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#where's kallus though
brujaporfavor · 1 year
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Replaced my BEGONE BOT header with something a LITTLE more pressing...
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WHERE the FUCK is he?
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AYO ZEB??? NOT ZEB BEING IN THE MANDALORIAN THIS WEEK!!!
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i can't believe i had to talk to someone about my unfleshed-out feelings on the Ahsoka show. like...i won't know how i feel about it until the end of the season. i also couldn't tell what their opinion was but they are like super annoyed Zeb hasn't shown up yet. like i met someone whose favorite character is Zeb 💜. oh and i bought a Starbird stained glass piece from them. anyway being a Star Wars fan CAN bring people together still.
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aburningconstellation · 9 months
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i’ve been thinking a lot about ezra bridger & jacen syndulla this week
ezra never got to meet jacen before he disappeared. he didn’t even know hera was pregnant.
so imagine he comes back, after being gone for years, and has to re-acclimate to a galaxy he’s no longer familiar with. everyone is so excited to see him again. sabine, ahsoka, zeb, hera, kallus - even chopper - come running to welcome him back with open arms. then from behind all of them, a little boy with green hair comes tumbling through. ezra doesn’t know who he is, but the boy wraps him in a hug & says “you must be my uncle ezra! will you teach me to be a jedi? like my dad was?”
and IMMEDIATELY ezra knows. he hasn’t felt his master’s presence in years, but there is a part of him present in this child. jacen syndulla - son of kanan jarrus and hera syndulla.
in many ways ezra still feels like a padawan, even though he’s certainly been through his great trial of knighthood by this point. and even if he isn’t fully ready, he knows that he must train this boy. and what a gift that would be for ezra to teach kanan’s son all the lessons that kanan taught him, but that kanan isn’t able to teach jacen himself. to believe in this young boy and show him how to find the light and what it means to live a selfless life.
and ezra bridger gets to grow old and watch jacen grow up. there are certainly days where it’s hard, but he does not take any of them for granted. he stands a daily vigil, taking in all of jacen’s milestones. mentally cataloguing each of them before offering them to his memory of kanan. look master. look what your son can do. i see the way you live in him.
and thus continues the ever expanding circle of master to apprentice to master to apprentice.
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lasats-are-lovely · 11 months
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There are many warriors, fools and children, Captain. The child in you can't see how things are, but how they can be. The fool denies his destiny, but it is the warrior you are who will create one. You are never one of these. In time, you become all of them.
This is the moment Kallus finally realizes that he's never going to catch the Spectres. And it's the moment that his redemption begins.
Every single episode Kallus is in this season he's met with failure after failure, and we witness his frustration grow every single time. He tries everything, has all of the odds in his favor countless times and yet every single time the rebels slip through his fingers.
And it all leads to this. This has to be it. He has the Spectres cornered against an exploded star cluster, they have no where to go, this time he's going to win. He has the laws of physics as his ally for force sake!
... but he still loses.
The rebels fly into the star cluster, completely unharmed. Meanwhile his Tie Fighters and light cruiser are being torn apart right in front of him.
I've seen so much talk about how Zeb sparing Kallus's life on Bahyrn was the prophesy of the Child saving the Warrior being fulfilled. I'm not arguing with that, because the prophesy was fulfilled time and time again in Rebels. But this was the first spark of the flame that saved Kallus.
This was the Child saving the Warrior for the first time.
Had this episode happened sooner than it did, I think Kallus would have continued to fly in after them and died - or at the very least gotten very close to it, with all of his men dead and him hanging on for dear life in a barely functioning escape pod.
He wouldn't have had the mounting pile of failures to humble him, wouldn't have had the miracles he'd witnessed the Spectres pull off as warnings to not take them lightly. When we first met Kallus he was an extremely prideful man (still is, even when he defects, but he gains some humility to balance it out), so certain of himself that he quite literally threw himself into danger numerous times with the expectation that he'd win, because he'd never been challenged like he had been with the Spectres. If he was still that same unchallenged man all would have been lost.
