Can we not turn this into another "Force Awakens Spoilerrific thread" please? If you want to throw insults a forum thread is hardly the place for it: there's PMs for that (or 4chan).

On the subject of Rebels, I must say that I kinda lament TCW's storytelling structure. Story arcs spanning over multiple episodes helped establish a more complex and detailed plot, which in turn helped establish more believable character development. Almost every episode would become a chapter in a mini story line inside the grand anthology that was TCW. In Rebels there's a general plot (establish a stronger rebel presence in Lothal), yes, but every episode is pretty self contained. This is not bad per se, of course, but I must say I feel breathless at times, kinda like when I watched Age of Ultron (or Weekend at Ultron's, as I like to call it). I know it's probably for budget and time allowance issues, but I feel like Rebels deserves (perhaps even needs) more episodes.

Let's take yesterday's episode as an example. Hera tries diplomacy, gets shot down, then Kanan and Sabine go on the moon, Kanan speaks to the leader while Sabine plants some explosives, then a duel, then explosions, then a firefight, then some Force stunt on a starfighter, then the leader gets captured and accepts that the rebels use their hyperspace lane, and then Sabine learns a valuable lesson about violence. This could've been 2 or 3 episodes in TCW, going in details about why they need that lane, who are those Mandalorians, what's Sabine's relationship with them, what's their relationship with the Empire, maybe also a longer fight (Mandalorians were established as great warriors, but those paled in comparison with the Deathwatch we saw in TCW), and maybe show Sabine's character development more gradually than instantly.

Don't get me wrong, I love Rebels, but I sometimes feel like I'm watching an "adventure of the week" show, and this format, in my opinion, hinders Rebels' potential.

I can agree with that, although I honestly didn't care for most of the writing in Clone Wars.

For me it feels like Clone Wars had the budget but not quite yet the talent, whereas Rebels has the talent but nowhere near as much budget.

Let me make it clear -- if they kill off any of the main cast "for the feels", I'm done with the show.

Man, you must hate television then.

Let me make it clear -- if they kill off any of the main cast "for the feels", I'm done with the show.

Man, you must hate television then.

Most if it, yes.

Let me make it clear -- if they kill off any of the main cast "for the feels", I'm done with the show.

Man, you must hate television then.

Most if it, yes.

I'm curious as to what you'd consider a good death for one of the main characters, or even Ahsoka?

For the record, I don't have a horse in this race, I'm just legitimately curious, since you have a differing viewpoint from mine.

I thought the writing was really good for this episode... basically it saved the episode for me. This episode was a prime example of the budget constraints of the show affecting the potential. Opening fighter scene was awesome, and looked top notch, but then when we get down Concord Dawn the limitations show... fairly nondescript planet, housing a nondescript base, with 8 guys.

Thankfully we got some interesting backstory, and the showdown between Rau and Sabine, underscored with some Serio Leonesque music provided by Kevin Kiner, added some terrific atmosphere to the episode... still this is an episode that could have been a little more visually engaging.

Or since there's never been a canon depiction of how the plans for the first Death Star were obtained... that could be the final arc of the show, ending with the handoff to Leia

*Cough*Rogue One*Cough*

Even if Rogue One wasn't coming out I don't think the Ghost cell would be the group stealing the plans. Part of the fleet fighting the battle that was occurring at the same time as the theft maybe but the entire team that stole the plans is supposed to be wiped out according to ANH and I don't see them killing the entire Ghost team. Some members sure but not all of them.

Or since there's never been a canon depiction of how the plans for the first Death Star were obtained... that could be the final arc of the show, ending with the handoff to Leia

*Cough*Rogue One*Cough*

Even if Rogue One wasn't coming out I don't think the Ghost cell would be the group stealing the plans. Part of the fleet fighting the battle that was occurring at the same time as the theft maybe but the entire team that stole the plans is supposed to be wiped out according to ANH and I don't see them killing the entire Ghost team. Some members sure but not all of them.

There are plenty of other possibilities... it was just brainstorming at the time

Or since there's never been a canon depiction of how the plans for the first Death Star were obtained... that could be the final arc of the show, ending with the handoff to Leia

*Cough*Rogue One*Cough*

Even if Rogue One wasn't coming out I don't think the Ghost cell would be the group stealing the plans. Part of the fleet fighting the battle that was occurring at the same time as the theft maybe but the entire team that stole the plans is supposed to be wiped out according to ANH and I don't see them killing the entire Ghost team. Some members sure but not all of them.

