#HE HELPS LIBERATE LOTHAL

[autismmydearwatson]

The more I watch Rebels, the more I begin to appreciate that the liberation of Lothal was a miracle of nothing less than Biblical proportions.

How many people were involved? Ten, fifteen maximum? One of the first of a new generation of Jedi, a Lasat survivor, an Imperial turned Rebel, a Mandalorian and her girlfriend, a pilot and her sicko astromech, a pirate, that kid whose name i forgor, an Ugnaught, and three clone veterans? There's NO way they should have succeeded in completely purging the planet of Imperial presence, but they DID.

They trapped every Imp in the dome by virtue of deception, launched THE Grand Admiral Thrawn into oblivion by making friends with mystical space whales, blasted every Imperial into ashes, and freed Lothal in the span of a few hours with only thirteen people and about two dozen star whales. And because this was only a year or so before the Battle of Yavin, the Empire didnt have the strength to try and take back the planet. This was a feat comparable in my mind to the Maccabean revolt, and now because of Ezras sacrifice and the Ghost crews efforts, Ezras homeworld was freed. The citizens of Lothals capital watched the flight of glowing purrgil and a rain of fire falling from the sky, and they were ALIVE and free.

And they didn't even use the help of the Rebel Alliance, they didn't do it for the Rebellion! They did it for LOTHAL, and if it weren't for Ezras love for his land he may NEVER have had the guts to do it, to refuse Palpatines temptation, to tell Thrawn to stick it, to yeet himself into the unknown cosmos, or to give up everything for his land God damn it God fucking damn it I feel sick

[sailforvalinor]

A quick analysis of why Ezra and Thrawn are each other’s perfect nemesis (especially for those who aren’t as familiar with Rebels):

The reason that Thrawn is so dangerous is, of course, not just because of his analytical mind or brilliant battle tactics, but because he takes the time to know his enemy. He understands what all art historians or anyone in the liberal arts can tell you: that art is one of the clearest windows into a society, and studying a society’s art can tell you just as much, if not more than a history book can. Thrawn always takes the time to throughly understand his enemy before he fights them, and that includes the Jedi Ezra Bridger.

The problem is, however, that Ezra is not a typical Jedi. It stands to reason that what Thrawn knows about the Jedi comes from the Jedi Generals in the Clone Wars, who abided by very standard military tactics—and to a point, having fought in the Clone Wars, Kanan Jarrus, Ezra’s master, often used those tactics, and passed some of them on to Ezra. However, since he primarily fought in a small rebel cell, Ezra was primarily a guerrilla fighter. Even when they went on to join the larger Rebellion, Kanan and Ezra often avoided their larger full-scale battles in favor of smaller ops that catered to their talents, only joining large battles when it was absolutely necessary to turn the tables. And though he was a commander, it was actually fairly rare that he led troops into battle like the Jedi generals in the Clone Wars.

Additionally, while early on in his arc he shares some similarities with Anakin and Luke (especially in his struggle to figure out how to protects those he loves without falling to the Dark Side), it becomes apparent by the end of Rebels that he is on the path to becoming a Jedi like Qui-Gon Jinn or Yoda—that is, a Jedi very in-tune with the Living Force. Though he possesses many of the more physical talents we associate with the Jedi—heightened senses, strengthened physical abilities, skill with a lightsaber, etc—his talents have always tended towards the more cerebral (e.g., he was receiving extremely vivid visions of the future while struggling just to levitate an object). One really interesting thing about Rebels is that it often chooses to represent the presence of the Force with a high-pitched whistling sound, one that Ezra quite often seems to hear and let guide his decisions. He is also very prone to receiving extremely vivid Force visions. But the ability he is most known for, especially in Ahsoka, is his ability to connect to living beings. If you were wondering why such a deal is made over the Loth-Cat in episode one, it’s because Loth-Cats have become somewhat of a motif for Ezra, just like the purrgil—they seem to be always around him in Rebels, and serve as a sort of barometer to the audience as to how strong Ezra’s Force abilities are. In season one, they would just pop out and hiss at him every once in awhile, but by season four, they’re all over him—if he stood out in a field and held still for too long he’d just be buried in cats. The same goes for other creatures—he befriends the purrgil early on in the show, and is able to enlist their help in the finale. He’s also so in-tune with the Living Force on his home planet of Lothal that he is approached by Loth-Wolves, mysterious, spiritual beings who weren’t thought to exist outside the realm of myth, and shown a way to use a hyperspace corridor to travel to the other side of the planet.

However, this ability doesn’t just extend to animals—it extends to people, too. It’s like someone poured everything into his charisma stat. He makes friends everywhere he goes, so easily it’s like breathing, and people naturally gravitate towards him and want to help him. (It’s probably why he has made such good friends with those adorable rock people—he just can’t help being forcibly adopted wherever he goes.) The reason he is able to beat Thrawn in the end of Rebels is that he calls in every single favor from all the people he recruited to his side throughout the past four seasons, and when you see everyone on screen—former Imperial cadets, smugglers, deposed military leaders, space wolves, space whales, Clones, etc—it’s then that you realize just what an inspiring leader he is. If Ezra can get Hondo Onaka of all people to join Rebellion, you know he’s got something special.

Not to mention, since Ezra has spoken to and been indirectly trained by a Force being (the Bendu) and was the first on-screen Jedi to discover the World Between Worlds, it’s quite possible that he understands the Living Force better, or at least in a very different way, than most Jedi within the Order did.

To sum it all up, Ezra is just so different, so unconventional, both as a military leader and as a Jedi, that Thrawn, for all his military prowess, doesn’t know what to do with him. He is absolutely unpredictable, because he always abides by the will of the Force, something Thrawn is completely unable to get access to or understand. I always think of them when I see this meme:

because it’s almost quite literally what happens in the Rebels finale. Thrawn has pulled off a seemingly infallible maneuver, the Rebels are completely pinned-down, their resources are maxed-out, and he knows they will not risk the deaths of civilians. Ezra gives himself up, and he thinks he’s won. But then what does Ezra do? He summons a flock of purrgil who drag him, along with his entire Star Destroyer, into hyperspace and jump to another galaxy. How on earth could Thrawn have even predicted that? And even if he had known Ezra’s plan, what could he have even done?

That’s why Thrawn is so eager to kill Ezra in Ahsoka. Something tells me that he’s been hunting him in these ten years we haven’t seen them—because he knows that this one man is far more dangerous than anything waiting for him in the galaxy he is preparing to invade.

[archivistofnerddom]

My current absolutely unhinged take of something that could happen in “Ahsoka” and “Andor”:

Ezra and Sabine reunite in the Ahsoka series. They spend some time catching up with Sabine telling Ezra about what the rest of the surviving Ghost crew are up to these days.

This includes mentioning that Zeb has largely settled down on Lira San with Alex, though they both spend time helping out the New Republic on occasion. (That would explain Zeb’s cameo on season 3 of the Mandalorian series.) Ezra seems to understand/know who Alex is, though we (the audience) only see a fuzzy photo of them.

And then, in season 2 of the Andor series, we get live-action Kallus in some capacity. He’s first there in the ISB plot line, then later as part of the Fulcrum network and Rebel Intelligence plot line. The audience never learns what his first name is (though those who have seen the animated series will obviously know who he is). It makes sense that Kallus would be the Rebels character to show up on the Andor series in any substantial manner, given his arc on Rebels. Seeing him be a complimentary counterpoint to Cassian would be fantastic!

The payoff, of course, will be another Zeb cameo where he comes to collect Kallus from Rebel Intelligence and some meeting with Cassian. They’re about to go liberate Lothal, and the Ghost crew needs their Fulcrum. It’s only then does the casual-viewing audience learn their given names.

And the rest of us would be screaming and flailing.

[sinisterexaggerator]

Theory on where we may see Hondo Ohnaka in the live action universe...

Kenobi took place 9BBY, which is before Star Wars: Rebels. Rebels is set somewhere between 5BBY and 1BBY. Tala was quoted in Kenobi as saying:

"They're on Florrum. The network runs out of the Sertar Sector. They use a salvage business to launder goods, render new identities… And fly the Jedi out."

I do not think she was lying here, at least not entirely. Here's why:

That was not him bullshitting the Spectres. He was telling the truth. My first thought was oh, sure, yeah, and you and Kenobi are besssssst friends, but this line in Kenobi makes me think that the line from Hondo in Rebels is connected. This is before he set up his smuggling business on Batuu, and we know even after General Grievous attacked, Hondo still tried to repair his base of operations. It was the Jedi who rescued him from Maul and Savage. It was the Jedi who helped him escape from Dooku.

