Star Wars Resistance: Episode 19 - "Descent"

Synopsis: Evading The First Order, Kax and the gang devise a dangerous method to send a signal to the Resistance for help.

What I Thought:  There's a lot in this episode, making it probably the most fast paced of the season so far. Seems it was the whole gang arrested and not just Kaz, which leaves Bucket to do the most significant thing he's done all season, create a smoke screen and thus aide everything's escape. Well, except Tam. She's still heavily confused and not seeing the First Order as the rest do, although you could say neither is Neeku, but he's quite happy to just do what he is told or had explained to him. Tam meets First Order Security Bureau Agent Tierny who befriends her in order to manipulate information from her. It's a much deeper look at the level and depth the First Order has built up that we have a look at different divisions of this organisation. It's most certainly not all Stormtroopers, ships and Kylo Ren - speaking of which, I'm still betting on a cameo from him in the finale.

Yeager really comes alive in this episode having spent all the season doing his best not to get involved. He's certainly involved now, blasting troopers and then sacrificing himself so that Kaz can get away. There's huge flashbacks to Rogue One with Yeager and Kaz next to the transmitter. It's somewhat a surprise then after all their efforts that the Resistance respond to Kaz's message with a "Sorry", a real little twist. Given what Kaz and co have performed all season and especially in this episode, taking back the station seems like it would be no problem - except, what's to stop the First Order coming back again and again? Where will we end up after the finale? Is Synara going to rally the pirates to help? Why would they help?

Smoke bomb always works but how does everyone else see where they are going?

A new friend for Tam?

Yup, that's a transmitter alright.

Rating: 7/10 - Action packed to a level never experienced on the station before as we had the finale with the stakes amazingly high.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 18 - "The Disappeared"

Synopsis: The First Order starts locking people up for defying them, leading to Kaz to hatch a rescue plan.

What I Thought: With a title like this, I'm reminded of the Clone Wars. In this case, the lockdown and takeover by The First Order of the station suddenly escalates from patrols ... to complete control. Races are cancelled and the Aces grounded. It's a little surprising that Doza doesn't even try to answer back to Commander Pyre, instead going into secret collusion with Yeager to find a way to get through to the Resistance. Kaz and Torra are left to attempt the rescue, taking down stormtroopers in a rather chaotic ambush, allowing the 4 prisoners to leave the station via the transporter. It's all a rather simple plan, but the propaganda, lying and oppression of The First Order is clearly laid bare as any defiance is locked down, and the Stormtroopers go around praising their own virtues.

Interesting to see the First Order BB unit going around, eavesdropping anyone showing defiance. How they couldn't see that droid, I don't know. What does The First Order gain from locking down the Aces? I'm unsure. Possibly they are control freaks? I'm not sure what the strategic advantage is, although perhaps with no ships airborne, they know they can't get attacked from within?

Clearly Doza and Yeager go back somewhat to be this able to be in cahoots? I would have liked to have seen Doza at least try to reason with Pyre. Before the opening titles he argued successfully with Pyre but almost right afterwards he said nothing when Pyre informed him that the races were cancelled!

Trouble takes a serious turn at the end for Kaz as he finds himself surrounded and arrested!

She's not happy.

Torra proves very capable with a blaster!

This doesn't look good ...

Rating: 7/10 - First Order control is complete of the station within the blink of the eye, as no one is safe, including now Kaz.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 17 - "The Core Problem"

Synopsis: Poe turns up, and he and Kaz go off to explore an area where the First Order have been lurking.

What I thought: Whilst we don't really learn much new that we didn't already know before, this episode in itself shows us that we're not going to have to wait too long to catch up with the events of TFA. Well, we're assuming that's the case because Poe says he has to take BB-8 on a mission to Jakku, and we all know how TFA opens. It would be a real twist in the story if this isn't the mission we see the end of in the movie. Could he have been there before? Given the devastation of the nearby star system (missing a star) and planet cored out, you'd think we're being expedited up to TFA but it could yet be a wait. We will have to see.

We don't know how Poe arrived, or how Kaz got back to the station with CP-23, his new droid, but we do know how they both exited the station, in a rather ridiculous manoeuvre: how did the TIE fighters not spot that distinctly coloured Fireball on top of the cargo ship? How did Poe hang on to Kaz's ship so much? Oh well, we just have to accept these things.

I was hoping for a little more in the destroyed Star System investigation but all we mostly got was reinforcements of things we already know, such a evidence for Starkiller base and a totally destroyed town with a sort of temple. Ring any TFA bells? I'm not sure why the rest of the intelligence was dismissed: what about all those First Order ships?