But Kallus lets them go, crawling away with a damaged but still mostly working ship after witnessing the laws and forces of nature itself bend to the rebels will.
And it destroys his pride, and his hope. He's been thoroughly devastated by his failures... though he is still in denial about why he's failing, and why he'll continue to fail. He still isn't seeing the bigger picture about the shortcomings of the Empire, he still doesn't think to ask the questions he should. Much like the Fool, in denial of what is destiny.
The next time we see Kallus is above Geonosis - with like 30 storm troopers, a handful of walkers, and... what? 3 tie fighters for an ambush against enemies that fought gravity and won?
He went into this knowing there wasn't a point. And the entire time his ambush party is distracting the rest of the Spectres he's fighting Zeb - and only Zeb. He follows him all the way into an escape pod, with the goal seemingly to take Zeb down with him, because he knows that he can't take them all. But if he can get one, the one who he's obsessed with the most, then it will be enough.
A very foolish plan, much befitting the Fool.
This plan inevitably fails, and Kallus is injured and stranded with his mortal enemy. Unable to fight anymore he submits himself to his failure, so certain that he's going to either be murdered by Zeb or freeze to death. He sits there, shivering and terrified, muttering about the monsters in the dark.
Much like a Child.
There are many warriors, fools and children. In time, you become all of them.
When Zeb spares Kallus's life, giving him the meteorite to keep warm, moving to fight the Bonzami alone, mending Kallus's hurt leg, taking his advice on how to get out of the cave, all before carrying him up the pillar and throwing him out of harms way - the child completely and undoubtedly saving the warrior - Kallus shoots the Bonzami instead of Zeb.
The Child saves the Warrior, and in turn the Warrior saves the Child. Time and time again. Kallus asks questions, he becomes fulcrum, he risks his life and safety over and over again to save Zeb and his family. And as Zeb found Lira San by saving Kallus, Kallus finds a home on Lira San by saving Zeb.
And it all started here.
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2stepadmiral · 9 months
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Now that I’ve gushed about Thrawn, I can talk about Ezra. I’ve been so focused on Thrawn and Anakin that seeing Ezra wasn’t as high a priority for me, but seeing him now had me grinning ear to ear. He was perfectly portrayed, still a lovable goofball, though he’s clearly wiser and a bit more mature. I mean come on, he sees his best friend for the first time in nine years, nine years he spent trying to evade Thrawn’s forces and survive who knows what on Peridea, and his reaction is not shock or running immediately to embrace her, but to lean against a building out of her immediate field of view and call out that he knew he could count on her, simultaneously announcing his presence, greeting her, saying that he’s okay, and welcoming her, before joking about her timing to ease them both into their old banter. Seeing them together again was an absolute delight, their chemistry is both so reminiscent of their old relationship, yet different, like they have both aged and grown and changed and are still able to communicate like they used to. They banter and poke at each other, but you can see the extent of their emotions beyond the dialogue, and it’s wonderful.
It breaks my heart, thought, that Sabine is hiding the circumstances of her arrival for the moment. She assures him that his plan worked, but she won’t tell him anything else. She knows that Ezra would want to hear so much about what’s happened since he’s been gone, how Lothal has rebuilt and thrived, how Hera and Jacen are doing, Zebs commission with the New Republic pilot core, Rex’s and Kallus’ peaceful retirements, Wedge’s part in destroying both Death Stars, and the defeat of the Empire. Considering how determined to defeat the Sith he was, Ezra would especially want to hear about Luke and how Luke is rebuilding the Jedi order. He would definitely want to know where Luke is so he can meet him and do his part to help in that endeavor.  but telling him any of that would force Sabine to admit that her presence there came at a cost, and that cost is likely undoing the victory he sacrificed so much to acquire by stopping Thrawn.
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kanerallels · 30 days
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Okay I need every shred of serotonin I can get right now, so! Have a fic I wrote for @sarah3210 in honor on May the Fourth! Hope you guys enjoy it!
