Current Events > Star Wars: Ahsoka Episode 8 Topic *SPOILERS*

(+) Yeah! (+)

CyricZ posted...

But every little victory the team get against him and his strategy just makes him seem less and less competent.

Dealing with 2.5 Jedi is no easy task. He did what he had to do to escape. There's no easy way to defeat Jedi.

AwesomoSauce posted...

A show with like 5 lightsaber users and not 1 good lightsaber fight in the finale at all. Hell no good fight at all in 40 minutess lmao shit garbage

Bruh did you close your eyes while Ahsoka fought Morgan?

Gobstoppers12 posted...

Dealing with 2.5 Jedi is no easy task. He did what he had to do to escape. There's no easy way to defeat Jedi.

Okay, what I'm saying is that the exact same events could have taken place, but there could have been some framing in the dialogue, or done through other cues like sound and visual, that this was all part of Thrawn's grand scheme to elude Team-soka (we need a name for them). Like they had their little victories because he allowed them to happen, or analyzed Ahsoka's character to know how to misdirect her to thinking she won when ultimately it was inconsequential.

Mostly he just kinda stood around and said in essence "yeah we lost that but it's all good".

Like play up Thrawn to be a legitimate intelligent threat, not just someone waiting for his socks to come out of the dryer.

CyricZ posted...

Mostly he just kinda stood around and said in essence "yeah we lost that but it's all good".

I'm a little confused as to how you think Thrawne lost?

And he did directly say he knew how she'd respond and outplayed her.

CyricZ posted...

but there could have been some framing in the dialogue, or done through other cues like sound and visual, that this was all part of Thrawn's grand scheme to elude Team-soka

He literally said in one of the previous episodes that all they needed was time, and he sent out several waves of attack to slow them down. A successful ambush on their ship, a horde of unkillable stormtroopers, a recently-upgraded Morgan...All of those pieces were played in the service of slowing down the advancing group of Jedi. It was pretty plainly stated when he spoke to Morgan. All he needed was time.

He made smart decisions at every turn, and the only reason the outcome was even close was because of the competency of the heroes overcoming every challenge, even Huyang with his clutch ship repair, which is a refreshing thing.

Why were Ahsoka/Sabine/Ezra just non chalantly walking w/ the hermit crabs at the beginning of the episode? Surely they must have known that Thrawn had their only ticket back home and was planning to leave in a hurry...

lolife67 posted...

Dude...saying Ahsoka vs Morgan wasn't good is crazy levels of trolling lol

This. The choreography was insanely good.

AngelsNAirwav3s posted...

Why were Ahsoka/Sabine/Ezra just non chalantly walking w/ the hermit crabs at the beginning of the episode? Surely they must have known that Thrawn had their only ticket back home and was planning to leave in a hurry...

They had to be prepared. Ezra was building a lightsaber, and even said "Ahsoka wants us to go after Thrawn as soon as we're ready."

They weren't walking. The ship was airborne and hovering, and they were standing on top of it. They were ready to blast off as soon as Ezra was prepared. In the mean time, they were protecting the hermit crab people from more attacks by those raiders while they relocated.

Gobstoppers12 posted...

He literally said in one of the previous episodes that all they needed was time, and he sent out several waves of attack to slow them down. A successful ambush on their ship, a horde of unkillable stormtroopers, a recently-upgraded Morgan...All of those pieces were played in the service of slowing down the advancing group of Jedi. It was pretty plainly stated when he spoke to Morgan. All he needed was time.

He made smart decisions at every turn, and the only reason the outcome was even close was because of the competency of the heroes overcoming every challenge, even Huyang with his clutch ship repair, which is a refreshing thing.

That's all Thrawn ever does. He 'slows them down' or 'he has learned much from this encounter' over and over and over again.

He tells Sabine that where they last known location for Ezra is incredibly dangerous. She finds a bunch of nervous crab people.

