Originally posted by BeniboyblingHmm, same. Really looking forward to this
It's being written by someone called E.K Johnston, he's had some favorable reviews so could be good, might try one of his novels.
I hope they don't rush things though. Like, I don't want so much of Ahsoka's journey (post-S5, Order 66, Fulcrum, etc) to all be condensed into one book
Watched another 3 eps before the finale because power went out yesterday I missed it 🙁
Anyways:
Homecoming: nice episode, Cham appeared exactly like he was in Sith lords. Decent dialogue and story.
Honorable ones: nice filler episode tbh, I really loved Kallus' interaction with Zeb. Hopefully there's a follow up.
Shroud of Darkness.
HOLY SHIT I can't believe what I saw, it was amazing I squealed, I got goosebumps it was ****ing great.
Anakin looked like a Disney Princes tho.
Four more episodes.
I stand by my assessment. This episode had lots of potential, but they tried to cram too much into such a small window and it proves how weak Rebels' premise is when such excitement hinges on movie or TCW characters.
I disagree firmly with the notion that this was Maul at his best. Witwer was great as Maul in TCW as a deranged Chessmaster Cloudcukoolander, but here he hammed it up far more than what he should have. Maybe if there had been another "episode" in between dedicated to Maul/Ezra's journey to and through the temple, the danger of which was... poorly established. More should have been done to emphasize the trials and tribulations of Malachor.
Fight choreography fails to capture TCW at its best. The likes of Sidious/Maul/Opress and Maul/Vizsla absolutely shit on these duels and are infinitely more exciting. Though I'm pleased AF that Rebels dispenses with the notion that Vader is some lumbering clod. He might not be as nimble or acrobatic as his Master, but he's plenty quick enough to react to someone who embodies the pinnacle of prequel acrobatics.
I understand Kanan's ability to defeat Maul harkens back to Obi-Wan's instructions to Luke aboard the Falcon that he shouldn't trust his eyes, but the effect was far too immediate and I definitely don't see how being blinded would somehow make someone a more effective fighter. The Aesop moment was really lost due to poor pacing.
I'm ambivalent on the ending. Ahsoka's form retreating back into the temple was cool in a creepy way, but shamelessly vague.
All in all, the only thing great about this episode from where I stand was the duel between Ahsoka and Vader, which was awesome for its emotional impact, but the choreography and non-ending failed to support it.
Originally posted by The_TempestI agree in a lot of ways, specifically concerning the handling of Maul. There was something about the way in which he just ends up tagging along with Kanan & co. that diminished him as a threatening and ominous character.
I stand by my assessment. This episode had lots of potential, but they tried to cram too much into such a small window and it proves how weak Rebels' premise is when such excitement hinges on movie or TCW characters.I disagree firmly with the notion that this was Maul at his best. Witwer was great as Maul in TCW as a deranged Chessmaster Cloudcukoolander, but here he hammed it up far more than what he should have. Maybe if there had been another "episode" in between dedicated to Maul/Ezra's journey to and through the temple, the danger of which was... poorly established. More should have been done to emphasize the trials and tribulations of Malachor.
Fight choreography fails to capture TCW at its best. The likes of Sidious/Maul/Opress and Maul/Vizsla absolutely shit on these duels and are infinitely more exciting. Though I'm pleased AF that Rebels dispenses with the notion that Vader is some lumbering clod. He might not be as nimble or acrobatic as his Master, but he's plenty quick enough to react to someone who embodies the pinnacle of prequel acrobatics.
I understand Kanan's ability to defeat Maul harkens back to Obi-Wan's instructions to Luke aboard the Falcon that he shouldn't trust his eyes, but the effect was far too immediate and I definitely don't see how being blinded would somehow make someone a more effective fighter. The Aesop moment was really lost due to poor pacing.
I'm ambivalent on the ending. Ahsoka's form retreating back into the temple was cool in a creepy way, but shamelessly vague.
All in all, the only thing great about this episode from where I stand was the duel between Ahsoka and Vader, which was awesome for its emotional impact, but the choreography and non-ending failed to support it.
Bar the ambivalent fate of Ahsoka however, I felt from the moment Vader arrives to the closing scene the episode was perfect. And I actually felt the Vader vs Ahsoka fight was extremely well choreographed, particularly the part were she slices off his helmet, that was fantastic.
