5 Things to Look for in Star Wars: Rebels Season 2

Star-Wars-Rebels-Season-2-Poster

While the wait for both the Force Awakens trailer and film is dwindling down by the minute, there are still plenty of avenues to keep us Star Wars fans occupied. The books and comics are great, but there is just something extra special about the GFFA done on screen. With Rebels Season 2 set to debut tomorrow, here are 5 key plot points to look forward to … 

 

 

1. Ahsoka / Vader Showdown – To my mind, this is the queen on the chessboard.  Ahsoka grew up from an annoying, bratty padawan into a fan-favorite during the 6 seasons of the Clone Wars.  We’ve already seen a wizened and mature Ahsoka as Fulcrum in the last couple of releases.  It’s still unclear 100% whether she knows for sure that the Sith Lord the crew is dealing with is in fact Anakin Skywalker.  Judging by her response during the Siege of Lothal, it’s a safe bet that she has a good idea who Vader really is.  It will be interesting to see the pacing of this developing plot thread.  Will we see Snips’s potential heroic death this season?  Or will we simply get a duel without a victor at the end of the season?

 

2. The Darkside of the Force – There are all kinds of possibilities on this front.  Ezra definitely showed a few flashes of darkness in season 1, along with a few well-timed subtle hints of the Imperial March playing in the background during said moments.  Ezra’s fate has been a big point of debate for fans of the show and it will be interesting to see how he controls his emotions while using the Force.  Also, we have new Inquisitors and a promise to get a deeper understanding of how the Inquistorius operates.  Finally, there is the “Children of the Force” plot-line that has been dangling since TCW.  Where will this go?  Will it evetually tie-into TFA?

 

3. The Formation of the Rebel Alliance – Towards the end of season 1, we finally got a more macro view of the burgeoning “resistance” to the Empire.  We know that there are several rebel cells that are working seperately from each other with only thin strands connecting them … for now.  How much will we see in the 2nd season regarding a more formal affiliation?

 

4. What Other Familiar Faces Will Pop up – Some fans have loved the fan service of bringing in old friends and enemies to the animated series, while others have bemoaned it as gratuitous.  Regardless of where you stand on this issue, familiar characters are bound to pop up.  We already know we’re getting Rex, Wolf and Gregor, in addition to Hondo.  Who else may show up?  Also, how far is too far with the fan service?  I think with the idea that we’ll be seeing the rebel cells perhaps begin to link up more this year, it’s a perfect opportunity to see groups led by Ackbar, Mon Mothma, Madine, etc.  I think that these nods to the fans can go both ways.  Sure, they can seem forced at times, but if done right can really serve the story.  Who would you like to see?  Wedge? Would Porkins be taking fan service too far?

 

5. Planets not Named Lothal – One of the biggest criticisms of season 1 was the fact that the story just seemed to drag on endlessly on Lothal.  We eventually did get to see a few other locations, including Mustafar.  We’re certainly not done with Lothal.  One huge unanswered question from the July TV movie is the Empire’s true reason for being on Lothal.  Minister Tua mentioned this, but never had a chance to expand on it before her untimely demise.  With the more panned back view of the galaxy being teased, how much time will we get to spend off of Lothal?

 

What are your thoughts on these 5 plot points? How much will season 2 reveal? What else are you looking forward to in season 2? Sound off in the comments below or at the Cantina.

 

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48 thoughts on “5 Things to Look for in Star Wars: Rebels Season 2

  • October 14, 2015 at 1:16 pm
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    Vader will turn Ezra to the Dark Side and let him exterminate this particular rebel cell from the inside

  • October 14, 2015 at 1:22 pm
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    Ezra has the profile of someone who would be tempted by the dark side. I”m not sure though if they could show him turning evil in an animated TV show for kids.

    I like the idea of showing more of the Rebel Alliance leadership. It may look like Luke, Leia and Han are the heroes of the Galactic Civil War, but actually there would be no rebellion wirhout Mon Mothma, Bail Organa or Admiral Ackbar.

