Full Series Rebels 1.15 - Fire Across the Galaxy (Season Finale!!!) - Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)

Yea, there is many convenient problems.

 

She hasn't even back a full day yet and I'm sure people are going to get banned.

 

To quote Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities:

It seemed somewhat applicable.

 

“Tell me, Jedi, how did you survive Order 66? Hmm? It was your Master Billaba who laid down her life for yours. Do you remember her last word to you, her last, final breath before she died? You do, don’t you?..”
​

“Run.”​

​

Star Wars Rebels arrived on the back of excitement and a fair bit of skepticism after the premature end of The Clone Wars. The attachment of the Disney name did little to alleviate those fears that a childish version of Star Wars lore was arriving during a time period when the darkness of the Empire ought to have been at its powers. Over the course of the first season, certainly some of those fears were warranted, as showcased by the extremely weak opening. But as time went on, the show grew more confident in its storytelling and the relationship between its characters and tonight’s finale was no exception. There are some missteps in terms of continuity (most notably in the beginning) and an hour-long slot could certainly have helped the pacing, but this is overall a pretty solid season finale with a number of shocking moments. Our heroes have escaped as one would expect, but to say that they have escaped unscathed would be a mistake indeed. The fight is only about to get a lot tougher down the road and our rebels are going to get all the help they can.
And it appears they will receive a decent chunk of it.

But before we get to the appearance from You-Know-Who (no, Voldemort doesn’t appear), let’s get to the rescue mission itself. Kanan is still receiving some lovely torture from the Inquisitor, who is primarily interested in knowing the identity of Fulcrum. Of course, only Hera is privy to that information. But the Inquisitor, not being aware of that information, continues to press in with some decent psychological torture regarding Kanan’s survival of Order 66. As it was, Kanan as a Padawan was with his master when the order was executed and the last word Jedi Master Depa Billaba spoke to him was a simple, single word. “Run.” And Kanan ran and one could argue that he hasn’t stopped running since, with the only potentially stabilizing force in his life being the crew of the Ghost. As their leader he found some semblance of hope for the future, but when the Inquisitor asks what his crew would do when they found out he was a coward for running, there’s a visible fear in Kanan’s eye that indeed such trauma could come to fruition. Then he would truly have no one left.

Thankfully the crew arrives to infiltrate the Star Destroyer and garner their friend and it’s done in a fairly intelligent manner. Ezra quickly discovers Kanan’s location but not before they run into the Inquisitor in a fairly obvious callback to the good parts of The Phantom Menace. A fantastic duel breaks out amidst the three combatants as the Inquisitor snarls and takes on both master and apprentice with expected competency. As by far the weakest combatant in the fight, Ezra is taken out fairly quickly. While it’s a little apparent that Ezra is still alive, Kanan only sees the quick fall of his short-lived apprentice. A quiet, resounding fury begins to envelop his visage. “I have nothing left to fear,” he snarls at a determined Inquisitor and the fight begins in earnest to become easily the best confrontation in the series so far. The duel in and of itself is absolutely pulse-pounding, with beautifully animated fight choreography to boot. It’s a true battle of the wills, with Kanan’s ferocity at truly espousing the Force after being beaten to the bare bone providing the thrilling emotional stakes necessary for a fight sequence like this to work. The Inquisitor in his hubris makes a tactical error as he, in true Star Wars fashion, finds himself dangling from the edge of a precipice as his lightsabers fall into the reactor core and cause a series of blasts. As he stares into the eyes of his victorious nemesis, a haunting expression comes over him. He quietly utters “There are some things far more frightening than death” and he tumbles voluntarily towards his death.

The things that are far more frightening than death happens to boil down to a single individual, whose quiet steps down the ramp of an Imperial ship send chills throughout the air. A steady, mechanized rasping fills the air as Vader appears. Yes, an angry Vader is far more frightening than death. But there is at least a fighting chance in sight. A fleet of Alderaanian ships come to the rescue of the Ghost crew. They discover, much to their surprise and or relief, that they are only one of the rebel cells alive and functioning. Coordinating a good deal of this is Senator Bail Organa, who se presence provides this episode with a clear foreshadowing of the eminent, unified Rebel front that hopefully we’ll see building up on our screens. Before this profound revelation truly sets in, we go towards the command central, where Ahsoka Tano reveals herself as Fulcrum. It was a speculation that had been already taken as fact by the fans, but in all honesty it didn’t make the actual revelation any less exciting for me. So that’s where we end this solid beginning to a new chapter in the Star Warsmythology as the old and new come together in a brilliant fashion to propel the galaxy in a new direction. There are new allies and enemies and while the fight certainly is going to be a difficult one, there’s nothing to say that it won’t be a journey worth taking. May the Force be With You and I’ll see you back for Season 2!


