Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Welcome to our latest Star Wars Rebels Briefing! Today we’re looking at “Legacy of Mandalore,” episode 16 from season 3 of the Star Wars TV series. (Here’s the full episode rundown on Wookiepedia, from where the image also hails.)
The podcast is a full-spoiler episode, as is this blog post. Here, without further ado, are the big takeaways from the episode:
1. Sabine’s big decision. Remember how we’ve been talking about the busting up of the rebel team by the end of this season? It begins here, as Sabine decides to stay with her mother and work to get her father back and turn Mandalore against the Empire. She’s got a tall task ahead of her, because…
2. Gar Saxon gets what’s been coming to him. Gar was the “Emperor’s Hand,” ruling over the Mandalorians and operating in service to the Empire. Sabine defeated him in combat, but just as he was about to shoot her in the back, Sabine’s mom shot him first. And about that “Emperor’s Hand” title…
3. The “Emperor’s Hand” becomes canon again – with a twist. In the old Expanded Universe (now “Legends”), the Emperor’s Hand, via Wookieepedia, was “a Force-sensitive operative recruited, trained, and employed by Emperor Palpatine to perform missions that were impossible, secret, or both.” Gar Saxon was not Force-sensitive as far as we know, so there’s a bit of a change to that idea here. But it may open another door…
4. Could another Hand of the Emperor come back? Possibly the most famous – and beloved – Emperor’s Hand in Legends was Mara Jade, aka Mara Jade Skywalker – Luke’s wife, and the mother to his son Ben. Is this Lucasfilm’s sly way of teasing EU fans with the possibility of a return to canon for Mara Jade? Hmmmm…
5. The Rebels are planning something “big.” This is the first mention we’ve gotten, I believe, of some grander plan that the Rebels have, which will supposedly show the galaxy that the Empire can be defeated. What that is, we don’t yet know.
Is it possible that Thrawn may be anticipating this, though, and it may be the opportunity he’s been looking for to smash a whole bunch of rebels with one swift stroke? And is it possible that Sabine will wind up leading the Mandalorians to the rescue, saving the rebels from utter annihilation?
Lots of questions remain as we start the downhill run to the end of season 3 of Star Wars Rebels! What did you think of “Legacy of Mandalore”? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Trivia Time!
Test your knowledge of the Star Wars universe!Yesterday’s answer: An ocean and an island
Today’s question: What three substances did the Millennium Falcon spray up during its various flights in The Force Awakens?