Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings: #14

The 14th character for the Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings is…Darth Maul!

Darth Maul Overall = 92

The Dathomirian Zabrak with the red and black tattooed skin and the crown of horns is as menacing as he is imposing.

Darth Maul was the original Apprentice of the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

It was Sidious himself who had Maul trained and bred for the sole purpose of becoming a savage, killing machine.

Although Maul was eventually bestowed a Sith Lord by his Master, it wasn’t until he passed many severe and intensely cruel trials.

These missions were as rigorous as the human mind could think of.

Darth Maul consistently proved himself to be as dedicated to his craft as anyone could ever be.

But this legend is not without tragedy as his enormous potential is dashed as he is cut down by the young Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Of course a figure emanating as much willpower as Maul would not be denied.

Darth Maul is able to almost fully return to the height of his abilities during The Clone Wars.

Unfortunately for him, it is Darth Sidious this time who ruins the day for Maul as defeats Maul in a duel and proceeds to administer torturous amounts of Force lightning to Maul himself .

Strangely however, the story does not end there.

Although we are not sure in what capacity, Darth Maul should make an appearance on Star Wars Rebels tomorrow night.

Characteristics

• Repertoire of an Assassin (Strength, 97/100)- Not only was Darth Maul trained in the arts of the Dark Side of the Force, but he was an assassin as well. But he wasn’t just a regular ordinary assassin, he was the best. Maul’s skills of tracking his targets, his abilities to integrate the use of the Force and his second to none skill with a lightsaber formed a dynamic combo. No one could ever outrun Maul, physically and figuratively. If you were his target, you were as good as dead. But what makes Darth Maul insanely good at being a Sith Lord assassin was the fact that he was a smart guy! His mind was always moving, always calculating and tracking. He was certainly a Force to be reckoned with.
• Art of the Saber Staff (Strength, 94/100)- Although he was about as unorthodox as one could be, Darth Maul’s prowess with a lightsaber was superior. He gravitated towards the saber staff because he thought it would better accentuate his already distinct skills and boy was he right. Along with his acrobatic style and his assassin-like reflexes, the long reach of the saber staff was the perfect complement to the deadly machine that was Darth Maul. His skill with a lightsaber was truly unopposed as he wiped out Qui-Gon Jinn who was known to be a fantastic swordsman as well as holding his own against Darth Sidious.
•  Survivor (Strength, 93/100)- When it came to physical capabilities, Darth Maul very well could be at the top of the list. There was never any BMI (body mass index) stat on Maul but if there was, I’d imagine it’d be somewhere around 1%! The proficiency Maul had with his body was absolutely astronomical. Throughout his many varying missions, he was tasked with the challenges of not using the Force as the Galaxy could not know he was Force sensitive yet with his exceptional skills as an assassin, that mattered very little. He was very much able to jump dozens of feet in the air and flip and contort his body in unimaginable ways. He was a true warrior.
• Pain Tolerance (Strength, 92/100)- Granted to them through the Force, many Jedi and Sith alike are capable of mind-boggling capabilities to endure pain. But with Darth Maul, his pain tolerance was transcendent. Did he feel pain? Sure. But what he was able to do with it is truly remarkable. Maul had the gift of accessing all pain he physically, emotionally and mentally received and was able to convert that into a form of pulsing with hate energy that fueled his diamond strong muscles. Whether it was broken bones, being severed or losing limbs, none of this fazed him. Maul was truly in a class of his own when it came to tolerating the very pain that would send regular ordinary individuals running to their mother’s.
• Loyalty (Strength, 88/100)- A great testament to Darth Maul’s character was his admirably profound loyalty to his Master. Maul might as well of had the word “loyalty” tattooed within his already covered body as the word and him were one. As he was raised by Sidious, Maul quickly learned the power of respect and admiration as he looked up to the Sith Lord. Although he’d be faced with many challenges in his future that caused him to endure trust issues, his dedication never waned. As he grew older and became isolated to Sidious and any “Master” figures in general, he learned to change the focus for his loyalty which became his goals and desires.
• Arrogance (Weakness, 50/100)- Although Darth Maul had a lot to be proud of and to admire in himself, his level of egotism became too much for him to bare. Of course it ended up costing him dearly in his bout with Kenobi as he became too consumed by his desire to annihilate the Jedi. Maul is a legend, make no mistake about it. But his number one glaring weakness in his lack of humility cost him so very dearly.
• Knowledge of the Force(Weakness, 65/100)- At the time of Darth Maul’s childhood, Darth Sidious himself was an Apprentice. Although the dynamics within that relationship were drastically different than he and Maul’s, Sidious was forced to sacrifice. Although some of it was indeed his Master’s doing, Darth Maul’s abilities within the Force were very thin. Because Darth Sidious initially trained the Dathomirian Zabrak to be his personal assassin, Maul’s arsenal of abilities within the Force were of far and few in between. His assortment of powers nearly consisted of Force pushes, Force chokes and tracking and assassin-related moves. Although Maul  mostly taught himself the latter, he was also proficient in the ability to block out pain. Still, someone as strong as Maul suffered greatly with the lack of Force powers.