"While on his own, Ohnaka became an ally of the fugitive Jedi Ezra Bridger and the Spectres, an insurgent cell rebelling against the Empire. Ohnaka frequently aided Bridger and the Spectres in their fight against the Empire, culminating in his participation in the liberation of Bridger's homeworld, the planet Lothal. By the time of the war between the Resistance and the Neo-Imperial First Order, Ohnaka had rebuilt his reputation and formed Ohnaka Transport Solutions, a shipping company based in Black Spire Outpost on Batuu that was used as a front for a successful smuggling racket. When the Resistance briefly established a base on Batuu, Ohnaka provided them aid as they recuperated following the Battle of Crait." - Wookieepedia (Hondo's time in Star Wars: Rebels)"

You know, Ezra. The Jedi that disappeared along with Thrawn. The Jedi that Ahsoka is desperately searching for. If Hera is supposed to make an appearance, and Sabine is supposed to be there too, why not Hondo Ohnaka?!?!

He cared about Ezra! He said so himself!

Him and Ahsoka also go way, way back! Well, maybe they didn't always have the best relationship, though people can change!

My prediction is Hondo Ohnaka makes an appearance in Ahsoka - 100%!!!

I am such a damn nerd.

[ashyybees-art]

Hit Zeb and Kallus with the classic Star Wars narrative of suddenly find themselves adopting a lonely child they come across and go on an adventure-

-A kid who is need of help (maybe their parents have disappeared thanks to the remnants of the Empire or something else) and heard of a legend from the Rebellion of “The Honorable Ones”; strong warriors that helped liberate Lothal and fulfilled a prophecy to find a long lost planet. 

They make it to Lirasan-just barely-looking for the legendary Captains Orrelios and Kallus. OR while Zeb is aiding the New Republic he crosses paths with the kid who is indeed looking for him because they can’t get help from the New Republic. And the grand adventure and mystery begins with Kallus and Zeb slowly adopting the kid and getting attached to them. 

[tarisilmarwen]

Rebels Rewatch: "In The Name Of The Rebellion"

In which you owe your crazy conspiracy uncle an apology. XD

Live reaction version.

Ya-vin, Ya-vin, Ya-vin, Ya-vin. :D

Per the dialogue we are setting down on Yavin for the very first time. Apparently I was confused about this the first time around but it's very obvious now that Kanan, Sabine, Ezra, and Chopper broke off from the flotilla at some point in order to head to Mandalore while Hera and Zeb et. al. continued on to Yavin.

As I noticed in my first watchthrough there's a bit of the Rebel Sullust cue in here.

Ezra worrying about Hera crashlanding while Kanan has complete faith in her aww.

"I've seen worse landings." Fpfpfgkjhkf Kanan plz. It should not have taken this long to crack a blind joke.

This time through it's much more obvious to me that Ezra's expressing sympathetic leanings towards Saw and his methods out of frustration over Lothal, a niggling desire to hit back at the Empire hard out of anger. He keeps bringing up the fact that they've promised to help Ryder and his cell and he feels let down by the Rebellion's new hesitance to take action, to defer liberating his planet to "later".

Oh ouch this moment with the map resonates more painfully now with Jedi: Survivor's release and Cal's paralyzed despair over just how big and overwhelming the Empire is.

Ezra's signature is so troubled Kanan can pick it up from feet away. :((((((

Love this soft moment of the two meditating and talking.

I think I've already said my piece about the whole "How we choose to fight" theme, as it is contrasted by Saw "He Who Fights Monsters" Gerrera and Mon "Lawful Good" Mothma so I'll just enjoy this and move on again.

Sabine backing Ezra up on his sentiments about hurting the Empire. <3

"If we destroy the relay the Empire will just build another one." Mmmmmm that kind of depends. Do they have the resources and manpower to spare for that kind of construction project ready and available on the fly? That thing isn't exactly small. Wasting the Empire's resources and buying yourselves time is in fact a valid strategy.

Given that Hera shares Ezra's feelings completely but can't disobey orders, it's arguable that her line here is self-justification or what she's rehearsed as the expected excuse.

Eyyyy the Sabezra Halo jump! Accompanied by lovely music cue.

You know I gotta cap the mid-mission hand catching. <3 Oh and it's even punctuated with Ezra's theme, nice.

Lol Chopper just face-planting into the antenna base.

You know what? I'mma headcanon Chopper botched the spike install on purpose because he wanted to blow the disc too.

That he backs up Ezra's "idea" is only reinforcing that for me. Because this is a terrible idea, Ezra honey, no.

"Oh that is just so typical of our luck." Lol.

<3333

It's adorable how Sabine packed detonators just in case.

Music is really on point this episode.

Shut up and let me enjoy this.

Kanera trust flight moment. <333

Still love how Saw basically kidnaps Ezra and Sabine here and how pissed Hera is about it.

Aaaaaand goodbye Brom Titus. You could seriously make a drinking game out of how many named Imperial officers from previous seasons bite it in this one.

They look a LOT more uncertain despite agreeing to be here in the heat of the moment.

They are Not Impressed, lol.

Hey yet more evidence Sabine isn't Force Sensitive, she can't hear the kyber crystal.

Saw does sound crazy to the kids and to the wider Rebellion but remember, he's ultimately vindicated. The Empire was building a giant superweapon in secret.

Rebels said when in doubt always mistrust your government, I mean what.

Love the kalimba and xylophone in this track here.

LOL THE PERFECT COMEDIC TIMING OF THE SHRILLEST STORMTROOPER SCREECH RIGHT AS THE DOORS CLOSE ON EZRA LEAPING ONTO HIM LOLOLOL.

Saw's so hyperfocused on the actual weapon he doesn't realize these prisoners are yet more proof of his theory.

I'm amazed Saw is still using just stun blasts here.

Gotta say, very effective jump scare with the Deathtroopers here. Also love the horror movie vibes of our trio taking out the Troopers in the smoke here.

This is such a pretty sequence. It makes the kyber crystal seem like some kind of archaic magic artifact. Which, I mean, it is.

Chopper's interactions with the prisoners is such a fun running gag.

Love this little moment of Ezra clearing the Troopers for Sabine. What a gentleman. :)

Yeah so the number one way to get me to not like Saw is still to have him hurt Ezra.

Hi Slavin!

Saw being so obsessed with the big picture of his cause that it makes him apathetic to the plight of the people suffering under the Empire's hand. Thrawn parallels much?

(Oh hello moment that helped make "Reflections" wind up three times longer than planned.)

And the major difference between Ezra and Saw (and by extension Ezra and Thrawn)? Ezra is not willing to step on others in order to gain a victory.

Yeah no, regardless of how right he is, leaving Ezra and Sabine on an exploding ship was a dick move.

Still love Ezra getting to be badass against the Deathtrooper commander.

Shades of Season One "Breaking Ranks".

Aaaaaand bye Slavin.

I love them your honor.

At times I kind of wish this could have been the premiere because it's just so much fun. Has that nostalgic OT feel and sets up the new status quo much better. Ezra and Sabine get lots of lovely interaction and the themes of previous seasons are continued, with Ezra coming to an internal realization that he won't sacrifice the people in front of him now to some unseen "greater good". Which positions him perfectly to be a foil to Thrawn. <3 And sets up our return to Lothal, to fight the war the Rebellion thinks is still far off.

There's so much to like about this two-part episode. It's one of my favorites.

[gloria-van-puncake]

The Translator

Teen And Up Audiences

Fandoms:

Star Wars - All Media Types

Star Wars: Rebels

Star Wars: Thrawn Series - Timothy Zahn (2017)

Relationship: Thrawn | Mitth'raw'nuruodo/Eli Vanto

Summary:

Set after the Rebel's finale. Sabine and Ahsoka are preparing to search the Unknown Regions for Ezra and clearly, they need a translator. Who better than Eli who's, in turn, searching for Thrawn.

Unashamed fix-it fic for what has not yet happened in the coming Ahsoka TV-Series.

Eli tugged at his civilian clothes, trying to make himself look presentable, as he entered the cantina. It'd been a while since he'd worn anything but one uniform or another and it was not helping him feel at ease.

He recognized the Togruta sitting at a table in the back. Ahsoka Tano, Jedi turned Rebellion leader. Finding info on Tano had not been easy, not with the Empire gone and with it most of his contacts and resources. From what he'd been able to find it didn't seem like Tano had Second Sight but Vah'nya had warned him that she could probably use the Force to read his intentions. Eli took a deep breath, he could do this. For Thrawn, he could do this.

