Jedi are iconic. Unlike the Clone Wars series though, this series is not exclusively about them. It harkens back more to OT with a mix of characters.

Also, it was approved by George Lucas himself (Rebel Recon, starwars.com), so you know it's good.

I cannot disagree with this sentiment more. George Lucas also approved Midichlorians, Jar Jar Binks, phrases like, "this kiss will become a scar upon my heart," political arguments about trade disputes, and the Star Wars Holiday Special.

We can agree or disagree about whether or not George Lucas approving something means it's "really Star Wars," (now that Disney owns it, anyway) but just because George Lucas puts his beard-of-approval on it does not automatically make it "good." The man is a great idea guy, but he's a terrible detail guy, and (like all of us) he benefits tremendously from constructive criticism.

I think with two stories done, it's too soon to complain about lack of tie-ins to the continuity or character depth.

Actually, I didn't complain about character depth.

For "continuity" I was referring to the art of film-making, not story tie-ins. In TCW they were very careful to provide establishing shots, long shots, great panning scenes that let you take in the area. They rarely (if ever) played havoc with time and space.

Rebels is missing that. Sure, you see the planet, then they are landing in some little zone, like the platform in Kessel, and everything takes place in a tiny space. The crates they hide in were never really part of any establishing scene. The Wookie kid runs away, we don't see where to, then suddenly they're on a catwalk and the ISB agent has teleported behind them.

TCW would never have done that. To follow the Wookiee kid they would have had the camera zoom out from the firefight for an awesome shot to take in the whole base, then zoom back in on tiny figures running. The sense of space and time was never so claustrophobic, not even in the initial movie.

Yeah too much of this and we'll have all too many words banned. We won't be able to talk about many things which are a part of Fringe, Rebellion or Force game, like killing your enemies and such, whether dark side or not.

How about the new show Star Wars: Rebels eh? I like the fact that it is kiddified. I can always "adult" up my game, but I like that young fans can enjoy it along with me. With new movies coming out that take place after the OT, I am seeing much more interest in the OT again, thus this new series. FFG was very smart to place the timeframe of their game around the OT. i am looking forward to what is coming both here and at the movies.

The nice thing about the "kiddification" is that despite it, they still have some sophistication in there. Specifically I am thinking about the sting that the crew pulled on that minister and the aqualish. Getting the droids sent to the back, having Sabine step in as interpreter... It was an actually clever and smooth plan. I would be very proud of my players if they came up with that.

I think with two stories done, it's too soon to complain about lack of tie-ins to the continuity or character depth.

Actually, I didn't complain about character depth.

For "continuity" I was referring to the art of film-making, not story tie-ins. In TCW they were very careful to provide establishing shots, long shots, great panning scenes that let you take in the area. They rarely (if ever) played havoc with time and space.

Rebels is missing that. Sure, you see the planet, then they are landing in some little zone, like the platform in Kessel, and everything takes place in a tiny space. The crates they hide in were never really part of any establishing scene. The Wookie kid runs away, we don't see where to, then suddenly they're on a catwalk and the ISB agent has teleported behind them.

TCW would never have done that. To follow the Wookiee kid they would have had the camera zoom out from the firefight for an awesome shot to take in the whole base, then zoom back in on tiny figures running. The sense of space and time was never so claustrophobic, not even in the initial movie.

Fair points well argued. It is true that the direction lacks some of the scope of TCW perhaps. But I will give them a lot more time to develop that based on what I've watched so far.

We can agree or disagree about whether or not George Lucas approving something means it's "really Star Wars," (now that Disney owns it, anyway) but just because George Lucas puts his beard-of-approval on it does not automatically make it "good." The man is a great idea guy, but he's a terrible detail guy, and (like all of us) he benefits tremendously from constructive criticism.

He also benefits tremendously from being put on a shoestring budget that he can’t weasel out of. That forces him to actually get really creative with the most important bits of the story telling.

I can think of a few other authors/creators who are of a similar nature.

I think with two stories done, it's too soon to complain about lack of tie-ins to the continuity or character depth.

Actually, I didn't complain about character depth.

For "continuity" I was referring to the art of film-making, not story tie-ins. In TCW they were very careful to provide establishing shots, long shots, great panning scenes that let you take in the area. They rarely (if ever) played havoc with time and space.

Rebels is missing that. Sure, you see the planet, then they are landing in some little zone, like the platform in Kessel, and everything takes place in a tiny space. The crates they hide in were never really part of any establishing scene. The Wookie kid runs away, we don't see where to, then suddenly they're on a catwalk and the ISB agent has teleported behind them.

TCW would never have done that. To follow the Wookiee kid they would have had the camera zoom out from the firefight for an awesome shot to take in the whole base, then zoom back in on tiny figures running. The sense of space and time was never so claustrophobic, not even in the initial movie.

Was there any chance that Rebels was supposed to have 1 hour episodes instead of 1/2 hours? If they had to cut them down to size, it would explain alot.

I agree it would benefit from filler. But, with short episodes and lots of action something has to give. I for one would have preferred the same plots (of the 2 I've seen) in a 1 hour format.

George Lucas appears to benefit from limitations forcing him to think twice about what he actually wants to achieve. That's why his movies are so rich and also so unfocused - He wants too much. So when he finds himself with limitless digital effects possibilities and a basically infinite budget, the result is paradoxically not as good as with a very limited budget.

I find the same thing in general applies to me (minus the digital effects and the infinite budget, heh.)

I teach. I find that it is all about knowing exactly what you want to achieve in 45 minutes, and how to be as efficient and focused on that goal as possible. Most of the time, you don't have the time or the energy to think about it twice, but you really should.