Great/Not So Great Moments Not Mentioned Above:

+“Miss me, bucket heads?”
+“Yep, you definitely miss me.”
+“Artist is back.”
+“Not again! Everyone, evacuate!”
+Rebel symbol rising in smoke was a fairly cool shot
+Finally, a good editing cue for the logo
+“That’s not regulation.”; “I kind of like it.”
+Reinforcements at the ready
+“It’ll take them a while to find us”; “They found us.”
+The callback to the vents
+Chopper saving the day
+“This is Fulcrum. Who is this?”
+“Let me borrow that.”; “Yeah, no problem.”
+The Inquisitor surprised by the lightsaber-gun, which is phenomenally used here (I want one)
+Prequel-era music cues
+“That was a mistake.”
+Some great direction from Dave Filoni here, especially the shot of Ezra’s unconscious body
+“The Force is stronger than fear.”
+“I know the feeling.”
+“Well, we know he’s not going to use it.”
+Echoes from A New Hope
+“Well, these things weren’t built for three.”
+“You’re welcome, dear.”
+“Wait, did you know we were a cell?”
+“Fulcrum… My name is Ahsoka Tano.”
+“Unrest all over Lothal and there are whispers from Mustafar.”
+“The Emperor has sent an alternative solution.”

-The stormtroopers’ aim was a little ridiculous in the opening
-Hera’s speech was a little ridiculous considering her previous stance
-The slow motion on the Inquisitor was jarring

Brilliant​

9/10​

 

I can't wait until next season to see what Tarkin and Vader's version of suppressing a rebellion is... It might end up being one of the darker moments of the show.

 

Just to address this issue as it is a part of my responsibilities, name-calling and putting other members down for their opinion(s) is simply unacceptable. This is a community that loves Star Wars and enjoys the adventures in a galaxy far, far away and we're gathered here to celebrate that in a civilized engagement. That includes respecting other people's opinions even if one happens not to agree with them. Thank you, folks.

 

I just really hope they don't turn Vader and Tarkin into pansies like Grievous.

That being said, it would actually be interesting to see the viewpoints of other clone Wars republic heroes elaborated. Not those like Tarkin or those that turned traitor, but the republic military personnel that had formed close ties to the jedi yet stayed with the Empire. Clone commanders-turned aged strategists, the more-friendly non-clone republic officers, etc. What do those that befriended jedi yet followed Palpatine in the rise of the Empire have to say?

 

I just want to say one thing: I did NOT see it coming that Ahsoka is Fulcrum! At least we know she lived through Order 66 after leaving the Order (I know she was technically no longer a jedi).

 

I find it could not be even more obvious who Fulcrum is. The question is did she come back to Ilum to find her lighsabers crystals or not?

 

Yoda also said that "This is your last chance."

I assume that "last chance" here means "last chance to become a 'True Jedi'."

So, Kanan need not to die if he failed his 'last chance'. The 2nd interview with Filoni actually hinted about this deeply. Let me quote (emphasis mine):

That very last line.

Considering that in EU/Legends, Mace Windu is somewhat adept at tapping into the Dark Side to power his Form VII / Vaapad moves, and Depa Billaba is Mace's Padawan, and Kanan is Depa's Padawan...

I think we're in for some interesting rethink of the Force's side in Season 2.

 

If i should take Yoda true to his word, who seemed pretty in the know about what was happening in the galaxy even during his isolation, then by the time ROTJ comes around, Ezra, Kanan, Ahsoka and any other Order 66 survivor should be dead, proclaiming Luke to be the last Jedi in existence. Now that the Inquisitor is gone, and knowing Vader's purpose in exterminating them, having atleast one or two fall at his hands directly or indirectly would make sense. Ahsoka being the most obvious choice given their history. It would be pretty painful for him. And maybe he'd be forced to if Ahsoka openly opposes the Empire. But that is where opinions diverge.

As for Vader being a common antagonist... Filoni already said they will be careful with him;

"Both Vader and the newly reintroduced Ahsoka will be used sparingly in future episodes of Rebels. With Vader especially, “we don’t want to diminish this guy,” Filoni says. “We cannot have him on a TV scenario where he is going to suffer weekly defeats. ”That’s just not going to work — that’s not what he’s about.”

