The fantastic thing about the television medium is that you have time to tell a story, when you do it right. Building out characters, developing proper bridges between plot points, and building up to an impactful moment is the best part of television. It’s what separates it from film, which is why television is still relevant this day and age, and what makes streaming services like Netflix and Hulu exist happily. Episodic adventures that connect with each other to tell a cumulative story that reaches around 13 hours in length is what makes the entire medium work well. No butt could suffer that long in a theater seat, even if the story was good.
Why am I preaching television rhetoric to you? Because so far Star Wars: Rebels contains one of the best stories in the Star Wars universe, and is, in my humble opinion, unrivaled by recent films. Granted, as stated above, the show has had a perfect amount of time to tell the story it wants, but the actors, the directors, writers, creators all seem to be on the same page and it shows. While I was certainly skeptical of the show when it first started, by season two I slowly began to realize this seemingly cash-grab-for-the-name was a formidable storytelling machine to connect all the fans that adore every inch of the Star Wars universe. It has been one helluva ride.
Season four of the show is its current conclusion. It takes a very grown-up Ezra and brings him to a split path, where he can be tempted and easily fall into the dark side of the force, while at the same time easily fall into the Jedi ways. It takes him on a journey of tragedy, triumphant, and destiny to bring him full circle into what he was born to be. Season four doesn’t beat around the bush with other characters either. The stakes are about as real as they get, as his friends and foes come full circle with him.
The show begins with the group putting together an attack on the Empire to help reacquire Sabine’s father with the help of Mandalorians. What comes from that is a nice continuation of that story, which brings in guerrilla fighter Saw Gerrera (sounds familiar, right? — Rogue One and other animated Star Wars shows). This particular episode is neat because it introduces a large Kyber crystal, a very large one, which could be used for, oh I don’t know, some large death machine that the Empire is cooking up. While the connection is clearly made for what is to come with Rogue One and ultimately episode four, the show doesn’t stay long here, but rather gives you the essence of how important it is for Saw, Ezra, and the Rebels to win at all costs. This particular connection to the Mandalorian storyline is seamless and absolutely intriguing. What’s remarkable about the Saw Gerrera story is that it keeps true to his personality and obsession with defeating the Empire. It’s quite dark and the stakes are nuts, as Ezra and crew have to decide whether to save a few lives or save billions. What this episode also does is build onto the final version of what will be the complete Ezra. Each decision he makes from the first four episodes equals out to what he is ultimately going to be by the end of the season. It’s meticulous planning on the part of the writers, but one that certainly pays off.
Anyway, the fourth season progresses, the story starts to get darker and you can just feel that the end is nigh for our heroes. Admiral Thrawn comes back into the scene for the Empire and starts to press down on the group in various ways. A creature named Rukh is introduced into the mix, who turns out to be an assassin for the Empire, and whom is a formidable opponent from other reaches of the Star Wars expanded universe. He is a creature that will last until the final episode and who absolutely gums up things for Ezra and crew on their way to the end.
As Admiral Thrawn begins to press down on the rebellion in various ways and with various people, (SPOILER ALERT) Ezra loses his master in the process, Kanan, which forces Ezra to go his own way to finish his training before it’s too late (SPOILER ALERT ENDS). Along the way, Ezra runs into wolves that befriended Kanan and who are force sensitive. The wolves help guide Ezra to more Jedi ruins that the Empire has decided to recover, which leads Ezra into a wholly other universe-controlling land, where he can see the past, present, and future, as well as interact with them. This particular part of the season really reaches deep down into the Jedi lore and pulls out some new material that the movies haven’t touched. In a nice bold moment, the show features audio clips from Alec Guinness’ Obi-wan from episode four, which provides a nice mystic touch to the moment. While Ezra is exploring this new land, he runs into an old memory from the previous season, and something cool happens (not going to spoil this one). It’s incredibly emotional and it doesn’t lose that feeling until the end of the season.
Speaking of which, the end of the season, which could be the end of the series in a sense, leaves us on an Empire Strikes Back-like note. Ezra finally meets his fate with his friends, confronts Thrawn alone, and leaves the door open for more adventures, though, that door leads to a melancholy feeling of both hope and despair. It’s brilliant and proves how much more television has to offer when it comes to good storytelling. As I’m typing this review I’m just enjoying the moment, while at the same time somewhat sad that I don’t get more of the story to continue Ezra’s arc. I will say that something like Star Wars: Rebels gives me faith that the upcoming live-action Star Wars show from Jon Favreau is going to absolutely kick major butt. When there is enough time to tell a memorable and emotional story in the Star Wars universe, there’s nothing quite like it. Rebels is something you need to own and get in your collection.
Loved season four. I’m ready for more.
Special Features:
– Ghosts of Legend
– Force of Rebellion
– Kevin Kiner: The Rebel Symphony
– Audio Commentaries (multiple)
– Rebels Recon
The special features are certainly a bonus, especially the Kevin Kiner feature. Outside of this list, it should also be noted that the visuals of the show, combined with the soundtrack, are some of the best on television when it comes to representing an artsy Star Wars universe that is respectful to the material. It’s darn good.
Anyway, good season, great features, you won’t be disappointed.
