This is my first review of Star Wars Rebels, a show I’ve enjoyed since it premiered on the Disney Channel in the fall of 2014. The events seen here take place prior to Episode IV. Wednesday night saw an impressive and emotionally charged Season 2 finale, “Twilight of the Apprentice”. Warning, spoilers ahead…
It’s almost sad for me to say that both the Clone Wars series and now Star Wars Rebels are superior in so many ways than the prequel films that preceded them. But for the most part, they are. Oh and did I mention that there were plenty of lightsaber battles that would put many of the live action ones to shame? They were wickedly epic to see.
There were two constants throughout Season 2. One is the growing concern over the show’s protagonist Ezra, who seems to teeter between the light and dark side. He’s a Jedi in training and is fairly strong with the Force but because he seeks answers regarding his parents and often shows impatience, he can be an easy target for the Sith. The other constant was the long awaited and tragic reunion between Darth Vader and his apprentice, Ahsoka.
Ahsoka was Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice as seen on The Clone Wars before he fell to the dark side and became Vader. The sadness and pain Ahsoka conveyed felt more real than the one Obi-Wan displayed in Episode III. I understand there’s advantage in animation that isn’t so easy to duplicate in live action but it doesn’t change how real and deeply sad this confrontation will be. Her fate in the end is up in the air. But her battle against her former master was legendary, including besting him by slicing open part of Vader’s mask. Her “I’m no Jedi” quote sent chills down my spine. It was a powerful moment. Another such moment was catching a glimpse of Anakin’s face only humanized this tragic figure. There is so much to ponder till Rebels returns in the fall for Season 3.
Then there’s Darth Maul. Yes the pointy headed sith apprentice made a surprise yet important appearance that will have a lasting impact for future episodes. Before revealing himself to Ezra, the cloaked Maul channeled his inner Yoda with dialogue reminiscent of Luke Skywalker’s first encounter with the Jedi Master. At first without knowing who it was, you couldn’t help but be suspicious with the way he spoke to Ezra. Then when he revealed himself to be Maul, that feeling felt justified. But the unthinkable happened when he joined Ezra, Kanan and Ahsoka in fighting off the Inquisitors. As I had said earlier, the lightsaber battles were pretty epic.
Has Maul turned to the light? No! Although he dispatches of the Inquisitors, he turns on Ahsoka and blinds Kanan. He then claims Ezra as his apprentice. Kanan aided by the Force fights and defeats Maul. It was especially telling how quickly Ezra was taken in by Maul. He does turn on him but it was very clear by the end of the episode and the closing moments of season 2, there’s so much more to Ezra than we have yet to discover. As Ezra holds the Sith holocron and was able to open it, we’re reminded of Maul’s warning that “one must be a Sith or think like one” in order to do so. A chilling thought to say the least.
As far as season finales go, this one was as action packed and crowd-pleasing as any live action shows in production today, a credit to the show’s producers and writers.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