The First Order Probe droid seemed destined to stay hidden until it decided to go all macho on us and attack. Quite who'd trust Kaz with a blaster I don't know, but he single handed stopped the droid, although almost taking out BB-8.

Still, at least we're ticking off the list, and hopefully future First Order detail will continue to add to that which we didn't already know. You'd also think that the Red TIE pilot must recognise the Fireball and that can't be good for Kaz.

Looks familiar ...

Trouble lurks.

They arrived quickly!

Rating: 7/10 - The pace accelerates up to TFA, as we get a stark awakening of the threat from the First Order.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 16 - "The New Trooper"

Synopsis: Kel and Elia take down a Stormtrooper who was trying to identify them, leading to Kaz and Co trying to help them evade capture.

What I thought: Wow! That was a blast! It's been a while since we'd had this much fun but I totally enjoyed this episode, especially Kaz's antics in the Stormtrooper uniform where he looked nothing like you'd expect of a trooper. Cleverly they left his neck not fully cover by the black undergarment so he was easily identifiable against all the other troopers, but his mannerisms and voice totally gave that away regardless to us viewers. Quite how it took so long for the other troops to notice any suspicions I'm not sure, given Kaz was totally unlike any normal disciplined trooper. I'm also not sure how they knew his identification number after just mere seconds. I'm assuming there are some sort of electronic display/sensors inside the helmets which identify other troopers. Regardless, this is a fun, comical time with Kaz in the uniform, faking it totally with every other trooper, and gathering important data for the resistance at the same time. His confrontation with the First Order BB unit was typical of how Kaz does his action: kicking and falling all over the place!

Along the way we learn more important information, not least slightly more about the First Order's time on the children's planet, the recondition nature that Troopers can undergo, that there's more Troopers coming, and that, as we know, but no one else does, that there's a lot of First Order ships out there. Tam isn't convinced there's anything to worry about with the First Order, even Neeku backs her up, and although the children's story saddens her greatly, it's still quite a leap for her to just accept what they say so quickly. I guess we'll have to accept that, as we have to accept how quickly they got the Trooper redressed into the uniform and stood upright, just as the other Trooper's closed in on Kaz.

After the promise of more First Order from the mid-season trailer, and a few quieter episodes lately in that respect, the threat level is really ramped up several notches now we know more First Order are on their way.

Oooops ...

Kaz versus the BB unit.

That's a lot of red dots ...

Rating: 8/10 - A lot of First Order this episode, and some excellent Kaz antics, make this a thoroughly entertaining episode.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 15 - "The First Order Occupation"

Synopsis: Kaz helps smuggle Synara out of the station, who is being pursued by the First Order.

What I thought: At the end of the last episode it was 2 stormtroopers on the station, but clearly there are more now. All together we never see more than 4 but there's possibly a few more, given the TIE fighter circling the base and that lots of things such as platforms are under First Order control. This really does feel like the title says, an occupation. How we got to this from the last episode, we don't see, but the First Order have done their homework and already suspect Kaz (who they seem to not know even though they saw him on CCTV) then move on to Synara whom they suddenly seem to believe is the spy even though they hadn't questioned Kaz. Oh well, it still was a fun episode.

Once again Kaz is at his ridiculous best, yet even more haphazard than normal, as he must bang his head and knock over more objects than in the entire season thus far. His romantic chat-up lines need more work too, given how he totally fails to show affection in a manner any sane person would understand. Kaz and Synara in the elevator scene was brilliantly done as they stood there, trying to pass time by doing nothing in particular.

Synara escapes, thanks to Neeku and BB8 helping Kaz's attempts. Only one escape capsule left? Where's that latest health and safety report due?? Unless I'm wrong, I got a strong vibe in the closing minutes that Synara might be force sensitive. The sea monster is seen observing her, and she's also playing with sea birds whilst waiting on the water's surface to be rescued. As sure as sure, we've not seen the last of her.

Almost everyone is harassed by the First Order, including the cleaner!

LOL

Synara has a way with the animals ...

Rating 7/10: The threat and obtrusiveness of the First order feels real, yet the entertainment remains.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 14 - "The Doza Dilemma"

Synopsis: In league with the pirates, the First Order hatch a plan to kidnap Torra and gain Captain Doza's favour ...