Intangibles

• Don’t Count Him Out (Strength, 94/100)- One of the best compliments you could give a guy like Darth Maul is he is a survivor. His sheer will to go on and not to be defeated is mythical. He’s survived being cut in half, he’s endured the shattering of his mind and he’s surpassed the torture of his former Master (so we think). Darth Maul doesn’t know the word “lose” and you’d be hard pressed to find another guy who could teach it to him and survive.

Final Word

Darth Maul’s story is a sad poignant tale. He had it all. He had youth and skill, he had the most desired position in the Galaxy as the Apprentice of the future leader of the Galaxy and he was as dominant as anyone. Unfortunately, Darth Maul’s overestimation of Obi-Wan Kenobi made him lose out on every single thing. Even when he reclaimed his sanity and skill, he still was never able to earn his spot at Sidious’ side. Darth Maul can best be described as a red and black voracious cyclone that screams death and consumes its prey through pure mutilation. Still, Maul doesn’t get enough credit for his intelligence and even his honor. Darth Maul respected those who could hold their own in battle. He enjoyed dueling against opponents worthy of his time. Regardless, Darth Maul’s legacy isn’t yet over, we’ll just have to wait and see how the chapter closes on our favorite demonic Sith Lord.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings: 19

The 19th character for the Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings is…Asajj Ventress!

Asajj Ventress Overall = 90

Asajj Ventress had many various experiences throughout her embattled life.

The Dathomirian female was a slave, a Jedi Padawan, a Sith Apprentice, a Nightsister and a bounty hunter.

But her time serving under Count Dooku was her most potent and memorable of years.

Up to this point, we have not had a Sith represented on the Sith Pacify Power Rankings.

With that being said, this should be fun.

Characteristics

• Swordsmanship (Strength, 94/100)– The lightsabers utilized by Asajj Ventress once belonged to the Bando Gora leader and former Jedi, Komari Vosa. With that being said, it’s the wielder of the sword that wreaks havoc, not the other way around. Particularly skilled in lightsaber combat, Ventress was efficient, deadly and terrifying with the weapon. She routinely overpowered Jedi even coming close to defeating Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Kit Fisto and others.
• Survival (Strength, 90/100)– Not only was Ventress a proficient Force-user, but she also had skills to overcome diversity. In other words, she was more than capable to live off the land and to prosper with little or no supplies. She assumed the role of a bounty hunter later on in life and was exceptionally successful. In a bout with Ventress, one must expect the unexpected.
• Determinative Will (Strength, 90/100)– With respect to her lightsaber prowess and her Force abilities, possibly Asajj Ventress’ strongest characteristic was her will to prove herself as a intergalactic force. Hellbent on proving her worth, Ventress never looked back after the repeated trials and tribulations she endured over the course of her complicated life.
• The Force (Strength, 88/100)– Although not extremely gifted with the Force, Ventress was more than capable in dishing out the pain against her adversaries. She consistently showed the ability to engage high ranking Jedi Masters in battle and use the Force to aid her conquest against them. Another factor in why she’s able to make the most with the level of the Force given to her is the fact that she was trained as a Jedi and as a Sith Apprentice throughout her life.
• Shortage of Friends  (Weakness, 75/100)– Although Ventress is a powerful singular combatant, she can be overwhelmed against multiple enemies. Because of her conflicting past, Ventress has lost out on creating life-long bonds. This detriment of character has cost her in combat and would ironically make her pay the ultimate price.
• Lack of Trust (Weakness, 70/100)- Ventress was ousted from her position as Count Dooku’s apprentice when Darth Sidious pulled a power move and demanded Dooku kill her. Although this is only one example, Ventress endured tremendous situations of painful betrayal causing emotional defeat. It’s no wonder she was so angry!

