Directed by: Janus Metz

Ep 7: Messenger – 43 min
Ep 8: Who Are You? – 46 min
Ep 9: Welcome to the Rebellion – 58 min

These three episodes are amazing. It’s simply amazing television. It’s hard to believe this is Star Wars. The entire time I watched them I kept thinking “I can’t believe this is Star Wars”. I have enjoyed everything produced under the Star Wars mantle, but these three episodes are the best there is in the entire franchise.

“Do You Hear the People Sing”

What I enjoyed the most about this story arc is episode 8. The inspiration had to have come from the French Revolution and Les Miserable. There are so many parallels. The new Ghor language, which never existed in canon or legends, has a French dialect. The people peacefully singing “We Are the Ghor” to protest a fascist regime gives me “Do You Hear the People Sing” vibes from Les Mis. Even the confrontation between Cassian and Syril resembles Jean Valjean and Javert. It’s incredible.

If you’ve never seen Les Miserable, whether it’s the movie or the play, it’s a bucket-list must-see. I highly recommend the play but the movie is very well done.

Genevieve O’Reilly gives an amazing and emotional performance when she gives her speech to the Senate in episode 9. However, that is not the speech the galaxy hears that turns them all against the Empire. Despite what many are saying on the Internet, Disney did NOT rewrite her speech. She gave a second speech that was broadcast from the Ghost and that’s specifically stated at the end of episode 9.

Shot from episode 9 with Draven talking about Mon Mothma making a second speech

Go watch Rebels Season 3 Episode 18 to see the speech; it’s the perfect episode to watch immediately after Episode 9.

Other Easter Eggs

Let’s quickly talk about the other Easter Eggs in these episodes. Alistair Petrie reprises his role as General Draven. We first saw him in Rogue One. Of course, we see more of Benjamin Bratt as Senator Bail Organa. I’m not gonna lie, I may actually like Benjamin Bratt in the role more than Jimmy Smits. I’m not trying to cast any shade on Jimmy Smits, who is also an amazing actor, I’m just really enjoying Bratt as Bail.

General Draven mentions Gold Squadron which is the Rebel squad that escorts Mon Mothma from Coruscant to the Ghost. We also see Melshi again still carrying the same blaster Cassian gave him when they escaped from Narkina (in season one).

Finally, we see how Cassian acquires K-2SO and is reprogrammed. I’ll admit I was hoping we would have seen him sooner. Three episodes with Cassian and K2 aren’t enough, but it made sense given the storyline.

One final remark on Wilmon and Bix. I’m glad the writers decided that not all characters will be killed. We can probably assume that Wilmon will live out the rest of his days with Breena. I hope we learn where Bix ends up; she is a great character and I hope she finds a happy ending.

The final three episodes have me super excited but I don’t know how they could possibly live up to 7, 8, & 9.

“What do I sacrifice? Everything.” – Luthen Rael