Star Wars: Rebels

[Galvatron]

EDIT: So just to be clear, while I might acknowledge the A-wings are slightly different models, that doesn't mean I'm really agreeing with Galvatron's "If they were off-screen during ANH, that means they didn't exist during that time" premise at all. I doubt that's the mindset of the show runners. If it was, Lando would not have shown up.

I'm not in favor of that premise, I just think it's what the show runners are doing with regard to the technology (not characters) that they think they're allowed to show us.

[RogueIce]

I'm not in favor of that premise, I just think it's what the show runners are doing with regard to the technology (not characters) that they think they're allowed to show us.

I don't know why you'd think that, when so far we've seen:

A-wings (quibbling over different models aside, they're very much A-wing)
Interdictor cruiser
AT-AT (granted a prototype/precursor to the ESB versions)
B-wing (explicitly a prototype, but still)
TIE bombers (in an upcoming episode)

Hell, we haven't even seen X-wings and Y-wings (aside from TCW Y-wings), which were the iconic fighters of ANH; but we've got A-wings and a prototype B-wing, neither of which showed up until RotJ.

I really don't think they're limiting themselves as much as you think they are.

[Galvatron]

I think it's because of the absence of the some of the more noteworthy post-ANH Imperial ships, like the Executor, TIE interceptors and Lambdas. The interdictor doesn't count, IMO, because it's spawned from the EU and never appeared in any of the films. The rest all appear to be prototype/precursor models, with the possible exception of the TIE bomber (which may turn out to be yet another precursor model upon closer scrutiny when the episode airs).

I was actually hoping we'd see a McQuarrie-style Millennium Falcon by now (aka rebel gunship).

[Knife]

In USAF terms RZ would indicate a recon lighter-than-air vehicle, not a fighter.

Sometimes Bats, you're a little too literal. I was referring to the series letters (the A and B at the end), not a designator.

Not only is the Rebels A-Wing noticeably bulkier (or at least wider compared to its length) than the RotJ one, but the (presumably guns) cylindrical thingies on the wintips are a lot more massive.

The guns are a fair point, but I'd caution reading anything into the 'bulkier' aspect. Like I said, could be a trick of the perspective in that image. And at any rate something like that I'd put in the same category Vympel did for the ISD necks: a stylistic difference that has no real impact 'in-universe'.

Indeed, a mix then. Both some stylization and some actual differences. The weapons are easy, just a load out, something with a bigger punch that the rebels needed at the time, when later models with lighter. Maybe a rate of fire issue or something, or reliability, who knows. The split in the nose is an odd one, but a different tail configuration makes sense on different models. More/less maneuverability type thing.

[Rogue 9]

Seems to me that the Empire will notice something's up when the Protector's not there to collect the next payment.

[Vympel]

Ugh, didn't like this episode either. When you've got a space battle and you can't do much with it creatively, things really live or die on their sound effects. And the sound effects for the Mandalorian fighters sucked the big one. I felt like I was watching Stargate SG-1.

[Zixinus]

The rebels really should have tried to fight back in self-defense, especially once one of them got shot down.

This is going to be a situation that will bite them in the ass sooner or later.

Seems to me that the Empire will notice something's up when the Protector's not there to collect the next payment.

They'll get another guy to wear his spare suit of armor (or paint one to make it look identical) and they won't notice the difference.

[RogueIce]

Guys, you're not discussing the important thing about this episode!

How much did it mess up Traviss' version of Mandalorians?

[Galvatron]

Ugh, didn't like this episode either. When you've got a space battle and you can't do much with it creatively, things really live or die on their sound effects. And the sound effects for the Mandalorian fighters sucked the big one. I felt like I was watching Stargate SG-1.

Did you also happen to notice the Sentinel-class shuttle transporting that lone Imperial officer to the Mandalorian fighter base?

Guys, you're not discussing the important thing about this episode!

How much did it mess up Traviss' version of Mandalorians?

That ship sailed a long time ago, but it's always nice when they rub it in.

[Vympel]

Did you also happen to notice the Sentinel-class shuttle transporting that lone Imperial officer to the Mandalorian fighter base?

Yeah - jesus.

That ship sailed a long time ago, but it's always nice when they rub it in.

Yeah, if there's one awesome thing about Disney's canon, its all that shit got wiped away.

[Rogue 9]

To be fair, he had a couple of stormtroopers along as well. But yeah.

Also, what the hell happened to Phoenix 2 after he jumped? He didn't seem to appear back at the fleet.

[Galvatron]

To be fair, he had a couple of stormtroopers along as well. But yeah.

I saw only one stormtrooper and has there delivering some rather large crates to the Mandalorians, so I guess that's a better reason to use a Sentinel versus a Lambda.

[NecronLord]

My headcanon is that the Sentinel is manufactured on Lothal, and they just have a huge oversupply of them in this sector/region.

[SAMAS]

Anyone else hear about this rumor that Rebels' Season 3 Is going to bring in/back Grand Admiral Thrawn?

