On 3/27/2017 at 4:59 PM, Nytwyng said:

For what it's worth, here's what the Rogue One Ultimate Visual Guide has to say about the death troopers:

So, II may do the recruiting, but they are assigned to important members of the Imperial military, apparently irrespective of branch.

Don't forget that dual missions for various organizations are common. The Secret Service investigates financial crimes (like counterfeiting) and protects high value political officers. The Marines are combat shock troops (simplifying a lot, I know), and protect American Embassies abroad.

Death Troopers protect various officials and something something for the ISB.

Bah! I hate this forum software!

Here, have a picture of some kittens in a box

1 hour ago, Vestij Jai Galaar said:

Now THAT would be interesting. And entirely in keeping with Thrawn's character.

While appropriate to Thrawn (and the Empire in general), it's probably one step over the line for a kids show.

56 minutes ago, Desslok said:

While appropriate to Thrawn (and the Empire in general), it's probably one step over the line for a kids show.

This is a kid's show that blew up a would-be deserter from the Imperial puppet government of Lothal (Minister Maketh Tua, which I had to go look up).

(Kallus' behavior in that episode is another reason, on top of his gloating to Zeb about his role in the massacre on Lasan, and other comments and actions, that I found his heal-face-turn a bit contrived.)

True - people die all the time on the screen - but there's a difference between someone dying when their shuttle blows up and seeing onscreen someone double tapping an insubordinate officer execution style.

13 minutes ago, Desslok said:

True - people die all the time on the screen - but there's a difference between someone dying when their shuttle blows up and seeing onscreen someone double tapping an insubordinate officer execution style.

Cut to Thrawn's unmoved and cold expression, or to the shock on someone's face, with a pair of blaster sounds in the background, maybe a pair of flashes illuminating the scene, and the sound of a THUMP on the floor.

Which part ofthe episode would you have cut to make time for that, though? Not a lot of fat there. The space combat is already pretty hard to follow as is.

I don't know if it's been pointed out but I like how Bendu died cause he was in the middle of the storm cloud. He always said that he was the one in the middle.

As for Thrawn not dealing with Constantine. By bringing in someone like Thrawn to battle the rebels, if nothing went wrong for the Empire likely the rebels and the Ghost crew would have been captured or killed and since they appear in R1 as a cameo and the battle over Scariff will likely be the final episode of the show they kinda had to make Thrawn overlook the obvious threat to his plan else they ruin what Disney has set up for them. So we can all blame the House of Mouse for forcing Thrawn to overlook a fairly obvious hole in his plan.

However despite what they did to make Thrawn slightly less badass, I liked the entire season overall! Can't wait for season 4 with more Thrawn.

1 hour ago, Shlambate said:

Can't wait for season 4 with more Thrawn.

Not season 4, but I think it'll help....

4 hours ago, MaxKilljoy said:

Cut to Thrawn's unmoved and cold expression, or to the shock on someone's face, with a pair of blaster sounds in the background, maybe a pair of flashes illuminating the scene, and the sound of a THUMP on the floor.

Yup. Not unlike the double beheading in season 1 by the Inquisitor. Pull back to a blocked shot and show appropriately expressive (or non-expressive) faces and add appropriate sound effects for the desired effect. I personally prefer the many times to the graphic display. My imagination is usually far better than what is shown.

1 hour ago, Jareth Valar said:

Yup. Not unlike the double beheading in season 1 by the Inquisitor. Pull back to a blocked shot and show appropriately expressive (or non-expressive) faces and add appropriate sound effects for the desired effect. I personally prefer the many times to the graphic display. My imagination is usually far better than what is shown.

That they already did a just-off-screen execution like that might be one of the reasons why they didn't do it here.

13 hours ago, Shlambate said:

By bringing in someone like Thrawn to battle the rebels, if nothing went wrong for the Empire likely the rebels and the Ghost crew would have been captured or killed and since they appear in R1 as a cameo and the battle over Scariff will likely be the final episode of the show they kinda had to make Thrawn overlook the obvious threat to his plan else they ruin what Disney has set up for them.

Hera, Chopper, and the Ghost are all we know that actually survive until the Battle of Scariff. The rest of the crew may still be facing dramatic deaths. From the start I haven't had great odds on the rest surviving:

• Kanan & Ezra: They are Jedi fighting for the Alliance. Those guys aren't supposed to be known to be around by the Battle of Yavin. They need to die or at least pull a Kenobi.
• Zeb: Destined to have an overly dramatic Lasat ending. But, other then Hera or Chopper, probably has the highest chance to survive in my opinion.
• Sabine: From possibly the first episode we saw her art would be the source of the Alliance symbol. I think this means she is doomed for sure as her symbol (or the symbol of the entire Phoenix squadron) is used in remembrance of her/their sacrifice?

On ‎28‎/‎03‎/‎2017 at 9:24 PM, Tramp Graphics said:

Nope. IF you read the book Star Wars: the Magic of Myth, it's explicitly stated that George Lucas patterned the Empire after Nazi Germany. Palpatine's rise to power even mirrors Hitler's. This was deliberate on GL's part.

I generally don't read many star wars books. Lost Stars, the Thrawn triology I think were essentially all I had. Needless to say, and given how whimsical GL can be, I don't put that much weight into words published in a book I probably won't buy. The material's meaning changes all the time, the movies shouldn't. But fair enough, I am wrong on this one.

(Slightly seperate tangent.)

It's like the Jedi. No one can ever make their minds up on what are meant to be; their original incarination was "they are space wizards. Believe it" and the sith didn't exist; that term was dropped in another novel and developed after the OT; Though it is very nice to actually have a name to call these guys. Which is why I find the idea that "Luke should receive conflict for blowing up the death star" "Maining is conflict worthy" "Light and dark balance" ridiculous. The force really doesn't care what happens to the darkside or anyone afflicated to it, it is largely concerned with it's own internal balance.