Suddenly the arbitrary limits JJ Abrams sets for himself in Episode VII make more sense to me.

Suddenly the arbitrary limits JJ Abrams sets for himself in Episode VII make more sense to me.

Wait--The new Star Wars movie won't be made like any other old movie? Thank the maker!

Is the 3rd episode out yet? Anyone have a go at any of the character's stats?

Is the 3rd episode out yet? Anyone have a go at any of the character's stats?

It's up at WatchDisneyXD.go.com. As for character stats I've seen a few threads here discussing that very topic.

Any chance of some links?

I really enjoyed this last episode. And wow - Storm Troopers actually hit a character this time. Although they were still a bit comical, they felt a little more like a threat this time. I liked the advantage their armour gave them over Ezra's catapult and I really liked that although the transport commander was initially taken in, he worked it out. Pretty reasonably, I thought. The episode made the Empire feel reasonably believable and competent this episode which I like.

I also found the stormtrooper's reaction to Ezra with the (whatever it is called) fruit hilarious. You could hear the sheer incredulity at Ezra's dumbness in his voice (from his point of view).

Fun episode.

But what I especially liked is the dynamic of the crew and Hera and Kainen as a couple. She called him "love" last episode and this episode we got to see them enjoying some quiet time together once the rest were out of the way. Very much like parents enjoying getting the house to themselves with the kids gone. I liked that.

These guys are definitely a PC crew given how much they take the piss out of each other; even Hera as the most mature one is willing to respond to a prank by noting "Eh, at least it's not MY room" . For only a few episodes in I really like the chemistry the characters are developing, it's telling how much of the last episode was just them interacting with each other and it was still good stuff. I think they did mention they were writing the Ghost crew as a family dynamic, and it definitely shows.

These guys are definitely a PC crew given how much they take the piss out of each other; even Hera as the most mature one is willing to respond to a prank by noting "Eh, at least it's not MY room" . For only a few episodes in I really like the chemistry the characters are developing, it's telling how much of the last episode was just them interacting with each other and it was still good stuff. I think they did mention they were writing the Ghost crew as a family dynamic, and it definitely shows.

Agree about the family dynamic. Zeb and Ezra definitely have the older brother/younger brother rivalry going and there's been a couple of times Hera reminds me of my Mom when I was growing up back in the day.

With the line from the pilot episode "Garazeb Orrelios, what did you do?" There is no doubt Hera is the mom. Only moms use full names when scolding.

Wait. If Ezra and Zeb are the brothers, Hera is the mom, Kanan is the relaxed dad that gets stern when he needs to, and Chopper is the generic grumpy uncle/cousin no one likes... What's Sabine?

Well, nothing like answering your own question...

Ezra is the kid that gets adopted in 5th season of a sitcom.

"You did this....for fruit?" - Priceless!

Wait. If Ezra and Zeb are the brothers, Hera is the mom, Kanan is the relaxed dad that gets stern when he needs to, and Chopper is the generic grumpy uncle/cousin no one likes... What's Sabine?

I wouldn't call Kainen the "relaxed dad", just one that is a little less focused on the fatherhood side of things. And I'd say Chopper is more the younger brother, but a nephew or niece works too. Given Ezra clearly fancies Sabine, that obviously hamstrings a brother / sister dynamic between the two of them so I'd more put her as an older cousin to him.

Wait. If Ezra and Zeb are the brothers, Hera is the mom, Kanan is the relaxed dad that gets stern when he needs to, and Chopper is the generic grumpy uncle/cousin no one likes... What's Sabine?

I wouldn't call Kainen the "relaxed dad", just one that is a little less focused on the fatherhood side of things. And I'd say Chopper is more the younger brother, but a nephew or niece works too. Given Ezra clearly fancies Sabine, that obviously hamstrings a brother / sister dynamic between the two of them so I'd more put her as an older cousin to him.

I don't know about where you come from, but where I am, that's no longer considered normal to fancy yer cousin.

EDIT: Sorry if that seems insulting to anyone. I live in the US, and the US doesn't exactly talk about modern society in the bigger world, so I wasn't aware that cousin marriage is still practiced.

Wait. If Ezra and Zeb are the brothers, Hera is the mom, Kanan is the relaxed dad that gets stern when he needs to, and Chopper is the generic grumpy uncle/cousin no one likes... What's Sabine?

I wouldn't call Kainen the "relaxed dad", just one that is a little less focused on the fatherhood side of things. And I'd say Chopper is more the younger brother, but a nephew or niece works too. Given Ezra clearly fancies Sabine, that obviously hamstrings a brother / sister dynamic between the two of them so I'd more put her as an older cousin to him.

I don't know about where you come from, but where I am, that's no longer considered normal to fancy yer cousin.

Maeby it is, Maeby it isn't

Maeby it is, Maeby it isn't

Maeby tonight.

Wait. If Ezra and Zeb are the brothers, Hera is the mom, Kanan is the relaxed dad that gets stern when he needs to, and Chopper is the generic grumpy uncle/cousin no one likes... What's Sabine?

I wouldn't call Kainen the "relaxed dad", just one that is a little less focused on the fatherhood side of things. And I'd say Chopper is more the younger brother, but a nephew or niece works too. Given Ezra clearly fancies Sabine, that obviously hamstrings a brother / sister dynamic between the two of them so I'd more put her as an older cousin to him.

I don't know about where you come from, but where I am, that's no longer considered normal to fancy yer cousin.

Then you shouldn't date anyone of the same skin color as you... as we're all fairly "close" cousins of each other.

Everyone's related, it's just that the closer the relation, the weirder a relation ship becomes.

EDIT: I apologize if this is offensive to anyone. This is just the view in the US, which is where I live.