Is that true? Do they actually say that the Empire has tracked down and killed everyone that was associated with stealing the plans of the 1st Death Star?

I enjoyed the Mandalore episode as i thought it showed a good example of F&D Morality at work. They could have chosen the simpler route of taking out Fenn and his Mandalorians, but Kanan wanted to try diplomacy. In the end the diplomacy failed and he basically had to use coercion, but but it was a good example anyways.

Or since there's never been a canon depiction of how the plans for the first Death Star were obtained... that could be the final arc of the show, ending with the handoff to Leia

*Cough*Rogue One*Cough*

Even if Rogue One wasn't coming out I don't think the Ghost cell would be the group stealing the plans. Part of the fleet fighting the battle that was occurring at the same time as the theft maybe but the entire team that stole the plans is supposed to be wiped out according to ANH and I don't see them killing the entire Ghost team. Some members sure but not all of them.

Is that true? Do they actually say that the Empire has tracked down and killed everyone that was associated with stealing the plans of the 1st Death Star?

Vader says something about how he tracked down the rebel spies but now Leia is his only chance to find their hidden base In the novelization it outright says they were dead not sure if that was in the movie too.

Speaking of Rogue One.

Pretty sure it wasn't called out in the film...

While using Rogue One to wrap up rebels would be neat, I'm skeptical.

The question comes down to "Does Disney consider Ahsoka/Kanan/Hera/Ezra/ect well known enough to use in a feature film?"

While a knee jerk response is "yes of course" from a film production and marketing perspective the film production team would likely say "Not really" since CW and Rebels is really more of a "kids show." As such the film would have to spend time introducing, establishing, and developing those characters to prevent a new audience members from being lost, wondering who these people are, and why they should care about them.

Also (as others have noted) Ahsoka, Kanan and Ezra need to be out of the picture and/or dead by ANH to avoid the issue of Leia never saying "Hey Luke, you really should go talk to this Kanan guy I know, he's all Jedi-ish you'd like him!" Meaning that at best if they were in it, Rogue One would have to close with everyone leaving or getting whacked. Which would be cool, but again, that's a lot of character introduction and development to get everyone up to speed on why Vader wants to kill Ahsoka in the face to hard.

That said, I wouldn't lose hope that a cameo, other spin-off film, or live action series/special might happen. A huge indicator to me that they wanted to leave options open was the change in Ahsoka's look between CW and Rebels, specifically the shape of her head.

Note specifically how CW Ahsoka's head is very round with a defined chin, while Rebels Ahsoka's head is much more oval without the same chin definition. Offhand it's nothing, but then take a look at the voice actress...

Looks a heck of a lot like they made Rebels Ahsoka to look like Ashley there.

Not any kind of verification or anything, but with looks, ages, and such lining up so nice, I do get the feeling that at the very least LF wants the option open.

One interesting possibility would be to make a spinoff more adult-themed series released to Netflix ala Daredevil/Jessica Jones. Think about it, Ahsoka arrived in 2008, it's now 2016. So a fan that got hooked on CW at age 12 would now be 20...

Anyone else watching Rebels on iTunes? And annoyed that they split season 2 into Vol 2/3, so that you have to buy the second half of the season separately? After already releasing Siege of Lothal as its own separate purchase? I'd be a lot less frustrated if I knew that going in, and if they're going for the money grab (obviously), I wouldn't be surprised if they turned a lot of people off of buying it legally.

I really only bought volume 3 because I have enough disposable income right now that it's not a big deal, but a couple of years ago I would have passed on it for sure.

It's also annoying that the files don't download grouped, so you have to go and manually do that. Otherwise as downloaded you get this nonsense:

1. The Lost Commanders

1. The Protector of Concord Dawn

2. Relics of the Old Republic

etc.

I actually only started using iTunes for tv shows very recently, because for most other shows (or at least the couple I watch on iTunes) the price finally became competitive with buying DVDs at Amazon's price, and you get them as they come out. Rebels seems to be the outlier, and more similar to how Apple used to price their shows (more expensive than a DVD set).