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/03/03/star-wars-rebels-season-finale-exclusive/24245017/

 

Filoni says. “We cannot have him on a TV scenario where he is going to suffer weekly defeats. ”That’s just not going to work — that’s not what he’s about.”


So I guess a monthly defeat is ok then

 

I thought this was an awful, distracting effect during the broadcast. I watched the iTunes version and the slow motion effect is NOT there. I've double checked both and this is the case. I wasn't seeing things during the broadcast and its absolutely not there on the iTunes version.

 

RotS: Vader utterly defeated by Kenobi
ANH: Vader/Tarkin utterly defeated at Yavin
ESB: Vader's plan to capture Luke fails
RotJ: Vader's plan to turn Luke and overthrow Palpatine fails

 

Eh, i wouldn't speak that highly of his track record. He suffered an embarrassing defeat at Yavin, lost to Obi Wan in his prime only to "defeat" him because he gave up deliberately the 2nd time they fought, failed to turn Luke and then got soundly defeated by him sometime after. He isn't doing so well in the new star wars comic series so far either.

He's a mixed bag at best. He knows what defeat is, i don't think it'll be monthly, but i don't count on a string of successes either.

 

Lets look at Vader's defeats, shall we?

Inexperienced pilot who flies an X-Wing the first time manages a "one in a million" shot. This also happens because Tarkin doesn't send enough TIEs to the battle.
Luke Skywalker jumps to his death (you know, TESB Vader stated that he was fine with Luke dying), miraculously survives
R2 arrives on scene and manages to somehow join up with the fleeing Leia, repairing the hyperdrive in the very last second before the tractor beam hits them, thus foiling Vader's plan B (plan A being the stormtroopers on Bespin).

You can hardly blame Vader for losing against "contrived coincidences" and a crew of dedicated and competent fighters.

Compared to the OT heroes, the rebels are for the most part babies (especially Zeb and Ezra) who couldn't even properly repair the ship and think stealing fruit from the Empire is just so dandy. Their leader has no authority whatsoever and quickly caves in when the baby of the crew doesn't follow orders.

 

It would seem unlikely Disney would want the Inquisitor to be killed off too soon. I'm guessing he will return in season 2 although it would make sense for him to die or go into exile before ANH. No-one mentions him in the OT! But who knows what may happen in TFA...

One thing that does grate about the show. In the last episode, at the start, Sabine does all that jumping about to distract the Stormstroopers and the ST can't even get a shot close to her. The ST look imbecilic in the show, which is a pity. I would like them to be much meaner and have a much better aim in TFA. They need to become a bit more bad ass!

In hindsight, Kanan did make a remarkable recovery. He was being tortured by the machine. Ezra enters the room and frees Kanan. Kanan is forced to lean on Ezra. A few seconds later they meet up with The Inquisitor and Kanan is fully fit! Oh well, he is a Jedi, they are tougher than tough!

The painted tie-fighter - silly idea. But the rest was rather good and exciting.

8 out of 10 (although I am viewing it as if I were a teenager rather than as an adult!) I'm sure many teenagers and pre-teens are loving the show.

 

I think his death was to show emphasis, so we know Vader is going to be even more terrorizing next season.

Also on another note, did anyone else notice the rebel insignia that was formed in the smoke cloud near the beginning. I guessing most of you have.

 

A defeat is a defeat, for the empire and for him, no matter how you put it. A powerful "The one" lord of the Sith allowed the above to happen in his presence, directly or indirectly. Vader was intent on turning Luke after learning he is his son, years of obsessive searching and chasing down the drain, he had him where he wanted him, and failed on a personal level. The failures of his men, pilots and officers reflect upon him, they answer to him, and he answers to the emperor in turn. He can be beaten, he can be vulnerable. Vader can be as stubborn as any underling, all we're saying is that people shouldn't be surprised to see him make a mistake once in a while just because he is Vader. His reputation doesn't quite live up to what we have witnessed. He is, after all, just another expendable and replaceable enforcer up in the chain of command whenever someone "better" comes along. Fortunately for him, nobody did.