Ahsoka calls him a tactical genius because apparently that's what you need to be to fire at incoming space whales.

He's Ezra's version of Dr Claw. A constant threat of "I'll get you next time!" that everyone knows will never come.

The guy was never able to kill or stop a small band of rebels. He was never able to kill a single Jedi despite being stranded with him over the course of several years and having an entire platoon and witches on his side. Yet he's supposed to be the big new bad the galaxy has to fear?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/4/3/AAOT3AAAE5j3.jpg

Punished_Blinx posted...

The guy was never able to kill or stop a small band of rebels. He was never able to kill a single Jedi despite being stranded with him over the course of several years and having an entire platoon and witches on his side. Yet he's supposed to be the big new bad the galaxy has to fear?

That's because Thrawn wasn't actively trying to go after Ezra in the first place and figured he was either dead or irrelevant.

Ezra only ended up back on his radar because Sabine was looking for him and he had two Dark Jedi willing to do his dirty work.

He tells Sabine that where they last known location for Ezra is incredibly dangerous. She finds a bunch of nervous crab people.

Except it's well-established that those "nervous crab people" are constantly on the move precisely because of the Raiders and whatever else exists on that planet. It's possible the last location they were in WAS dangerous. And that place clearly has some ties to the Force considering Baylan's own motives (whatever they may be), so it could very well still be dangerous for a Jedi.

This reads like Cinema Sins.

I haven't read the 6 new Thrawn books but in the original Heir to the Empire trilogy, Thrawn wasn't really that overwhelming of a force either. Luke/Han/Leia thwart him quite a few times throughout the trilogy, and he ultimately goes down in a pretty meh way.

He's an interesting and different type of villain (especially compared to the classic Emperor Palps) and a fan favorite, but I don't know why the fanbase seems to think he is some absolute unbeatable 4D chess master

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

That's because Thrawn wasn't actively trying to go after Ezra in the first place and figured he was either dead or irrelevant.

Ezra only ended up back on his radar because Sabine was looking for him and he had two Dark Jedi willing to do his dirty work.

And yet for a tactical genius we know that Ezra will be a factor for what undoes him in the end.

What else was he doing over there? He had no plan other than wait to be rescued. Surely it wouldn't take a genius to figure out that Ezra would be a potential headache whenever someone did arrive? He has another potential headache in Sabine but lets her go because he felt like he owed her. So he's not particularly ruthless either.

It wasn't even him that did anything to begin with. It was the witches who managed to call across the galaxy for someone to get them.

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

Except it's well-established that those "nervous crab people" are constantly on the move precisely because of the Raiders and whatever else exists on that planet. It's possible the last location they were in WAS dangerous. And that place clearly has some ties to the Force considering Baylan's own motives (whatever they may be), so it could very well still be dangerous for a Jedi.

The problem this show has is that we always just have to take the word of these characters when nothing we see backs any of it actually up. Thrawn is a big threat because he's Thrawn. Not because of the actions and history of the character and this universe.

It lacks substance. I'd respect it more if Thrawn was treated as someone who has been ignored and underestimated by the wider galaxy so he can deliver something sinister and shocking later. Instead it wants to have these high stakes immediately.

As is this is very similar to the same plot The Rise of Skywalker did with Palpatine but with a cartoon villain instead.

Although the season as a whole was pretty uneven, I thought it had some good Star Wars fun in it. Particularly the last three episodes. Lots of saber duels and blasters and force push, and even some Ewok (hermit crab) type stuff that was more funny than annoying. It has all the Star Wars things!

The biggest complaint I am seeing is that not much was wrapped up, but as soon as I heard there would be a movie I knew they werent going to. I didnt go into the Season with the expectation it would all be wrapped up, so I just went along for the ride. I am a big fan of Rebels, and it was mostly the Rebels sequel I wanted (maybe some Zeb and something for Hera to actually do next time).