"Greetings," Eli said, playing up his Wild Space accent; anything that would set him apart from Imperial Center. His accent wasn't a lie. There was an 8 in 10 chance that he'd be able to fool her if he stuck to the truth, the creatively edited truth. If there was no outright deception she wouldn't be able to sense it. Hopefully, Vah'nya was right about that.

"I heard y'all are looking for a translator going into the Unknown Regions?"

"We do," the Mandalorian standing behind Tano said, arms crossed in front of her chest - Sabine Wren his memory supplied, Lothal Rebels - looking him up and down. "Which languages do you speak?"

"I speak quite a few but for where y'all going Sy Bisti, Lioaoi and Taarja will be most useful," Eli explained, running his hand through his hair in thought. "I also speak Meese Caulf and Bocce but you could get a droid for that."

"I've never heard of some of those, where did you learn them?" Sabine was tired. She wanted a hot bath and a drink, not necessarily in that order. They'd been interviewing potential candidates for hours but according to Ahsoka none of them had been 'the one'. It wasn't that she didn't believe in the Force, she'd lived among Jedi for long enough to know that it was real alright but right now what it mostly was was a real pain in the ass.

"I'm from Wild Space," the man, he had to be in his mid-thirties, said patiently as if that wasn't obvious from his accent. "My parents own a small shipping company; you pick stuff up when you're around traders from all over, ma'am."

Eli eyed Wren wearily, he'd heard about her part in the  liberation  of Lothal, how they'd blown up the Academy with everyone in it. Trusting her felt like a gamble but he didn't have much of a choice if he wanted to find Thrawn. The fall of the Empire had come as a surprise to the Ascendancy and reinforced Supreme Admiral Ar'alani's conviction that bringing Thrawn home once and for all was the best option they had. The New Republic was still too weak and needed to be watched before a potential alliance could be offered.  

"What's your name?" Tano asked, and Eli wondered if the shiver he felt running down his back was her using the Force on him or just nerves.

"You can call me Ivant," Eli said, sticking as closely to the truth as he could. He'd been Ivant for nearly a decade now, surely that counted.

He'd read about the war trials on the Holonet and the rewards that were still out for high-ranking Imperial officers. He'd have to be very careful. Really, really careful. If he got himself captured and executed for what had happened at Batonn he'd be of no use to Thrawn, quite the contrary.

"What kind of cargo would you be transporting?" Eli asked, testing their honesty in return. He was fully aware of their mission but he wanted to see what they'd tell him.

Sabine and Ahsoka shared a glance. Surprisingly he'd been the first to ask that question.

"That's on a need to know --" Sabine started but Ahoska held up her hand, interjecting.

"He's the one," Ahsoka said with that sometimes infuriating certainty Force-users had about them that more often than not grated on Sabine's nerves.

"You sure?" Sabine asked, narrowing her eyes at Ahsoka. There was something not quite right about Ivant; his clothes were too new, and his posture was a bit too rigid, too formal. Like he wanted to stand to attention but was trying not to. She'd seen this with many of the Imp defectors during her days in the Rebellion. He didn't ping her as definitely Imperial but there was something military about him and she wasn't sure he'd not been making stuff up about at least one of the languages he claimed to speak.

"Yes, I can feel it in the Force. We need him," Ahsoka reassured her.

"We're not traders, we're on a rescue mission," Sabine explained, deciding to trust Ahsoka in this. "Welcome to the crew, Ivant."

Chapter 2

Three months later.

"Ivant!" Wren shouted excitedly, asking him to come and join them in the cockpit the second they'd dropped out of hyperspace. "You have to see this!"

"What?" This better not be another pod of kriffin purrgil, Eli thought sourly as he got up from his bunk. They'd been following the creatures around for the better part of three months, from one backwater planet to another. That those creatures had somehow managed to make the whole Seventh Fleet disappear creeped Eli out; they were another Wild Space myth come to life and this one he could do without.

Eli tugged his questis away into the inside pocket of his jacket and made his way over to the viewport. What he saw made his stomach drop in dread. The ISD Chimaera hung dead and dark in space. No. Please, no. He'd come this far –

He pressed his hand against the transparisteel, trying not to give in to despair. They couldn't all be dead, could they? Faro, Hammerly, Agral, – Thrawn.

Eli stood silently contemplating the fate of the over 30 000 personnel that would have been on board. Friends, colleagues, people he'd once served alongside. The excited chatter from the cockpit painfully reminded him that, despite the easy camaraderie they'd settled into during their time traveling together, just what side Tano and Wren were on and what would happen to him if they found out who he really was.

Tano piloted their ship closer to the Chimaera and to his relief Eli noticed faint lights in the superstructure. Maybe, just maybe, not all was lost. Maybe Thrawn was still alive. If anyone could survive this it was Thrawn. Eli had to cling to that hope. He'd spent his off time reading up on the fall of the Empire and sending reports back to Ar'alani whenever the opportunity presented itself. It nagged at him, in the back of his mind, when he tossed and turned, unable to sleep, that he and Thrawn both would have been on that Death Star if events had played out just the tiniest bit differently.

Pulling himself together, Eli took out his questis. He had a job to do. Not sure if they'd seen the lights but figuring that they would soon or later anyway, Eli ignored the excited chatter coming from where Wren and Tano were discussing their imminent success; something about feeling their friend in the Force. Unnoticed by either Tano or Wren, Eli keyed in their coordinates, transmitting them to Admiral Ar'alani. It was done. The CEDF would be here within a couple of hours, and everything else would hopefully fall into place too.

"Unknown ship, this is Commodore Faro of the ISD Chimaera, identify yourself." A familiar, and oh so welcome, voice addressed them over their comm.

"Well, kriff," Wren muttered but Eli's heart sang in excitement. If Faro was alive, then maybe there was hope that -

"This is captain Ria Talla of the Freighter Meiloorun. We've come to trade for local handicrafts," Sabine tried the by now familiar bluff. She hadn't expected anyone to be on board, not with the ship looking dead in the water. She should have known it was a trick and now that she was paying close attention she could make out pinpricks of light in the superstructure. Just their kriffing luck. Too bad the purrgil hadn't taken care of the Imps for them.

Good grief, Eli thought. Had this actually ever fooled anyone? Did they not realize that anyone on the Chimaera would recognize the Ghost on sight, even with its most recent paint job? They didn't have visuals on their comm but he could vividly imagine Faro narrowing her eyes at this krayt spit.

For a moment Eli wondered just how damaged the Chimaera was but then yep, there it was. Their ship jerked as the Chimaera's tractor beam pinned them in place.

"Want to try that again?" Faro prompted as the tractor beam slowly drew them in.

"This is neutral space, far outside the reach of the for- of the Empire. Under what authority do you detain us?" Sabine was seriously annoyed. After all these years they were this close to finding Ezra and somehow Thrawn's kriffing ship had survived the purrgil intact enough to give them trouble. But just how damaged was the Chimaera? Sabine could make out a patchwork of what looked to be recent repairs. The hull had deep gouges and the Chimaera's infamous paint job was missing where parts had been replaced but not repainted. If they were fully functional, surely they'd have returned years ago. Maybe they were bluffing.

"The planet Yihiri is under Imperial protection. We are authorized by the Yihiri Council of Elders to take any steps necessary to ensure the planet's safety. Identify yourself."

Just great, Sabine thought, another planet that needed their help getting rid of Imperial occupation. She keyed into the secure channel she had to Hera, requesting New Republic help. Even if they didn't manage to find Ezra, she couldn't leave these people to their fate. She'd seen what the Empire did to occupied worlds and worlds that defied their rule. What they had done to Mandalore-

"Can you break free?" Sabine asked Ahsoka, temporarily muting their comm. She really wished Hera was here. Not that Ahsoka was a bad pilot but she was no Hera and they could really use Hera's flying right now.

"Try breaking from the tractor beam again and we will shoot, is that clear?" Faro's voice had taken on an edge that meant she was deadly serious.

"Yeah, kriff that," Sabine muttered. "Ahsoka, any time now!"

The impact of a turbolaser shook the ship.

"Shields at 60%," Sabine warned.

Ahsoka pulled at the controls, trying to wrestle the Ghost free from the Chimaera's tractor beam.

Another turbolaser shot hit the Ghost.

"What do we do now?"

"Shields at 20%," Wren informed Tano.

"Stop, already," Eli snapped, pushing past Wren toward the comm controls. "The next hit is going breach our hull and kill us all."

"If they pull us in we're dead too," Wren snapped back. "Do you have any idea what they'll do to us if they capture us?"

Caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place Eli made a decision he hoped he'd not come to regret and snatched the comm control out of her hand. Not blowing his cover would mean nothing if he ended up dead in space because those kriffing rebels didn't know when to give up. "Don't shoot," Eli said into the comm, hoping that Faro would recognize, and more importantly, believe him. "Commodore Faro, this is Eli Vanto."

[twinsunstars]

My Thoughts on Parts 1 and 2 of Ahsoka - A Discussion Post

Ahsoka premiered on Tuesday at 6 PM PT, and fans were raving about it. Fans of Star Wars: Rebels were overjoyed with the content they got. Let's dive into this week's premiere episodes, MASTER AND APPRENTICE, and TOIL AND TROUBLE.

SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE SERIES YET!

I'm starting off with the loth-cat because this little thing is just so ADORABLE. Sabine takes care of it so well, and it loves her. It must be protected. The cat will keep you company as you read.

The series started with a movie-like introduction, words scrolling up for us to read. I liked how they did that and gave us a little preview to what happened before we started off. Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati arrived and landed in a New Republic ship, attacking the crew with their lightsabers and rescuing Morgan Elsbeth, who was held prisoner on that ship. Baylan had at one point talked about childrens' tales in the Jedi Order, which indicates he was a former Jedi, Not much is yet known about his past, but we do know from the trailer that he had known Anakin Skywalker.

Later, Morgan revealed herself to be a Nightsister of Dathomir, which is interesting as she talks about her past. She had used Nightsister magick herself after she obtained the map, which amazed me. I really want to know more about Morgan's history as a Nightsister. The three are ready to rise to power and locate Grand Admiral Thrawn, wherever he could be.

Ahsoka Tano is first seen at the remains of a Nightsister Temple. The details of the Temple got my curiosity peaked, and it's interesting to see more of Nightsister culture.

Huyang, an ancient droid who used to live in the Jedi Temple and helped younglings build their lightsabers, is Ahsoka's companion as he helps her escape the droid attack. I love how Huyang is here with Ahsoka and giving her and Sabine advice, but it still intrigues me on how he is here. What happened to him when the Jedi Order was taken down? How and when did Ahsoka find him? I'm still researching about it myself, but I'd love it if anyone could share some sources.

Moving on to Lothal. This beautiful planet that was once ruled by the Empire in darkness now shines brightly under its sun, the loth-cats running in the fields freely. I really wish Ezra could have been here to see his home liberated and shining after the fall of the Empire. The day he comes back, he'll love it.

We got to see Ryder Azadi in live-action with his original voice actor (Clancy Brown) speaking to the crowds of Lothal. He stands in front of the iconic mural last seen in the finale of Star Wars: Rebels, depicting the Ghost Crew, the heroes of Lothal. The mural is on public display for everyone to see.The day celebrates the liberation of Lothal and Ezra Bridger's sacrifice. Alongside him, Jai Kell appears, who is now a Senator of Lothal. I loved these cameos, it got my Rebels heart screaming.

Sabine Wren was announced at the event to speak to the public, but she was a no-show. Sabine raced away with her speeder, and HER SOUNDTRACK? That needs to be out there now. No one can stop this girl. I love how Natasha Liu Bordizzo portrays Sabine, she really captures Sabine's stubborness and strength.

Sabine has added her artistic touch everywhere she has been; from the tower, Ahsoka's ship, her helmets, and everything. I love the little drawings of Loth-cats she's done. I loved the detail of her chipped nail polish. When she brought her armor out again, I loved that she added a Purgill on one piece, as memory.

When Sabine had turned on Ezra's message for her, I was both screaming and trying not to tear up. Eman Esfandi does such a good job portraying the character, and it's been so long since we've heard Ezra talk on screen. (I want the blueberry boi home now.) He had called Sabine a "sister", which I thought was adorable. Sabine smiled to herself hearing it.

(I know that some Sabezra shippers are a bit upset over it. I see them both ways, and I'm fine with whichever direction they go, and I like to imagine them either way as an alternate universe thing for the fun of it.)

Sabine had taken the map ball from Ahsoka even though she had told her not to (where do you think she got that, Ahsoka?), and managed to open it. Shin Hati had been sent by Baylan to go find the map, in which she succeeded in obtaining. Sabine quickly grabbed Ezra's lightsaber to fight against her. I find it interesting how she had made her own modifications to it but it is still Ezra's lightsaber, despite Huyang saying it is hers now. Shin and Sabine engaged in a heated fight, ending with Shin impaling Sabine and taking the map.

Huyang talks to Sabine at an infirmary on Lothal. As she recovers from her impale wound, Huyang calls Ezra's lightsaber hers and discusses Sabine's journey as a Padawan. I think it was confirmed that she was not Force-Sensitive, but I see some articles saying that she is, but she is weak in her abilities. I'm still a little confused, and I think she maybe is Force-Sensitive but doesn't fully have the ability like other Jedi, but Sabine has potential with her own talents and as a Mandalorian, as we know from seeing her in Rebels.

The duo of Hera and Chopper is always so fun to watch. I like how Mary Elizabeth Winstead embodies the character of Hera, and how she worries for Ezra. Once Ahsoka had returned with the map ball, hope grew in her that this could be a chance to find him. She has never stopped being the courageous fighter she is.

Chopper is himself, of course. And he's everything we love. During mid-battle, Chopper argues with Hera, most likely asking, "Hera, did you go through my stuff?" I love his energy and attitude, it's so funny and loveable.

Marrok was the name given to this Inquisitor before the series had released. There were many theories surrounding this inquisitor potentially being Ezra, but thankfully it's not. (Hopefully.) The character is said to be the very last Inquisitor, and has a mysterious background, Hopefully we can learn more about him.

Sabine is ready to return as Ahsoka's padawan, coming back to her signature short haircuits and rocking her Mandalorian armor. She visits the mural, tapping Ezra's face and looking at the mural with hope before departing Lothal with Ahsoka, ready to get the map back and find Ezra and Thrawn.

The massive structure seen being built towards the end of the second episode is said to be called the Eye of Sion. Morgan oversees it's construction, and I have heard it's something that will help bring Thrawn back. There are theories surrounding it regarding a Sith lord, but I'm still doing my research and looking up things. It'll be interesting to see more of what this is about.

Anyways, the premiere episodes of Ahsoka were a blast to watch. I'm excited for the next episodes, and I hope to learn more about Sabine's journey as a Padawan. (And Ezra better be home soon.) I also hope Zeb and Kallus show up soon, and Jacen Syndulla has to make an appearance. I also hope the loth-wolves would show up, that would be fun. But the journey has just begun.

[laurelslegacy]

White Sunflower

something I'm working on, now I'm excited to finish this one. wanted to add more between Yavin and the Liberation of Lothal. In a tight spot.

The calloused hand pressed the blond locks back. So used to having a small, although disposable, army behind him; this was new. Henderson went down way too fast and here Kallus was told he was field experienced. Though a twist in his gut wondered if he could have done something different, his determination and years of ISB and leading stomped out that ember of guilt before it took hold. Now he was stuck, with half the Empire it appeared between him and his shuttle to get off this planet. The flimsy’s in his pocket felt in his mind like the other ember, the one that spurred on hope and the possibility of success for the Rebellion. 

He would have to lay low for a bit, keep to communication black out and hide. Be cautious as to where he was and where the Empire placed their men. Then, only then would he, Fulcrum, be able to slip between the cracks and shadows. It was a small moon just near Bardotta called Boosa. This is where Kallus had spent nearly a month recovering from injuries sustained on Bahryn. This was the very place Kallus started to learn about the truth. When he left, he kept the small mouse droids rolling through and collecting and updating information, small tips and clues to help the Rebellion. Only problem was, the transmissions had stopped for some reason.

That reason, he found, was the small mouse droid he had recruited and employed to collect from all the other bots, short circuited just after its last upload. Damaged processors and wiring made it so the little bot could no longer recharge and a small arch in the power system had the droid stone dead on the path back to the hospital. Kallus would be lying if he didn’t feel more remorse for the little droid vs Henderson. He had worked hours and tirelessly to repair the little mouse droid. He had known Henderson all but the flight over here from Yavin-and it was not a pleasant flight.

It was after all Henderson’s fault they had gotten the attention of the Empire. Fool decided he would take out a Stormtrooper that hadn’t even spotted them while they were on their way back with the filmsys. Perhaps the mission did not hold the action the man had wanted and brazenly leapt to attacking and firing upon the StormTrooper. His shot was lousy and misplaced, only wounding the Trooper, allowing him to sound the alarm. Even Ezra Bridger had more sense then that and that boy had him questioning if that was even possible! 

