3 Things To Watch For In The Star Wars Rebels Season Finale

Well ladies and gentlemen, tonight is the night.

For so long now we’ve been waiting for answers.

As I write this to you now I have chills running up and down.

Ever since I saw the first episode of Star Wars Rebels, I knew this show had immense potential.

But tonight, Rebels turns the corner.

There is so much excitement, so much build up leading into this season finale that the expectations are gigantic.

But with the star power and storylines leading into this one, it has the right amount of dynamite to deliver.

So what exactly are those storylines that you should be looking for?

Let’s take a look!

Will Ezra fall to the Dark Side?

As season two has progressed, there has been more indications of Ezra’s allure to the dark.

Whether it’s in his arrogance in his behavior regarding the others or his blatantly rotten attitude that seems to be spoiling as the season rages on, Ezra is changing.

We’ve seen him in the past go to another level such as when he was battling the Grand Inquisitor in the first season.

But just the way Yoda was warning him gives us an indication that dark clouds are on the horizon for young Ezra.

As a 14 year old boy, he has tremendous potential.

Quite frankly, up to this point I’m surprised that the Inquisitors haven’t tried to seduce him to bring him back to Vader.

It’s clear he’s a lightning rod that’s garnishing a heck of a lot of attention within the Force.

We know he will be meeting Darth Maul tonight but in what context?

In the trailer for the episode, Darth Maul seems to be portraying an old being that’s been crossed one to many times and has resigned to the fact that he now wants to do good.

Well that remains to be seen and if you really think that, you might be in for a rude awakening.

This is Darth Maul we’re talking about! He’s not some weak Force-user that just gets by.

No, he’s as intimidating as they come with a severe and voracious hunger to annihilate anything that resembles the Jedi with merciless hate.

Now could he have changed? I suppose so.

But will he? I doubt it very much so.

Which brings me to my next point.

I do apologize for the bad quality of this video but it was the only one I could find on YouTube.

This video was shown during a commercial break within the last couple weeks during a Rebels episode.

This is so significant to everything I’m saying.

From the video, it certainly looks like Ezra is being egged on by Maul to unleash the fury of the Dark Side on the Seventh Sister.

WOW.

What an amazing scene that would be.

So what do you think? Will Ezra be amongst the shadows of the Dark Side after the season finale or will his teachings by Kanan and his devotion to the light prevail?

We will find out soon.

What will Darth Maul represent?

Last time we saw Darth Maul, he was on the ground screaming in agony from Darth Sidious’ Force lightning strikes.

He just lost a duel to Sidious as well as everything else.

He lost his hold on Mandalore, his brother and most likely his freedom.

It was very interesting because Darth Sidious even said to Maul that he wasn’t going to kill him so I always figured that just meant he was going to torture him and that was that.

Well apparently either Maul escaped or was allowed to leave.

And I can’t see Sidious allowing Darth Maul to leave…

To see Darth Maul return to the screen tonight will be so surreal.

He is truly one of the most fantastic characters in all of Star Wars and his presence is just awesome!

But since his defeat to his former Master there’s been nothing on the former Sith Lord.

We have had no indication that he was even alive!

Fast forward 15 years later and Darth Maul is back.

But in what capacity?

We know he will be talking to Ezra and they will reach the subject of the Sith and the Dark Side…

Will Darth Maul speak highly of this entity or will he bash it and blame it for all his terrible misfortune?

I’m not sure but if I had to guess what Maul’s purpose with Ezra is, I would say this.

What if Darth Maul’s goal was to gain a pupil in the Dark Side, one who was very strong but young and foolish?

Someone who Darth Maul could somehow harness their power and take for his own in hopes of ultimately gaining revenge against Darth Sidious.

After all, the setting for tonight’s episode seems to be dealing with holocrons and unnatural means of the Force.

What will happen to Ahsoka?

The most anticipated storyline of the entire Star Wars Rebels existence thus far will play out tonight.

Will Ahsoka meet Darth Vader.

In the last couple episodes, Ahsoka has been trying to come to grips with the fact that this menacing, pure-evil being that is Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker.

It’s clear that Ahsoka has been crushed.

Her appearances over the last two episodes have been brief yet telling.

I feel as if she is broken. Like she has nothing left to live for and wants to see things through that Vader gets what he deserves.

Now I see this playing out another way too.

Maybe Ahsoka is playing all her cards in this moment.

What if she wants to encounter Darth Vader face-to-face to see if their unbreakable bond can alleviate his infection that is the Dark Side?

Now I don’t know how this will end but it’s pretty clear that things don’t look good for Ahsoka…

Personally, I love the character of Ahsoka Tano. I think she’s done so much for so many that even in 10 years we’ll still be marveling at her accomplishments.

With that being said, I fear for her tonight.

At this moment, the man she knew in Anakin Skywalker is truly no more.

We’ve seen and heard countless tales of butchery and devastating brutality come from Darth Vader and tonight will be quite the spectacle.