Intangibles

• Rage  (Strength, 93/100)- As a dynamic fighter, Ventress was able to push the limits of her skill that much more thanks to her emotions. Her anger towards living beings drove her to heights that amplified her abilities. Rarely being out of control, her anger propelled her to defeat competitors on the regular.
• Pain  (Weakness, 68/100)- It’s no secret that Ventress had a tough life. She was taken from her homeworld as a child, forced into slavery, became a Jedi only to have her Master killed in combat and so on and so forth. Also, as I said before, Count Dooku also crushed Ventress’ heart and soul as he too disowned her. All these defeats and bouts with rejection undoubtedly caused Ventress real pain which I would have no doubt in believing that they ultimately attributed to her death.

Final Word

Asajj Ventress was a flaming shot of pure energy that wanted to take down everything in its path. Resolute in her actions and devastatingly effective, Ventress kicked ass and was victorious throughout her life even with being up against the odds. I think it’s safe to say that she lived her life in depression and had trouble with mental fatigue due to her intense sadness forced upon her in her past. Still, she is a powerful foe that many fell to. Ironically, Ventress was finally defeated in the name of love as she scarified herself to protect her lover Quinlan Vos against her former Master Count Dooku’s Force lightning. The legend of Asajj Ventress continues to live on as we are forced to ponder her spot amongst the Galaxy’s greats.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings: #21

The 21st character for the Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings is…Ezra Bridger!

Ezra Bridger Overall = 82* 

At just 14 years old, young Ezra Bridger begins to make a name for himself.

Similar to those throughout Star Wars who develop into legends, Ezra has a natural feel for the Force from the first time we see him on Star Wars Rebels.

On the Sith Pacify Blog I have made comparisons in the past of Ezra being very similar to Anakin.

If you think deeply about both characters beginnings and their maturation, the similarities are most definitely there.

So what makes this boy from Lothal so compelling?

Let’s find out.

Characteristics

• Connection to the Force (Strength, 93/100)- Ezra’s limitations of his abilities seem to be pushed back further and further with every passing day. I think what’s most fascinating about his development is his connection to animals. He has a clear bond with living creatures that is very reminiscent of the members of the upper echelon in the Jedi Order.
• Confidence (Strength, 87/100)- It’s no secret that Ezra possesses certainty and assurance. But I’ll go so far as to say he is just oozing with fearlessness and poise regarding his abilities. Only time will tell if that same positive turns into a very dark negative…
• Improvisation (Strength, 85/100)- Ezra is at his best when things break down and he is forced to respond to diversity. It seems that for great Jedi Knights, this is a characteristic within all of their repertoires. Now I’m not saying Ezra Bridger is great yet, but there’s no doubt the foundation for greatness is there.
• Skill (Strength, 86/100)- Whether it’s piloting, lightsaber combat, using the Force, firing on a target or a search and rescue. Ezra is very consistent in almost everything. He is practically above average in every field of conflict. And he’s only going to get stronger.
• Emotion (Weakness, 70/100)- Sometimes he uses it to his advantage but in the majority of situations, it becomes a liability. It’s quite evident that Ezra is open to losing control due to his free-flying passionate style. As Yoda always says, “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”Careful Ezra…
• Undisciplined (Weakness, 73/100)-Unfortunately for Ezra, his Master was only 14 years old when he lost all formal teaching from his own Master. Ezra, now 14 himself, faces an uphill battle towards the path of understanding. He’s no ordinary Force-user, that is clear. But with not being trained in the arts of the Jedi from an extremely young age coupled with the fact that Kanan is only recently a Jedi Knight and extremely inexperienced himself, danger is present.
• Self-Control (Weakness, 78/100)- Because of his unique circumstances, Ezra is powerful yet very unaware how to even call on the Force at times. We see this repeatedly on Rebels. Dire situations arise and Ezra needs the aid of the Force to survive the circumstances with no response. He clearly is very strong but his knowledge of “how” is lacking.
• Youth (Weakness, 80/100)- This is a weakness because like I said, Ezra’s lack of experience is partially due to his age. At only 14, Ezra has so much to learn, let alone develop. His maturity will be key as he continues to grow.