One interesting possibility would be to make a spinoff more adult-themed series released to Netflix ala Daredevil/Jessica Jones. Think about it, Ahsoka arrived in 2008, it's now 2016. So a fan that got hooked on CW at age 12 would now be 20...

I would be very open to an adult Netflix spinoff (For given definitions of "adult" that don't translate to "actually childish") but only if it was an original series rather than a continuation of anything like Rebels or TCW. Shifting tones like that would be very jarring to me and just wouldn't leave a good taste in my mouth.

Like, I'd be down if they actually made that live action Boba Fett series that got talked about years ago. But if they made a grim and gritty live action story about Kanan surviving in the galaxy after Order 66 with the sort of mature themes Netflix is known for I would either pass entirely or watch it out of a sense of obligation.

Looks a heck of a lot like they made Rebels Ahsoka to look like Ashley there.

I wondered about that new look, interesting supposition. In TCW (Mortis arc) Ahsoka has a vision of her older self which was far more in line with the younger model, I confess it was a bit jarring to see the Rebels version.

Hard to see Ashley as a live-action actor, she just looks too cutesy-sweet, but you never know.

Considering the Marvel Netflix shows seem to be pretty **** popular, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see some Star Wars ones down the road. And all I have to say to that is, "Yes, please!"

Looks a heck of a lot like they made Rebels Ahsoka to look like Ashley there.

I wondered about that new look, interesting supposition. In TCW (Mortis arc) Ahsoka has a vision of her older self which was far more in line with the younger model, I confess it was a bit jarring to see the Rebels version.

I chalked it up to the different art style in general.

Looks a heck of a lot like they made Rebels Ahsoka to look like Ashley there.

I wondered about that new look, interesting supposition. In TCW (Mortis arc) Ahsoka has a vision of her older self which was far more in line with the younger model, I confess it was a bit jarring to see the Rebels version.

I chalked it up to the different art style in general.

Yup. Different development companies, different art directors, different software...

"You know this Jedi philosophy doesn't work for everyone"

"Yes, thats why we're at war"

Looks a heck of a lot like they made Rebels Ahsoka to look like Ashley there.

I wondered about that new look, interesting supposition. In TCW (Mortis arc) Ahsoka has a vision of her older self which was far more in line with the younger model, I confess it was a bit jarring to see the Rebels version.

I chalked it up to the different art style in general.

Yup. Different development companies, different art directors, different software...

And everyone is seemingly going Ralph McQarrie crazy these days. First Rebels, then Ep VII...

Not that I mind though, MacQuarrie was an awesome artist!

Let me make it clear -- if they kill off any of the main cast "for the feels", I'm done with the show.

Man, you must hate television then.

I haven't owned a television for 30 years. Every time I've been exposed to "what's on now" it's still 99% garbage. Thankfully I can get the few gems now on services like iTunes, but it doesn't change the ratio of sewage to kyber crystal.

"You know this Jedi philosophy doesn't work for everyone"

"Yes, thats why we're at war"

Best line in the show thus far.

I haven't owned a television for 30 years. Every time I've been exposed to "what's on now" it's still 99% garbage. Thankfully I can get the few gems now on services like iTunes, but it doesn't change the ratio of sewage to kyber crystal.

I own a TV, but mostly so I can watch my huge pile of DVDs. The only shows I catch "live" anymore are Rebels, Walking Dead (and Z-Nation, although I freely admit that it's a glorious, terrible, awesome show) and Doctor Who. Oh, and I'll watch some Anime on Crunchroll from time to time.

"You know this Jedi philosophy doesn't work for everyone"

"Yes, thats why we're at war"

Best line in the show thus far.

I prefer: "I'm not sure I like you more, or less now."

Oooh, rumor and speculation time:

Making Star Wars are claiming that an as-yet-unannounced third season of Star Wars Rebels will see the official appearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn in Disney’s new Star Wars Canon. The same also reports that the third season will see Ezra redesigned with a shorter haircut, clothes much closer to the design sensibilities of A New Hope, and a lightsaber in the same style as Obi-Wan’s and Luke’s second.

Thrawn—an almost universally beloved character from the old Expanded Universe—was a blue-skinned Chiss, a master tactician and a Grand Admiral in the Imperial Navy. Fan desperation to see him “canonized” has lead to multiple otherwise mysterious characters in ancillary material released by Disney being theorized as secretly being him, so this might just be more of that for now—take it with a pinch of salt.