Chris Cooper reviews the third episode of Star Wars Rebels, ‘Rise of the Old Masters’….
Wow. By far the best we’ve seen yet in this fledgling series, Rise of the Old Masters has everything I could want and warmed the heart of this Star Wars geek.
Not only does someone finally use one of the adjustment switches on their lightsaber….but this episode mentions lightsaber forms!!!! I can’t tell you how excited that made me. That’s not all though. I’m straining not to spoil the rest for you, but if you know your stuff you’re going to freak out.
Surrounded by everything from famous quotes to lighting that reminded of The Empire Strikes Back, things take a big step forward here which will please those who felt the last episode (read my review here) was treading water.
I’ve been thinking about something since the start of this series, and it’s finally clicked. I don’t like Chopper. To be blunt he’s a douchebag and though I’ve no doubt he’s useful to the team and will have his moments to shine at the moment I’d be OK with him being deactivated. All he does is wind people up, and that includes me.
Whilst we’re talking about characters who haven’t added much yet, we really need to see more of Hera. At the moment she feels wasted, piloting the ship or looking over things disapprovingly. I like her and I want more!
Rise of the Old Masters not only references the Original Trilogy but warm heartedly questions one of its most well known phrases, further proving that its writers have a great handle on not only the world George Lucas created, but also on their new set of characters. Full of not known well handled but meaningful action, it ends with a simple but powerful image and I’m left hopeful for what we’ll see in the future.
The force is indeed strong with this episode.
Chris Cooper is a Flickering Myth Staff Writer, and owner of the blog Super Duper Stuff. Follow him on Twitter @SDCCooper or visit the blog’s Facebook page.
Originally published October 24, 2014. Updated November 7, 2019.
