Written by: Kevin Berge
Anakin taught Ahsoka many things, but apparently he didn't teach her how to color her lightsabers. (Image Courtesy of: readysteadycut.com)
Quick Take: Star Wars Rebels Season 2 does a better job establishing its central characters and giving them more interesting threats to deal with even if it lacks heavy stakes through much of its run. With a few old returning characters, this season has a few truly great episodes that cannot be missed.
Star Wars Reviews: Episode I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | Rogue One | Clone Wars (2003)| The Clone Wars (2008) | Rebels (S1)
***This review will focus on the details of the entire second season with heavy spoilers. Those who have not seen the season and plan to do so should not read past this point until they have.***
The first season of Star Wars Rebels did a lot right, primarily defining a strong cast while staying within the spirit of the Star Wars universe. The problem was a lack of weight, driving the story with fairly simple weekly plots that relied on the likability of the cast.
This is a series that is written more directly for a younger audience than its predecessor, The Clone Wars, and that has to be accepted for an older viewer to enjoy the adventure. There are some dark moments, but this show pulls its punches more often than it probably should.
Season two continues that tradition, but it has more engaging weekly narratives. The variety of Inquisitors threatening the crew add an element of unique believable threat even if they are still somewhat marginalized in the grand scheme of the narrative.
More importantly, this season begins to embrace the individual stories of the crew. Each member has a few episodes dedicated to their backstory or personal growth, and this makes them stand out far better in the long run. In particular, Zeb gets some strong moments to shine in this season.
There are also strong new characters added to the story who add weight to events primarily because they are not new at all, returning from Clone Wars. Rex, one of the highest profile Clones featured in the former series, returns as a weary soldier, primarily bringing support through his knowledge.
The star of the show though is Ahsoka. Anakin's former padawan has grown up, and she proves even more so now to be the best creation of the animated series. Her poise and confidence hide a deeply troubled Force user who is forced to face the reality that Anakin has become Darth Vader.
***This review will focus on the details of the entire second season with heavy spoilers. Those who have not seen the season and plan to do so should not read past this point until they have.***
The first season of Star Wars Rebels did a lot right, primarily defining a strong cast while staying within the spirit of the Star Wars universe. The problem was a lack of weight, driving the story with fairly simple weekly plots that relied on the likability of the cast.
This is a series that is written more directly for a younger audience than its predecessor, The Clone Wars, and that has to be accepted for an older viewer to enjoy the adventure. There are some dark moments, but this show pulls its punches more often than it probably should.
Season two continues that tradition, but it has more engaging weekly narratives. The variety of Inquisitors threatening the crew add an element of unique believable threat even if they are still somewhat marginalized in the grand scheme of the narrative.
More importantly, this season begins to embrace the individual stories of the crew. Each member has a few episodes dedicated to their backstory or personal growth, and this makes them stand out far better in the long run. In particular, Zeb gets some strong moments to shine in this season.
There are also strong new characters added to the story who add weight to events primarily because they are not new at all, returning from Clone Wars. Rex, one of the highest profile Clones featured in the former series, returns as a weary soldier, primarily bringing support through his knowledge.
The star of the show though is Ahsoka. Anakin's former padawan has grown up, and she proves even more so now to be the best creation of the animated series. Her poise and confidence hide a deeply troubled Force user who is forced to face the reality that Anakin has become Darth Vader.
One Inquisitor wasn't enough, so now we have two. Do they multiply each time one dies? (Image Courtesy of: starwars.com)
Every episode featuring Ahsoka is a highlight especially the two-part finale which also features the return of Darth Maul. Titled "Twilight of the Apprentice", this episode is driven by the relationship between the most powerful Force users left in the series, all fighting for knowledge over the Sith.
No other episodes can live up to this finish in the same way the first season finale outshined the rest, but the overall quality is higher this time around. "Relics of the Old Republic", "The Future of the Force", "Legacy", "The Honorable Ones", and "Shroud of Darkness" are all clearly better than all but the finale of season one.
Ezra is still not the best character. He is frustratingly shallow and overly protected. Many seem to just trust his power and ability implicitly rather the show highlighting his ability. Because the other characters are so engaging and unique though, it is easier to wait for him grow up through this series.
What is the point of Rebels? At first, I thought it was about defining the growth of the Rebels through a misfit group of pirates, but I am starting to feel like the best element of this show is its explorations of the Force. Even with Ezra less than engaging on his own, his growth seems to be what the series does best.
In particular, Hera and Sabine can often feel left out with their stories underwritten even when they get time to shine. This may simply be a problem fundamentally with adding Jedi to a Star Wars story. They will always be the focus and bring the most interesting tales especially when connected to older stories.
At the same time, most Star Wars stories have been trying to tell these same stories of the Force and the conflict between Jedi and Sith for so long that it may make this series somewhat unnecessary. Unnecessary does not mean bad, but it does leave this series in the awkward position of still attempting to argue for its own purpose.
No other episodes can live up to this finish in the same way the first season finale outshined the rest, but the overall quality is higher this time around. "Relics of the Old Republic", "The Future of the Force", "Legacy", "The Honorable Ones", and "Shroud of Darkness" are all clearly better than all but the finale of season one.
Ezra is still not the best character. He is frustratingly shallow and overly protected. Many seem to just trust his power and ability implicitly rather the show highlighting his ability. Because the other characters are so engaging and unique though, it is easier to wait for him grow up through this series.
What is the point of Rebels? At first, I thought it was about defining the growth of the Rebels through a misfit group of pirates, but I am starting to feel like the best element of this show is its explorations of the Force. Even with Ezra less than engaging on his own, his growth seems to be what the series does best.
In particular, Hera and Sabine can often feel left out with their stories underwritten even when they get time to shine. This may simply be a problem fundamentally with adding Jedi to a Star Wars story. They will always be the focus and bring the most interesting tales especially when connected to older stories.
At the same time, most Star Wars stories have been trying to tell these same stories of the Force and the conflict between Jedi and Sith for so long that it may make this series somewhat unnecessary. Unnecessary does not mean bad, but it does leave this series in the awkward position of still attempting to argue for its own purpose.