(Taglist for fun and profit: @day-to-day-thots @laughingphoenixleader @aosladies @heckin-music-dork @opalknight @cassie-fanfics)
It had been a long time since Ezra Bridger had flown a shuttle. But somehow, that’s not why his hands were shaking as he approached the hangar bay of the ship in front of him.
He shouldn’t have been nervous. But for the first time in almost ten years, he wasn’t on Peridea. He was home.
Or close enough, at least. The ship wasn’t Lothal. But when Ezra thought of home, Lothal wasn’t always the first thing that came to mind. It wasn’t a place at all. It was people.
They’re here. He was sure of it. Sabine had told him where to find Hera— or rather, Hera’s flagship, since she was a general now. He couldn’t really say he was surprised. Just proud, if you could be proud of the woman who’d basically been your mother for so many years of your life.
The two A-wings escorting him peeled off as he slipped through the energy shield and set the shuttle down. Not too rough of a landing— Hera or Sabine could have done better, but Ezra was a little rusty.
Through the viewport, he could see a handful of figures moving towards the shuttle. Okay. Here we go.
He realized, as the shuttle ramp was lowering, that he hadn’t taken off the armor he’d stolen on Thrawn’s ship. Huh. Well, this should be fun. Holding back a sudden burst of laughter, Ezra headed down the ramp slowly, his hands in the air.
There was a cluster of people coming to meet him— most of them wearing white and blue or black uniforms, all looking exceptionally wary. And in their lead was a green skinned Twi’lek woman wearing a flight jacket and carrying a small blaster that she leveled directly at Ezra.
It’s Hera. She looked a little different. Older and tired, but still determined, with the same calm that she wore when she was trying to mediate a fight between him and Zeb. Holy kark, it’s Hera, and is that— in a flash, he realized that Kallus and Zeb were a few steps behind her, bo-rifles at the ready as they eyed the potential threat warily.
The reality of it hit him like a brick in the chest because it meant he was back. It worked. Ten years and he was face to face with his family again, finally.
He was still reeling when he recognized the figure rolling towards him. Chopper looked exactly the same as the last time Ezra had seen him, when the droid had helped him save Lothal. He was bwomping something about who did Ezra think he was fooling as he approached, and Ezra almost automatically let a hand drop to the top of Chopper’s dome. “Hey, Chop,” he whispered, far too low for anyone else to hear it. The droid let out a satisfied noise— clearly, he’d realized who Ezra was immediately.
Hera still looked unsure, though. Which was fair. Ezra was, after all, still wearing trooper armor. Reaching up, he slowly pulled off his helmet.
The expression on Hera’s face changed in a snap, shock and confusion bright in her eyes. Ezra knew the feeling. He still couldn’t believe what he was looking at, either. 
“Ezra?” she said, her voice shaking, holding a thread of hope that Ezra understood deeply.
“Hi, Hera,” he said, and found himself grinning like an idiot because it had been so long but he was back. Things were a mess but he was with his family again. He could fix it. “I’m home.”
He started towards her, but Hera was already moving. Her blaster clattering to the ground, she darted towards him and threw her arms around him in a fierce embrace that knocked the wind out of Ezra. “Ow,” he grunted, but hugged her back, feeling tears prickle his eyes.
“Hi?” she said, her voice shaking. “You’ve been gone for ten years and that’s how you start?”
“Uh—”
Another set of arms enveloped them, effectively crushing the last of the air out of Ezra’s lungs. “When I’m done hugging you,” Zeb growled, “I’m gonna kill you.”
“Missed you too,” Ezra gasped, wheezing for breath. “Kallus, you next? Is it gonna be a hug or a death threat?”
The man laughed, sounding more at ease than Ezra ever remembered him sounding. “Oh, I think Zeb and General Syndulla have the death threats more than covered.”
“That’s good,” Ezra said as both Zeb and Hera let go. Hera only stepped back a little, though, studying his face.