What I thought: Ohh, I didn't quite see that happening. Sure, I knew it was all clever manipulation by the First Order, to finally get Captain Doza over the line and accept their protection, but they went one step more devious. Having the pirates kidnap Torra, and then make it look like the First Order were rescuing her rather than being part of the whole manipulation, was almost genius ... if it works. They did indeed deliver her back to her father but, although he obviously appreciate their help, he doesn't look much more convinced to accept their protection. Rather extra sneakily, the offer of two stormtrooper's for his personal protection was made as a rather generous gift that was somewhat forced and made without Doza saying anything! Looks like we've got some interesting times ahead.

Naturally there are a few people who know slightly more about the facts, not least the pirates and Synara, but also Torra who will know the First Order were there to pay the pirates although that isn't evidence enough that they devised the whole plan I guess. Kaz is now totally suspicious of Synara who seems to be really nervous when her comms belt goes off, as if that makes her look like a spy. Surely plenty of people have comms belts? And, what hold do the pirates have over her? She's almost free on the station but still feels compelled to help them? Do they have some leverage on her or is  breaking free just a step too much for her?

Kaz continues his rather comedic personality this week as he sneaks behind the pirates in a full-on classic cartoon manner, making him and BB8 look like Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. I'm left wondering also if those security droids are much use when 4 being deactivated doesn't really cause much concern, other than the head droid reporting it to Doza. "Oh yes, 4 droids are down and Torra isn't in her room.Would you like me to panic now, sound the alarm, or make you a cup of tea Captain Doza?" What good are they?

Kaz would make a great stormtrooper with his shooting skills ...

Betrayal by the First Order.

Here, have some stormtroopers on us.

Rating: 6/10: Another twist of the screw by the First Order as they now get eyes on the ground on the station.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 13 - "Dangerous Business"

Synopsis: Flix and Orka head out for a day break, leaving Kaz in charge of the shop ...

What I thought: Yes, another episode not obviously central to the overall arc as a whole but this one brings up a siematic recognition of more First Order sneaky stuff as the piece of mining equipment that the mining guild member was after looks heavily like they were using it to extract more minerals from somewhere. The presence of 4 stormtroopers on his very large vessel clearly indicated it was for them, as they guarded it. If we add this to the space station episode recently, it shows clear evidence of the First Order up to no good. Exactly what though, isn't fully clear.

This week's star of the show goes to Bitey, the pet of Flix and Orka, whom bites anything that's waved in front of his face. Somehow Kax manages to get bitten at least nearing ten times this episode without drawing blood or needing medical attention. Tetanus anyone? Given the size of the nashers on that pet, that's some pain resistance Kaz has! As one might have suspected by Bitey's continuous presence, his biting comes in handy, as a way to bring down ships. Whether the one cable being bitten would do it, or it was a combination of a chain reaction by the pet being shot and electrocuted, we'll never quite know, although I suspect the latter.

Clearly one knew that Kaz looking after the shop was going to bring chaos, and not only did he lose them the equipment, but also totally trashed it, as if a bull had gotten loose. BB8 did a fantastic amusing job of trying to defend the place, but ultimately it was Kaz and Bitey who somewhat saved the day quite spectacularly. News of this will undoubtedly spread across the station, and can only grab more attention on Kaz.

BB8 defends the shop.

Bitey does what he does best.

Abandon ship!

Rating 7/10 - Entertaining episode once again with charismatic Kaz at his outrageous best, BB8 entertainingly defending the shop, and Bitey proving to be an amusing and useful side-kick.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 12 - ""Bibo"

Synopsis: Nekku makes friends with a smelly hungry creature which brings danger to the whole platform.

What I thought: I know what you're all thinking: this is a filler episode. Where's the First Order? Where's the season arc that we all got excited about in the mid-season trailer? Well, if that's what you're after, you'd not be liking this episode, but there's much more to this show than the overall Sequel Trilogy arc.

This was an entertaining episode. Sure, it was quite clear to see where the whole plot was going to end up as soon as the big creature turned up, but we got to see a lot of the mechanism and heart of the station, from the top boss, Captain Doza admiring Kaz's piloting skills, to the engineering section which reveals those two children from several episodes ago (Children from Tehar) have even more significance than before: the younger one is clearly force-sensitive. Was this why the First Order wanted them? Did they know this? Are they hunting down force-sensitive children much like the Emperor did?

Then there's the reference right near the start to The Clone Wars, in regard to the salved equipment that Synara trawled up. Name dropping like that is delightful. Also, great to see Synara back although still clearly conflicted as she's in league with the pirates still and potentially still assisting them although it's still highly possible she's looking for a route out and will eventually side with the platform crew.

