Really good episode. Finally.
And even Thrawn does something, the heroes escape but in the most suprising plot twist in this series so far, Thrawn actually didin't want to let them escape
Also, Kallus will most likely become a double agent, I wonder for how long.
Well this time they had valuble plans, so I can see why Thrawn would not want them to escape.
I'm excited for this episode! Looks like they're back on Lothal and getting ready to sabotage the production facilities
Thrawn is there because he knows that Lothal is a target for the Ghost crew. His prime objective is not to kill the Ghost crew, but to give them a juicy enough target to call in the fleet. When the whole fleet is there, he will spring his trap. Until then, he is trying to learn as much as he can about the rebels, so he can better predict their actions. Luring them to Lothal seems like a logical step.
I bet we will know this weekend if that TIE Defender image is real. I'm guessing they learn it is going to start being produced on Lothal, so that is their target. Hera knows those ships are much deadlier than TIE Fighters, and if the Empire starts mass producing them, the rebellion is doomed.
Calling it now, the defenders and the whole fab IS the trap. Thrawn will bring Gunboats from a secret base to the rebel attack against the Lothal Fab. The Defenders themselves were a ruse. And so Kallus worked right into the hands of Thrawn all along.
Watched the Episode.
Going to start looking for thinks Kanan couldn't possibly know if he's blind. Colors, written data, features on holograms, map layouts, time of day, faces, etc.
Ex-Governor is a nice character, good to see him back in the action.
Stormtrooper got shot in the face and deserved it. He should have used his cannon more than twice.
Lightsabers are excellent utility tools. And box cutters. And steel saws. Mostly steel saws.
If you cooked it, you eat it. Works for soup as well as military hardware.
Thrawn is starting to show his tactical side.
Chopper is and always has been the best.
Kanan sees pretty well for a blind guy. In a stormtrooper helmet.
Thrawn looks at the art. The art looks back. This pleases us.
Agent Kallus is revealed. This pleases us.
The TIE Defender is being made. This pleas- aaaaannnnd the Rebels have their hands on the plans now. Great. Now it's gonna do what it always does when the Rebels get their hands on those secret prototype plans; they're going to blow the only one that will ever be made ever with their special thing and we'll never see it again. Unless the make a Mk 2, in which case it'll get blown up again. Grump, grrr, arg-kittens.
Thrawn is onto Kallus. Kallus life expectancy dropping. Dropping. Gone.
They mentioned the shields on the Defender but they didn't mention a hyperdrive. They thought we wouldn't notice, but we did.
Thrawn looks at the art. The art looks back. This pleases us.
This quote pleases me.
My desire for a non-defender in this role comes from the TIE Defender already being the only thing to persist in Star Wars' perception out of TIE Fighter. The flight sims gave us a lot of cool things in the early days of the expanded universe: Stormtrooper transports, the BFF-1s, XQ platforms, Escort Shuttles, Nebulon-B2s, whole container classes, R-41s, T-Wings... and of course the Assault Gunboat and TIE Avenger, in addition to all manner of ordnance (Proton Rockets, Mag-Pulse warheads, advanced models of warheads and the distinction between Protons and Concussion weapons).
But out of all that, the only visible thing anyone remembers to come out of the game is the TIE Defender.
I mean, if an obscure 1978 Star Wars toy can have a featured place in the TV show, why not a fighter that never appeared outside of the game it featured?
For instance, I'd really love it if Phoenix squadron was staging with Iron Squadron for an attack, only to be ambushed by a full squadron of Assault Gunboats lead by Captain Skerris dropping out of hyperspace. The gunboats wipe most of the A-Wings with missiles, Ion-disable the Ghost, and it's up to Iron Squadron to find a way to save the day before the Empire can pick up the Ghost. Could be during the debut of the X-Wing as well, as Mart or Ezra would have to convince the rebels back at the base to let him take it to save the day. Chopper can even sit in the astromech slot for the X-Wing's debut.
Edited by NorsehoundI would like to say that I really liked that the "hey! were wearing armor, were stormtroopers!" Didn't work. Those Stormtroopers had them cornered if it weren't for Kallus. Would they have caught them? probably not Lightsaber > Blaster, but at least they weren't stupid.
It would be hilarious if the Tie Defender was a red herring and then once the Rebels attack they get attacked by Assault Gunboats, as Norsehound mentioned, then whenever Thrawn gets sent away/dies the Empire decides to only just focus on Tie fighters and their spinoffs.
I would like to say that I really liked that the "hey! were wearing armor, were stormtroopers!" Didn't work. Those Stormtroopers had them cornered if it weren't for Kallus. Would they have caught them? probably not Lightsaber > Blaster, but at least they weren't stupid.
I really liked that as well. As a whole, I like how the Imperial characters have been getting smarter about foiling the Rebels. Gives them credibility.
Thrawn looks at the art. The art looks back. This pleases us.
This quote pleases me.