    • October 14, 2015 at 6:54 pm
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      Agree. Expanding on background characters is not fan service, IMO. I think they should stay away from the big 3, though (and even Chewbacca).

    • October 14, 2015 at 10:38 pm
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      Bail and Mothma were clearly a part of it’s origins in III but now that the EU is gone, Ackbar may be less important than he once was. No talk of him being Tarkin’s slave in Tarkin and it looks like he doesn’t even help with the B-Wing now. Though I wouldn’t be surprised either if he becomes important again seeing as how he’s in VII.

  • October 14, 2015 at 4:03 pm
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    In the Expanded Universe (now Legends), Madine was actually an imperial officer that turned.

    • October 14, 2015 at 4:16 pm
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      sounds like a good story

  • October 14, 2015 at 4:28 pm
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    I think The Emperor’s secret reason for Lothal could have to do with either kyber crystals to power up the Death Star or that secret Jedi outpost on Lothal.

    • October 14, 2015 at 6:25 pm
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      Both of those may be right, considering it was that Jedi temple on Lothal that Ezra received the kyber crystal for his lightsaber.

    • October 15, 2015 at 12:20 am
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      Yeah, I was also thinking this. I remember reading or hearing somewhere that Filoni said there was a reason that they were on Lothal. I’m guessing this allusion is talking about the same thing as the Emperor’s secret interest in Lothal, beyond just industrial reasons.

  • October 14, 2015 at 5:10 pm
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    4. What Other Familiar Faces Will Pop up
    Princess Leia, anyone?

    • October 14, 2015 at 5:54 pm
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      I personally would like to stay away from the big familiar faces, like Leia. I feel like Rebels is a great way to introduce the supporting cast like Bail who really build up the story that Leia falls into in ANH.

    • October 14, 2015 at 7:14 pm
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      While I wouldn’t mind Leia making an appearance, I don’t expect that to happen…at least not for a while. We will see supporting characters from the other films and TCW.

      Then again…I was surprised Vader showed up so soon.

      • October 15, 2015 at 12:04 am
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        I’ve always had the feeling that Rebels is a “fast-track” series, maybe 3 seasons. A logical move would be to have Rebels overlap into Rouge One (release date late 2016). So, the OT character appearances, Death Star construction, etc need to come in quickly.

    • October 14, 2015 at 10:36 pm
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      Cat Taber should voice her if she does.

    • October 14, 2015 at 11:21 pm
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      Wouldn’t she only be about 15 years old?

      • October 15, 2015 at 12:18 am
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        Yep. She and Luke are a day younger than Ezra.

  • October 14, 2015 at 5:14 pm
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    5. Planets not Named Lothal
    The takeaway from Siege is that Lothal is now overrun with Imperials, and not a wise idea for the crew to return there. And recall the scene in which the stormtroopers obliterated Ezra’s old house, with his foreshadowing line “I guess there’s no going home”. Besides, they have new friends and a fleet to stay with.

    • October 14, 2015 at 6:28 pm
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      I think the plot line with the “Empire’s true reason for being on Lothal” may eventually bring them back to there, but I don’t necessarily expect it this season.

  • October 14, 2015 at 5:44 pm
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    I’m hoping for more legends stuff to pop back up in the new canon. Interdictor Star Destroyers FTW!

  • October 14, 2015 at 5:44 pm
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    Most importantly, Ahsoka has to die (maybe not this season, but before ANH) in order to cement even further in our minds that Vader is past saving. Irredeemable. Ahsoka is basically the closest thing he has to a child (to his knowledge at least) and his
    final betrayal of the Jedi and the relationship to his padawan will make Vader truly twisted and evil. When he strikes her down, or watches the Emperor do it (ala ROTJ), he will destroy any remaining love for anything in his old life.

    Going into ANH we need to see that Vader will unquestionably and effectively
    do the Emperor’s bidding and that nothing can stop him. I hope Season 2 cements that and that our motley crew gets the full brunt of the Sith Lord. That makes
    Vader’s redemption that much more powerful and make’s Luke role in the saga the most important piece.

