REVIEW: Star Wars Rebels Season 4 Trailer 2
Well, that was surprising. While we wait patiently for a new The Last Jedi trailer, season four, the final season of Rebels, got a new trailer out of nowhere this past weekend. But hey, I'm not complaining. To me, this is probably the best trailer the series has had so far. It showed just enough to make you ask questions and speculate, but not enough to give everything away. Like the last couple trailer articles I've done, I'll talk about some of the images and sequences that stood out to me, which is...a few to say the least.
Right off the back, the trailer showcases imagery of the wolves from the first trailer. Leave it to Filoni, whose favorite animal is wolves, to actually make them a sidestory this season. Also, apparently, somehow, all the animals on Lothal are connected as we see a Lothcat just chill on top of a wolf. I'm sure when the show explains it, it will make sense, but for now, I'm questionably curious on where this wolf story is going.
Obviously, another big side story this season, much like the last few seasons, will be revolving around Mandalorians. The stakes are never higher as not only is there a Mandalorian civil war brewing, but the action will return to Mandalore, so it will be interesting to see how the planet has changed since the end of the Clone Wars. Many are already speculating that the machine pictured above is the same machine that Sabine unwillingly created before she left, which I can totally see. What does it do, well it just shocks people and has the potential to vaporize someone. Yes, somebody gets vaporized in this trailer. Filoni did say this season would be darker but man, for all the brutal deaths in the Clone Wars show, I don't think anybody died from vaporizing.
Saw Gerrera will return this season and, he's basically at his Rogue One state of mind now. I mean, he's not yet completely crazy and still has all his limbs, but the extremist terrorist that doesn't want to play by Mon Mothma's or the rebellion's rules, check. It will be interesting to see how he interacts with the rebellion and the Ghost crew, considering how close we are in the timeline to Rogue One.
Speaking of the rebellion, or should I say, the Rebel Alliance, they're all here, at least the important characters, except for Kanan for some reason. Anyway, I just love this shot showcasing most of the Ghost crew briefing with Rex, Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, General Dodanna, and freaking Kallus as a rebel captain now. Seriously, it's hard to imagine just how far this character has come since his introduction. When I first saw him in the series premiere, I just thought he was some cliche, disposable, Imperial villain. Now, he's one of the more interesting and dynamic characters in the show.
Again with the wolves. Obviously, this is the force story this season. Every season has had a subplot dealing with some aspect and mentality of the force. Like I said before, I am really curious on what these wolves represent. And no, the main white wolf is not Ahsoka, Filoni already confirmed she is not a wolf. That being said, while I'm glad they didn't show her off in this trailer and hopefully keep her a surprise, I'm curious to see what role she will play in this season...if she even shows up.
This trailer shows more of Thrawn's assassin Rukh and you actually hear him speak...he sounds terrifying. Like I mentioned before, I never read the original Thrawn trilogy from the 90's so I have no experience with this character and will be experiencing him for the first time this season. That being said, I hope I like him and is actually pretty capable of doing his job...cough...Inquisitors...cough.
Obviously Thrawn will be back as one of, if not the main villain this season. That being said, this clip actually shows just how connected the Star Wars universe is. Thrawn is speaking with Tarkin about his Tie Defender project. Tarkin says to him, "Krennic has been persuasive about his own project...Stardust." Yes, I love the references and nods to Rogue One. I like callbacks and references when they make sense to the story, not if they are just shoehorned in.
This season will give us, in the timeline, our first appearance of the iconic X-Wings. From the trailer, they appear to be involved in at least one major space battle. X-Wings versus Tie Defenders overseen by Thrawn, it's like 90's Legends materials are just popping up on the screen for us to see.
Oh Ezra. You are the main character. I want to like you. There are good things you have done. There are things about you that I like. That being said, to this day, I'm still not the biggest fan of you. I mean, I don't flat you hate you, but I wouldn't put you in my top 20 favorite characters list. That being said, I feel like they are going to do something interesting with his character, as well as Kanan, to explain why they aren't in the original trilogy. Going back to the wolves, Ezra and Kanan will have experiences with them. Kanan and Ezra, through both trailers, question and discuss their role in the galaxy as Jedi and force users. In one shot, Ezra says an interesting question, "what if we chose wrong?" You smell that...I smell someone becoming a gray Jedi. This has to be what they are building Ezra to be, unless of course if I am totally 100 percent wrong, in which case, um, Ezra turns into Snoke?
Here we get a better look at Sabine with Bo-Katan. It's amazing, she appeared in around 4-5 episodes of the Clone Wars as a side/background character, yet people lost their shit when she was announced to be coming back. I was moderately excited because it makes sense to the story, it's not like I have a major attachment to her. But no, a lot of people really like her and can't wait to see what she does and if she or Sabine will be the new ruler of Mandalore when it's all said and done.
Finally, we come to, what a lot of fans, including me, are really excited to see...Kanera. Yes, people ship these two hard. I mean, they've known each other for years, he clearly loves her, she clearly loves him, they are practically space mom and space dad to Ezra and Sabine, just kiss and become a couple already. Well, it appears the trailer is aware of it too because Kanan straight out asks, "Have you never thought about us?" Yep, he wants her, he wants her bad. In fact, Kanan I feel is going to be no nonsense this season. There was also a touching moment near the end when Kanan confesses to wishing he can see Hera again to which Hera replies, "You can always see me." Damn it Filoni, stop freaking teasing us. You are so self-aware and you are probably just laughing in the animation studio right now praying on our emotions. This couple arguably has better chemistry between them than Han and Leia, that's right, I said it.
Anyway, so yeah, this trailer is incredible and I can't wait to see what the season has in store and how these characters' stories will end. However, I won't be a total fanboy and say the season will be great by default. There are still things that can go wrong, too much filler, annoying characters, not enough focus on the important stuff. However, I have a lot of faith in this season, because well, it is the final season, they can't afford to mess this up.