My desire for a non-defender in this role comes from the TIE Defender already being the only thing to persist in Star Wars' perception out of TIE Fighter. The flight sims gave us a lot of cool things in the early days of the expanded universe: Stormtrooper transports, the BFF-1s, XQ platforms, Escort Shuttles, Nebulon-B2s, whole container classes, R-41s, T-Wings... and of course the Assault Gunboat and TIE Avenger, in addition to all manner of ordnance (Proton Rockets, Mag-Pulse warheads, advanced models of warheads and the distinction between Protons and Concussion weapons).
But out of all that, the only visible thing anyone remembers to come out of the game is the TIE Defender.
I mean, if an obscure 1978 Star Wars toy can have a featured place in the TV show, why not a fighter that never appeared outside of the game it featured?
For instance, I'd really love it if Phoenix squadron was staging with Iron Squadron for an attack, only to be ambushed by a full squadron of Assault Gunboats lead by Captain Skerris dropping out of hyperspace. The gunboats wipe most of the A-Wings with missiles, Ion-disable the Ghost, and it's up to Iron Squadron to find a way to save the day before the Empire can pick up the Ghost. Could be during the debut of the X-Wing as well, as Mart or Ezra would have to convince the rebels back at the base to let him take it to save the day. Chopper can even sit in the astromech slot for the X-Wing's debut.
This ^
Watched the Episode.
Going to start looking for thinks Kanan couldn't possibly know if he's blind. Colors, written data, features on holograms, map layouts, time of day, faces, etc.
Ex-Governor is a nice character, good to see him back in the action.
Stormtrooper got shot in the face and deserved it. He should have used his cannon more than twice.
Lightsabers are excellent utility tools. And box cutters. And steel saws. Mostly steel saws.
If you cooked it, you eat it. Works for soup as well as military hardware.
Thrawn is starting to show his tactical side.
Chopper is and always has been the best.
Kanan sees pretty well for a blind guy. In a stormtrooper helmet.
Thrawn looks at the art. The art looks back. This pleases us.
Agent Kallus is revealed. This pleases us.
The TIE Defender is being made. This pleas- aaaaannnnd the Rebels have their hands on the plans now. Great. Now it's gonna do what it always does when the Rebels get their hands on those secret prototype plans; they're going to blow the only one that will ever be made ever with their special thing and we'll never see it again. Unless the make a Mk 2, in which case it'll get blown up again. Grump, grrr, arg-kittens.
Thrawn is onto Kallus. Kallus life expectancy dropping. Dropping. Gone.
They mentioned the shields on the Defender but they didn't mention a hyperdrive. They thought we wouldn't notice, but we did.
Fortunately, Rebels Recon confirmed that it IS the TIE Defender we know and love, Hyperdrive and all.
So do you guys think Thrawn knows Kallus is the Spy? I honestly hope he didn't figure it out already. Thrawn is super smart and everything, but there was no evidence of him helping them. I think Thrawn will put it together eventually, but I hope it's not immediate.
So do you guys think Thrawn knows Kallus is the Spy? I honestly hope he didn't figure it out already. Thrawn is super smart and everything, but there was no evidence of him helping them. I think Thrawn will put it together eventually, but I hope it's not immediate.
Depends on how many plot devices were in that elevator. Also they escaped while Kallus was sent to lock down that specific area to keep them from escaping. He better work on a better exfil plan than the former Govenor....
So do you guys think Thrawn knows Kallus is the Spy? I honestly hope he didn't figure it out already. Thrawn is super smart and everything, but there was no evidence of him helping them. I think Thrawn will put it together eventually, but I hope it's not immediate.
Just saw the latest Rebels!!!
1) Tie Defenders are now cannon. Freakin cool
2) AT-AT is finally pronounced in cannon. Ay-tee Ay-tee is official. (Dang it, I was team at at.)
Great episode.
Jesus Christ people, would you stfu about Gunboats...we get Defenders for the first time in the new Canon and all you people can do is ***** about how it's not a Gunboat...
But enough of that. Episode...SOOOOOO goood!
Well this time they had valuble plans, so I can see why Thrawn would not want them to escape.
aaaaannnnd the Rebels have their hands on the plans now. Great. Now it's gonna do what it always does when the Rebels get their hands on those secret prototype plans; they're going to blow the only one that will ever be made ever with their special thing and we'll never see it again.
So do you guys think Thrawn knows Kallus is the Spy? I honestly hope he didn't figure it out already. Thrawn is super smart and everything, but there was no evidence of him helping them. I think Thrawn will put it together eventually, but I hope it's not immediate.
I know why it's the Defender and all that, but let's just say I have more respect for it than just some final boss unit the Rebels will nearly effortlessly defeat and/or capture for their own. I really hope that, like Thrawn and Vader, the TIE Defender ends up being something the Rebels have to run from with every encounter, and only barely pull it off beating it with an X-Wing.
And again, the TIE Defender is a certainty in the sun. Everyone knows it, it's popular. It's guranteed to show up somewhere, inevitably. But where's the love for the more obscure things that don't have the public's attention? Things that are cool but lay forgotten? The Gunboat isn't alone in this... it appears the Skipray blastboat also hasn't been graced with the Canon blessing, and that's a more popular craft than the Gunboat!
Though having said that, I'm very much looking forward to TIE Defender merchandise being a big thing now. I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do while in flight.