I have been going to AV Club for years now for reviews, but I think the latest review of this finale has convinced me to stop. This got a D plus there, after the reviewer mostly hated the show, which I think is absurd. It is ok to say a show is not for you, and number and letter scores are kind of dumb anyway. And there are def. flaws with this show, especially if you dont like Rebels to begin with. But a D plus, as in this is about the worst a show can possibly be? Really? IGN gave this a 9. Den of Geek gave this a 3.5 out of 5. It is ok to not like something, but it feels like AV Club is just trolling for clicks at this point.

This show could have been better, but it came on strong at the end. Looking forward to season 2/movie.

Punished_Blinx posted...

And yet for a tactical genius we know that Ezra will be a factor for what undoes him in the end.

What else was he doing over there? He had no plan other than wait to be rescued. Surely it wouldn't take a genius to figure out that Ezra would be a potential headache whenever someone did arrive? He has another potential headache in Sabine but lets her go because he felt like he owed her. So he's not particularly ruthless either.

It wasn't even him that did anything to begin with. It was the witches who managed to call across the galaxy for someone to get them.

The problem this show has is that we always just have to take the word of these characters when nothing we see backs any of it actually up. Thrawn is a big threat because he's Thrawn. Not because of the actions and history of the character and this universe.

It lacks substance. I'd respect it more if Thrawn was treated as someone who has been ignored and underestimated by the wider galaxy so he can deliver something sinister and shocking later. Instead it wants to have these high stakes immediately.

But..this is a sequel to something. Not just Rebels, but a bunch of cannon (and now non-cannon) books that establish Thrawns character. Saying he is not established as a threat here is like complaining that the threat of Darth Vader wasnt adequately established in Rogue One before the last scene. Rogue One was able to have that last scene because of Vaders history in this universe. This is the same. Thrawn was an established character well before this series started.

Westernwolf4 posted...

But..this is a sequel to something. Not just Rebels, but a bunch of cannon (and now non-cannon) books that establish Thrawns character. Saying he is not established as a threat here is like complaining that the threat of Darth Vader wasnt adequately established in Rogue One before the last scene. Rogue One was able to have that last scene because of Vaders history in this universe. This is the same. Thrawn was an established character well before this series started.

Vader wasn't the big threat and plot point of Rogue One. The plans for the Death Star were. We immediately see why Vader is a dangerous obstacle for that goal.

People shouldn't have to watch cartoons and read books to understand why the primary antagonist and conflict point for a 7 episode live action TV series matters.

Punished_Blinx posted...

Vader wasn't the big threat and plot point of Rogue One. The plans for the Death Star were. We immediately see why Vader is a dangerous obstacle for that goal.

People shouldn't have to watch cartoons and read books to understand why the primary antagonist and conflict point for a 7 episode live action TV series matters.

You can hold that position, but that is not the way modern franchises are working these days. They are interconnected universes that assume you have seen all the other stuff. And like it or not, the cartoon you dont want to watch and the books you dont want to read are all cannon.

I dont even think you are wrong as a general matter-this is not the best way to tell a story. But it is common in this day and age, and the criticism you are leveling at this series could be leveled at pretty much any franchise of big size now. It is not unique to this show.

And, because I watched the cartoon and read the books, I was well aware of why Thrawn was a threat before this started. Again, maybe that is not the best way to tell a story. Maybe it should all be more self contained. But Star Wars has not worked like that for a while, and it is far from alone.

It doesn't work well as an interconnected universe either.

I watched Rebels. Last the general galaxy saw of Thrawn he lost Lothal which was the first major loss the Empire had. He spent years being the primary antagonist against those rebels that eventually won. That planet became independent and free from then on. Then the OT happens and the Empire is destroyed.

If anything that backstory shows why people would be devoted to Ezra more than Thrawn. He summoned giant space whales and saved the planet.

But for whatever reason even though Thrawn disappeared with his most loyal legion there are apparently a whole lot of people sitting around waiting for him to come back to wage a war.