Intangibles

• Potential*(Strength, 95/100)- Ezra Bridger is simmering with power. The Force flows through him at an astonishing rate. The ability to control it 100% of the time still evades him but the fact that he has his moments where it’s all in his grasp is very telling. As for his overall above, the reason why I put an asterisk there is because when he’s immersed in the Force, his powers are almost limitless. When he is in that particular zone, I would say his overall shoots up to 91.
• Rising to the Occasion (Strength, 88/100)- Just like his potential, Ezra climbs to the precipice of confrontation and lays down the damage that needs to be done. You could say that young Mr. Bridger is “clutch.”
• Temptation (Weakness, 45/100)- With great power there is great responsibility. If you’ve been following Rebels it’s no secret that the allure of the Dark Side tugs at him. The shroud of darkness that is the Dark Side closes in on Ezra more and more as time goes on. Just like Anakin, will the Emperor gain another potent user of the Force? Or will the Light prevail? Only time will tell.

Final Word

I view Ezra Bridger as someone who wields extreme power, who is true at heart as well as a caring and righteous individual. With that however, there is fear, there is anger and there is revenge within as well. You can see it in his eyes every time he faces off against the Inquisitors or the forces of the Empire. I really don’t know how this story will end but as I said earlier, the similarities with Anakin Skywalker are too strong to ignore. We know how Anakin’s fate is decided but what will the story be for Ezra? At only 14 years old, he has attributes that catch even Darth Vader’s eye! I guess we will just have to wait for the destiny of Ezra to be revealed…

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings: #23

The 23rd character for the Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings is…Kanan Jarrus!

Kanan Jarrus Overall = 86

Kanan Jarrus was just a padawan at the time of the intergalactic mass murders of the Jedi.

At only 14 years old, Jarrus would go on to work as a freighter pilot and eventually join a ragtag group of Rebels in a desperate fight against the monstrosity that is the Empire.

So what makes Kanan Jarrus one of a select few on this list? His abilities of survival.

Characteristics

• Motivational Determination (Strength, 90/100)- Is there anyone who had the will and desire of this man? Jarrus’ ability to see things through, persevere and always be self-motivated is what makes him a powerful foe. His ambitious aspirations of survival show off the willpower that is commonplace with some of the most potent Force-users the Galaxy has ever seen!
• Leadership (Strength, 88/100)- Kanan has been through it all. Even after surviving Order 66 he goes on to be the man in charge of a Rebel cell on the planet of Lothal. It’s through his guidance that this insignificant bunch makes a name for themselves and cements their relevancy as a concrete threat.
• Experience (Strength, 84/100)- Not only is Kanan a strong and influential leader with extensive qualities that solidify his respectable status but he’s also been through it all. Up to this point in Star Wars Rebels, he has defeated the tenacious Grand Inquisitor but he also has a lengthy history of combating the Empire and everything they can throw at him. Not to mention a bout with Vader which Kanan survives to tell the tale.
• All-Around Warrior (Strength, 84/100)- As a Jedi, you’d expect Kanan Jarrus to be an extremely capable fighter, but his skills go beyond that. You can almost classify his fighting style as mercenary-esque. His fighting prowess is an invaluable asset to a movement that needs all the help they can get.
•  Force Inexperience (Weakness, 75/100)- Because he was only 14 years old at the time of the Jedi purge, Kanan’s abilities of the Force are unpolished and raw. Surprisingly, the lack of a Master for more than half his life has not halted his growth in the Force by all that much. He repeatedly demonstrates an ability to embrace the Force at will. So much so that he’s even able to take on an apprentice.
• Feelings (Weakness, 60/100)- It’s quite evident that Kanan has feels something for his co-leader, Hera Syndulla. Since his time with other Jedi was cut short, he’s had to improvise and take on a new code. His sensitivity for Hera is a surefire weakness alright, and it can be exposed as well.
• Selflessness (Weakness, 63/100)- As a Jedi, Kanan is taught the Jedi Code. What all of the Jedi know and understand about their standing in the universe is sacrifice. If the moment calls for you to lay your life down, so be it.Now if this were any other time in history, I’d leave this characteristic out altogether. But because he is so vital and so importantly crucial to the cause, there’s no room for this kind of nobility.

