Never forget your past, always be mindful of the future
First, I would like to apologize to you all for miscounting the episodes. Apparently according to the official Episodes list, the premiere was 2 episodes into one. Makes sense, the episode was twice longer than usual. From now on I will follow the original counting, meaning this is now EPISODE 6, not 5 :)
Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Episode 6 took us almost all the way back to the Clone Wars through Rex’ memories. I expected this would be an episode featuring Zeb as main character, but I couldn’t have been further form the truth. Captan Rex, make one step forward!
Video Review and Analysis
Story Recap
Ezra, Kanan, Rex and Chopper visit an abandoned supply facility after the Battle of Agamar during the Clone Wars. It turns out, they weren’t alone. Separatist droids, who somehow remained active after Order 66 along with their leader, the tactical droid Kalani, capture all the Rebels. Chopper manages to escape and finds a shuttle, which later is the vessel used for their escape. Kalani forces them to bring The Last Battle between the separatists and The Republic to an end and thus determine who the winner of the Clone Wars was meant to be. Ezra’s curiosity and eagerness to learn more about the real Clone Wars, brings an predicted solution and an expected answer – both sides lost the war. Meanwhile the Empire tracked down the Rebels and attacks the base. The Rebels and Separatists join forces and with clever strategy and teamwork escape successfully.
The Details
Let’s see now, what was REALLY the important and interesting from the episode!
Rex and the Clone Wars
The flashback to Clone Wars was intended to bridge the gap between the old Clone Wars series and Star Wars Rebels. Rex is technically the only living character (for now) present in the show. The memories he still keeps form the battles, probably still cause him to have nightmares. In this episode we see his neverending struggle to close this page from his life and move forward. The scenario, staged by Kalani, seems to be exactly the solution both the droid and the captain need. Both of them remained alive after the war ended, but neither had been able to put an end to the war the way they were taught and meant to do it.
Rex looks and behaves very differently now in Rebels. It could be because he has gone more mellow, he hasn’t really been an active soldier in over a decade. However, when the “Last Battle” begins, we learn that he hasn’t forgotten his training and with his guidance and leadership, the team successfully reaches the destination – Kalani’s head quarters, where the droid kept Zeb as a “hostage”.
Oh, in case you are wondering about Rex’ helmet – in the Ahsoka novel it is explained how and why he has this one. He leaves his original helmet on a dead trooper’s body to fool the Empire that it was him, who was killed. How else would he have survived all these years. Good cover-up and good strategy, I’d say! Well done, Captain!
The Walkers
I must admit, the moment I saw the Empire landing such a heavy force unit, I thought: Ok, this might be a 2-part episode. No. Sadly all the heavy artillery was just for fluff. I admit, it was fun to see an AT-AT being taken down by a blow in the leg. It’s actually more believable than what Luke did in Empire Strikes Back. What I hate to see is such a legendary war machinery being constantly mocked and defeated. What’s next? A kid padawan would wave a hand and the whole line of Walkers will just fall on the ground? From the Rogue One trailers we have seen so far, AT-AT’s are not something easily taken down and I sure hope the movie will prove it.
The aiming
Can anybody but the Jedi aim properly? Alright. we all know that Stormtroopers are the worst at that, despite of what Ben Kenobi told Luke in A New Hope. But, do we need to be reminded of that fact every day? The plan Kalani comes up with (his separatist droids shooting at Kanan and Ezra, while the 2 jedi are deflecting and redirecting the bolts towards the real target) kind of makes sense. We have to search for the reason of the crappier than ever aiming of the droids into the fact that they are extremely old, their batteries are almost depleted (Probably?! Unless they have a source to recharge?!) and on top of that they haven’t seen a real battle in years. Nop, there’s no “but” following here. I’m just trying to justify the crap shooting. Though, I am totally powerless and speechless at the Stormtroopers failing to hit the shuttles. I mean, they fly right on top of them. It’s one thing missing to hit a moving humanoid, but a whole shuttle? Ouch! D’OH!
Video and sound effects
Once again I have to put in a good word for both the visual and sound qualities of the episode. Despite the ugly characters design and the childish 3D style, the effects in each episode of Season 3 are amazing. The way that Walker fell, the smoking Droidekas, the music background – all near perfect and compliment the plot of the episode very well. The sound track in the end was very inspiring.
The Verdict
My review might have sounded a little more on the negative side, but it’s just because I find it more fun to point out the flaws for this episode specifically. You might know that I wasn’t the biggest fan of Clone Wars and The Last Battle is all giant flashback to the previous animated series from Lucasarts. This episode, however, was a perfect bridge between the 2 Star Wars series. I enjoyed seeing Rex in action, even though I dislike his appearance (it’s not the beard, it’s the silly pants he’s wearing). The mention of Cody sure was a big surprise.