    Luke should be on his own from ANH forward. No one with any force experience
    can be around to guide him, it undermines the established story and diminishes Obi-Wan’s sacrifice on the Death Star. Sorry, Ahsoka, Ezra and Kanan… you all have a part to play, just make the end good! The question is if season 2 will start to thin the ranks.

    • October 14, 2015 at 9:25 pm
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      Obi-Wan’s sacrifice enabled him to guide Luke on his journey at anytime at any place so it wouldn’t necessarily undermine his sacrifice since he’s the only living jedi able to maintain his identity after death

      • October 14, 2015 at 9:31 pm
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        I meant that any other Force user, other than Obi-Wan and his limited force appearances, would diminish Obi-Wan’s sacrifice and Luke’s progress in the story. I don’t want to see Kanan, Ezra, or Ahsoka teaching Luke about the Force. That is Luke’s journey alone and it is with limited help from Obi-Wan and then Yoda that exposes Luke to the Force, no one else.

    • October 14, 2015 at 9:49 pm
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      Let’s see if she’s able to show up in rogue one and have their epic showdown in live action glory! Lol

      • October 14, 2015 at 10:16 pm
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        Not something I’d like to see, I have to admit. I am excited that Rogue One is said to have no lightsabers or force powers on display… I’d like to keep it a pure Star Wars military movie set in the post-Jedi world.

        • October 14, 2015 at 11:58 pm
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          Ahh..I wasn’t aware of the fact that there are no force users in the film..then an all out war movie will be an interesting take on the franchise for sure!

          • October 15, 2015 at 12:02 am
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            Yeah, I’m excited! I always ate up the EU stories that were more military based like the X-Wing books. There is a lot of galaxy out there, we need all sorts of Star Wars movies.

          • October 15, 2015 at 5:49 pm
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            That’s not entirely true. Vader is supposed to have a presence in Rogue One. Whether or not he starts Force choking people or ignites his lightsaber is another story, but there will be at least one Force user in Rogue One.

        • October 15, 2015 at 8:46 pm
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          Rogue One doesn’t take place post-Jedi. It takes place BEFORE A New Hope.

          • October 15, 2015 at 9:35 pm
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            Correct, right before ANH. I should have been more precise by saying the post-Jedi Order world. I meant the movie will take place in a galaxy with no Jedi heroes running around.

    • October 14, 2015 at 10:21 pm
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      Yeah, I definitely thought about putting something about this in the article. If Vader doesn’t kill her, it would lessen the dramatic moment of finding out Anakin is still there underneath the mask and armor. We’d already know there was still some good in him. Though I don’t wholeheartedly agree with the idea that Vader allowing the Emperor to kill Ahsoka, yet feeling some misgivings about it, would be the best idea. I do think that at least that would lessen his sacrifice in ROTJ less. Kind of like, he had the chance and,considered it, but just couldn’t make the move.

      • October 14, 2015 at 11:19 pm
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        I agree, the Emperor may not be the best route. Vader finishing her himself would do a dual function of both reinforcing his allegiance to the Emperor and him choosing to cut ties with Anakin himself. Watching the Emperor do it would be easy mode and make it look like Little Orphan Ani needs Sheev to do his dirty work.

    • October 15, 2015 at 9:03 am
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      Perfectly stated, this deserves a hundred more upvotes. I 100% agree with you.

    • October 16, 2015 at 11:09 pm
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      I agree with you to a point. I do not believe that Ashoka, Ezra or Kanan have to die to maintain the established canon. Yes, there can be no interaction between the three above and Luke Skywalker. But that doesnt mean they have to die either.

      We all know Yoda can feel massive shifts in the the balance of the force. In ROS, he felt the Jedi, en masse, being wiped out. We know he could communicate to Ezra and Kanan in a place imbued with the light side of the force. But… and many will disagree… that doesn’t necessarily mean that Yoda would know of EVERY single Jedi’s death. While their deaths are likely, that doesn’t mean that is the path that MUST happen. The galaxy is a big place, no?

