“Star Wars Rebel: Spark of Rebellion” introduced us to the latest TV adventures of the galaxy far, far away, but the show really begins tonight (10/13) with the episode “Droids in Distress.”
I was able to preview the episode early, and I’m able to tell you that everything that was great about “Spark of Rebellion” is true for the first normal episode. On top of that, there are plenty of great new surprises in store for “Star Wars” fans.
Here’s a spoiler-free preview.
A Big, Obvious Cameo
It was a good thing that characters from either trilogy didn’t show up in “Spark of Rebellion” because it allowed Ezra, Kanan and the rest of the crew to establish themselves. Now that all that is out of the way and we know everybody, some more familiar faces can drop by. That really starts in earnest with this first episode, “Droids in Distress.” C-3PO and R2-D2 play a significant supporting role, but this is still very much the crew’s story. So far, “Rebels” has smartly planted this story in the “Star Wars” universe without beating us over the head with it.
And A Smaller, Geekier, More Awesome Cameo
Apart from R2 and 3PO, there’s another cameo that is so wonderfully geeky that I wouldn’t dare spoil it here. Keep an eye out early on in the episode for a character famous for something outside of the “Star Wars” movies.
The Con
The story for this episode shows off the versatility of the universe and how wisely “Star Wars Rebels” is playing with it. What starts off as a sci-fi spin on a big con story turns into something much more classic “Star Wars.” Just like “Spark of Rebellion,” “Droids in Distress” feels new and classic at the same time.
Character Development
Another impressive aspect of this 22-minute episode is how well they incorporate strong character development into a straightforward story. The job at the heart of this story has a personal connection to Zeb’s background, and through it, we learn a lot about the purple tough guy. It’s surprisingly emotional stuff.
A Fantastic Fight Scene
The action-filled episode culminates in a fight scene between Zeb and Agent Kallus that is hopefully just a taste of the battles to come. It’s fast-paced, a little cheesy, but entirely awesome.
Kevin P. Sullivan
Writer/editor for MTV. If it involves cowboys, spies, or hitmen, I’m there. All three would be ideal.
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