REVIEW: Star Wars Rebels "Kindred"
Well, another week, another two episodes of Rebels. I really don't know if they're trying to push these episodes out fast because of the story they want to tell...or if they are trying to end this show quickly. I know it's cynical to think about that, but it's a real possibility. Anyway, the first of these two episodes, Kindred, was easily better than the second episode, Crawler Commandeers. This episode introduced us to a new "Legends," villain, as well as a new concept of the force.
Early on in the episode, we get our long-awaited introduction to Thrawn's assassin/bodyguard, Rukh, which is a character that was part of the original Thrawn trilogy of novels from the 90's. He is also voiced by Warwick Davis, Star Wars superfan who played the role of Wicket the Ewok in Return of the Jedi. He's sadly not in the episode long, but what little screen-time he has, he steals the show. He's got a cool design, a cool-as-hell voice, and more importantly, tracks down his targets like a wild animals, via a sense of smell. Not only that, he seems intelligent and more capable than the average Imperial leader. Basically, I can understand why he was chosen by Thrawn. He has a cool introduction scene and a cool action chase involving Ezra, but otherwise, he's barely used in the remainder of the episode and not at all in the second episode, which was a letdown.
Yes folks, it finally happened, it's finally canon! It was a very sweet moment and finally worth the build up for so many episodes. That being said, I hate to say, the lead up to the kiss kind of felt forced by Kanan. Kanan, I know you love her, but I don't think your relationship is important right at this very moment when you are getting attacked. Still, we finally got our kiss...at long last.
From this moment...for the rest of the episode, the Lothwolves take over...for the better. These creatures are intriguing and mysterious. While Hera and Chopper escape Lothal to take the Tie Defender information back to Yavin 4, the rest of the group is led to safety by the wolves.
The wolves eventually lead the group to a cave where it appears to be dead end. However, at this moment, the wolves literally open up a portal that leads them to the other side of the planet. The sequence itself was mystical and cool-looking and it shows us a new part or connection to the force that we haven't really seen before, whether it be Legends or Canon.
That is what is so intriguing about the wolves, what they represent. For many years, we've been told the wonders of the force, that no power can compare to it, and it can do many things. However, as far as canon goes, we really haven't seen the force be explored past the Jedi and Sith. There were glimpses of the workings of the force from the force priestesses and the Ones from the Clone Wars, but again, those stories were mainly focused on Jedi and Sith Lore. This represents something different, something deeply connected to the inner workings of the force itself, at least in my eyes, that is not directly connected to the light and the dark side, and that is an amazing possibility for me.
The wolves also know Kanan's last name as well. The paintings in the cave they are taken to also show hints and easter eggs as well. Hopefully, the wolves will appear again in the season as they have to be connected to something bigger...perhaps Ahsoka in some way.
So yeah, this episode was good, but not great. The action and setting was good, but kind of small-scale. However, I like Rukh already and I am intrigued on where this wolf/force story is going to go. Until then, we'll just have to wait and see.