It's not a popular opinion, but i'll be impressed when he singlehandedly deals the Rebels a few vital blows in succession. Now that the slate has been wiped clean EU wise, he has the chance to show what he's got again. Unfortunately kids TV shows usually favor heroes over villains, so they rarely get the time to shine and live up to the fanbased reputations the community often gives them. Don't expect too much from him in Rebels, he'll give and take a little, but he won't steamroll anyone. I'll eat crow when he does, it's not that i dislike him... I just don't think he's that fearsome most people make him out to be, yet.

 

So spoilers are allowed in this threads again it seems.
Nice Finale but I was expecting to see more Vader so I was bit disappointed. Inquisitor-Kanan-Ezra duel was ok but bit too similar to TPM's- "duel of the fates". Also we didn't go to Mustafar's surface which is bit disappointing as well.

-Stormies had zero hits to good guys and now they openly mocked their aim in-universe so it's really not just character shields but stormtroopers are so bad that even rebels know they suck in aiming- this takes all feeling of danger away from battle scenes and is of course bad writing...
Hopefully Vader also brought some 501st to replace those recruits on Lothal

+Inquisitor's "death" was bit unexpected but quite epic- I think that we will see him again- it is clear that he didn't die or I am very surprised. Every time when bad guy supposedly dies he actually survives- that was the case in TCW and almost always in fiction. Even clearly dead baddies like Maul (and maybe even Palpatine) somehow survive and return. And as someone pointed out Inquisitor's "death" was like Luke's choice in ESB after Vader reveals his identity.

+Ahsoka was not a big surprise- I was thinking the possibility right until the end and there she was alive and well. I always thought they would bring her back in this show. Nice to see her again and her history with Anakin makes all this more personal to her. Bail's involvement was pretty obvious from the beginning though but I guess that little hint of Fulcrum's identity (Ahsoka's tattoo mark in some of the crates) was enough to confirm her involvement, but I thought it could've been just red herring as well.

+Painted Tie was quite epic- especially that Stormtrooper's comment "I kinda like it" was funny. Also the way it connected previous happenings to current situation was nice.

+What is better in Rebels than TCW is the continuous plot that runs from the beginning towards the end without jumping in time and place. TCW had it's moments but it was not one complete story but more like collection of all sort of stories (which is also interesting and nice in it's own way) I still hope that second season takes Lothal rebels to bigger galaxy with less local struggle and more bigger imperial plots and rebel operations all around the galaxy- not just on that same place with same enemies.

 

No ... nonononononono

How the villain is defeated makes all the difference, often it is the difference of a good story or a bad story.

Example ANH: The villains defeat was excellently set up. Even though the victory of the heroes was extremely improbable, we were given a lot of exposition why it just might work. Luke's magic was a part of the explanation. That's why we could believe the victory, without thinking the villains weak at the same time (except for the stormies).

Vader of course can be beaten and is not invulnerable, I don't think I ever said that. But if he is defeated, it should be as well scripted as ANH. But so far, the rebels were given victories most of the time. It didn't seem like they deserved most of them, which in turn made the villains look extremely foolish and weak.

Vader has displayed a lot competence in the OT, that's why I have so much respect for him. Like I explained, most of his defeats were down to straight bad luck. I demand and expect him to display the same level of competence in the series.

In the new Vader comic, Vader is demoted and you know, it doesn't bother me. Why? Because he is still Vader, very competent, intelligent and powerful.

But if you have him lose against clearly incompetent heroes ... I won't like it one bit. It would be villain decay and it simply wrong to sacrifice such a great villain on the altar of a cheap time-filler kids-show. I'd rather he is not in the show if that's what happens.

 

The defeat and apparent suicide of the Inquisitor is critical in understanding the dynamic between the Empire and its agents. The Inquisitor would rather fall to his death than face the wrath of Vader and the Emperor, that speaks volumes.

 

RotS No argument here
ANH Its his plan that finds the Rebel Base and if Han had not come back he would have killed Luke and no Death Star explosion.
ESB He found the Rebel base and captured Han and Leia and his plan to get Luke to Bespin was successful and he would have caught them but for Artoo fixing the Falcon.
RTJ Conflicted Vader who mouthed off to much which list him a hand. But he knew it was a Rebel team and knew Luke was with them which even Palpy didn't know.

 

When do you suppose he would have faced Vader? The ship was blowing up. There was only his TIE Advanced to escape. Kanan was standing over him with two lightsabers. He wasn't getting off that ship. He was dead no matter what. Do you think he and Ezra were going to cram into the back of the TIE Advanced?

And Tarkin was also an agent. Went back, reported his failure, and Vader stepped in to help him, not punish him.