Intangibles

• Reputation (Strength, 85-100)- Known around the Galaxy as “the Jedi”, Kanan’s notoriety has him in a intricate spot. But the true measure of a man is what he does under pressure and even with being captured before, losing everything and repeatedly being under the spotlight, Kanan delivers in the clutch over and over again.
• Potential (Strength, 87/100)- There’s no way around this so I’m just going to say it. There’s something special about this Jedi. He has the heart of a true determined champion, he fights for justice and even with very limited training, his powers continue to grow. The Force is strong with Kanan.

Final Word 

Did you wonder how three Jedi Masters are behind a young man who is not and most likely never will be a classic Jedi Master!? He survived, it’s that simple. Very few Jedi were able to survive the clutches of Darth Sidious and the clones but Kanan Jarrus was one of them. Now he definitely has strong potential but let’s be clear here. He’s no Anakin, he’s no Luke, heck he’s not even an Ezra Bridger! But one thing is for sure and that is his abilities to fight, to lead and to persevere are still very powerful. Kanan is a very fascinating character. He’s practically a hybrid Jedi. He’s got a bit of mercenary in him as well as a guerrilla-like freedom fightery side. Nonetheless, he packs a punch and never shies away from action.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Updated* Star Wars Character Power Rankings

I just wanted to add two characters (for now) to the list that I will be creating that ranks the top 26 Force-using Star Wars characters.(The following list is not in any particular order)

1. Anakin Skywalker
2. Obi-Wan Kenobi
3. Luke Skywalker
4. Yoda
5. Mace Windu
6. Darth Vader
7. Darth Sidious
8. Count Dooku
9. Kit Fisto
10. Darth Maul
11. Revan
12. Darth Malgus
13. Kylo Ren
14. Rey
15. Ki-Adi Mundi
16. Plo Koon
17. Kanan Jarrus
18. Ezra Bridger
19. Ahsoka Tano
20. Asajj Ventress
21. Darth Plagueis
22. Qui-Gon Jinn
23. Darth Malak
24. Darth Bane
25. Satele Shan*
26. Darth Nihilus*

 

-Sith Pacify out

The Steady Improvement of Star Wars Rebels

15 episodes in to the second season of Star Wars Rebels and we’re starting to see the potential.

As I’ve noted in past posts, Star Wars Rebels is a very good show but it has lacked the luster of The Clone Wars.

The Clone Wars was action packed with adventure, battles and most importantly the Force.

Well it appears that Rebels is starting to get the hint and making its way in the same direction that made The Clone Wars so popular.

The key transition for the show is the newfound additives of the Force which now seems to be a constant in its episodes.

In the show’s first season, it seemed that the storyline and the plot were being forced on us while at the same time the very essence of Star Wars (the Force) was minimized.

To be fair, as the first season progressed it integrated the Force nicely and became extremely appealing but as for the current state of the show?

It’s at an all-time high.

What really propelled Rebels has been the combining of furthering the stories of its main characters and the steady development of Ezra’s abilities with the Force.

Plus the fact that there seems to be a dark cloud saturated with the Dark Side that is slowly following the young Bridger is extremely appealing.

As for Rebels, it seems that there’s a powerful following that they have successfully gravitated towards the show and I think the connecting of old characters to new is responsible for this.

 

Take Ahsoka Tano for example.

The fact that she’s a main cog in this early movement gives us major insight into the birth of what we know today as the Rebellion that against all odds took down the Empire.

