REVIEW: Star Wars Resistance: "Rebuilding the Resistance"
First off, I like that the title of this episode of Resistance is called "Rebuilding the Resistance." Second off, I enjoyed the episode. However, my biggest problem with the episode is not so much with the episode itself, rather, that this episode should have taken place earlier in the season, rather than the penultimate episode of the series.
The episode sees the return of Torra's mother, Venisa Doza, and her small squadron of Resistance pilots, as they ask the Colossus and the Aces for help in escorting three shuttles filled with Resistance recruits from First Order control on Dantooine.
Like her first episode she was in, I enjoyed the character of Venisa throughout this episode, as well as the interactions between her, Torra, and Kaz. Kaz, Torra, and Hype volunteer to join her in the operation, with the remainder of the episode showcasing the fight between them and the First Order.
As far as the battle goes, I enjoyed it, but not as much as last week's fight, nor the final fight of season one. The biggest highlights of the fight were the interactions with Tam, who finally realizes, after one of the transport shuttles is shot down, that the First Order are not the good people she envisioned them to be. It also shows just how much of a tool Rucklin is, as he was the one who shot down the transport, and only gets upset when Tam gets a promotion to squad leader ahead of him.
Now, from here, I think it's obvious that Tam, during the finale, will finally ask Kaz and Yeager for help from the First Order. Overall, I can understand why she initially joined the First Order, why she initially felt betrayed by Kaz and Yeager, and why she decides to essentially ditch the First Order. My biggest problem is that I wished we could have seen more of Tam's struggles with the First Order beforehand.
Imagine if we could have gotten a full episode or two following Tam's story only, undertaking different missions, allowing her, and as us as the audience, to see just how brutal the First Order is.
I think that would have make this week's episode, being the final straw for her, more compelling and realized, rather than feeling tacked on because next week is the finale.
The same thing ultimately applies to the plot and message of this episode as well. Again, I did enjoy this episode, and I wanted more episodes like this throughout the season.
However, Captain Doza finally decides to fully support the Colossus to the Resistance at the end, which is a good gesture, but next week, again, is the finale, so it almost seems like a case of little too little, too late.
I feel like certain episodes from the first half of the season should have been cut or condensed to one episode, with "The Mutiny" through this episode being aired in its place. Sprinkle more focused episodes on Tam and Kaz's journey with the larger galaxy and the Resistance, and this season could have been a lot better.
Still, I am intrigued to see how the show will end next week, and how it will connect with The Rise of Skywalker.