A war we know never happens thanks to the ST. The New Republic disarms itself due to the perceived lack of threat that leads to their destruction by the First Order.

Now I'm sure they'll somehow try fit Thrawn to be responsible for that in some way. Even though they already gave credit to Palpatine. Even though it's been Gideon running around actually doing stuff the entire time Thrawn has been stranded on a planet with no contact with anyone. So I don't feel that's a particularly good opening or resolution for the character either. We know it ends up being Supreme Leader Snoke who takes the credit.

I guess we'll see if he does anything more outside of losing to TV show spin off characters. I'm skeptical.

I thought everything was just fine but could have been way better. I just don't understand why under any circumstances Thrawn would let Sabine go to try and find Ezra a few episodes ago.

https://twitter.com/theatomreview/status/1709379367099355179

Glad I passed on this show lol

Smashingpmkns posted...

https://twitter.com/theatomreview/status/1709379367099355179

Glad I passed on this show lol

Yeah besides the Ahsoka vs. Morgan fight, the action in this episode was so cringeworthy, I knew some memes were going to start popping up as soon as I saw it

Most people seemed to like the action in the series so maybe your own radar is off lol

Were you the guy in the other episode threads who was complaining that there weren't enough spins or flips when they were fighting?

I get being a blind fanboy for stuff but that choreography really does not look good lol

Gob you can stop trying to explain to me how my opinion was wrong.

Also I'm in the camp as well that if you're going to do zombies, commit to it.

I don't mind it as an idea, but they just get back up and lurch, and some shoot.

Smashingpmkns posted...

I get being a blind fanboy for stuff but that choreography really does not look good lol

Dude I've never seen anything positive from you on this forum so like by your measure everything not negative is being a fanboy lol

CyricZ posted...

Gob you can stop trying to explain to me how my opinion was wrong.

That part wasn't an opinion. Just something you missed. You said it needed some framing, I told you that it did actually have some framing.

You're welcome to say it's not enough, or you missed it, etc., but if you say it wasn't there at all, that's just not true.

Doom_Art posted...

Dude I've never seen anything positive from you on this forum so like by your measure everything not negative is being a fanboy lol

I post positive things all the time. Hell I loved Andor and TLJ. This shit just sucks lol

Gob.

Stop.

Doom_Art posted...

Most people seemed to like the action in the series so maybe your own radar is off lol

Were you the guy in the other episode threads who was complaining that there weren't enough spins or flips when they were fighting?

yes he was lol

CyricZ posted...

Gob.

Stop.

Stop being wrong, idk lol

It's not a big deal.

When you compare this to the rest of D+ shows I just cant imagine how anyone could have a problem with the action. It just doesnt make sense to me.

When do you think these shows will start to actually build up the First Order and stuff like Snoke anyway?

It seems to be implied that Grogu is probably important for the creation of Snoke maybe?

I guess Thrawn will die with the Imperial Remnant and then First Order is after that?

Punished_Blinx posted...

It doesn't work well as an interconnected universe either.

I watched Rebels. Last the general galaxy saw of Thrawn he lost Lothal which was the first major loss the Empire had. He spent years being the primary antagonist against those rebels that eventually won. That planet became independent and free from then on. Then the OT happens and the Empire is destroyed.

If anything that backstory shows why people would be devoted to Ezra more than Thrawn. He summoned giant space whales and saved the planet.

But for whatever reason even though Thrawn disappeared with his most loyal legion there are apparently a whole lot of people sitting around waiting for him to come back to wage a war.

A war we know never happens thanks to the ST. The New Republic disarms itself due to the perceived lack of threat that leads to their destruction by the First Order.

Now I'm sure they'll somehow try fit Thrawn to be responsible for that in some way. Even though they already gave credit to Palpatine. Even though it's been Gideon running around actually doing stuff the entire time Thrawn has been stranded on a planet with no contact with anyone. So I don't feel that's a particularly good opening or resolution for the character either. We know it ends up being Supreme Leader Snoke who takes the credit.