Originally posted by Beniboybling👆
Bar the ambivalent fate of Ahsoka however, I felt from the moment Vader arrives to the closing scene the episode was perfect. And I actually felt the Vader vs Ahsoka fight was extremely well choreographed, particularly the part were she slices off his helmet, that was fantastic.
And you know, rethinking it, Tempest does make a lot of good points, and if there were a larger runtime for the finale (or at least an episode on Malachor that sets shit up and establishes Maul and Ezra better) the story coherency and execution of what they were going for could have been much better.
Originally posted by Beniboybling
I agree in a lot of ways, specifically concerning the handling of Maul. There was something about the way in which he just ends up tagging along with Kanan & co. that diminished him as a threatening and ominous character.
And yet you liked Dooku Captured/Gungan General.
As for the duel itself, while it may not be as visually interesting as the Sidious one (though I prefer it to the Maul/Vizla duel from even a purely choreographic standpoint) it's dialogue and emotional stakes make it the far greater duel.
Well Dooku was kind of forced to work with Anakin/Obi-Wan being tied up with them. But also Dooku attempted to work with Obi-Wan from their first meeting in AOTC.
But I agree with you that it is in character for Maul to manipulate others, and work with whoever benefits him. At least that's what his TCW version would do.
Whether or not that was executed well in this is another debate.
I just don't see the logic. He is manipulating them to fight against Vader and his Inquisitors. How does that diminish his threat level? And I felt it perfectly fit the dark theme of the episode. The heroes are so outgunned they have to turn to dark powers and ally themselves with a former Sith Lord. Plus Maul actually succeeded into seducing Ezra to the dark side.
Originally posted by ares834
I just don't see the logic. He is manipulating them to fight against Vader and his Inquisitors. How does that diminish his threat level? And I felt it perfectly fit the dark theme of the episode. The heroes are so outgunned they have to turn to dark powers and ally themselves with a former Sith Lord. Plus Maul actually succeeded into seducing Ezra to the dark side.
I personally agree, I'm just not sure it was executed well. And I think that's because Maul and Ezra should have had their own episode. Instead of just cramming it in "Hey I'm your friend, you can trust me."
Nah I don't think the concept was that great, they are already delving into a Sith Temple seeking forbidden knowledge. In desperation turning to dark powers is a box ticked.
What should have come next where the terrible consequences.
The way I would have liked to see it executed was the reveal that Ezra was working with Maul to promote immediate shock and horror from the heroes, throw in a "he's mine now" line from Maul and have the episode(s) revolve more around Ahsoka and Kanan pursuing Maul in an attempt to free the naive Ezra from his clutches, with Ezra falling much further than he did.
Instead we have Ezra all "he's nice and he helped me with a Sith holocron lets be his friend" which is A'OKed by the team. Followed by Maul having Sithy elevator talk with Ezra, which is also allowed to happen, because only two can board the turbolift, no more no less.
Though the scene where Maul turned on them made up for it to an extent.
In seeking forbidden knowledge they are already turning to those dark powers… What else do they expect to be in a Sith holocron? But yes, that’s what I was referring to. Not Ezra using the dark side which is something he has been doing on and off all season.
Anyway, those terrible consequences are (hopefully) coming. Personally, I’m glad Ezra didn’t fall more than he did and then get redeemed at the end of these episodes. Now we get to see this arc unfold across an entire season rather than 1 or 2 episodes which has far greater storytelling potential.
Originally posted by ares834
And yet you liked Dooku Captured/Gungan General.As for the duel itself, while it may not be as visually interesting as the Sidious one (though I prefer it to the Maul/Vizla duel from even a purely choreographic standpoint) it's dialogue and emotional stakes make it the far greater duel.
I agree the emotional stakes were higher. I disagree that that necessarily makes a fight between space wizard ninjas inherently better.
And I strongly disagree that it was a visually superior duel than the cinematic masterpiece that was Vizsla/Maul.
Though I am pleased you recognize that Sidious/brothers was infinitely better choreographed.
TCW > SWR, bish
Slightly better choreographed… And I’d agree that greater emotional stakes don’t necessarily make it better. But in this case they do. The scene where Vader’s mask is sliced apart and he and Ahsoka share final words is outstanding and perhaps the finest moment in both TCW or Rebels. Eight seasons of television have built up to this and it delivers.
As for the Vizla fight, I’ve never really liked it even though I enjoy the character. There are a lot of other duels in both Rebels and TCW that I enjoy more.