Empire Day

[Cortan]

This week (online anyway) is another episode from Henry Gilroy, who wrote Rise of the Old Masters. Will this episode measure up? We'll see.

Another day, another attempt to continue Ezra's training. And yet again, he's having some issues, though its not a matter of struggling with philosophy or having to deal with Chopper trying to kill him. Nah, he's just in a bad mood, because its Empire Day - which, as one might guess, is the celebration of the Empire's foundation. It has a closer, harder meaning for Ezra though, both for his past, but also because the present Empire Day is going to prove eventful. Very eventful, given it also reveals some highlights of what's in store for the galaxy at large...

The episode's setup is initially not much different from Rise of the Old Masters, which makes me wonder if Gilroy is trying to establish a 'standard' opening for himself, but it quickly becomes another affair entirely. Very much an action driven episode, but I wasn't put off by it - it has enough variety and good pacing to it that it didn't get tiring. The Imperials were a mixed bag of competence and expected mistakes, but the moments they did get honestly surprised me. The stuff revealed this episode about the Empire's MO for the period is pretty obvious for anyone familiar with the franchise, but I think it still provides a neat framework to both explain why the show and setting may start to ramp up in future, but it then also ties in well to what we got out of the OT. As much as New Hope was very much the beginning of Luke's journey, the show is already building up to the events of the film being the culmination of what goes on here.

Things to see:

• Clone Wars stuff being recycled, in universe, in a curious way.
• Holonet news is required to be on by law. And the Imperial March appears to be, yes, the anthem of the Empire.
• The Senator in Exile appears again, appearing to confirm he's the real deal.
• I like the twist on the march for the parade itself. Even the sound direction plays into the Imperial propaganda, I love it.
• Lothal's role as a shipyard for Sienar - and thus, the Empire - comes into play, showing where Vader gets his ride.
• Baron Rhudor finally gets named in series, the poor, poor schmuck.
• We also get some details on the Empire's ethics regarding worker productivity. Its the small evils the series has running in the background that I love most.
• Dark Forces data disk!
• The folded up Advanced TIE looks kinda like the Matrix of Leadership.
• Karabast confirmed for new fictional swearing. It amuses me.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

I loved this episode. I wasn't expecting "To be continued." It's the first episode that really left me wanting for more right now.

 

[Cortan]

I loved this episode. I wasn't expecting "To be continued." It's the first episode that really left me wanting for more right now.

Yeah. I was thinking like "Wait you have two minutes left, how can you-"

Then wham.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

I like where they're going with Ezra's parents, how they were apparently rebels too.

The one thing I thought was a little on the nose was that Ezra was born the same day Palpatine declared the New Order, but that's not a huge deal.

 

[TwoSidedHeart]

Absolutely adored this episode! ^_^ It is the first ep in this series where I've felt like it was actually working to build the overarching story, and not just acting as a way to introduce characters. The things I enjoyed most were:

- Kallus and The Inquisitor working together. I actually feel like they could be a real threat to the group. Kallus himself seems to be a competent villain and Im enjoying the voice work of both characters. The Inquisitor is just a total badass! I actually really want to see an episode where Kallus and the Inquisitor team up to duel Kanan and Zeb. Also, the Inquisitor and Kallus leading the attack groups made the Empire seem like an actual threat for the first time in this series for me and the shot of the Inquisitor approaching the TIE with his team... <3
- Some more looks at the Empires lack of popularity and a small peek into the Empires idea of efficiency with the equipment on the rodians head. I like the idea that they could really get into the bigger and badder aspects of the Empire or even the other evils in the Galaxy like the Hutts. Honestly, I thought the Rodian was wearing a Slave Collar at first, although it may as well have been.
- LOVED the setting up of Ezra's character arc. Im genuinely curious about his parents roles now and I find it VERY intriguing about how he was born on 'Empire Day', alongside Luke/Leia. Dunno why, I just feel like we may be treading into a darker set of episodes regarding his parents which I felt like was what the Clone Wars did best, going grittier and slightly more serious. To me, this series has felt like a weekly sitcom rather than a show with connections between all its episodes, but this episode gives me hope. :D