I guess we'll see if he does anything more outside of losing to TV show spin off characters. I'm skeptical.

Spoilers follow for Rebels for those who have not watched.

Thrawn had the Rebels completely beaten on Lothal. I am not sure it is the most fair assessment to say that Thrawn sucks because he didnt anticipate that a teenage Jedi would summon a bunch of mythical space whales to save the day in the end. A Jedi he couldnt outright kill at the end because his boss wanted to try to turn him instead.

Boy that is a series of sentences I never thought I would write.

Punished_Blinx posted...

When do you think these shows will start to actually build up the First Order and stuff like Snoke anyway?

Why do they need these shows to build up the First Order, and Snoke? Don't you know you can just say, "Somehow Snoke and the First Order appeared."?

Westernwolf4 posted...

Spoilers follow for Rebels for those who have not watched.

Thrawn had the Rebels completely beaten on Lothal. I am not sure it is the most fair assessment to say that Thrawn sucks because he didnt anticipate that a teenage Jedi would summon a bunch of mythical space whales to save the day in the end. A Jedi he couldnt outright kill at the end because his boss wanted to try to turn him instead.

Boy that is a series of sentences I never thought I would write.

It doesn't matter what the lead up was before he lost. He lost. That's what people would remember.

It's not about him sucking or not. It's raising the question as to why people would be so devoted to him that they'd be willing to die to bring him back. Or why every 'good guy' looks so incredibly fearful if his name is mentioned.

It just weakens his character. He's gonna arrive with the red carpet rolled out for him and he'll still lose anyway.

Compare that to Darth Maul who was ignored and living in garbage for several years before creating a pirate empire and then taking over Mandalore all on his own. He still loses to the good guys but in comparison that's a massive accomplishment compared to Thrawn's constant cycle of "He was really gonna win until he didn't!" when he's a character who constantly has the advantage and accomplishes fuck all.

Great show overall. Can't wait for season 2. Honestly, Lucasfilm is doing much better with the D+ shows than the MCU. Even though Book of Boba, Kenobi, and Mando S3 weren't the best, it still had some great moments. The rest have been great.

This had everything I expected. Great lightsaber battles, some fun space battles, great music and a lot of lore building. There's no reason not to have a Jedi focused show every year or two along with the others.

I get it wasn't all tied up neatly, but that's how sci-fi shows used to be. Always left you on a cliffhanger, which was then quickly resolved in the first episode of the next season lol. Though they've left 4 important characters back on that planet, so I expect a little more time there.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised that planet ends up being the setting of the Dawn of the Jedi movie set 25k years ago. Straight up some Lord of the Rings shit with their own Minas Tirith and Argonath lol.

Punished_Blinx posted...

When do you think these shows will start to actually build up the First Order and stuff like Snoke anyway?

Mando S3 already showed that Brendol Hux (Armitage Hux's father) is a member of the Shadow Council, for me that's enough as far as building up the First Order. Plus book readers know that the Senate was infiltrated by First Order agents so when its army actually showed up from the Unknown Region the New Republic was neutered to the point of not being able to appropriately respond and repel the invasion.

Ahsoka/Sabine/Ezra vs. the zombie Troopers was LOL-worthy. Such lazy action sequences

Punished_Blinx posted...

It doesn't matter what the lead up was before he lost. He lost. That's what people would remember.

It's not about him sucking or not. It's raising the question as to why people would be so devoted to him that they'd be willing to die to bring him back. Or why every 'good guy' looks so incredibly fearful if his name is mentioned.

It just weakens his character. He's gonna arrive with the red carpet rolled out for him and he'll still lose anyway.

Compare that to Darth Maul who was ignored and living in garbage for several years before creating a pirate empire and then taking over Mandalore all on his own. He still loses to the good guys but in comparison that's a massive accomplishment compared to Thrawn's constant cycle of "He was really gonna win until he didn't!" when he's a character who constantly has the advantage and accomplishes fuck all.