“You’ve grown up so much,” she whispered, gently touching his cheek. “And you’re— we thought you were—”
“You really thought Thrawn and a couple purrgil could take me out?” Ezra said, raising his eyebrows and grinning. “I’m pretty offended.
Zeb grinned even wider. “Oh, not everyone did.”
“Thanks, Zeb.”
Zeb’s grin, somehow, widened. And got a lot more smug. “Oh, I wasn’t talking about me.”
“Ouch. Wait, then who—”
A door hissed open, and a voice cut him off. A familiar voice. “Hera! You’re not going to believe this, but I sensed—”
Ezra’s heart stopped around the same time the voice did. Staring over Hera’s shoulder at him was… a ghost?
Because Kanan Jarrus had died on Lothal, saving him and Sabine and Hera.
He couldn’t be here, his hair and beard grown back with streaks of gray. And he DEFINITELY couldn’t have two kids with him— one who looked like a small version of Hera but with freckles, and patches of orange in her skin. She eyed him warily as she clung to Kanan’s hand. The other was a human boy with green hair, and was gaping at Ezra with delight. “I told you,” he whispered.
“—Ezra,” the man finished, meeting Ezra’s gaze with clear, seeing eyes. The scar was still there, but… His eyesight came back. Right before he… he died. Didn’t he?
He could barely speak as Hera silently stepped out of the way, a smile on her face. Clearing his throat, Ezra managed a breath. “K-Kanan?”
A smile spread across his face. “Hey, kid. I bet you have some—”
Ezra cut him off by sprinting across the space between them and tackling him in a hug that nearly sent them both flying backwards. He was definitely going to cry, but all he could do right now was cling to his master and pray that he didn’t somehow disappear. “You’re here,” he choked out, holding back a sob.
Strong arms wrapped around him, holding him close. For a moment, he felt just like a padawan again. “I’m here,” Kanan murmured. “And so are you. Force, Ezra, we missed you so much.”
Ezra let out a shaky laugh. “Uh, you missed me? I thought you were dead.”
“I almost was.”
“Thank you for not being dead.”
He felt Kanan laugh. “Any time, kid. Thank you for coming home safely.” He paused, and Ezra could sense his confusion through their bond. Their bond, which had come flowing back so naturally that it felt like it had never left.
“Shouldn’t Sabine be with you?”
Whoops. “Uh, yeah, about that,” Ezra said sheepishly. “Um… she and Ahsoka are kinda left behind? And Thrawn is also here? And he has a team of witches and a creepy friend named Enoch?”
“Maul isn’t resurrected from the dead, too, is he?” Kanan said wryly, and Ezra laughed.
“Nope. He’s still dead.”
“Okay, then. We’ll handle it.”
We. Somehow, Ezra thought, the prospect of facing this with his family at his side made the whole situation a lot easier. It always did.
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martianbugsbunny · 8 months
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So one of the things the Kalluzeb fandom has come up with that I really love is the idea of them proposing to each other spontaneously after the second Death Star blows up, and when they go to Lira San, Kallus knows they're going to get married but he doesn't know where, but consider you this:
Neither Kallus nor Zeb has said anything about their feelings. The Rebellion is finally over and they can relax for a minute. Zeb is the single most important person in Kallus' life, and he's already determined that he would follow Zeb to the edge of the universe if he asks—and he does ask. Kallus has no idea if Zeb wants him to come along as a friend, or if maybe his feelings are reciprocated and Zeb wouldn't go to the edge of the universe without him, but even though it matters it doesn't. It wouldn't change whether or not Kallus boards a ship to who-knows-where.
Neither of them really proposes. They don't have to. The moment Zeb uncovers Kallus' eyes to show him Lira San, bursting with pride, and it's clear that he's been planning a life with Kallus on this planet for years, and when Kallus looks back at him with just a little bit of hesitancy but a thousand times more of joy, that's when they both know what's going to happen. So later that day, they get married. That was the point of the trip, after all. Zeb saying come across the galaxy with me, spend the rest of your life with me, and Kallus saying there was never any other future in my mind, I couldn't leave your side if I tried. They never have to ask will you marry me because their relationship has just been years of asking it in different words, saying yes in different actions.