The Troopers chased them in the opposite direction of their craft, retreating into a bustling port that was more empire than friend. Against Kallus’s orders, Henderson tried his brazen attack once more. Perhaps he thought he would have been a hero, but, with bitterness Kallus felt he died like a fool! Kallus was able to escape because of Henderson, but none of this was going the way the ex ISB agent wanted it to.

He had to hide way, slip into the crowd and not be so suspicious. He slid past the shadows along the docks, a slight of hand picking up a fish monger’s knife. This was something he despised doing, but it was the fastest way to disappear. How many decades had it been since he had done this? With the reflection of a broken mirror Kallus went to work. The ash and soot from the fires the fisherman or vagabonds would light for food or warmth did well to darken his blond hair and brows.

It was one of these vagabonds which he traded his mission jacket for a tattered blanket which he used the fish monger’s knife on to cut a hole in the middle as a poncho. He could hide his weapons this way, as well as his person. He would lay low for the night, come morning he would check the Empire’s activity.

The brisk morning woke him, he cleaned lightly, made sure soot was added to his hair properly before slinking into a building to seek a computer console. Just being a warehouse, security was minimal at best, the connection to the holonet however was the same. The gloved fingers danced over the consul, tapping the holo-projected screen, slipping through the shadows of the holonet much like he did the streets of the port town. Pretty soon there was a map, red blips pulsing like a rash across the screen. Kallus cursed under his breath, they were still crawling the streets like ants. Someone must have recognized him for the security to be this heavy still even after gunning down one rebel. Karabast.

[thevibraniumveterans]

REBELS REWATCH

S2E1 — THE SIEGE OF LOTHAL

The episode begins with the Ghost being flanked by two A-Wings and pursued by TIEs. Hera instructs that they should aim to reach the freighter and to “keep the TIEs off our back.” Ezra, in the Ghost’s forward gunner’s seat, grins: “Good shot, Phoenix-1. Save some for the rest of us.” The Ghost's path is clear, and it is revealed that Hera and the Spectres have a new fleet to watch their backs when needed. Hera banks hard left to avoid an incoming TIE; Zeb complains of the unsteadiness, and Ezra teases him: “Come on, Zeb. Where’s your sense of adventure?” Zeb falls to the loading bay, but Ezra turns back to the viewport, still grinning. Hera tells her crew that she’s “moving into position”. Sabine is piloting the Phantom, one hand on the yoke and the other on the controls. She acknowledges: “Copy, Spectre-2. I’m on my mark.” Her targeting computer locks into her target: “Firing…now!” Thumbing the trigger buttons, she lets loose a barrage of laser fire, freeing several cartons from a transport ship, and zips away. Satisfied, she comms Hera, “Cargo is liberated. Spectre-2, you’re clear for pickup.” Unfortunately for them, Imperial reinforcements have arrived. Ezra, having long since picked up foul language from his roommate Zeb, swears: “Ah, karabast!”

The Ghost is pursued by two TIEs. More than used to this, Ezra notes, “Whew! Got real crowded all of a sudden.” In the Phantom, Sabine heads over to shake off a few TIEs, saying, “Got you covered, Phoenix-1.” She successfully laser bombs a TIE. Zeb prepares to pickup the containers from earlier, and Ezra, aware of the time constraints, relays, “Uh, anytime, Zeb.” The Lasat completes his task, and Hera relays to Phoenix Squadron, “Mission accomplished.” The fleet zips into hyperspace, Kanan blasts a few more TIEs into oblivion, and instructs Sabine to dock the Phantom with the Ghost. She does so, with calculated precision, as always; Ezra, still in the forward gunner’s bay, senses her presence, triumphant and bright. He looks up and smiles: “She’s home.” He’s glad that the mission has gone well and according to plan, mostly, but he’s also glad that Sabine’s back on the Ghost.

Later, aboard the rebel capital ship Phoenix Home, the Spectres and Ahsoka meet with Commander Jun Sato, who commends them. Sabine, listening intently, has her hands on her hips. A few feet to her left, Ezra, standing beside Sato, rests his hands on the edge of the large center console, and looks up and smiles at the Commander’s closing comments. After a short exchange between Hera and Ahsoka, Chopper barrels into the meeting room without so much of a warning, and Ezra straightens his posture. The droid has an incoming transmission; it starts playing, and Ezra realizes, “Hey, it’s Old Jho!” Moments pass, and Minister Tua, of all people, walks into frame, begging for help. Sabine, like the others, think something’s fishy. Zeb gives voice to her concerns. Minister Tua is frantic: “Please, I beg you. Listen to my request. My life is in danger. I need you to give me safe passage off Lothal. I assure you, my intentions are sincere. To prove it, I will trade secret Imperial information.” Ezra, having walked over to the other side of Sabine, turns slightly toward her and raises his eyebrows at this highly unusual request. Ezra looks back at the live hologram of Minister Tua. Sabine asks, “You’re defecting from the Empire?” Tua admits so. Ezra’s expression turns contemplative; after a moment, he says, “She’s telling the truth.” Guarded, he stammers a bit, but reveals that he “can sense her fear.” Kanan agrees, but asks, “of what?” Ezra frowns and looks away, pondering this question. Nearby, Ahsoka notes this exchange. Hera asks Tua what she can trade, and Tua replies, “A list of rebel sympathizers on Lothal and other nearby systems.” Sato is not convinced, and wonders why said sympathizers “have not been arrested”. Tua notes that some have friends in high places, and that the rebels “need allies”, and as such, need to “get me off Lothal and I will give you the list.” Kanan dismisses the notion, and Sabine agrees, given her experience: “It’s obviously a trap.” She’s not too happy about this latest development. Ezra side-eyes her momentarily; Tua continues, saying that she’s “discovered the true reason the Empire came to Lothal.” Hera knows why, and says so, but Tua reveals there is another reason “known only to a few and ordered by the Emperor himself.” At this news, Ezra is the only one left watching Tua’s live message; Hera has turned to discuss this with Ahsoka, Kanan, and Sato, and Sabine speaks with Zeb. Ezra steps forward after a few contemplative moments, and says, “We have to do this.” Surprisingly, Ahsoka and Kanan agree. No surprise there, they’re the only three in the room that are, to the knowledge of everyone else in there, the only Force Sensitive ones, and so, would be able to discern better than most when decisions are not made in haste. Sato agrees, and Ezra turns back to Tua and determinedly says: “Minister, we’ll get you out. Send us your coordinates.” Tua thanks him; Ezra turns around, and walks back the way he came, calmly brushing right past Kanan.

Hera and Kanan head to the hallway, then into a small corridor, and discuss his distrust of joining a bigger rebellion and her insistence that the goal has always been the same, they just did the smaller job. At this moment, Ezra walks past the other side of the corridor, overhearing the discussion. He stops by the doorway and decides to listen, despite it being a private moment. Kanan notes, “I survived one war. I’m not ready for another one. I saw what it did.” Ezra eavesdrops pensively. “To the Jedi,” Hera finishes. “To everyone,” Kanan corrects. He steps out of the corridor and heads back down the hallway. Hera follows. Ezra, on the other hand, reflects on the weightiness of that revelation, and watches Kanan and Hera walk away. Through the Force, Ezra senses conflict, sadness, wariness, and narrows his eyes a little.

Onboard a Star Commuter shuttle, Ezra sits a row behind Kanan. Hera boards, followed by Zeb and Sabine, who says, “So, we’re not taking the Ghost, and we’re letting Chopper drive?” Hera notes that it’s safer than being tracked by the Empire. The crew enters hyperspace, and Kanan asks what the plan is. Ezra says that “Minister Tua is scheduled to visit Governor Tarkin” the next day and would depart Lothal “via shuttle at 1800.” The plan would be to “wait at the hangar, steal the shuttle and take her to safety.” He makes it sound so simple, but plans always go awry, especially when made with too much confidence. Sabine, behind him, cautions Ezra: “I hope you’re sure about this.” He turns around to look at her; Zeb too, is concerned: “After all the trouble she’s made for us, why should we help her?” Clearly having learnt a whole bunch of lessons since the Spectres took him in, Ezra replies, “Because that’s what we do, help others who can’t help themselves. Plus, her list will help us out.”

