This very much felt like a middle, perhaps not in a bad way, but nothing was resolved (well, almost nothing) and everything felt a bit like moving pieces into their final positions before a checkmate.
Starting with Chandrila. We got some really lovely world building for their culture and traditions, including a pre-wedding mountain hike up a very steep road using walking sticks, and a formal reception dinner where the father of the bride made a speech. We learned that Leida is likely going to get a wedding present that costs more than Mon’s house, dear god, and some minor drama involving Perrin believing that Mon is lovers with Tay.
But underneath it all is the fact that Tay is imploding, and Luthen is aware of it. His reactions were a bit terrifying, because he would have no qualms about killing Tay if he became a threat to the Rebellion. Mon was literally begging for Tay's life without saying it outright, and their conversation was probably the highlight of the Chandrila scenes for me. Of course there was also some more hand-wringing about the fact that comms are limited from Chandrila so Kleya returned home to Coruscant to coordinate things again.
We don’t get a ton with Dedra. But we learn she was offered the Ghorman project despite her insistence on hunting down Axis, and Partagaz was also insistent that she should take the job because it is a 'gift' for her career. It shows once again that she is a fierce loyalist instead of a power hungry and ambitious gameplayer. Brilliant, ruthless and more than a little arrogant.
Yet we also see something more for once, because we got to see her in her home listening to music, when someone whom we assumed is her romantic partner came home. Surprise, surprise – it is Syril, and they are evidently a couple. Besides the cringeworthy moment where they showed affection, we don’t get much about their relationship yet. But at least Syril is doing well, and he has gotten a promotion at his dead-end job by being dogged and determined as per usual.
There is a decent amount of screen time devoted to Mina-Rau where we find Bix, Brasso, B2 and Wilmon preparing for the pending Imperial inspection. They are warned multiple times that running isn’t an option, so they just have to pretend to be regular citizens and hope the Imperial officers don’t ask for papers. There was a nice little scene between Wilmon and Beela, who appear to be in a relationship.
But the focus was mostly on Bix who encountered an officer who immediately took a fancy to her. She tried to warn him off by claiming she was married, which might actually be true. We don’t really know if her relationship with Cassian has progressed during the last year. However, this slimy officer does seem to find that to be more of a challenge than a deterrent. I hope it doesn’t progress to where it could go. Bix doesn’t need more trauma right now.
Which brings us to perhaps the stupidest gang ever depicted in cinema as they fought over who got to go on the ship in the most painful way possible. They struggled to find Rika’s body in the mud and rain, find food including the most disgusting looking melon ever, and they even tried to pull the Tie-Avenger by hand to use as a weapon against the other side. Only to finally decide on a Star Wars version of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide who won the dispute. I swear it made me laugh at least half a dozen times, so I’m expecting the rest of this show to make me cry.
Anyway, Cassian managed to get himself freed while they played the silly game, and then out of nowhere a large rhino-like alien that looked a bit like a Reek from Episode II came out of nowhere and gouged one of the gang, scattering them everywhere in a panic. It continued to be absurd as the guy Cassian knocked out ran out trying to warn of his escape as the chaos continued. Thankfully, this side misadventure ended with Cassian blasting off the planet, which was finally revealed as Yavin 4. If you aren’t aware, Yavin 4 is the planet where the rebel base is hidden during the events of A New Hope.
Bits:
The opening music this time was very dramatic sounding, like alien snare drums accompanied by minor discordant strings.
Are most of the rooms in Chandrila houses round? I guess given the proponderance of cone-shaped rock spires, it makes sense.
The technology behind the silos was pretty neat, although mostly implied. Also, is the entire planet seeded with grain? That would make the planet one of the major suppliers of the galaxy, if true.
Perrin apparently hates hats, an interesting character quirk.
Vel and Cinta have apparently broken up, or are on a bit of a break due to Cinta’s obligations to the Rebellion. Or Doctor Who.
I love that B2 is included in things, like he is a contributing member of the family instead of just a servant droid.
Best Easter Egg I noticed was Plo Koon's mask, which is incredibly sad as he was one of the Jedi executed during Order 66. Perhaps Luthen is preserving the legacy of the Jedi in his shop.
Perrin’s speech was interesting if not terribly quotable, but I loved how he explained their words and customs.
Quote:
Partagaz: “Ghorman is a gift. Take it. And then win it.”
This was another solid if somewhat uneventful episode, but I do like the direction this season is going. I'm looking forward to episode three when this arc is concluded. I expect it to be tragic.
3 out of 4 Wedding Speeches
Samantha M. Quinn spends most of her time in front of a computer typing away at one thing or another; when she has free time, she enjoys pretty much anything science fiction or fantasy-related.
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