Star Wars Rebels: S2E20 The Mystery of Chopper Base

Star Wars is a cinematic icon, but it is much more than its movies. Blaine and Josh dive right into the middle of Star Wars Rebels, the fantastic animated show on Disney XD, and will be reviewing Season 2 as it progresses. As a show aimed at kids, but also clearly for the kid in every adult Star Wars fan, they’ll also have a discussion section to talk about the themes covered in each show.

It’s almost here; we are one week away from what will no doubt be an epic conclusion to this season of Star Wars: Rebels. This week’s episode, The Mystery of Chopper Base, then serves as an appropriately emotional—and at times, contemplative—setup to the forthcoming finale.

We find the Rebels settling into their newfound base on Atollon, a planet that, for the moment at least, sits outside of the Empire’s knowledge and grasp. The Mystery of Chopper Base opens with a sparring match between Ezra and Kanan. Their lightsabers set on training mode (which renders the weapons incapable of cutting or burning), the two cross blades in an intense bout as the rest of the Ghost crew watches intently. Ezra, it seems, is growing in his mastery of the Jedi arts, yet he still has plenty to learn; and he will soon face his toughest test yet, as he and Kanan prepare to find and face the inquisitors.

Meanwhile, the remaining crew members of Phoenix Squadron are at work ensuring that their new base is safe and secure. In order to monitor all incoming activity, the group decides to plant a number of sensors throughout the planet. But when Lieutenant Dicer, one of the Phoenix Squadron pilots, goes off on her own to plant a sensor, she encounters a giant spider-like creature (a Krykn) and becomes the first casualty of Atollon. Dicer’s search party arrives too late, and Captain Rex is taken captive by one of the Krykn, prompting the Ghost crew to embark on a mission to save their clone ally. Of course, the rescue effort is eventually successful, and while the battles with the giant spiders certainly have their share of fun, intense, and even revealing moments (take Ezra’s inability to connect with the Krykn as he has other animals, for instance), the heart of The Mystery of Chopper Base comes after they have found a way to keep the creatures at bay.

The last few minutes of the episode packs quite an emotional punch, as Ezra and Kanan say their goodbyes to the rest of the crew. As far as the two Jedi are concerned, this could be the last time they see their friends. And of course rumors have been circulating for quite some time that Ahsoka may soon fall at the hands of her former master, which made it especially difficult to watch everyone part company without shedding a tear or two. (I’ll be a complete basket case after the finale at this rate.) Initially in this episode, there’s quite a bit of tension between Kanan and Hera, as the two struggle to articulate their love for one another; in the end, however, the two are able to share one final conversation—and a sunset—before Kanan leaves. Standing in contrast to this sweet, affecting moment, however, are the final moments we spend with Ezra. It is clear that Ezra and Sabine want to say their goodbyes, but The Mystery of Chopper Base doesn’t grant the characters—or us—any kind of closure; instead, Ezra sits on the outskirts of the base contemplating the mysteries of the force until Ashoka calls him to depart on their quest to face the inquisitors. As Ezra walks out of the frame, the camera pans up to the sky. The Imperial March haunts the soundtrack.

We too have bid farewell to Hera, Sabine, Zeb, Chopper, and AP–5, for it is likely that we will not see them again until next season. This penultimate show, then, is all about goodbyes and last moments, when time seems to stand still and memories flood in to consume the life of the mind. Ultimately, the bittersweet final moments linger, prompting introspection, making me wonder how I would handle my final moments with friends and family.

REBELS DEBRIEF

• Why do you think Ezra and Sabine don’t say goodbye to one another?
• Think of a time when you have had to leave someone or something you love. How did that make you feel?
• Read Acts 1. How does Christ’s promise of the Holy Spirit help us and give us assurance, even as we wait for Him to return?

REBELS TRIVIA

• The design of the Krykn is based on early concept art for creatures in the swamps of Dagobah.
• The small flying creature that Ezra eyes at the end of the episode is called a Convor, and this is its first appearance in the Star Wars universe.