It’s just so cool to think that as the years go on and as the Rebels eventually take down the first Death Star above Yavin 4, two of the main components in the Rebellion are Anakin’s offspring and thus the link to Ahsoka becomes even more fascinating.

It would be so interesting to know if Princess Leia knew of Ahsoka during this time and later when she does find out about Vader being her father, it would be intriguing to know if  she ever connected the dots on who Ahsoka really was…

Interesting.

All I know is every week I find myself so badly looking forward to the week’s episode of Rebels.

And for us Star Wars fans that can never get enough, that’s obviously a good thing.

We want this show to succeed, no we NEED this show to succeed.

If Rebels  becomes more and more popular than the possibilities are endless.

For now, we have something good on our hands.

Let’s keep it that way.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

We NEED More Darth Maul!

When you think of awesome Star Wars characters, Darth Maul is one of the first that comes to mind.

He is by far the most unique, animal-like beings throughout the entire saga.

Whether it’s his snarl that best resembles a predator ready to leap or his voracious heaves of his lightsaber, Darth Maul is a literal beast.

So if you’re reading this you’re probably saying “Of course he is, we all know that. What’s your point?”

Well my point is this: Why is a character that is so spectacularly awesome barely in Star Wars????

The man is a revenge seeking missile hellbent on vindicating his name and glory as he believes himself to be the chosen one.

He is a civilized entity that breathes fire and spits lightning.

Darth Maul, Lord of the Sith is about as terrifying and merciless as anyone in Star Wars history.

The following clip sums up the guy’s prowess perfectly. Check it out.

Now that’s some powerful stuff…

You have to be pretty cold-hearted to walk in Darth Maul’s shoes.

But you know all of this.

So where am I trying to go with this?

The point is, Darth Maul is returning.

The Dathomirian devil will return to Star Wars Rebels at some point in Season 2.

With another episode tomorrow night, the excitement of the possibility of seeing the legendary Sith/assassin back in action is at an all time high.

It will be fascinating to see what this prolific character’s role will be as there are a million ways to go.

Will he be a secret agent working directly under Darth Sidious with the sole intent of bringing Ezra Bridger to face the Emperor?

Will he be a lone wolf dedicated to the shadows as much as the Dark Side?

Or will he be a scarred and battered soul that is working against his former Master?

With so many possibilities it makes you wonder. What the heck took so long!?

Darth Maul is a character that has so much to offer everyone.

He provides a shiny new plot to any story, he excites Star Wars fans of any age with his unorthodox style and he is undeniably a force to be reckoned with.

I think it’s a darn shame that it took this long for Maul to be reintroduced to the mainstream audiences of Star Wars.

By mainstream I simply mean television or movies rather than books or comics.

Now, yes he was in The Clone Wars but only in a handful of episodes out of well over a hundred and you know what? That doesn’t do this great character justice.

I firmly believe that Darth Maul deserves his own independent film and hey, maybe that’s the direction Disney is going here.

If that is the case then well, Disney? THE WORLD THANKS YOU!

But in all seriousness, there should be about half a dozen video games dedicated to this guy, he should have his own show that mainly focuses on Maul’s acts of the Dark and like I said, even his own movie.

Just think about it…

There’s no one like him! Darth Maul is arguably the most physically gifted character, one of the most talented lightsaber wielders and his skills as an assassin just add to his legendary status of elite!

The man survived being cut in half and a never ending fall for goodness’ sake!

Not even the powerful Mace Windu was able to survive similar a defeat…or so we think…

Anyways, I just think Darth Maul deserves so much more credit than what he’s gotten in terms of recognition.

I think he needs to be in more of the spotlight and honestly, I expect that to be the case in the future.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

Why Star Wars Rebels Has Failed to Reach the Popularity of the Clone Wars

Star Wars Rebels returned last Wednesday  from an absence that lasted a couple of months.

Now that everyone has seen the midseason trailer, it’s safe to say the excitement has returned.

Here is the main point. Star Wars Rebels has been a good show but it’s very much below the bar set by Star Wars The Clone Wars.

The level of entertainment that Star Wars: The Clone Wars represents is about as captivating and compelling as anything Star Wars related.

From the very first episode in TCW, the action is tremendous.