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morethansky · 1 month
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***TBB FINALE SPOILERS***
"The Cavalry Has Arrived" aka MY OTP IS CANON NOW
A truly absurd amount of meta and thoughts and screaming under the cut:
Overall
• I...loved it????? This is the biggest plot twist of all for me. Like I've said incessantly, I've had so many issues with the writing choices for this show, and I'm so grateful the brainrot set in so I could start watching it through a fandom lens and have way more fun with it than through a media critic lens and being a hater. But like...that was actually really satisfying to me within the parameters of where the show had led to in the last four episodes??
• As everyone on the planet probably knows by now, I would've been much happier if this show had led to the Batch choosing to do the right thing and joining the clone resistance, and if we never get another clone series, I will continue to be unbearable and salty about the lost potential of telling that story. But after Echo left and we stopped following his story, I gave that hope up. And ofc nothing about my criticism of this season is invalidated. But given the pieces on the board, I'd pretty wholeheartedly give the finale my stamp of approval!
• I'm ultimately glad that this show ended on a "We don't leave our own behind" note, because that's the clone energy and general Star Wars energy I'm looking for, and they did a great job of applying that theme to every non-villain in this episode, minor and unnamed characters included—but it's still so darkly funny for them to have continued to push this idea even though the first season is literally about them leaving their own behind and moving on. And then Crosshair calls them out on it. And then he just...leaves himself behind. Even in their first appearance in TCW, the Batch's entire vibe is that they keep trying to convince Rex to leave his own behind lmao. I just feel like the show wanted this adage to tie everything together, but then forgot to keep applying it somewhere along the way. But hurrah for this abundant use of it!
• My overall biggest criticism was that even within this one episode we got back on the rescue/captured/rescue/captured treadmill. It's the biggest plot crutch of the show. It's so goofy that Omega and Echo rescued both the children and the imprisoned clones by themselves. The setup made it so that by going to rescue Omega, Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair actually put her in more danger. And because they were there, more clones died, wtf!! But I do like the narrative flip—Echo and Omega were both saved by the Batch in their introductions in this era, and here are they are being the ones to save them in return. Omega and Echo also are the characters in the main cast who deserve the rescuer plotline the most, since they have been consistently portrayed as helping those in need no matter what.
• Hilariously, one of the most pivotal roles that the Forest Trio plays in regards to the GFFA at large is that they were essentially Rampart's rideshare drivers, thus enabling him to be there and force Nala Se not to hesitate to destroy Project Necromancer.
Rampart and Nala Se
• Hemlock saying his work makes him indispensable is fantastic dialogue; it just seems like some dickish thing he would say to shit on Rampart, but it ends up giving Rampart the idea to try to leverage his work to become indispensable himself, and in saying that line, Hemlock ushers his own ruin!!! This is the kind of script work I've been begging for.
• Also I was so right about Rampart being like a Kallus foil! That infamous shot of him in his sad, sterile room after Bahryn is mirrored here with Rampart sitting in pretty much the same position, except his path is the opposite from Kallus's.
• They did an EXCELLENT job with Rampart's fate. I was worried they were neutering him these last couple eps, even if the comedy was gold, but this was very well done. Everything that happens leading up to his death makes complete sense for his character, and it accomplishes the very key plot point of destroying Tantiss. At the start of the season I couldn't figure out how and why the Batch was going to end up delaying Project Necromancer for like thirty years, so I feel validated that they pretty much don't. Very typical of this show to not have the protagonists do the heroic work, but fuck it, I like this instance.
• The humanizing of Nala Se in this show has always been a bit of an interesting choice given that this is feels like such a direct successor to TCW and she was so clearly a villain there. But although they don't quite redeem her, her motivations and her fate were also artfully executed here. Her conversation with Omega pretty much takes into account every Nala Se scene in this show, which is a great way to wrap her character up. And I really like the mirror of Nala Se giving Omega her datapad in the season premiere, and Omega giving Nala Se a datapad here. Both times, Nala Se is determined to set Omega free.