Regarding Thrawn, thinking on it, I wonder if it's a little contrived for Thrawn to immediately jump to the conclusion that some minor delay MUST mean they met with a sympathizer. It can't possibly mean that Ezra tripped, or they got lost in the installation, or someone got wounded in the firefight, or some other reason for the delay. Thrawn's a genius, but he's not prescient.
According to Pablo Hidalgo in Rebels Recon Defenders have hyperdrives. Whether he was referring to the old canon or that the stats transferred over i'm not sure.
Can I just say Ezra and Kanan are asses for the way they treated Kallus. Sure the hate is warranted given the history but he just saved your butts and has been feeding you valuable information for months if not longer. Ezra slams him through a computer INTO the edge of a metal console. Kanan at first reacted in a way that chastised Ezra only a second later for the teachable moment to be lost as Kanan jokes he wished he'd done it.
Thrawn scenes are incredible as always. They are really handling him well.
Edited by ForrestoTIE/D lives, Thrawn is finally shown to be a badass, and stormtroopers that aren't morons?! I'm dreaming, right?? At this rate, they'll canonize Maarek Steele as our Defender's first test pilot, Soontir Fel will be there, and all will be right in the Empire.
it appears the Skipray blastboat also hasn't been graced with the Canon blessing, and that's a more popular craft than the Gunboat!
...in what universe?
it appears the Skipray blastboat also hasn't been graced with the Canon blessing, and that's a more popular craft than the Gunboat!
...in what universe?
Assault Gunboat, list of apperances:
Summary: some ancient computer games, RPG adventures (but everything appeared in the RPGs), one novel, (mentioned only) in another one. EDIT Sorry, (mentioned only) in two novels.
Skipray Blastboat, list of apperances:
Summary: an ancient computer game, some RPG adventures (but everything appeared in the RPGs), a lot of novels, inlcuding very popular ones like the Thrawn's Trilogy, and a popular and only... 11 years old (holy ****, how is this possible) game, Empire at War.
Edited by eMeMDon't forget the Blastboad had a micromachine depiction as well! It's also featured in FFG's card game... something the Gunboat has yet to do. Blastboat also featured in the Edge of the Empire core book... Gunboat took a while to appear I think in the smuggler book.
Assault Gunboat, list of apperances:
Skipray Blastboat, list of apperances:
Number of appearances has no correlation to popularity. The idea of weighing the Gunboat's appearances in the game's the same as the Blastboat's is ridiculous. It's like saying cargo containers are more popular than TIE Defenders because they've been in more games.
The Gunboat's role in TIE Fighter alone generates more regard from fans than every Blastboat appearance combined.
Assault Gunboat, list of apperances:
Skipray Blastboat, list of apperances:
Number of appearances has no correlation to popularity. The idea of weighing the Gunboat's appearances in the game's the same as the Blastboat's is ridiculous. It's like saying cargo containers are more popular than TIE Defenders because they've been in more games.
The Gunboat's role in TIE Fighter alone generates more regard from fans than every Blastboat appearance combined.
From all 25 fans who played TIE Fighter back in medieval ages, are still alive and still remember details of this game. There is simlply no comparison to the Skipray which was featured in multiple popular novels and had a big role in a much more recent videogame.
Edited by eMeM
Because now we can wonder why these TIE Defenders weren't present to guard the Death Star when they are the best starfighters in the galaxy, and the Death Star is the most supreme Imperial weapon in the universe deserving of the best protection. Especially if the TIE Defender features before the end of Rebels, which given that this episode is a lot of foreshadowing for it's eventual appearance, it certainly will in some form.
Arguably, because "they weren't needed"
Even if the Empire DOES get them built in nuCanon (IE., the 'Rebels' team doesn't destroy production of them, entirely)...the Death Star didn't need defending, remember? Only Vader's squadron bothered to launch at all. The thought was that it was invulnerable to attack, so why waste your precious few super-fighters defending something that cannot be destroyed? Better to send them out on missions that actually HAVE high stakes and too much risk for regular fighters...
It should also be remembered that when star wars first released (way back in 1977) TIE fighters were on par with x wings for durability and firepower, in fact they were supposed to be a slight cut above. This was to make the rebel pilots involved in the Death Star attack that much more elite/desperate. Its only later in star wars lore that they began to separate the design philosophies.
Edit: And it should be pointed out that Black Squadron engaged a much much larger force and still very nearly came out on top (had the Death Star radar operator not been asleep, the rest of black squadron could have dealt with that meddling freighter and his wookie too!)
Edited by GadgetronI had never heard of the Gunboat, but the Skipray as a kid was one of my favorite ever since reading the Thrawn trilogy and getting the old "Essential Guides".
Both are pretty cool, not sure I want to see either in new canon.
Back to the episode...Tie Defender canon is awesome. Imperials who are not incompetent (like the AT-AT drivers, no way they could expect jedi...the plan would have worked), Thrawn being dastardly, all just awesome, and no way in hell Kallus makes it very far near Thrawn.
So guys, you know what this means right?
Who's ready for Rebel Defenders? I am, I am.