But yeah, loved the ep. Some of the laser blasts look like they just came out of a comic book, but I kinda like it. XD The animation itself is still a little... blocky for my tastes at points but overall Im enjoying the show. :D Also, I like that they havent just tossed aside the fact Ezras an orphan when he joined the group and have quickly been able to address this a little more. Aaaaaand finally, the to be continued gave me chills. XD I dont know why, but chills. :D

 

[Srota]

I enjoyed this episode a lot as well, and am glad that we are starting to see more of the inner workings of the empire. Loved the use of the imperial march as the imperial anthem. I definitely agree with the above posts that it is nice to see some semblance of an ongoing plot really starting to take hold. Especially now that we are getting past the "introducing the main characters and their backstory" point that is so common with tv shows in their first season. We didn't really have this issue with clone wars since all but maybe 2 of the real main characters were well known movie characters. So hopefully we can start to move into more serious plot development.

 

[Kenzie]

This was the best episode of Rebels yet. We're really beginning to feel some real weight behind things, and I'm enjoying how the writers are fleshing out Ezra's backstory, his parents and their relationship. We're also starting to see more of the show taking a look at the Empire and their impact on the galaxy (and not being afraid to get dark), and some really fun action scenes near the end. The "To Be Continued" bit took me by surprise too, as I thought that this season would just be one-and-done stories until maybe the end or so. Still, I'm very excited to see where things go from here.

 

[Vulpes]

I loved this episode. If they continue like this...well, I really look forward to it if that's the case. Most of the content I liked has been said by everyone here so far. One thing that I really like about the series as a whole is the fact that every episode, we see both new and classic content returning. Small things in the background, minor species and little technologies, they all entertain me. If I had more time, chances are I'd watch the episode again just to see what I missed.

Also, I love the regular characters, which are pretty minor-ish. The Officers, Ministers and TIE Aces all make an appearance every other episode, even if they contribute little more than world-building. It makes me think though, how heavy is the garrison on Lothal? If stormtroopers didn't wear helmets, do you think we'd see many repeat soldiers? I mean, most of the fights, they don't kill the troopers. They're bound to run into the same stormtroopers every now and then. Just a thought.

Two trivial thoughts I also had, every now and then Ezra goes on his little balcony, but what building is that and why does he regularly have access to it? Is their on-planet hideout? Also, I feel like the troop transports were created and designed for the sole purpose of intense chase scenes, which have not yet disappointed.

Great episode though, just thought I'd bring a few random points up that haven't been talked about here. Also, as a wookieepedia editor, do you guys think it's inappropriate to assume the Rodian was speaking...Rodese?

 

[Cortan]

It seems to be an observation tower Ezra holed himself up in after his parents died. Why he's able to given the Empire's means of land grabs, heck if I know,

The troop transports are actually based on old toy from 70s and 80s. Same way the TIE fighters are more closely proportioned to the toys than their film counterparts.

 

[Vulpes]

It seems to be an observation tower Ezra holed himself up in after his parents died. Why he's able to given the Empire's means of land grabs, heck if I know,

The troop transports are actually based on old toy from 70s and 80s. Same way the TIE fighters are more closely proportioned to the toys than their film counterparts.

Didn't know that, that's a cool reference. My point still stands, execelent for chase scenes.


Also, so is the Senator who keeps getting into the Imperial network... is he:

A.) Giving out false information as in Rise of Old Masters, attempting to bait the group?
B.) Genuine, but got the intel wrong on Luminara in the previous episode
C.) Genuine, but the previous episode was a fake broadcast by him

Just wondering on opinions, and if you guys think he may hold a larger role later, possibly even the drop off for our Rodian friend?

 

[Cortan]

My current thoughts sway on the middle option right now. There isn't as much practical point to the Empire having him randomly shout out that... except maybe tl keep up the illusion of being the real deal. Its pretty hard to tell right now.