The shuttle exits hyperspace above Lothal, and is cleared to land. Staring wistfully out the viewport at his home planet, Ezra admits, “I didn’t think I’d miss it, but I—” And pauses. Something feels off, and very, VERY wrong. He turns to Kanan, who asks what’s up. Ezra asks, “Do you feel that?” He stares away again: “I feel so cold.” The last time Ezra experienced this icy feeling was after he woke up from tapping into the dark side to summon a fyrnock alpha on an asteroid. Kanan acknowledges this admission. Later that evening, the shuttle lands at a docking bay, and the Spectres step out after Ezra. He looks up, horrified: “I’ve never seen so many Star Destroyers here.” Especially because there’s one right above the docking bay the crew are at. He frowns, brows furrowed: “It’s gotten worse.” Sabine also looks upward, but redirects her attention when Hera tells Chopper and Zeb to “stay with the shuttle” in case they need a quick getaway. Kanan gets down to business, notifying the crew that “Tua’s leaving from Bay 23.” He leads Hera and Sabine away, and it takes Ezra a few extra seconds to tear his eyes away from the Destroyer overhead before following.

Kanan discusses the plan with Hera; Ezra watches the exchange, looking from Kanan to Hera and back, again and again. It is debatable whether he is watching the exchange as part of trying to understand what the mission needs, or that he is watching Kanan and Hera’s relationship play out before his very eyes and mentally taking notes, given his eyebrow raise and the accompanying grin. Nevertheless, Kanan steals a trooper uniform, stealing a page right out of Ezra’s own eventual playbook; Ezra, Hera, and Sabine look on in disbelief. Sabine says, half amusedly, “Kanan’s gone buckethead.” Ezra, on the other hand, is entertained, and smiles lopsidedly. He’s also “kinda jealous. I only have the helmet.” The trio turn around and make their way up a building; Sabine leads the way, and jumps up on a low ledge before reaching for a streetlamp and hoisting herself up and toward the building’s roof. Ezra follows her lead, and Hera’s close behind.

Ezra, on the roof, watches as a disguised Kanan walks down the street below. He notes Tua’s arrival but tells Hera, several feet away, that the Minister’s “got company”. Ezra sounds uncertain; Hera asks, “What kind of company?” Ezra raises a pair of macro binoculars to his eyes, and sarcastically says, “Oh, fantastic. Agent Kallus.” Sabine, somewhere nearby, descends a building and drops to the ground behind Kallus. She begins firing as a distraction for Kanan to execute his part of the plan. Ezra and Hera jump off the building and reach Tua, who is sheltering behind a few crates. Ezra tells her to “get to the shuttle” as the Spectres would be “right behind you”. Sabine hops into the speeder that Kallus had previously escorted Tua to the shuttle in, and takes off vertically, buying her some time to get back onto the building. She watches as Tua races to the shuttle, followed closely behind by Ezra, Hera, and Kanan. A blast knocks the trio to their backs; Sabine, on the roof, comms Zeb requesting “a pickup. Now!” Zeb says he’s on his way. Ezra and his pseudo-adoptive parental figures hide behind a few more crates, and get onboard the pickup shuttle that Zeb and Chopper were told to stay by earlier. Sabine leaps onto the shuttle’s ramp, back with the crew. The shuttle, however, gets downed, and crashes back onto street level. Not one to waste a single second, Sabine urges the Spectres to “Come on. Come on! Up, everybody! We’re moving!” They run out, and away.

The Spectres take temporary refuge at Ezra’s old residence. They are lucky for now as it had been previously established that the Empire had marked this building as off-limits. In its basement, Sabine fiddles with the controls of the old communicator, while Ezra faces the other direction, clutching a helmet. Sabine gets the machine running, and a live broadcast plays, announcing Tua’s demise and publicizing anti-rebel propaganda. Hera’s heard enough, and shuts off the broadcast: “They did this to turn Lothal against us. We can’t do any more here. We have to leave, for good.” Ezra, as usual, does not take this lightly, countering with, “We can’t just run.” He turns back to Hera: “The people have to know the truth.” Despite his insistence, which his found family knows they agree with, they know there’s only one option, and it’s not one they like either. Sabine stands up, faces Ezra, and notes, “I don’t think the Empire is giving us much choice.”

Troopers arrive at the temporary hideout; Ezra notes, “We’re in trouble.” The troopers explode the place, but the Spectres escape just in time, to the roof. Sabine is crouched next to Ezra, who warns, “If they know about this hideout, they’ll know about our others.” Hera says, “There’s no more hiding, We need a ship. Maybe we can try one of the local Imperial airfields.” Sabine keys a command into her wrist gauntlet, and Chopper beams a map. Sabine says the airfields are “locked down. Besides, we’ll never get outside the capital.” Zeb notes they’re being targeted by the Empire; Kanan points to the Imperial Complex, but Hera is incredulous: “Are you crazy?” Kanan wonders if “anyone ever says yes to that question”, but Sabine dismisses that comment. Ezra shifts his line of sight from Kanan back to Sabine, who points out and gestures as she speaks, “He’s right. Deploying troops to block every city exit has spread the garrison thin. It sounds crazy, but the area with the least troops will be—” Chopper zooms in on a particular section. “—here, near the factories,” Sabine continues, “There are landing platforms outside those hangars. They’re our best chance if we’re gonna find a shuttle.” The Spectres head off, crossing to a neighboring rooftop via a couple of connecting cables. Halfway across, Ezra hears a faint explosion. He looks down at the house he grew up in, which is now in flames and unsalvageable. He frowns in disappointment, looks back up, and mutters under his breath, “I guess there is no going home”. He puts on his helmet, and follows the Spectres. (It’s worth noting that Ezra has always had an attachment to home, whoever and wherever that might be. Here, he’s specifying that he can no longer return to his old residence, the one he spent the first seven years of his life growing up in. In S4E15, Ezra leaves a message for his found family, specifically stating, “I can’t wait to come home.” In Ahsoka S1E7, he tells Sabine, “But you know, getting home is kind of important.”)

Some time passes, and while Kanan temporarily retains his stolen uniform, Ezra puts on his disguise - his outfit given to him while undercover at the Academy last season. They both transport some “power cells in need of recharging for the rebel pursuit” on a hover sled. The trooper on guard wants to check the contents, but Ezra tries to perform a Jedi mind trick (the first one he’s been seen trying to do this series): “No, you don’t have to check inside.” It doesn’t work on the trooper, so Kanan covers up for him. Ezra, under his breath, tells Kanan, “I wish that worked for me.” Unamused, Kanan responds, “I wish it worked on you.” They make it inside the Complex and into a storage room. Sabine and Hera remove the lid from a crate and get out. Zeb does the same and complains; Sabine stops by the doorway, and says, “Don’t think it matters if you’re noisy. There’s nobody around. This was a good plan.” Kanan agrees; Ezra, however, recognizes the more important need to get going, so tells the Spectres, “This way.”

They move into the hallway. By this time, Ezra and Kanan are back in their usual clothing. They and the rest of the Specters happen upon two troopers, but Zeb clears them, and they run, Sabine last to follow. Choppers opens up a door, and the crew run out into a shipyard. They run past several TIEs, and Kanan points out a shuttle they can use. They start running again, but something stops Sabine in her tracks. She gasps in surprise, and beckons Hera over. Turns out, the thing that has drawn Sabine’s eyes are “shield generators,” realizes Hera. Sabine agrees, noting that they are of “military grade.” She presses a few buttons on a generator, enabling it to be moved away. Hera does the same, and instructs Ezra and Zeb to “grab all we can carry.” She and Sabine get on the move, quick, and pass Ezra and Zeb, saying, “These might help turn this day around. The fleet could sure use them.” Ezra and Zeb hurry off to do as told, and Kanan follows behind. However, Kanan stops short, sensing something bad. Ezra halts too, pauses, turns around to face Kanan, and ominously asks, “Do you feel that?” Ezra senses something dark, and Kanan agrees: “The cold.” Meters away stands Darth Vader, saber ignited, mechanical breathing echoing through the shipyard. The Spectres turn around; their day has gone from bad, to worse.

[beasanfi1997]

I have a theory about Miramar, the name that Omega might have use while ahe Is in disguised, that It the full name of Mira Bridger, the mother of Ezra and i Hope that Tala Durith might be her Older sister because they are look alike, same nose, same color of skin excepted the color of their eyes, because Mira had Purple eyes and Tala had Brown eyes, and i have theory about Haja Estree that he might be Ephraim Bridger's friend. After the Battle of Endor, Haja came with Ryder Azadi, Jai, Mrs Sumar, Zare and Dhara Leonis came on Naboo to convince Ezra to return on Lothal that the boy refuse because he want to meets Lux Bonteri, Petro, Katooni, Ganodi, Byph, Gungi, Zatt, Vaash Ti, Rako, Bobby, Bene, Riyo Chuchi, Korkie Kryze, Lagos, Amis, Soniee and Mas Amedda before he return on Lothal that the people celebrate his return and acclaimed him like a Hero.