[biostem]

Anyone else hear about this rumor that Rebels' Season 3 Is going to bring in/back Grand Admiral Thrawn?

That has the potential to be really cool, or it could "ruin my childhood forever!!11!"

[Lord Revan]

Anyone else hear about this rumor that Rebels' Season 3 Is going to bring in/back Grand Admiral Thrawn?

That has the potential to be really cool, or it could "ruin my childhood forever!!11!"

It really depends on the depiction, if they depict him as a supervillain capable of looking at a random piece of art knowing exactly what tactic to use against his opponents it would suck. But if they depict him like he was in the orginal Thrawn trilogy aka smarter then your typical imperial admiral (not that bar was set that high) and capable of using art of determine things about the phychological make up of the people who made it and used that and his military knowledge to determine a tactic, also Thrawn seemed to be more pragmatic and less petty then other imperials. This could make him an intresting antagonist (even if only for a single episode).

[biostem]

Anyone else hear about this rumor that Rebels' Season 3 Is going to bring in/back Grand Admiral Thrawn?

That has the potential to be really cool, or it could "ruin my childhood forever!!11!"

It really depends on the depiction, if they depict him as a supervillain capable of looking at a random piece of art knowing exactly what tactic to use against his opponents it would suck. But if they depict him like he was in the orginal Thrawn trilogy aka smarter then your typical imperial admiral (not that bar was set that high) and capable of using art of determine things about the phychological make up of the people who made it and used that and his military knowledge to determine a tactic, also Thrawn seemed to be more pragmatic and less petty then other imperials. This could make him an intresting antagonist (even if only for a single episode).

What stands out in my mind was his pretty blatant distaste for Vader's methods. IIRC, part of the Emperor's approach was to pit the various military commander's against one-another, so as to prevent any one from amassing enough influence to overthrow him...

[Lord Revan]

That has the potential to be really cool, or it could "ruin my childhood forever!!11!"

It really depends on the depiction, if they depict him as a supervillain capable of looking at a random piece of art knowing exactly what tactic to use against his opponents it would suck. But if they depict him like he was in the orginal Thrawn trilogy aka smarter then your typical imperial admiral (not that bar was set that high) and capable of using art of determine things about the phychological make up of the people who made it and used that and his military knowledge to determine a tactic, also Thrawn seemed to be more pragmatic and less petty then other imperials. This could make him an intresting antagonist (even if only for a single episode).

What stands out in my mind was his pretty blatant distaste for Vader's methods. IIRC, part of the Emperor's approach was to pit the various military commander's against one-another, so as to prevent any one from amassing enough influence to overthrow him...

that's what I meant by more pragmatic, Thrawn doesn't execute people for no apparent reason or for minor infraction instead ops for a "punisment fits the crime" approach.

[Thanas]

I really hope they do not resurrect Thrawn for the new canon, because only Zahn's writing (including thought process of observers) could do his character justice and I do not see this show ever adopting an Imperial POV. With Thrawn you need to walk a very thin line between "too wanked to believe it" and "awesome character". I fear that with the quality of the comic series they will either make him fall prey to a really stupid mistake (like all Imp commanders) or just not-Thrawn. I especially dread the later.

[FaxModem1]

So, unless they plan on just keeping the Mandalorian commander in a cell for the rest of life, what's stopping him from escaping at the nearest opportunity, or just plain ratting them out the first time he accesses a comm unit? What's preventing the Mandalorians considering their leader unfit and appointing a new leader?

[Zixinus]

So, unless they plan on just keeping the Mandalorian commander in a cell for the rest of life, what's stopping him from escaping at the nearest opportunity, or just plain ratting them out the first time he accesses a comm unit? What's preventing the Mandalorians considering their leader unfit and appointing a new leader?

Nobody said that this wasn't a precarious situation. This is a temporary solution.

Depending on where the show is going, they may even try to befriend the guy and turn him towards the rebel side. That could be interesting.

Or they might just destroy the Mandalorians in time. If they decide to be clever about it, they might replace them with other Mandalorians or make it look like Mandalorians fighting each other. The Empire will care less about that than if it was just the rebellion.

[FaxModem1]

Also, quick question, if Deathwatch are considered traitors, why are they wearing Deathwatch armor?

[Paolo]

The rebels ostensibly used a Lambda to ferry "parts and technical crew" to Endor. If they were primarily VIP shuttles, that would be like using a limousine to carry construction workers and their tools to a work site.

The UH-60 / S-70 and C-135 / 717 are or were all used in both the VIP and utility transport roles.

[SAMAS]

Also, quick question, if Deathwatch are considered traitors, why are they wearing Deathwatch armor?

Though is that "Deathwatch Armor", or "Armor model MA-36e, which the Deathwatch happened to wear"? There's an important difference.

[Galvatron]

I thought it was inevitable that Thrawn would be recycled in one way or another. I just hope they avoid putting him in the white suit unless he's an officer in the ISB like Colonel Yularen.