1x12 Rebel Resolve

7.7/10. Well, we got a legitimate and interesting operation for the team, some entertaining internecine subterfuge, and some pretty exciting dog-fighting action to boot. I'll take it, even though the episode didn't necessarily blow me away. It was still solid and enjoyable.

It did fall into the trap of triteness that's befallen more than one episode of Rebels so far. Ezra just believing he can save Kanan, even though he's been told not to try, is pretty standard dramatic stuff. Frankly, I'd wish we'd spent more time with Hera's side of the equation, which we only got a glimpse of. The idea of having to give up on someone you love because there's bigger issues at play is a very interesting one, and we don't get much of Hera's adult perspective on it, even if she eventually has respect and admiration for what Ezra was trying to do. You can tell she's conflicted and hurt about having to go on without Kanan, but trying to do the right thing, and to me, that's more compelling that Ezra's dogged determination to save his mentor.

Still, Ezra's bit with Visago had some intrigue to it, letting the Jedi thing out of the bag to their tipster, and offering Visago a favor in exchange for intel on Kanan. Ezra's bowing issue for the deal was a nice little human moment that helps ground the high drama, and I appreciate the choice of Visago keeping the favor in his back pocket.

The actual operation to intercept the empire communication droid to get info about where Kanan was being held was well-staged, with enough twists and turns and laser blasts to make it exciting. And the scenes of Kanan resisting interrogation were nicely scant but potent in what little we got.

Overall, this one definitely whet my appetite for the season finale, and worked as a nice story to both set up the big finish, but have some good character moments with the team scrambling a bit without their leader and trying to find him along the way.

(P.S., man, Chopper continues to be a total dick.)