Brilliant also to see the Aces out there. Fast they are becoming individually more interesting, especially the stormtrooper helmet pilot with the tie-esque fighter. We also get to see that Kaz is easily as skillful, if not more skillful, than the Aces.

Neeku and his smelly friend.

The children are back.

Octopus is on the menu.

Rating: 7/10 - Predictable, but enjoyable episode with Neeku in fine form throughout, and tidy pickings of extra information gleaned regarding the children.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 11 - "Station Theta Black"

Synopsis: Poe and Kaz go for a spin and discover an abandoned First Order facility that's not really that abandoned but actually about to be blown up.

My thoughts: It really feels like things are heating up and leading to some sort of climax. The Fireball is once again in action as Kaz borrows it to head out with Poe to meet General Leia! It didn't need Leia in it for Kaz to hand over the data he got from last week, but it was a nice touch. The most surprising thing to me was that there appears to be zero other people on the resistance ship! I know they are short on staff but I don't recall seeing anyone else! Although it was totally unnecessary, it was nice to tie-in the bigger resistance picture, make Kaz feel valued and to spice things up. I'm still unsure what Poe sees in Kaz, other than his flying skills, and why Kaz is so up for for being in the Resistance against a threat that's largely really unknown?

The scenery at the First Order station is amazing but I can't get it around my head that it would be left so abandoned? Why leave such an obvious physical base empty without any guard? Yes, there was a security system there which detected Poe/Kaz but why not bring the explosives to blow it up before you leave? Totally weird but super fun when Kaz/Poe get chased about and somehow manage to get away from every close encounter. Kaz is naturally totally ridiculous once more but pulls it off in a way Jar Jar Binks used to.

It seems the First Order were busy plundering resources from the area for weapons. No one believes that'll make much of a wave in the Senate, which makes one feel that they must still be quite thick in the senate or Snoke has just as much a hold over them as Palpatine did?

It's General Leia!

Not so abandoned after all, eh?

Kaz screams and falls all over the place but gets the job done.

Rating 7/10 - More Resistance context setup for us here and some enjoyable confrontation in what was beautiful scenery at the space station.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 10 - "Secrets and Holograms"

Synopsis: The First Order finally arrive ... for a chat with Captain Doza, whilst Kaz does his best to find out what it's all about.

My thoughts: It's a return to form for the charismatic Kaz who performs his full repertoire of comedy poses and expressions this episode. Quite frankly, he's totally OTT and ridiculous, but I have to say, highly entertaining. There's actually a lot of silliness to this episode, of which Torra, Captain Doza's daughter, seems to share the same genes as Kaz, as she's also too is hyperactive and easily excitable. Thankfully again, much like most characters on this show, she's very likeable. What I don't quite understand is why she continually sneaks out of her room and the tower but later when she "rescues" Kaz from her father's office, she chooses the trash compactor route for them to evade everyone? Bizzare. Naturally, I assume it's intended to link back to Rucklin's jump as some sort of glorified servant in the tower where he's emptying the trash from Doza's office. That can be the only reason, and of course the game simulator sub-sub-sub-plot of the episode, so they can do some crazy leaping and jumping about to evade the compactor's lasers. As enjoyable as it all is, especially to see a view that is so nostalgic to A New Hope, I can't help but worry about the efficiency rating for this compactor which seems to fire haphazardly at anything that moves, rather than the static trash that it's actually there to incinerate? Is it really this stupid or was this done for effect? I can only guess the latter.

Learning that Captain Doza was a former senior employee of the Empire really raises an eyebrow, although you just know that Kaz's assumption about what that means is going to be anything but accurate. Having also gained the data off the agreement form between Doza and the First Order, I'm wondering what that could possibly tell anyone that they don't know already? Most T&C stuff is really dry and hardly known for containing sensitive material. Hopefully we'll find out a little about that at least. Clearly one can tell from the conversation between Doza and the First Order that it's all a little sketchy on the finer details:

How many stormtroopers will be positioned on station? As many as needed.
When will they leave? Whenever.

It's hardly committal is it?

Nice to see Rucklin, our Fred Jones lookalike (from Scooby Doo) back again and has not totally left the galaxy. He's far from happy with Kaz, which is uncanny, given it was all his fault really about their fallout. I forsee him causing more minor issues for Kaz in the future but not totally getting his way.

What's in that contract?

Kaz gets all up and close to the Empire ... uniform.

Comedy ensures as Torra and Kaz beat the incinerator.

