Star Wars Rebels Season 3 episodes 19-20 review - Double Agent Droid/Twin Suns

Double Agent Droid

There’s no sugar-coating this one I’m afraid, it’s the worst episode of the series, by a considerable margin.

In an attempt to steal imperial codes for the attack on Lothal, something that still hasn’t happened yet, Chopper is identified and reprogrammed. AP-5 notices immediately but no-one will listen to him for some reason.

Yeah, first problem straight off the bat, why aren’t they listening to AP-5? Usually this story works if the person not believed is a pathological liar and it’s a boy who cried wolf scenario, AP-5 is not a pathological liar, he’s an inventory droid, someone who is capable of noticing small details being amiss, this is the same racism against droids demonstrated by the Empire!

OK, I may be overstating it, but the dialogue in this episode is also terrible. Usually I like AP-5, providing a decent straight-man to the foils of the others, chopper particularly. Here their childish bickering felt like a recital of ‘I can do anything’ – I’d do a montage clip but frankly this episode doesn’t deserve the effort. Later AP-5 actually does sing, it’s kinda funny but that’s really not saying much.

The imperials, despite a plan that you might consider to be smart actually come off looking just as incompetent as usual, and the acting in those scenes is some of the worst I’ve seen on the show so far. It actually made me laugh rather than fear them or be intrigued by them. Top that off that Hera someone manages to use chopper to remotely destroy their ship and I’m stupefied by how stupid that is.

Speaking of stupid, why was Ezra in this episode? He had nothing to do, could’ve easily been written out and I’m wondering why he doesn’t try using the force to open the damn doors. I swear it must be mandated that Ezra’s in every episode. 

OK, so positives, it’s nice to see Wedge again, I’m glad Hera recognised something was wrong with Chopper immediately rather than having that drag out any further. It’s interesting to see Hera so angry… yeah, that’s really about it and weighed against the negatives these are relatively minor things.

Didn’t really have much fun with this episode. Worst episode of the series.

Rating 4/10

Twin Suns

So, this one’s an interesting one, isn’t it? It’s what we’ve been building up to with Maul’s subplot. And as an ending goes it’s a nice ending to go out on, but those expecting an epic battle may find themselves somewhat disappointed.

So the story goeth thusly. We haven’t heard from Maul’s search for Kenobi because he apparently landed in the middle of the desert and got himself lost. After several eons of not finding anything he decides to use the Holocrons to summon Ezra. Ezra has his own suspicions, especially given what Maul knows but the crew want him to stay, saying he’s a valuable asset in preparing for the attack on Lothal. And yes, no point deductions for this episode, both of the required references are in.

What follows is probably one of the best directed segments the show has ever had. What can I say? I’m a sucker for struggles in the desert. Ezra’s ship is destroyed by the sand people and he’s being called out into the sands. For once, Chopper is very loyal, he comes with Ezra and follows him the entire way, something that sometimes you wonder whether Chopper would do.

There’s not a lot of story to this episode, it’s all about the atmosphere as Ezra’s situation becomes more and more desperate, he sees things that aren’t there and eventually succumbs to the desert, soon after Chopper.

Then we have the final arrival in the story of Old Ben Kenobi. He gives a little parting wisdom before sending Ezra on his way so he can fight Maul. He’s not Yoda, nor should he be, his advice is far more down to earth than the more spiritual guidance you get from Yoda.

But once again, I iterate, if you’re looking for an epic battle between Maul and Ben Kenobi you may end up being disappointed. Their battle is short, showcasing how bad the situation got for Maul and how good Old Ben Kenobi is. The dialogue is more interesting as Maul slowly pieces what Kenobi is doing there and weirdly he dies peacefully. It’s a risk but I think it’s a worthwhile one here, I don’t think any real fight between them could’ve been satisfying. Also, you may notice that Kenobi’s fatal block was to the same attack Maul used to kill his master. That’s a great bit of continuity nodding.

Maul is behind us, now only Thrawn lies ahead and we have a two-part finale on the horizon.

Rating 9/10