Omega too might had meets Rae Sloane, that the Imperial woman that Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla meet her in New Dawn, or even Dosmit Raeh that Omega will name her daughter Rey, but a differents letter(I don't know that Basic would sound similar respect our earth language) After the Battle of Endor and One year before Ben Solo Born After the Battle of Jakku

I Hope that Omega was a friend for Ezra, After the Liberation of Lothal, because Ezra was a baby in Bad Batch and he didn't Remember her until 19 years later. I would like to see them in the heir of the Empire where Omega tried to convince Ezra to not worry about Ben before She will meets Dathan Palpatine.

Disney made a right choice to show us Ezra, Ben and Rey from 2014 to 2019.

I was fool because i was mistaken that Rey might be Ezra's child with Sabine Wren but i Remember that It was started when Obi-Wan meets Satine Kryze and before they will meets Ursa Wren before the events of Phantom Menace and It was started also where Obi-Wan Chase Jango Fett After he gets Clones, including Omega, Rex, Cody, Hunter, Crosshair, Tech, Echo, Wolff and Wrecker on Kamino that It was the idea of Palpatine and Dooku until Mace Windu kills Jango on Geonosis and before Sabine Born during the Clone Wars and before Ezra Born on Empire Day and i realize that Clone Force 99 was the true responsable to made the origin of Ghost Crew starring with Kanan and Hera before they were hidden on Naboo, where Padme Amidala and Palpatine were Born. I was fool to not learned about those characters even Rebels and Force Awakens were connected. And because It bring all until Exegol, the new Kamino After Tarkin destroy Kamino in the end of Bad Batch season One.

Clone Wars season three predicted all because Anakin will Hide Ezra and Ahsoka on Naboo with clone force 99 and Martez Sisters, that Obi-Wan told at Anakin to save Ahsoka while they were on Mortis and even the Father see a vision, then Echo gets kidnapped by Separatists, and the he gets rescue by Bad Batch, After Anakin and Ahsoka meets Tarkin(that Anakin sees a vision from Mortis were Tarkin will Blow up Alderaan After we saw Padme use the speed bike during her Chase against the Bounty Hunters on Coruscant, that Luke and Leia will use the speed biker on Return of Jedi) and then Anakin and Ahsoka meets Chewbacca in the end of Clone Wars season three, that they will meets again on Empire strikes back. We also see Padme and Ahsoka that they help Satine to defense Mandalore, if Sabine might have Born between clone Wars season two or three, and even we see the future of Ahsoka and Lux Bonteri when Padme sees again Mina the mother of Lux.

Rebels season three too predicted all because we see Ezra meets Obi-Wan and he almost find out that Anakin Is the Chosen One from the Last Word of Darth Maul and then Bendu reveals at the audience that Thrawn will be killed by Ben in the Mandalorian after Ezra and Sabine saves the Rebellion with the help of the Mandalorians people, After they learn that Maul Is dead and even Thrawn was anger for It, and you realize that Ezra and Sabine will take care of Ben. I Wish that Tech and Qi'ra should have here in this season because Sabine mentioned them but without to Say their names while She fight against Arihnda Pryce meeting Wedge Antilles, that they will team up with Lando to destroy Death Star II.

[rejaytionships]

was inspired by @mango-mya's s/i inspo board challenge and thought i'd give it a try! some of these are more influential than others but i'll still explain myself for each one ^^ i'll also include small tidbits that didn't make the image since they were moreso concepts and not characters

[reminder that kel uses she/her and he/him pronouns!]

---

appearance!

sintas vel: zeltrons tend to dress in darker clothes that are a serve, and sintas's look always felt like a look to me. i liked the idea of a darker crop top and jeans, and so i mentally kept it in the back of my head when thinking of outfit ideas

guy fieri: i needed something to contrast the otherwise sleek and somewhat spicy way that zeltrons tend to dress, and i also wear a a few flashy button-ups irl on fancy days, so guy fieri ended up on the inspo board for kel's outfit (and also he made me want to add shades). plus i'm built like him so that's a bonus

other inspo: for the outfit, i would google hot dark outfit pieces, specifically with leather or stuff like buckles and straps around the body. i actually have a screenshot of the shirt i modified for kel

backstory / lore!

cere junda: in jedi fallen order, cere had given up the force after her padawan turned to the dark side due to the torture of the inquisitioners. her severing her tie to the force was driven by guilt and grief. i modified it a bit for kelesgan, who was a jedi youngling that never had a chance to be given a master before order 66 happened. he ended up being taken in by maul, who trained him in the dark side of the force. however, kel's guilt after learning maul's true motives (and realizing she was totally duped into being a sith) is what caused kel to run off and swear off using the force unless absolutely necessary for survival. i had a lot of enjoyment in the idea of a force user who struggles with that side of themself. it's a nice trope i wish we saw more :)

cikatro vizago: this one's a bit more straight-forward. vizago was a smuggler that sometimes gave help to the rebels, and then by the end of the series actively assisted the rebellion in liberating lothal. kelesgan was also a smuggler (funny enough, she worked with vizago and they even dated at some point) that joined the rebellion when attaching to the ghost crew like a tick

other inspo: i really really wanted a grey jedi type sona. that's it. that's the bullet point

personality / vibe!

lando calrissian: he's charming, he's a scoundrel, and he's very much what kelesgan is like (which is funny given these two also have a dating history, albeit brief). he lived for a while only joining fights when he saw "an angle", but then eventually had a change of heart and decided to join the fight against the empire independent of his own personal benefit. he is also a smooth-talking negotiator. i apply basically all of this to how i view kelesgan. she thinks she's the shit, and to an extent she kind of is the shit. kel has a charm in the way he holds himself, but he also had mixed reviews from those who knew him. (i also really like lando as a character. king)

dippy fresh: i am so sorry.......is what i would say if i was a BITCH! so anyways dippy fresh was mabel's way of viewing dipper in a version that was the Cooler Edition of dipper. and in a sense, kelesgan carries himself like he's All That and even comes off to ezra as the Cooler jedi master sometimes when kel eventually comes forward about his connection to the force. this causes major beef between kanan and kel before the two end up in a polycule with hera

other inspo: on the note of the last bullet point, part of me wanted to make a character that could be kind of like kanan but if he was very much the Cool Dad and not so much the Responsible Dad. i wanted kanan and kel to have beef of kanan initially wondering if he magically got replaced overnight by some big flashy pink loser. and then they kiss but that's not important rn

i'm sure there's stuff i'm forgetting but this is the general gist!

[stopthatmyhandsaredirty]

Star Ware Rebels Bechdel Test Rewatch- 4x15 and 4x16 'Family Reunion— and Farewell'

Plot

Ezra and the Ghost crew look to complete their ultimate mission: to liberate Lothal from the clutches of the Empire.

Female Characters: 6

Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Arihnda Pryce, Ketsu Onyo, Ahsoka Tano, Mira Bridger

Male Characters: 15

Ezra Bridger, Zeb Orrelios, Rex, Alexsandr Kallus, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Rukh, Sheev Palpatine, Ryder Azadi, Hondo Ohnaka, Gregor, Wolffe, Cikatro Vizago, Melch, Mart Matin, Ephraim Bridger

Droid Characters: 1

Chopper

Does it pass?

Well, here we are. At the end. I'm happy to say, the series finale passes! Technically, this is two episodes but it aired at once (along with 'A Fool's Hope') and is presented as 1 episode on Disney Plus, so it gets a single post. It doesn't matter anyway since both halves of the finale pass. Sabine and Ketsu exchange dialogue as the group infiltrates the dome. In the back half, Hera and Sabine speak throughout the episode.

Pryce has a decent role here, though she is held prisoner by the Rebels for the whole finale before going out in a fiery blaze not unlike the death she gave Kanan. Ketsu is very much in a supporting role here but she does help Kallus, Zeb, Hondo, and the clones get the shield generator back online. I'm stretching my rules a bit and counting this as an appearance for Ahsoka even though she has no dialogue. Her appearance at the very end is so iconic and meaningful that I think it deserves a pass.

I'm also including Mira and Ephraim Bridger for poor Ezra. I know how badly he wanted to see them again, but he saw through Sheev's lies and chose the light.

It is worth noting that this is the most female characters to appear in a single episode

Overall, this may be one of my favorite series finales in television history... not to oversell it or anything. In all seriousness, I can think of few other series finales that are as satisfying as this.

Some of that is because of the epilogue.... and we'll finally be getting the continuation of that story in just a week. All I can hope for is that Ahsoka is on par with Rebels.

[elendiliel]

I have no idea what put this into my head yesterday, but it seems to be stuck there, so here it is. (And writing it down was better than doing lab busywork; full PPE in a heatwave is to be avoided.)

