that's all I remember hearing from critics of the "Future of the Force" episode with Ahsoka.

 

I've rewatched season 3 Sabine-centric episodes. There are details to point out that may help understand the whole Superweapon plot.

-The Empire did not have total control of Mandalorian clans even after occupying Mandalore.
-Sabine's weapon was very important in their conquest for domination
-Sabine stressed that her family abandoned her, while also acknowledging that they will see her as a traitor. Though she feels she is not a traitor in actuality.
-When talking with Ursa, she says The Empire "made her" do something regarding the weapon. She also didn't think The Empire would use the weapon against Mandalore.
-Ursa believes Sabine is selfish, and suspects she willingly worked with the Empire regarding the weapon.
-Saxon only came into power AFTER the construction of The Duchess and its use on The Mandalorians.
-Other ruling clans see Sabine as a traitor and have the power to destroy Clan Wren. Clan Wren sided with The Empire to gain some status to protect itself, but had to give Tristan up to the Supercommando programme and Alrich was taken captive.
-Sabine believes Ursa cares more about politics than her family. Ursa tells her that family is everything she considers.
-The Empire still need Sabine to finish her work.

With these details, it helps me form together an analysis or theory on this plot:

Sabine is an enthusiastic and competitive cadet serving The Empire, clearly not on her family's behalf ("So selfish"). She constructs a deadly weapon capable of destroying specific matter, likely with the idea that it'll help with Mandalore's future. The Empire challenge her or make her programme it to target Beskar ("After what they made me do!"). They begin using it on The Mandalorians once she complies. Sabine speaks out against the actions ("I spoke out! I spoke out to save them!") but her reputation is already scolded by other clans ("...the other ruling clans from seeing you as a traitor"). Clan Wren is also disgraced ("We lost everything!"), and is vulnerable to other clans. Clan Wren does not stand by Sabine due to her Dar'manda reputation ("My family didn't stand with me...they left me"), forcing Sabine to destroy her work and flee Mandalore if she wants to escape The Empire or not be killed by the other clans ("Sabine, when you ran it saved you!").

Once the conquest is over, Saxon is made governor in service to The Empire, he presents the clans with a choice to serve or die. ("Mandalore was on its knees before the Emperor. After he put Saxon in power we were offered a choice..."). The clans all choose to serve for survival ("Everything I do is protect my family, Sabine!") despite all that The Empire did ("After what they did to our people? After what they made me do?"). Sabine is wanted by The Empire so she can finish developing her weapon ("You will finish what you started!").

Sabine is very against taking The Darksaber due to her knowing she has a disgraced reputation ("How can I lead my people? How can I go back and face them!?"). When she arrives on Krownest, The Wrens want to take her prisoner to be held on trial for her actions with The Empire ("Take her to a cell! She'll be held for trial").

The rest is straightforward. I personally think it fits quite well.

 

After the Kanan/Hera moment in part 1, Chopper's line sounds like "Get a room!"

The tall Imperial facility in the middle of a plain reminded me a little of Ezra's tower from the start of season 1 - I think it may have been deliberate mirroring.