This guy was our very best tactician during the whole war, but he totally got pwned by those space whales everyone thought were just a fairy tale. Bleep Thrawn! Darth Maul is our man. He only got cut in half by Jedi! Total winner!

While we are at it, nobody follow Cobra Commander, Megatron, Darth Vader or any villain ever again. What is this always losing to the good guys thing all about??!!

Westernwolf4 posted...

This guy was our very best tactician during the whole war, but he totally got pwned by those space whales everyone thought were just a fairy tale. Bleep Thrawn! Darth Maul is our man. He only got cut in half by Jedi! Total winner!

The point was that nobody did follow Maul just because he was still alive. He re-earned his place on his own after he lost by actually having a motivation, being a character and by manipulating the events and people around him.

Thrawn has been chilling on a planet after his defeat for several years while a growing faction of people have been sitting around apparently thinking that they'll wage war when this one dude who disappeared several years ago comes back.

Why? What can he accomplish or change now that he wasn't able to when the Empire was in power? What's inspiring about his leadership? Why would people who followed a literal Sith Lord politician who made himself an Emperor want Thrawn to be their new Emperor? Why isn't there a single person within the galaxy already available to do what apparently Thrawn will do when he comes back? He wouldn't even know the situation and circumstances of what he is returning to.

Westernwolf4 posted...

While we are at it, nobody follow Cobra Commander, Megatron, Darth Vader or any villain ever again. What is this always losing to the good guys thing all about??!!

Yes Thrawn is basically a Saturday morning cartoon villain with no substance. That has been my point yes.

May as well make his following a bunch of faceless Ninjas called the Thrawn Clan so we never have to think about it.

This is the first exposure to this character for the majority of people. They could have used this opportunity to make it a big deal. To make people go "Oh shit this guy means business"

Can you honestly say they have done this?

Punished_Blinx posted...

When do you think these shows will start to actually build up the First Order and stuff like Snoke anyway?

We see a proto Snoke in Mando S2

Punished_Blinx posted...

The point was that nobody did follow Maul just because he was still alive. He re-earned his place on his own after he lost by actually having a motivation, being a character and by manipulating the events and people around him.

Thrawn has been chilling on a planet after his defeat for several years while a growing faction of people have been sitting around apparently thinking that they'll wage war when this one dude who disappeared several years ago comes back.

Why? What can he accomplish or change now that he wasn't able to when the Empire was in power? What's inspiring about his leadership? Why would people who followed a literal Sith Lord politician who made himself an Emperor want Thrawn to be their new Emperor? Why isn't there a single person within the galaxy already available to do what apparently Thrawn will do when he comes back? He wouldn't even know the situation and circumstances of what he is returning to.

Yes Thrawn is basically a Saturday morning cartoon villain with no substance. That has been my point yes.

May as well make his following a bunch of faceless Ninjas called the Thrawn Clan so we never have to think about it.

This is the first exposure to this character for the majority of people. They could have used this opportunity to make it a big deal. To make people go "Oh shit this guy means business"

Can you honestly say they have done this?

They didnt have to do it here. They did it in a whole series of books and television. This is a sequel to those things. It is important for people to have internalized those earlier pieces of media. I am not sure what part about that continues to not be evident.

My point about the Saturday morning cartoon thing, as I think you know, is that the villains never win in these kind of adventure serials. You are treating Star Wars like this universe where it is important that people would hold everyone super accountable for failure when it is a universe where tacticians are defeated by flying space whales and our heroes are fighting zombie storm troopers. It is an adventure serial, and one where the legend of Thrawn has been a thing for literally decades.

Westernwolf4 posted...

They didnt have to do it here. They did it in a whole series of books and television. This is a sequel to those things. It is important for people to have internalized those earlier pieces of media. I am not sure what part about that continues to not be evident.

