While there were some excellent moments in this episode, something felt off, like the writers took a swing and hit a fly ball that only scored a run to first base (which might just be the first sports metaphor I’ve ever used).
I’m not saying the episode was bad, despite one thing which I will discuss in length later. It just felt like the players were making weird choices and the actual plot for this trilogy of episodes was a bit light. A lot of characters didn't get much to do, the action moved things along only a little bit, and the usual tense wrap-up fell flat because it focused on primarily secondary characters we didn’t know very well.
That in and of itself is weird. We were only given three episodes to get to know Vel and Cinta during their initial arc, and we grew to care about them. Enough that their involvement with the Ghorman mission felt almost like foreshadowing for something horrible. I kept hoping we weren’t going to lose one of them, and I kept thinking it was going to be Vel, but no – it was Cinta. I should’ve seen it coming, and I’m actually pissed about it.
Not only does it feel like they wasted Cinta as a character, because she’s barely had a chance to do anything since Aldhani. She is also one half of the first LGBTQ+ couple in all of Star Wars. They could’ve done anything with Cinta instead of this and it would’ve been fine. Just don’t kill her off. It is a tired and painfully cheap method of character motivation. Vel just got her lover back, only for her to die the next day. How many times have we seen that cliche? Great speech aside, this was not earned or needed. Okay, rant over.
So what has actually progressed the story here? We have Cassian and Bix in the same place they were in episode four, except now Bix has some closure (more on that in a bit). Dedra and Syril may have followed through with their own first mission but it could hardly be considered a massive success. Mon is stuck almost motionless, trying to spin plates that just won't stay on their poles. And finally Luthen and Kleya are starting to show how ruthless and heartless they are to their own people.
Luthen and Kleya have always displayed a level of control and callousness. Luthen let fifty men die to protect a single informant, which is morally and ethically horrible. Here though, Kleya risks Lonni in front of ISB operatives just to remove a listening bug. Luthen belittles Cassian and basically threatens Bix to keep her from interfering with Cassian’s job. Their actions show that Luthen and Kleya’s whole mentality is quite simple and incredibly brutal: The Cause comes first, everything else is expendable, I guess including Cinta (I’ll stop, I promise).
Luthen’s entire reason for the Ghorman mission is to have a wealthy planet with status join the Rebellion so that they “will burn very brightly.” Turns out Cassian was right about Ghorman; they weren’t ready. They needed training and leadership, they needed Cassian to lead them. Not that Vel did a poor job, but there was definitely a weakness in the perimeter that was due to a lack of experience. I wonder if things might’ve been different if Cassian had stayed?
Either way, the Ghorman Front are children, unable to prove effectiveness, and they are playing exactly into Dedra’s plans. The image of Syril sitting on that bridge with a hood up and relaying the action to Dedra and Partagaz was almost silly. It shows how low level the entire operation feels. Except the stakes are so much bigger, as Partagaz reminds Dedra. Syril can never know just how devastating the consequences will be to the people of Ghorman, or would he even care? I’m still not sure.
I don’t have a lot to say about the party scenes. They were fun and we got to see Krennic again. I did love Mon and Krennic sparring with words; it was probably the best bit from the party scenes. However, I thought the moments with Kleya and Lonni were appropriately tense. It left me wondering what would’ve happened if she had failed? That would’ve blown everything, including their source in the ISB. Seems a bit reckless, which I guess is why Luthen was angry about the bug last episode.
Mon’s efforts do seem like they are coming dangerously close to a brick wall, where the next step would be publicly criticizing the Emperor. That seems like a one-way ticket to Narkina 5. Of course we know she eventually leaves the Senate, but we don’t know when or why. It feels like it’s coming soon though, and I wonder how much it will cost her? Will she lose her giant estate? Her husband? Her daughter? I’m curious and worried for her future.
I am happy that Bix finally got some much needed revenge. The fact that Dr. Gorst was being utilized by not just the ISB but the Imperial Navy as well was just terrifying. Although I’m very happy his techniques were blown up along with him, because those poor alien babies needed their voices stilled and laid to rest. So to have Dr. Gorst suffer his own torture for a few minutes before Cassian pulled the trigger on that bomb was very satisfying. It was perhaps the best moment in the episode.
Bits:
The opening music felt like an action movie this time, tense and rhythmic almost like the beat from Mission Impossible.
They recast Bail Organa because Jimmy Smits wasn’t available. I am happy with Benjamin Bratt taking over. He’s a great actor and does give off the same vibes for the character.
I’m wondering where K-2SO comes into the picture. I was expecting Alan Tudyk by now.
Bix keeping her drugs hidden in the bathroom is not good. I hope her addiction doesn’t get her killed.
Vel and Cinta had a short, chaste love scene which was incredibly affecting. They also discussed Cinta’s accident. While not explicitly stated, it felt like a shuttle crash, possibly to kill Tay and make it look like an accident.
Quotes:
Bix: “Who were you?”
Cassian: “I was Varian Skye. I was a fashion designer. Yeah. I was very, very pretty.”
Bix: “I’m sorry I missed that.”
Perrin: “I count eighty. Eighty new senators, all hosting Investiture Banquets. It’s tough squeezing a whole year’s worth of insincerity into three nights.”
Perrin’s best line so far.
Vel: “Are you crying? Are you? Look at me. Look at me! There’s no place to hide. Look at me. I’m not going to say ‘Remember this,’ because I don’t have to. This is on you now. This is like skin. You’re taking her with you wherever you go for the rest of your useless life. Don’t you look away from me!”
Young rebel: “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Vel: “She was a warrior. She was everything that you have daydreamed about. She was a blooded fearless warrior whose loss will be mourned in ways that you will never understand. She was a miracle. And you. To die like this because of you. Some whining, simpering, foolish child. Don’t you dare cry. You’ll make up for this forever.”
All in all this wasn’t a bad trilogy of episodes, but it felt a bit lackluster.
3 out of 4 Critical Failures
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.
If Cassian was there Syril would recognize him and the ISB would jump into action instead of letting the Front think they won.
ReplyDeleteYes of course that is the plot reason, but it was a bit convenient.
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