• And I'm so glad there was a follow-up to the destruction of Kamino as well! Nala Se getting a bit of revenge against one of the beings responsible for the genocide of her people and destruction of her homeworld is not something I expected at all, and I love it. And the setup of Nala Se picking up the detonator and Rampart picking up the blaster is just fantastic, because you know from just those two shots that Rampart is willing to kill to gain Palpatine's favor for himself, and Nala Se is willing to die to make sure the being she loves will be free.
Echo and Omega supremacy
• Give me an Echo-led rebel show where he convinces all sorts of people in the Empire and the underworld to defect/help them, please!!! He's so good at it, completing Emerie's turn so efficiently! We have to assume Rex is also good at it given his cell and that he has clone spies and even undercover agents, but every time he sees Hunter he has tried and failed to recruit him lmao. Also REX'S NAMEDROP but him not showing up surely means...we'll see a continuation of his story soon after this...right??? Also this means Howzer still lives, oh, thank god.
• "Because it's exactly what I would do." Strategist Echo comeback yessss!! A nice little callback to the Techno Union arc that kicked this story off as well. And HELL YEAH Omega's relationship with Echo is my favorite out of all of her connections, and I'm living for their spotlight together this ep. I'm extremely invested in found family stories not relying on nuclear family narratives, and I love that you see throughout the show that Echo doesn't "raise" Omega like a kid—he trains her like a cadet. Like someone who he intends to be his equal, which is a nice and very appreciated contrast to others treating her like a precious sheltered baby.
• Their goodbye scene in "Truth and Consequences" is one of my favorites in the show, and I just adore that when Omega is upset, Echo doesn't coddle her—he reminds her of her duty to watch over the others, giving her a purpose and a reason to stand tall. When he conveys that he was worried about her and thinking of her while she was captured, he gifts her a weapon he designed and made for her during that time, so that she won't have to be defenseless after being defenseless for so long in captivity. It's so clone trooper, and I love it and the glimpses these details give us about clone culture and how the older clones cared for the shinies and the cadets and showed their love for each other.
• I also liked that Omega couldn't have escaped without Tech's training, since slicing was so vital. And all her stealthy stabbing is of course reminiscent of Hunter. And finally some emotional payoff for the ongoing bit about Wrecker being afraid of heights! I'm weak for inspirational Star Wars quotes, and this show hasn't had many, but "Just stay focused on what's ahead, not what's below," is a lovely one.
Forest conversations, my beloved
• The Kiners scored the fuck out of this episode!!! So many clever, thoughtful reprises. This is the first reappearance of Crosshair's theme that's played on the synths since he began healing! And then it segues into a soft violin tremolo version that makes me cry, and then it intertwines with "The Sacrifice" from Tech's death, ouchhhh. I have a lot of meta I need to write out about the tracks "The Reunion" and "They Always Work It Out" and how they say so much about Hunter and Crosshair, but I can't believe how well my analysis paid off in the cues in this scene! More on that in another post.
• Gosh, Wrecker's injury scared the shit out of me. But I love him so much and I'm glad he got at least a little moment, even if he didn't really have a story arc here. Or you know, in the entire damn show. And I ultimately liked that the purpose of it wasn't just to freak us out but to give them a plausible disadvantage and to give Crosshair someone to fuss over the whole time and act more recklessly because of it, thus reiterating this key character trait of his.
• I love Crosshair being worried about Wrecker and Hunter and them being worried about Crosshair. That's the squad content I crave and have been missing!! Unfortunate that it specifically has been happening when Omega is out of the picture. Writers, I swear to you, you can do both.
• Can't believe it took another half season for someone to say something about Tech's death, and it was Crosshair, who wasn't even there?? Cool line and sentiment, but man, so frustrating. I like this callback to his conversation with Rampart, though. "Depends on who's giving them" and in this first act he keeps trying to give those orders himself. Thinking of Rex on Umbara: "We're not programmed. You have to learn to make your own decisions."