But it’s not just all about the action that made this TV series absolutely sensational, it’s the vast and far-reaching storylines that accompanies all the extensive combat scenes.

We see so many different individual backstories that range from Obi-Wan and his past lover, Yoda and his struggle to keep the Order intact, Asajj Ventress trying to find belonging all the way to the many individual worlds in the Galaxy that try to pick sides during the tumultuous times that are the Clone Wars.

THAT is what is at the very core of this show. That is why TCW is so very special.

So, what’s wrong with Rebels?

Let’s get to it.

The Time Period

Rebels takes place 14 years after “Revenge of the Sith” which means the Galaxy is in a relatively quiet lull.

Since those who oppose the Empire and all that it represents are either dead or among the shadows, the opportunity for action is slim.

It’s hard to match TCW series and all its awesomeness when that show takes place right in the middle of a gruesome and bloody war!

The Characters

You see TCW benefited greatly from being in the height of the most complicated, ironic and calamitous time periods within Star Wars history.

Practically every single character was able to be utilized throughout TCW.

Even Darth Maul and Qui-Gon returned to action.

As for Rebels, it’s a different story.

The main characters are, well, I’m just going to put it out there.

They’re pretty bland.

When you compare it to TCW, Rebels doesn’t even come close.

The Lack of Death

I’m a firm believer that TV shows in which the main cast remains alive and well regardless of the circumstances can be great.

I also believe that shows in which no character is safe at any time well, I believe these shows are the extraordinary.

Besides the top players in TCW like Anakin, Kenobi, Mace, Yoda, Palpatine etc. it was fair game on everyone else.

That risk, that idea that any character can be eliminated here or later is what kept the viewer on the edge of his or her seat.

Now with Rebels, it is exceedingly different.

We have seen only one main character die. Literally just one…

Besides the Grand Inquisitor, no other character that has been presented to us has died.

Now there is hope for this trend to end as we only recently discovered that Ezra’s parents, after much speculation, did indeed meet their end.

This might seem cold but that’s what makes good entertaining TV.

In order for Rebels to get on the level of TCW, we must see more of that, we must see more death.

The Slow-Paced Episodes

Throughout the 121 episodes in TCW, I would say only about five episodes were slow.

With that being said, Rebels is almost the opposite.

Now I want to be clear on this.

As I said before, there is a major reason for this. With a major Galaxy-wide conflict going on, TCW would of course be more action-packed.

Nonetheless, the entertainment value tends to suffer if the material is a bit slow.

Thus far, Rebels has been a bit slow.

In order for it to catch the vaunted level of enjoyment TCW has given to us, Star Wars Rebels must pick up the pace.

Why There Is Hope

I might be coming off a bit harsh on Rebels but believe me, I’m a huge fan.

With that being said, I do believe there is strong reason to be optimistic.

Before I continue, I must be fair.

This show has been awesome, it is a great show.

But as the title of this article states, it has not reached the point of TCW…yet.

If you’re reading this than you’re a Star Wars fan.

In that case, I’m sure you’ve seen the midseason trailer for Rebels.

That trailer is exactly why we should expect an uptick in the entertainment.

Things should start to get real crazy for our Rebellion friends.

As the show starts to introduce new and old characters, it certainly is starting to feel a lot like TCW.

From Princess Leia to my personal favorite Darth Maul, we’re in for a treat!

So hold on, be patient and understand this.

From a logical standpoint, Disney is calling the shots and if there is any company within the world that knows how to make money and gather excitement, it’s the Mickey Mouse corporation.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Han’s Fate To Be Decided In TFA?

As we enter the final days of intense anticipation for The Force Awakens, the excitement has never been stronger.

For today’s post, I thought it would be prudent to discuss the future of a character who’s been around the block a time or two.

One of the world’s favorite characters…ever…Han Solo.

Although it doesn’t feel like it, it has been 32 years since we’ve seen Harrison Ford on the big screen encapsulating everything we know of Han Solo.

From his bad boy attitude to his blunt and hard hitting quips, Han Solo is the best.

Unfortunately, the sun sets on all of us eventually…

Now with that being said, does that mean this is finally THAT time!?