Anything regarding Vader’s past fuels an intense fire within his heart and gives him reason to unleash unspeakable horrors.

But how will he react when he sees his one and only Padawan?

Will there be even the slightest hint of happiness within Vader?

I doubt it but one can only hope.

You know, this is going to be an emotional episode.

It will tie so many loose ends and allow us to see things more clearly but man, if anything happens to Ahsoka…the sadness will be immense.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

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: #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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Wars Rebels Season Two Midseason Trailer…WOW!

Earlier today Star Wars fans were blindsided with the surprising release of something so substantial, it has come close to the hype that surrounded The Force Awakens.

That’s right, today we got to see the future of the animated series, Star Wars Rebels.

And let’s just say, it didn’t disappoint…

From scenes that were just plain awesome to scenes of cataclysmic proportions, the midseason trailer was beyond telling.

To give you guys the rundown, I’ve written down nine main points of interest within the trailer.

The following are all of these points…except two.

Those two…will come at the end.

1. At the beginning of the trailer, Kanan speaks as the various scenes and images flash of the seventh sister and the fifth brother engaging Kanan and Ezra in repeated battles. It also seems that another Inquisitor has joined the ranks of the Jedi hunters. The thought-provoking clips tell us one thing…Kanan and Ezra have the full attention of the section of the Empire that deals with Jedi, which inevitably means Vader..
2. If you’ve read Paul S. Kemp’s book “Sith Lords”, you’ll remember the inspiring and fearless leader of the resistance on Ryloth, Cham Syndulla, Cham of course being Hera’s father. Well it appears Cham is on a collision course with Rebels as he announces himself in the trailer.
3. We knew this before but hey, it doesn’t hurt to see it again! Princess Leia will be joining the gang in next week’s episode as we get a glimpse of her before A New Hope. What I found even more interesting than Leia simply being part of the show is Hera can be heard saying “he’s sending us reinforcements” regarding Leia’s adopted father, Senator Organa. What’s compelling about this is we are truly seeing the birth of the Alliance.
4. Since the destruction of the Jedi as we knew them occurred a decade and a half ago, the remnants of the Temple were all but wiped out…or so we thought. The unimaginable was witnessed within the trailer as many Jedi Temple Guards were throughout the various scenes. What this exactly means is still up in the air. Could it be another Jedi Temple was still populated at the time of Order 66? Possibly…the destination we see Luke in during The Force Awakens!? Hmmmm 
5. Quite possibly the coolest sight within the trailer was the return of our “little green friend” Yoda! The Grand Master of the Jedi was seen talking to Ezra in a very ominous and cautious matter. Much like the Jedi Master once did with another Jedi, Anakin Skywalker…
6. Now I don’t know for sure but something looked oddly familiar within the trailer. Almost like a lost planet, one that we saw in Star Wars The Clone Wars. Well I’ll just spit it out, we may have  caught a glimpse of the sinister world of Korriban. The significance of this would be extreme. Could we possibly find out more of how Supreme Leader Snoke came to power in TFA maybe? With Sith holocrons and Sith artifacts you never know.  
7. This might be one of my favorite scenes in the trailer. When Ahsoka is sitting with Ezra and in between them is holovids of her former Master training. But the fascination continues to grow between Anakin and Ahsoka…You’ll find out more soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that I’ve shown you the very interesting points of what was in the trailer, it’s time we delve deeper, much deeper.

The following will blow you away.

Unless you’ve already heard what else was in the trailer, get ready…

1. As we progress with Rebels, it’s inevitable that Ahsoka will cross paths with Darth Vader. I’ve said it in past posts. To see that episode will be a dream come true. But until then, we are left with curiosity and nothing more. Until now. The trailer touches on Ahsoka and Anakin’s close friendship. If you remember from The Clone Wars show, Ahsoka walks out on the Jedi Order. This might very well be how she survived the destruction of almost all of the Jedi, most at the hands of her fallen Master. A point of chilling fascination occurs between these two as Ahsoka appears to be in meditation, she hears Anakin’s voice saying, “Ahsoka? Why did you leave? Do you know what I’ve become?” It is at this moment where Ahsoka loses it and quickly pivots and turns around and engages her lightsaber as she slashes at the empty air. The whole time with tears streaming down her face…but it is at the end of the trailer when Ahsoka leaps at the man in black: Darth Vader.
2. This is my favorite part of this entire post. I had to save the best for last because it is so shockingly amazing. At some point in the middle of the trailer, a familiar voice can be heard. The voice says “The Darkside…it pulls at him. It calls to him. You seek knowledge! Call me, Old Master…” It is at this point that a hooded figure starts to turn around. You can see just enough within the hood to make out who this is…you ready? DARTH MAUL!!! One of the most unique, fearsome and intimidating characters is back! THIS is what makes this so credible. How shocking!!

Well, there you have it!

Now there’s no need to watch the trailer if you haven’t all ready since I have you covered but you know what?

Forget that.

