OKAY!
Thoughts on episodes three and four.
Fighter Flight
This episode didn't really hit it out of the park for me. It wasn't bad, but I feel like they turned Zeb into a big kid (for just this episode) for the sake of giving Ezra someone to clash with. I feel like it should have been Sabine, since it feels like they're going for a little romance angle with her and the tension between them would have made for a nice Han/Leia homage, but it's not that big a deal.
It was cool to see how TIE fighters handle, and atmospheric flight, though. Chopper is always good for a laugh. It was sweet to see the Kenner Troop Carrier toys being used; and they actually used the little side pockets in a way that made sense!
Also neat to get a bit of a Ezra's backstory, or at least a mention of his parents and a friend of theirs.
I enjoyed it, but it wasn't too notable. Just a goofy romp buddy-buddy episode.
Rise of the Old Masters
Holy. Shit.
Just wow. This episode knocked it out of the park. I kept worrying, because it was Force and Jedi and prequel heavy, but it delivered.
The training on the Ghost was funny and had good callbacks to Yoda (though I kinda wish they hadn't named him, but since he doesn't matter in this story it's not a big deal).
I'm sorry, but Chopper always makes me laugh; it's just Star Wars humour, he's like Artoo but a jerk. You know exactly what he's saying, even though you don't understand him. He's slapstick, but not stupid. He's goofy, but not stupid. It's brilliant.
Zeb was back to his old self. Much better. Not stupid. Sabine I feel like they're holding off on, and I kinda like it, I know we'll eventually learn her story, but for now they're building some hype, just like old Boba. Hera is starting to feel a bit underdeveloped, but I'm sure we'll see more about her and Sabine soon.
This was really Ezra and Kanan's episode, though. The master/apprentice relationship, Ezra wanting acceptance, Kanan unsure of his abilities to train a student.
The twist of the episode blew me away. So dark and twisted and just perfectly evil. I loved it. I was disturbed but I loved it.
And, the big reveal of the episode, the Inquisitor. I was worried about this moment, but I just loved it. The saber fight was choreographed like the prequels, but it felt like an OT saber fight, because I cared about Kanan and Ezra, and because the Inquisitor does, indeed, have that obviously evil presence to him. His saber was a bit over-the-top, but you know what, I just didn't even care that much.
This show is just good. There's no other word for it. And not even for a Star Wars show, for any show. I love it. I laugh genuinely at it, I feel tense watching it, I'm invested, I'm engaged, more than I ever was for The Clone Wars. My girlfriend, while being a nerd who enjoys Star Wars herself, isn't as crazy about it as I am, also loves the show. Dave and his team have managed to capture the essence of the OT very well. Watch this show.