Well, excuse the corny humor and of course we don’t know for sure but I’ll tell you one thing, there’s a bit of truth to this.

In the last couple months, there has been talk regarding Ford and his involvement in Star Wars.

If you recall, Ford famously tried to convince George Lucas at the end of Return of the Jedi to kill off Han…

But what does that say for his fate in TFA?

I would speculate that things could take a turn for the worst for our favorite smuggler across the Galaxy.

You have to look at it from a logical point of view.

For starters, Harrison Ford is getting up in his years now that he is 73 years old.

The character of Han Solo is not a “sit back and relax” type of guy as well.

No, he’s a man of action, someone who gets it done. With his hands, with his behavior, not with his mind.

As Ford continues to get up in the years, I honestly feel like it would be tough for him to continue to play his role.

With that being said, things start to fall in place if you’re thinking this could be it for Han.

And actually, that might be what Ford wants.

After all, Harrison Ford has never really embraced the Star Wars universe in terms of really being a “fan”.

When asked to explain his reasoning on why he thought Han Solo should be killed, Ford explained, “I thought it would be good that the character, if he sacrificed himself in some noble way.”

I have to agree with him there.

I could definitely see something along those lines occur.

Now would I be happy about it? Absolutely not! But sometimes a sacrificial death for the greater good is what legends are made of.

And make no mistake about it, Han Solo is a legend.

I guess the fate of our good ol’ buddy Han will have to wait.

But not too long.

We’re approximately 75 hours away….

How good does that sound!

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why The Massive Amount Of Star Wars Trailers Was The Right Strategy

As we approach the final stretch until the much anticipated release of The Force Awakens, something comes to mind.

I find it incredibly impressive that the sheer volume of various trailers have not impeded on the plot.

I mean, think about it…there are literally dozens of individual trailers.

Yet we know so very little of what is going to happen on the big screen.

That’s impressive right?

I’ve always noted in past blockbuster releases that two trailers and sometimes three are too much, and here we are STILL receiving new footage on TFA.

So how is that possible?

It’s quite simple actually.

Disney has designed their marketing and advertising campaign on the exploitation of the fan’s imagination.

In other words, because The Force Awakens is so highly anticipated, instead of revealing what is to happen they simply need to show meaningless footage of characters.

And that’s absolutely fine with us!

What I mean by this is simple.

We don’t want to know what’s going to happen beforehand and although there might be rumors swirling around out there, nothing is set in stone.

Because Star Wars is so deeply predicated on the honorable heroes and the infamous villains, Disney is allowing the appearances of new and old characters lead the wave of excitement.

Think about this.

What was the major takeaway in the first trailer released?

Two things…the return of the Millennium Falcon and the enticing aesthetics of Kylo Ren’s lightsaber.

That’s all!

Now think about movies like Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla for example.

Leading up to film’s premiere, there were three trailers.

Not a dozen or so like Star Wars yet just from those three little trailers, we learned so much on what the plot was.

Stuff like that ruins enthusiasm for major movies.

Make that ANY movie.

That is exactly why Disney and Star Wars is a match made in heaven.

Disney is arguably the greatest marketing conglomerate that we have ever seen.

Say what you want about their insatiable desire of releasing animated movies based around singing animals or princesses, they rake in the dough.

Star Wars is one of the most popular franchises not only in the United States but the world.

Now when you combine the two, you have a perfect recipe of intrigue and commotion.

Just the sound of Kylo Ren’s voice heck just footage of Ren himself is enough to get fans excited!

That right there is what is so darn impressive.

It’s one thing to release a bunch of trailers that don’t reveal a lot yet give fans exactly what they’re looking for but when you realize this and push the envelope to the point of instituting this strategy in mass quantity, you hit a new level of greatness.

Quite frankly, this is exactly why I believe the campaign Disney has put together to market and advertise The Force Awakens is the clear-cut best performance of recent memory.

In a time where demand is so great and selfishness is often present, it’s nothing short of a miracle that nothing has been leaked regarding the film as well!

That JJ Abrams runs a tight ship!

We’re so close now that I have dreams of Star Wars-laden adventures every night…

CAN’T.WAIT.

-Sith Pacify out