You MUST watch this trailer…

I just want to say well done to everyone involved in Star Wars Rebels.

You have all done an unimaginably perfect job and I commend you on your excellence.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Wars Rebels and the Emotions Of Ezra Bridger

Tonight’s episode of Star Wars Rebels was chock-full of scenes that hit us all right in the feels.

From hope to excitement to worry to despair, tonight had it all.

Poor Ezra.

He just can’t win.

Of course what I’m referring to is the news we learn, the closure to his long search…

Yes, Ezra’s parents are dead.

Sad times for us all indeed.

But as I watched this episode, something else jumped out at me. Something I’ve been saying for a long time now…

There is such an eerie similarity between Ezra and Anakin.

A scene that was very telling tonight was when Ezra tapped into his anger and allowed it to propel him in the fight against the stormtroopers and Agent Kallus.

This should be such a major red flag to Kanan that it should be practically glowing!

Now I’m not saying Ezra is going to go around and kill younglings but…tonight was very telling.

The fact is, young Mr. Bridger has a lot of pent-up anger just seething and dwelling within him.

He hates the Empire and with good reason too.

Nonetheless, this is troubling.

I don’t know what his eventual fate will be but doesn’t it feel like it wouldn’t be too surprising if Ezra fell to the Dark Side?

Once again like Anakin, the roots of his past have been ripped up, he experiences terrible pain due to his attachment to his parents and his emotions seem to control him at times.

Unfortunately, those “times” seem to be during dire moments such as during the heat of battle.

Remember when Ezra and Kanan were battling it out with the Grand Inquisitor and Ezra, by himself this time, calls upon the Dark Side of the Force?

Well that’s entirely what I’m talking about…

The boy is too unstable.

If I didn’t know what the Galaxy looked like five years later, I’d assume this kid is destined to be a Sith.

But hey, who knows.

I guess someday we’ll see his inevitable destination…

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

Why Star Wars Rebels is Must-Watch TV

Have you ever been in a position where hopelessness gives way to a birth of direction and opportunity are born?

That’s Star Wars Rebels in a nutshell.

The creation of a resistance that eventually becomes a movement and then a force.

Something that ultimately brings us The Force Awakens.

When Rebels first burst on to the scene, I’m not going to lie, I was rather skeptical.

The animated show was to be on a Disney owned channel that is commonly associated with young teen shows that, let’s face it, are designed to keep little 13 year old’s happy.

Not to mention this Star Wars show was centered around the beginnings of the Rebellion, it wasn’t all that enticing.

When it was first announced, it was tough to get behind the show because frankly, I didn’t think the focus of the show was all that interesting.

Slowly but surely, little by little, I became hooked.

Now don’t get me wrong, I have unconditional love for Star Wars.

No matter what, I’ll defend it if it’s Star Wars.

But sooner than later, Rebels didn’t need any defending.

Halfway through the first season, this gang of ragtag freedom fighters earned my support.

Now fast forward to tonight’s episode.

I thought this time would be appropriate to officially state that Star Wars Rebels not only has my support but my admiration and dedication.

Every single Wednesday night, I run to my TV like a little kid, I hop on the couch and I turn the channel to Disney XD.

When the screen lights up like that ^…I always have a big smile on my face as I know I’m about to embark on a trip, a journey through the galaxy far far away…

You see, Star Wars Rebels has become must-see TV.

We’re at the point where you can expect a brilliant, well written storyline that is portrayed exactly how the characters would act if they were real.

The show’s Executive Producer, Dave Filoni, has really struck gold.

Character’s like Ezra Bridger and Kanan Jarrus are absolutely scintillating.

Take Ezra for example.

To me, he’s very reminiscent of a mix between Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.

He’s on his own when Hera Syndulla and her gang of Rebels meet him.

Fending for himself as a complete loner, he has an attitude and a sense of humor that carry shades of that old Corellian smuggler we all love.

His similarities with Luke run deep too.

Not only does he realize his hidden Jedi potential after stumbling upon an actual Jedi (like Luke) but he’s very potent with a ton of ability.

As for Kanan, he might just be my favorite character.

A fearless competitor, Kanan does anything for his friends, no matter what the cost.

It might sound a little strange, but he has a lot of Princess Leia’s attributes within him.

He’s very bold and true to himself and those around him, he gets the job done and most importantly, he’s willing to die for what he believes in.

That is Kanan Jarrus, a true leader when the Galaxy is barren of their kind.

The best part about Rebels is the best is yet to come.

Think about this for a moment…

When the season started, we were introduced to Ahsoka Tano becoming a major part of the Rebel movement.

As we saw in the first episode, Darth Vader has unfinished business with his former padawan.

When THAT episode finally airs, then we’ll be approaching groundbreaking entertainment.

Star Wars fans everywhere have racked their brains in thinking of possible scenarios on Ahsoka’s fate and what is to become of her.

The best part is, at some point in Star Wars Rebels, we should get a definitive answer.

Until then, Star Wars fans.

-Sith Pacify out