I watched the television show. Nothing about it justifies the gravitas that is presented here. He didn't accomplish anything of note in Rebels.

I have seen this guy across several television seasons now. He has a cool voice and a cool theme song. That's about it.

Westernwolf4 posted...

My point about the Saturday morning cartoon thing, as I think you know, is that the villains never win in these kind of adventure serials. You are treating Star Wars like this universe where it is important that people would hold everyone super accountable for failure when it is a universe where tacticians are defeated by flying space whales and our heroes are fighting zombie storm troopers. It is an adventure serial, and one where the legend of Thrawn has been a thing for literally decades.

It's not exactly some insurmountable task to make a compelling villain for a serial adventure. I already gave you one with Maul.

All it takes is just proving to the audience why they're something to be feared. What if he lured Ahsoka and Sabine and used the New Republic to escape? What if they got there and discovered that Thrawn had already escaped years ago doing god knows what under their noses?

Instead they already made the simple fact of finding him the big macguffin. They chose to do it that way. That's not because they had no choice. It's not because you need to read books or watch a cartoon to make that plot compelling.

There were plenty of opportunities to present something more interesting than what we got. They had an entire 7 hours to establish why he's a big bad guy that should be feared. They didn't do that and plenty of other mediums are able to make compelling villains with a lot less time.

The guy literally has magic witches on his side and all they came up with was that they got another magic witch to go and get him. This is the 'legend' they presented to this new audience.

Thrawn had no arc in this show. For three straight episodes he stood in one place while the Star Destroyer was being loaded. If this was your intro to him, he would be the most boring villain of all time

Euripides posted...

Thrawn had no arc in this show. For three straight episodes he stood in one place while the Star Destroyer was being loaded. If this was your intro to him, he would be the most boring villain of all time

Why would he have had an arc he was barely in the show lol

Doom_Art posted...

Why would he have had an arc he was barely in the show lol

Why would anyone who DIDN'T watch Rebels care about his guy at all?

I don't agree with the "well this show isn't for you it's for people who watched all of Rebels" argument for Ahsoka.

Especially if a show has its own name, it should be able to stand on its own. If it's not going to do that, call it Star Wars Rebels: Season 5.

I don't agree necessarily that Thrawn needs an arc, but every piece of dialogue about him suggests that him getting back to the main galaxy would overturn everything the New Republic have worked for. Both the good guys and the bad guys say this. That is obviously a very serious threat.

And it would do his character justice to demonstrate that by showing, not just telling.

Like this show way more than I thought I would.
Loved the Samurai asthetic

I mean, I went into this show with the full assumption / expectation that it was a gift from Disney to Dave Filoni after the wild success of Mandalorian so that Dave could show off his darling OCs in glorious live-action, and I simply wouldn't get the full experience without being a Rebels fan. To that end, the show met expectations: I found the main characters to be about as stiff and dry as I'd expect from late 00's / early 10's CGI cartoon carryovers (I think I can say with confidence that after this and Scott Pilgrim, I wouldn't count Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a masterful conveyor of human emotion), and while it was easy enough to piece together the main events of Rebels through context, the show really didn't care all that much for onboarding new viewers; whether or not it should is a debate in which I don't really have personal investment.

Still, I ended up liking it overall. Things like the space whales and traveling to a new galaxy gave the show a definitive 'epic' quality that's been sorely lacking in Star Wars for a long while now (at least the media I've personally consumed). Baylan Skoll was probably the standout character for me, and I'm genuinely interested in seeing where his road takes him in S2.

As for Thrawn, I thought he was pretty good. His big dramatic introduction of course fell flat for someone who's never seen Rebels, but I liked his character by the end; he's clearly a cold, calculating tactician who respects his enemies, and those are qualities I like in a villain.

My only real criticism of the show is that...well, I'm usually not one to notice lapses in fight choreography, but man did some of those shots during the final fight with the zombie Stormtroopers feel lazy as hell.