      On the Lost Commanders recap show with Kristian Harloff and John Campea, they speculated that the show could only run so far. Completely untrue. The show could actually run to the end of ROJ or possibly up to TFA (unlikely). In a war, there are always multiple battlefronts going on in multiple locations and could still be running during the events of ANH, ESB and ROJ

  • October 14, 2015 at 5:51 pm
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    As far as them incorporating legends material, I am a huge fan of the Legends tech. I grew up on WEG and the Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels. Seeing the Immobilizer-418 interdictor is a beautiful thing. I hope we see a lot more of that with Dreadnaughts and Carrack Cruisers and the like. For clone wars faces, lets see Yularen and his Imperial position. Outside of that, I wouldn’t seeing or hearing reference to characters like Madine (especially in an Imperial context), Lt. Page, Soontir Fel, and even our old faves, Thrawn and Mara.

  • October 14, 2015 at 6:26 pm
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    Yeah I’m hoping for a Vader/Ahsoka showdown m/

  • October 14, 2015 at 6:51 pm
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    1) I don’t think we’ll see a final showdown this season between Vader and Ahsoka. Only because I think Dave will want to keep her around for more than this season. They may not even have a confrontation until the end of the season and that will be when she finds out for certain Vader’s identity.

    2) From the previews it appears we do get more on the “Children of the Force” theme. I don’t think Ezra has seen the last of the temptation from the Dark Side, but after going to the temple on Lothal, has he overcome his fears enough that there really isn’t much left to that temptation.

    3) I don’t think we’ll see the Alliance in season 2 and I don’t expect it till close to the end of the series based on some of the interviews.

    4) I could see Leia showing up and have no problem with it. As they said in some of the interviews, something along the lines of the characters from the saga being used sparingly and will only show up if it makes sense for the overall story. It also makes sense that at some point Wedge and Porkins will show up, but I doubt it would be this season. I would not be surprised to see Mon Mothma this season though and I think Akbar has already been shown in the preview trailers.

    5) I wonder if we will get to see any of the planets that will be appearing in TFA, either before or after Dec 18.

  • October 14, 2015 at 8:19 pm
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    If we learned anything from TCW it’s that Filoni and his crew never, EVER, resolve a plot point if they believe they can drag it out for another season. Hence, we will not see an Ahsoka/Vader battle end definitively this season, or possibly ever. He has become a master of the old bait and switch.

    • October 15, 2015 at 1:25 am
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      not as bad as jj abrams mystery box crap

  • October 14, 2015 at 9:21 pm
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    What if Ezra does turn to the dark side during rebels, and then at some point Palpatine or vader or even snoke puts him in carbonite. Then in about 20 years he is let out and changes his name to Kylo Ren

    • October 15, 2015 at 12:15 am
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      lolno. Besides, Ezra is a day older than Luke and Leia, so he would already be an old fart by the time of The Force Awakens.

      • October 15, 2015 at 7:40 am
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        If frozen in carbonite, he wouldn’t age.

    • October 15, 2015 at 8:35 pm
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      Its true. Ezra is Kylo. Its obvious. But who is Max von Sydow?

  • October 14, 2015 at 10:05 pm
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    Does anyone know when Season 2 of Rebels airs in Canada?

  • October 14, 2015 at 10:34 pm
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    Harrison and Carrie’s voices have clearly aged in the past three decades but Mark Hamill just may be able to reprise a younger Luke seeing as how he has the most voice acting experience of the three and Billy Dee didn’t sound that bad. Would just be a question of how they would fit him in. Boba Fett and Jabba should definetly appear at some point though.

  • October 14, 2015 at 11:25 pm
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    I’ll be looking for that full trailer during or after tonight.

  • October 15, 2015 at 12:49 am
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    I want to see it link up with the OT more and more. Like Vader and Tarkin maybe a cameo of obiwan Han Luke and leis some point showing what they were doing during this time. Less lothal and more new planets. Some boba fett and bounty hunter action

    • October 15, 2015 at 1:24 am
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      after the total butchering of tarkin and the mediocre overrated appearance of vader…i wouldnt want them anywhere near the six movies

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