Rating 7/10 - Enjoyable episode thanks to Torra and Kaz's eccentric behaviour as they skirt about The Tower.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 9 - "The Platform Classic"

Synopsis: It's time for a race, 'The Platform Classic', and there's big prize money, which lures in Yeager's brother, reuniting them once again for a race.

My thoughts: There's absolutely no lead-on from the previous episode this week, so no First Order or Synara. Instead we have what feels totally like a filler in many ways, but it does flesh out a lot of Yeager's backstory: from his time racing against his brother, the fact he has flipping brother, and how they fell out big time. If I get it right, his brother cheated in a race and the result caused a crash or explosion that wiped out Yeager's family? It at least killed someone. They spend the whole race discussing how his brother had screwed up and wanted to apologize, to which Yeager is resolute in his defence that he has no interest in forgiving him and knows his brother is just in it for the money. With Yeager about to win the race, at the last minute he concedes the race to his brother, who he says "needs it more". Given his brother had added very little solid defence to his actions in the race than before the race, this is a very unexpected turn of events. I'd thought Yeager would win and give some of the money to his brother. No, it's a shock that it goes the way it does. Even more so when at the end they shake hands and hug! It's explained that this doesn't make it "right" between them but it's a start. Well, I know this is a cartoon, but I find it really hard getting my head around how he so easily forgives, with little genuine emotion from his brother for what is one heck of a serious mistake for anyone to get their heads around. I totally realise it's possible to forgive someone over very heinous crimes but, given this is the first time they've met since, it does seem all rather too quick. At the very least it does add a lot more to Yeager's character this episode.

On the plus side, Yeager's brother is rather pleasant and charismatic. Not to the degree of the really cocky racer a few episodes back though. His co-pilot has little to do aside from a humorous moment or two with Neeku, as does his rather dark evil looking droid. It's amazing to see the stunningly dressed Guavian Death Gang this episode, whom Yeager's brother has a debt to and hold his co-pilot as ransom. They are menacing but, more than anything, super cool to look at. Super 'The Force Awakens' flashbacks seeing them!

I'm left also unsure what Captain Doza gains from this episode? He instigated Yeager's brother coming back and their brotherly rivalry to help bring money to the platform. I guess the betting made money? There was no proof that money came from anywhere else because of his plan.

Oh Brother ...

Death Squad! Awesome!

Yeager forgives ... WTF?

Rating: 6/10 - Brotherly rivalry can be thrilling but it falls a little flat and odd here for me, however, the Death Squad and the race itself really make up for the brotherly storyline.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 8 - "Synara's Score"

Synopsis: On a mission to repair a vital platform defense, Kaz calls on the help of Synara as the platform comes under attack by pirates.

My thoughts: Well, it's highly convenient of course plot wise, but the main surprise here is that somehow Neeku didn't gob off to everyone the secret that Yeager's crew were repairing the canons. I'm also curious as to how much time has passed since the previous episode as it appears to be at least several weeks going by what Kaz says of Synara. Why were these canons not fixed earlier? I'm also somewhat surprised Captain Doza is drawn to the First Order so "quickly" after the attack and the canons saved the day? Where did the Aces go? What was that important cargo that was obviously occuring miles away? Then there's the question of how did the reactivation of the platform guns send the pirates on the run so quickly? It wouldn't have made much difference to the raiding they were doing on the platform? And where exactly is security when all this pirate raiding is going on? Why is Synara creeping about during the attacks?

So many questions from this week's episode, although I expect most of the answers are simply a matter of accepting what you see and not questioning it too much. Synara seems to go from ruthless secret pirate to a potential "goodie" during the course of this episode, as her being saved by Tam really opens her eyes. Although I'd somewhat have preferred her to go on being an inside pirate for longer, this is a promising progression for her, although I feel a sacrifice coming along in future for her.

The pirate raids did some serious damage. Their raid seems designed to just steal stuff rather than take over. Their action sequences are amusing as they all seem pretty wacko. It's great to see the elderly alien guest star in the episode once again in the background, making off with some goods that most likely were not hers. I still don't understand where security personnel were all this time. I assume they were there somewhere. It would have been handy to have seen them at least once during the battle.

The threat of the pirates seems ever present. It'll be interesting to see how the whole pirate/first order dynamic goes if/when the First Order assume control over the station. The bigger question is, why do they want it?

Additionally this week, it's also an episode with very little zanny Kaz in it. He seems rather normal this week and even useful. Has the tide turned and has he grown up already?

Nothing to see here ... except ... a steamer?

I'm thinking those weren't originally hers?

Doza gives in?

Rating: 7/10 - Pirate attack/raiding scenes really spices up the rather straightforward episode.