The force itself is plenty balanced with the darkside being the corruption, thus I am glad that the stupid Bendu was exposed as a hypocrite in the manner that he was deeply satisfying. To suggest there is balance between Life and absolute corruption is stupid, but seems to be the big thing the media pushes these days for the edgelords out there. The Bendu was right in teaching that it was fine to be emotional and compassionate (all the things the Jedi lacked) but these heavy handed balance analogies are rather silly given the source material.

Not that I believe the Jedi were right; they never really gave hope or life a chance and chose to minimise their presence in the galaxy, thus no one really missed them when they were shoved off stage.

1 hour ago, LordBritish said:

To suggest there is balance between Life and absolute corruption is stupid, but seems to be the big thing the media pushes these days for the edgelords out there. The Bendu was right in teaching that it was fine to be emotional and compassionate (all the things the Jedi lacked) but these heavy handed balance analogies are rather silly given the source material.

In an old D&D campaign, I played a Ranger ("good" alignment required), who ultimately multi-classed as a Druid ("true neutral" required). Seemingly a natural combination, and the DM allowed it, but... the mechanics (RAW), and even suggestions in the PH, were ludicrous- balancing good actions with evil, switching sides in a conflict... I could not have played that character, if truly constrained by the "morality" imposed. There was some conflict between the two mindsets, but I certainly didn't play by the books.

Come to think of it, Druids (in FRPGs, at least) are a bit like the Jedi Order, in their somewhat arbitrary decisions on when and if or how to take action.

Quote

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke

Relevant news about the new animated shorts series Forces of Destiny:

• Meanwhile, shorts focusing on the Star Wars Rebels heroes will not be set specifically within the show’s timeframe, but bridge the world of the shows with that of the movies. One short starring Sabine Wren, for example, will see her and Chopper exploring the Yavin 4 base from A New Hope, ahead of the Ghost crew making their way there in Rebels’ fourth season.
• The most interesting of all, considering these are canonical tales, is one that will see Hera Syndulla from Rebels team up with Princess Leia and Han Solo on the forest moon of Endor, which seemingly pretty much guarantees that Hera sticks around for a while in the new Star Wars canon after Rebels and Rogue One.

Also, looks like Bearded Santa Claus looking dude on Endor? Yeah, that's all but confirmed to be Rex:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C9UDSwJUIAA2fl5.jpg

On 30/03/2017 at 1:04 PM, Edgehawk said:

In an old D&D campaign, I played a Ranger ("good" alignment required), who ultimately multi-classed as a Druid ("true neutral" required). Seemingly a natural combination, and the DM allowed it, but... the mechanics (RAW), and even suggestions in the PH, were ludicrous- balancing good actions with evil, switching sides in a conflict... I could not have played that character, if truly constrained by the "morality" imposed. There was some conflict between the two mindsets, but I certainly didn't play by the books.

Come to think of it, Druids (in FRPGs, at least) are a bit like the Jedi Order, in their somewhat arbitrary decisions on when and if or how to take action.

Hmm a strange interpretation and overly strict, but I guess they have the narrowest definition, they only care about their territory and will take the shortest path to preserve it. E.g they are as likely to detain/kill any tresspassers as help them, depending on which suits them. Makes much less sense on an individual context where their alignment can and should change.

at least the bindu was true to his nature, he was emotional and considered, but it was that immensely selfish desire that lead to his deprivation. Though given his nature he was more a force of nature then a moral standard to aspire to

and sorry for late reply

Looks like we're coming in on the home stretch people:

Four seasons and we're all wrapped up!

27 minutes ago, Desslok said:

Looks like we're coming in on the home stretch people:

[snip]

Four seasons and we're all wrapped up!

So, Star Wars crosses over with Princess Mononoke?

So giant ice wolves were so cool in Game of Thrones we just had to have them in Star Wars? What the heck, at least they should have been changed up a bit. Add an extra set of legs or something. Change the face so it doesn't look so obviously like a realworld wolf.

Other then that, looks very cool. I hope the season has the same feel. I'm actually ready for it to be the last season and have it merge into Rogue One.

...then the same talent needs to start working on something else Star Wars.

So it really is the final season. Huh.

So we have Red, Gold, Blue, Phoenix and now Green squadron?!

Hopefully they tell the tail of how the Rebels/Alliance got the Xwing.

Looks like they will be introducing the new U-wing as well.

Sabine gave (or lost) the Black Saber to the sister of Obi-wan's main squeeze (forgot her name).

Hera also has the Han Solo unique ability Hyperspace through stuff. (Wonder if she teaches it to him)

Looks like they all make it to the establishment of that base at Yavin 4. How many make it to Rogue One (TBD).

More C-ROC Class, perhaps we will see more of the Ezra's smuggler friend

Nice!

Now if iTunes UK could just get the two episodes of Season 3's finale added so I can actually watch them, that'd be great...

2 hours ago, Arrakus said:

Sabine gave (or lost) the Black Saber to the sister of Obi-wan's main squeeze (forgot her name).

That would be Bo-Katan Kryze, voiced by Katee "Starbuck" Sackhoff.

11 hours ago, Blackbird888 said:

So, Star Wars crosses over with Princess Mononoke?

Oh man, I never realized how much Ahsoka looks like her.

That's got me feeling melancholy now. Not just because I hate to see good stories come to an end, but because it looks like everyone will die. I think Hera and Chopper will be the only ones left. Kanan can't survive, IMO, because otherwise Obi-Wan would know, and I fear that Sabine's story will end tragically. (Rau's voiceover of "Then we'll go down fighting" doesn't bode well for that arc).