 

[Vulpes]

My current thoughts sway on the middle option right now. There isn't as much practical point to the Empire having him randomly shout out that... except maybe tl keep up the illusion of being the real deal. Its pretty hard to tell right now.

If I recall, he says just to not participate in any, not like to blow stuff up. I'm probably looking too deep into it.

 

[Johnnysaurus Rex]

I honestly didn't care for this episode. It's by no means the worst in the series, but it just kind of struck me as odd. The only problems I'd bring up are how the Inquisitor and Kallus are just sort of at the Empire Day parade. Kallus I can sort of buy, but the Inquisitor? You could reason that Inquisitor was there (along with Kallus) as it is a likely target for the Ghost crew, but then why weren't all of the Storm Troopers briefed on what they look like. Breaking Ranks shows that they at least have some sort of visual on what Ezra looks like in their database now and Inquisitor and Kallus have met the group enough times now to give a somewhat accurate depiction of what they normally look like.

Just struck me as really odd.

I liked the Ezra stuff with his parents and the Jedi training. Sabine also continues to prove how much a ****ing linchpin she is on that team... while Chopper proves how useless his job really is.

I like that they are starting to do stories that take more than one episode, but I guess I personally didn't find the whole "I know where your parents are!" that compelling.

I did like, as previously mentioned, that some old Clone Wars stuff pops up as being re-purposed or as decoration. Just a really nice touch.

Additional side note: I hope they are paying Steve Blum a bunch. Outside of Zeb in this episode he was doing three additional voice roles.

TL;DR One big head scratcher moment for me. Not bad, but not good in my book I will reserve full judgement till we get the second half of the story.

 

[Srota]

I believe the inquisitor was there because of the new TIE fighter design, and if he is in the area, like he was for Breaking Ranks, it makes sense for him to show up to the big local Empire Day celebration. Additionally, it would be a good place for him to be as its a tempting target for the rebels, and if I were looking for them, that's one of the first places I'd be.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

It seems to be an observation tower Ezra holed himself up in after his parents died. Why he's able to given the Empire's means of land grabs, heck if I know,

It's an abandoned communications tower. It was used before the Empire took over Lothal. Once the Empire arrived, they set up a new communications system and left towers like that abandoned. Ezra holed up in that particular one.

 

[Johnnysaurus Rex]

I believe the inquisitor was there because of the new TIE fighter design, and if he is in the area, like he was for Breaking Ranks, it makes sense for him to show up to the big local Empire Day celebration. Additionally, it would be a good place for him to be as its a tempting target for the rebels, and if I were looking for them, that's one of the first places I'd be.

I could see the unveiling of a new TIE fighter as worthy of added security, but again as I said even if he was there specifically to find and combat the Ghost crew (as having him there just for security is dumb) then why don't they have their pictures or descriptions known to the security team? This isn't just some group who has stolen some weapons. This is a Rebel Cell that The Inquisitor KNOWS has two Force Sensitives, have broken successfully in and out of one of their most secure prisons, and have infiltrated one of their Imperial academies. He has seen Ezra and Kanaan and at the parade isn't shown at all until after the explosion. So where was he? He certainly wasn't shown looking or observing from any spot and we've been shown int he past Force Sensitives can at least sense the presence of other Force Sensitives.

So either the show just threw him in there or The Empire is shit at their job.

 

[Cortan]

Personally I like to think he was chilling out, waiting for someone to show off his new toy before he himself took a spin, and then stuff blew up.

 

[Johnnysaurus Rex]

Personally I like to think he was chilling out, waiting for someone to show off his new toy before he himself took a spin, and then stuff blew up.

He was just enjoying a crisp lemonade (he pronounces it lemonod) and watching the festivities from his favorite eatery when THOSE GOD DAMN TERRORIST ASSHOLES RUINED IT!

 

[Cortan]

He was just enjoying a crisp lemonade (he pronounces it lemonod) and watching the festivities from his favorite eatery when THOSE GOD DAMN TERRORIST ASSHOLES RUINED IT!

...You know, that's gonna be my headcanon of the moment now.

 

[Johnnysaurus Rex]

It makes it play out better for me. So cheers.