REVIEW: Star Wars Rebels "Brothers of the Broken Horn"
You know, after what I said last week about juvenile humor in the show, you would expect me to hate this episode. I mean, it is basically a comedy episode. However, I am going to sound like a hypocrite for saying this, but I really enjoyed this episode. In fact, I think it's my favorite episode of the season so far. Why is this the case? The writing.
Although I don't act like it, I don't mind comedy if it's done well and I do want a good balanceof darkness and light in the show. This episode is the best way to me of accomplishing the latter. Unlike last week where the humor felt forced, cliche, and honestly, unfunny, this episode's humor was natural, fast-paced, and funny. It all boils down to the return of fan-favorite character Hondo Onaka, voiced by the always-awesome Jim Cummings.
Ezra is frustrated with having to balance Jedi and blaster training and even says that he wonders if he did neither. I don't know, I felt that moment was a little too out of character for me. He is told by Hera to clean the ship only for him and Chopper to respond to a distress signal by Vizago. Well, Hondo says that he won Vizago's ship in a Sabacc game and that he now wants Ezra (who lied to him saying his name is Lando Clarission) to be his partner in crime.
It is great to have Hondo back as he was an awesome character in the Clone Wars and he does shine here. You can tell he figuratively and literally lost everything and is a loner. Despite that, he always has a sense of humor and you can never truly tell what he motives are or what he is going to do next. Anyway, it turns out that Hondo has generators that the Rebel Network needs and Hondo is willing to give Ezra some if he helps with a deal with...Azmorigan.
Ah yes, him. That fat pig-like ganster that tried to sex-slave Hera. He quickly figures out who Ezra is and what Hondo is really planning and tries to suck the two of them into space. Chopper then comes in and rescues the two. It is highlighted with Chopper literally charging at Azmorigan with two blasters. I have mentioned that I am growing more and more fond of Chopper.
Anyway, during the fight, Ezra reveals his force powers to save Hondo from going into space. He then tells Hondo his real name and that he is not sure if he is a Jedi. Hondo then says the best line of the episode, "Then be a Pirate Jedi!" Ezra and Hondo then steal Azmorigan's credits and decide to make a new deal. Ezra later finds Vizago trapped in his prison cell as Hondo trapped him there and shut down his security droids. He calls in his favor that Ezra owes him from last season although I liked how confident Ezra got with his demands. "You mean my generators."
Next, through a complex series of events, Hondo is able to escape with the credits and shield generators. Vizago attacks Ezra and Hondo with the security droids although I think that was part of the ruse to get rid of Hondo. It was a cool-action sequence. During this scene, Hondo also highlighted some of hie better moments with his humor and even had a sad moment with Chopper when he says I don't work with droids. (His base was destroyed in the Clone Wars by General Grievous and the Droid Army.)
In the end, Hondo gives the Ghost crew the generators. He and Ezra leave on nice terms. Ezra says he might have considered joining his crew while Hondo warmly says that he is a Jedi. As he leaves, Kanan and Ezra have a personal talk with Ezra saying that he used to be like Hondo and was by himself, but he is not like that anymore because he has a family. (Even though you didn't act like that in the beginning though. I guess it's the puberty talking.)
Overall, while not a major plot-driven episode, it was still something that I thorughly enjoyed. The humor and characters were great, and there were some heart-wearming and deeper meaning as well. In short, whenever there is going to be a light-hearted episode of this show in the future, this is the standard I will judge it on.