---

Lothal has always been trouble, as all the First Order personnel on the planet know all too well. The base of the notorious Spectres for a time, before they moved on to terrorise the rest of the Outer Rim, its “liberation” robbed the Empire of a key resource when it needed it most. Even now, while the majority of the population do the smart thing and keep their heads down, the flames of rebellion never seem to go out.

In every city and town, small acts of defiance add up to create massive headaches for the Order. Facilities and equipment are sabotaged. Supplies go astray. Public spectacles are disrupted. Once, someone even hijacked the main comms tower and broadcast the entire work of some obscure band called the Meat Droids on all channels, occasionally interrupted by the infamous Lothal Message. And, of course, there’s the constant graffiti. No matter how quickly the anti-First Order designs and slogans are removed, more always appear as though from nowhere. The most popular image is always the phoenix symbol used by the last rebellion. It’s usually less well-executed than those painted by Sabine Wren (Countess Wren, now, firmly entrenched on Krownest and resisting the First Order with her clan’s whole might), and as well as Rebellion red and orange it appears in many other colours - blue, green, purple, gold, white, turquoise - but the intent is clear. Burn us all you like; we will rise again.

Today, the rebels struck in Capital City. An arms convoy was diverted, and later apparently recovered, but when the crates were opened the blasters and ammunition had been replaced with meilooruns. The exotic fruit, which only grows in warmer climates than temperate Lothal, could possibly be traced, but the authorities already know it’s a waste of time to try. The rebels are smarter than that; they’ll have imported them through the black market specifically for the occasion. In fact, it’s unlikely that there’ll be any clues to their identity, although to save face an investigation will still have to be carried out. The rebels will go unpunished, and the First Order knows better than to take its frustration out on random citizens. It won’t make the Empire’s mistake and create martyrs.

Halfway across the planet, an old woman dismounts from a loth-wolf with the grace of someone a third of her age, barely needing the wooden staff in her hand for balance. A satisfied smile seems glued to her face, but it’s only when she’s thanked the wolf and he’s loped off that she throws her head back and laughs. That was too easy. The FO have inherited too much from the Empire - software, hardware, even protocols - and treat “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” as a commandment. Diverting the shipment was a simple question of broadcasting the right signal and knocking out the guards. The blasters will be broken down for parts; those that the rebellion can’t use themselves will be sold or traded to help pay Clan Fett and Ohnaka Transport Solutions for the meilooruns. (Once, the woman would have thought an Ugnaught would fly unaided before Hondo went vaguely straight, but his business seems to be doing well enough.) And the ammunition will make useful explosives for future operations. Crucially, the whole lot is out of FO hands.

As the woman heads into the cave system that’s been her home these last few years, she sheds what passes for her disguise, piece by piece. There’s no longer a need for the elaborate cosmetics and dyes she used when she was younger; human memories are so short. The headscarf, now faded from its original midnight blue, over her Wolfpack-coloured hair comes off first, and is tucked into her belt as she massages some circulation back into her ear-tips. She’s never got used to that. Then she unwraps the leather strap from around the central third of her staff, revealing the engraved durasteel beneath, and clips it back into its usual place. Finally, after hanging up the long brown cloak she was wearing over her shell-white tunic and 501st blue trousers and resting the quarterstaff in its holder, she opens the latter’s secret compartment and removes the cylinder of durasteel and copper within, replacing it with a simpler device, also kyber-powered (using Aayla Secura’s crystal, to be exact). It’s only when her lightsabre is back on her hip that Jedi Master Helli Abbasa finally feels she’s come home.

---

The Meat Droids live with @keldabekush, by the way, just for completeness. 

[animcsus]

@red-flight asked:

"i want to know i did the right thing." ~ Hobbie for Hera Accepting

Teal hues shift from her datapad to him, hand moving to set the device down. She knew things out there were rough. They would only get harder. There was a lot of fight still left for them to fight... And the closer she felt they got to the end of it, the further it seemed to get. Ghost crew lost a lot in liberating Lothal. The void still set in her chest and singed her bones... but she wouldn't stop. "A lot of people could have died. You did the right thing by defecting and no one can fault you. Some of my crew had seen the inside of the Empire first hand... Needless to say, they didn't enjoy it. I doubt you did, either."

Her face shifted, thoughtful as she moved her hands together. "Where I lived growing up, we were frequently attacked during the clone wars. When the clone wars ended, the empire came. They came promising peace. We were all fooled at first... until they set up militia. My parents questioned their true intentions. The clones that fought with my father were fooled, too." She shifted, her attention moving from her hands back to him. "My family was imprisoned and I had to request mercenaries help me free them. The Captain that worked so close with my father ended up getting arrested with eight other men because he didn't want to do what they were asking. I've looked into it as much as I could.. but I never found them again."

She broke out of her train of though and glanced to him, a small smile being offered. "Leaving was what was best. Knowing those men are forever lost... means at some point, you may have been, too. You are where you're meant to be. And people are thankful you're here."

[makiruz]

Watched the third arc of Andor, episodes 7-9

The pacing is moving from slow to unbearable, the episodes are too long, plots aren't interesting and episode 9 didn't even have an action climax

I do not like the Mon Mothma arc, I don't get it; she's very much a white liberal who doesn't get how bad it is until it affects her, but she's funding terrorists activities, but that appalls her, but when she's talking to her childhood friends she's like "I'm a rebel without a cause!"; I don't get her (specially if you keep her appearance in Ep III deleted scenes and the fact that many of her friends were probably assassinated by the Empire). Also I'm still frustrated with her family, I checked when this show takes place, it's 15 years after Revenge of the Sith, the same time as Rebels, while Mothma's daughter complaining about her work Leia is helping rebel groups in Lothal "steal" Alderanian ships, seriously why isn't Mothma's family radicalized too?

Anyway, a positive. I kinda like Syril Karn's story; I have never seen the everyday life of normal Imperial citizens, I love getting a look into that and I am drinking it all!

Now another negative; I don't quite get Andor's story here. I had seen the scene of Andor getting arrested for no reason and I was confused, I thought it must have been a flashback or something, but no, it's happening right after he participated in a terrorist attack, it's weird; but I do recognize the irony that he got away with a few murders and a theft of Imperial money but gets arrested for walking.

Anyway, I had heard Andor had some influence of THX 1138, and I think the prison might be it, I haven't watched THX but the images I've seen match the aesthetic of the prison. Now the prison being weird it's fine, they do say this is not like other Imperial prisons; but the lack of aliens do feel strange, there were absolutely no aliens in the previous arc, in this one we see one or two extras in episode 7 but after that it's all humans all the way; this is not right. Look, the complete lack of aliens in Coruscant and the upper echelons of Imperial society is perfect, alongside replacing the busy colorful landscapes of the Prequels with the uniform white it goes to show the corruption of the Empire, the once diverse society of the Republic is now uniformly human, that's visual storytelling, it's good; but that goes with a flipside: as the humans populate the high classes they push the aliens down, the lower classes should be populated by aliens to show their downgrade in Imperial society, but it doesn't, the lower classes are still mostly human, where did the aliens go? The Empire kill them? You cannot do genocide at that scale that quickly (that's what the Death Star was for). The other thing about the prison that jumped to me, was that the prisoners were all men, I don't know why that feels wrong to me, I don't have any ready evidence of Imperial prisons holding women and men together; but it feels wrong. I guess because Star Wars has never been big on gender segregation on an instinctual level I feel an Imperial prison should have women and men.

I am more and more convinced Andor's storyline would've made more sense if he was an alien, like I mentioned before his tribal non-industrialized culture fit better as an alien, because humans in Star Wars represent USA; but also getting arrested for no reason, and stuff make more sense if he's an alien and getting profiled by the canonically xenophobic Empire.

Also, side note, the prison is not worse than anything we've seen the Empire do before; I am still baffled by people claiming that this show made them feel the evil of the Empire more than, I don't know, watching the once terrifying Geonosian race driven to near extinction to the point Captain Fucking Rex who fought Genosians during the War now has to protect the last geonosians, who are one (1) guy and one (1) egg. Even the children shows that aired on Disney showed the Empire murdering innocent people; actually that's a thing about this show, everyone kept saying it was a more "adult" version of Star Wars, but nothing here is more serious or dramatic than Rebels or Clone Wars, the shows that aired in Cartoon Network and Disney; the only thing I'd call "adult" about Andor is the tone, and by the tone being "adult" I mean it's boring and pretentious

This show was overpraised. Even if the last 3 episodes are Hugo worthy, they don't make up for the rest of the show. I mean, it's not bad and the production is gorgeous, but the writing? the story? That needed at least another draft, and more aliens