Review - Star Wars Rebels "Droids in Distress"

Tackel · October 14, 2014, 07:29:30 PM

Star Wars Rebels - "Droids in Distress S01E01

***Each review will be building off the last so I don't have to repeat myself over and over. For the base of the main characters's personalities, visit my Star Wars: Spark of Rebellion Review***

http://sep7agon.net/index.php?topic=5009.0

Story:

Spoiler

In this episode of Star Wars Rebels, the story continues shortly after the events of Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion with the Ghost crew short on supplies and money they decide to take a job from Vizago, an arms dealer. They agree to steal some weapons in return for credits. Soon afterward, they run into C-3PO and R2-D2 who are working under cover as imperial translators. After getting the information on where the weapons are kept, they soon smuggle to weapons onto the Ghost. Upon smuggling them, they realize they were disrupters used to wipe out Zeb's race. For this reason, Zeb is against selling them, but ultimately his cries are ignored.

However, unknowingly the Ghost crew was followed on their way to the weapons deal. Vizago panics and escapes with most of the weapons, while the Ghost crew fend off the Imperials.Soon a duel between Zeb and Agent Kallus ensue, where we discover Agent Kallus lead the assault on Zeb's planet, and that he wields a sacred weapons of Zeb's people.Agent Kallus gets the upper hand on Zeb, until Ezra steps in and uses to force to send Agent Kallus flying. The Ghost crew then retreats off world away from the Imperial army.

They then return C-3PO and R2-D2 to Bail Organa. Bail pays the Ghost crew for their troubles and R2 inform Bail on the Ghost crew, referring to them as "Rebels".

Characters:

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Hera:

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The Pilot of the Ghost. she doesn't do much in this episode except act as a motherly figure.

Chopper:

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Doesn't do much either this episode. He helps out the Ghost crew in his own way and is his usual annoying astromech self.

Sabine:

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Absolutely no character development this episode. She shoots at stuff.

Ezra:

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He gets blown off by Kanan, and is used to crawl through vents. He gets a bit closer to Zeb in this episode, especially after saving him from Agent Kallus. Not a huge amount of character development, but a good amount for the first episode.

Kanan:

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He blows off Ezra's training and is just overall insensitive to the crew. He seems to do whatever he needs to in order to get money. Very non-Jedi like, which is good because he's been in hiding trying to survive. It's pretty obvious he'll get better down the line when training Ezra though.

Zeb:

Spoiler

We discover more about his backstory, which is kind of dark/sad. The Empire wiped out his entire race and he has a irrational fear of the weapons used to do so. After being saved by Ezra, he gives him a nod, showing that he and Ezra will probably get along better down the rode.

Agent Kallus:

Spoiler

YouTube

We learn Kallus was in command of the attack on Zeb's planet. Kallus wields a sacred staff from Zeb's people, and is very skillful in using it. Seeing as how he openly challenged Zeb in a firefight, he has at least respect for his rivals.

R2-D2, C-3PO, and Bail Organa:

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Playing a small side roll, it seems that the formation of the Rebellion is starting to kick in. These characters will probably appear time to time with the over acing plot.

Animation:

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Animation seems like it has already improved from the "movie". While nothing notable in particular, it definitely seems it will improve overtime like The Clone Wars.

Soundtrack:

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Bringing back original soundtracks front he Original Trilogy once again, as well as some altered versions to the imperial march. Sounds great.

Review Score:
9/10

Spoiler

Great. It's a TV show and isn't afraid to be. It has short and quick pacing, yet still manages to tell a great story. Will be awesome to watch it in a Marathon run. However, it is really apparent on the digital versions when there is supposed to be a commercial break, as it cuts to black for a second. This was present in The Clone Wars, but they fixed it in later seasons. Hopefully they do the same here.

Star Wars Rebels "Droids in Distress" S01E01 is currently free on iTunes. Download it. The episode is also available on Disney XD and Amazon Instant Video. It will be available on Netflix after the season is finished.

Tackel · October 14, 2014, 07:41:31 PM

Spoiler

*Bumps shamelessly*

Chakas · October 14, 2014, 09:53:47 PM

I don't even want to give it a chance. Disney's marketing was towards the appeal of children and was nowhere near as dark as The Clone Wars. No complexity to the plans and making the bad guys look utterly retarded in terms of tactics and strategy makes one hell of a bland cringefest of a show. I don't want stereotypical enemies. I want an enemy that isn't afraid to stab a lead female character through the chest in front of Obi-Wan *cough*Darth Maul*cough.*

Tackel · October 14, 2014, 10:17:13 PM

Quote from: Chakas on October 14, 2014, 09:53:47 PM

I don't even want to give it a chance. Disney's marketing was towards the appeal of children and was nowhere near as dark as The Clone Wars. No complexity to the plans and making the bad guys look utterly retarded in terms of tactics and strategy makes one hell of a bland cringefest of a show. I don't want stereotypical enemies. I want an enemy that isn't afraid to stab a lead female character through the chest in front of Obi-Wan *cough*Darth Maul*cough.*

Marketing=/= Quality of the show

This

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YouTube

is no different from this.

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YouTube

And as for dark themes ***MAJOR SPOILERS***

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In the fourth episode, The Inquisitor uses Luminara Unduli's mummified corpse (which they show) to lure Jedi to a death trap.

In The Clone Wars, we had to wait until The Citadel Arc for something even remotely close to that.

Give it a chance, other words you're missing out on great show.

Comet · October 14, 2014, 11:57:07 PM

you're not going to review every episode are you?

Tackel · October 15, 2014, 10:02:00 AM

Possibly...

Spoiler

yes

RomanGladiator · October 18, 2014, 07:57:09 AM

So it last night. It felt like 3PO and R2 were just shoehorned into it, honestly. Was nice to see Bail Organa and the Tantive IV at the end. I have a feeling we will see Leia towards the end of the season.