• God the forest conversations in this ep and the previous one fed me so much. Hunter saying, "And so do those clones" had me literally jumping out of my seat and cheering. Baby boy, it took you so goddamn long, but thank you for finally actually giving a shit before the conclusion of your story. And "It's what I deserve," hnghhh that's the good shit, and it hearkens back perfectly to "I belong in here." And Hunter immediately telling Crosshair hell no made me very happy. And then later Hunter saying "Crosshair—" when he's worried Crosshair is still going to sacrifice himself, but Crosshair reassures him that he'll be right behind them... My heart! What a Crosshunt feast we got in this ep!!!
• Can't believe we also got so many Crosswrecker moments from the get-go and they kept coming! And my three precious little Techwrecker crumbs: the way Crosshair specifically chooses Wrecker to say the cutting remark about Tech to; the way Wrecker bows his head because that was right on target; and Wrecker being the one to watch Tech fall and to scream, "Don't do it, Tech!" in "Plan 99" yet the one to say with such conviction here, "We've always known the risks. And so did Tech." That's just so...finally accepting your beloved is gone ;_; Not really deserved by the text, which kept all but a total of like maybe one total minute of mourning off screen for some fucking reason, but.
Clone X, more like Clone Sexy
• There aren't nearly as many Clone X dudes as I expected?? I guess Crosshair's situation wasn't that rare after all? Or do they just run through them super quickly because Rex's team keeps taking them down?? Regardless, god, THEY ARE ALL SO SEXY. The way they animated their movements was so creepy and hot. And them not speaking was so eerie, I loved it. And then the moment that CX-2 did was so effective and terrifying!!! But remembering that those were clones in there is so, so heartbreaking.
• I really like that Echo really felt like both a clone trooper AND the resistance agent he is now this whole episode, and Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair actually briefly got to feel like commandos. The slick stealth and silent communication was also very sexy.
• MY GOD, I loved these action scenes. They were lit and choreographed so cool, they were super intense and had real consequences and close brushes with death, and the logic of the fight flow was really good, too. A character being incapacitated because they went to try to help an ally is always a wonderful driving force for action and gives it that crucial character-driven element that raises the stakes, and is great for making sure the main characters aren't too OP, and there was a ton of that here.
• Hunter and Wrecker getting shot by laser cannons and Hunter pushing Wrecker away from the blast made me shriek in terror AND THEN CROSSHAIR SHOOTING THE PILOT DEAD ON NO HESITATION NO ANXIETY NO TREMOR BECAUSE HOW DARE YOU HURT MY HUSBAND I'M FUCKING LIVINGGG. And then Wrecker stumbling over to Hunter and lifting the debris like he does in TCW. Boom, three pivotal character-driven action scenes in a row that divulge a key characteristic of each character! Excellently written and directed.
• Also I am SO SO SO HAPPY that we're getting to see this protective Crosshair come out in full force!!! This is the Crosshair who risked his life to try to save Mayday, who shouted hysterically when Hunter fell into the ice and was so desperate to get him out, who worried over Omega on Teth. I also really like this contrast with how he was about Echo—"Echo's on it." He knows Echo will get the job done and be safe and that's despite his former prejudice against regs. He's worried about Hunter and Wrecker and that's despite previously spending time trying to hunt them down. And when he suffers consequences, it's because of him worrying about them, and that's so delicious.
• Finally got to hear Crosshair screaming! And Hunter was already the screamer in this show, but goddamn does he get to scream in this episode. Thank you, directors, for this whump material! My man Steward Lee never lets me down.
• THE WAY THAT WHEN CROSSHAIR IS TRYING TO SAVE WRECKER HE REACHES FOR A DC-17 OMG!!!! I feel so validated! And just like with Mayday, he's incapacitated afterward...
• God the way CX-2 waits to be tossed the vibrosword and then leans down with it while Crosshair is already incapacitated is SO brutal, like this is not a battle injury. It's straight up what Anakin fucking Skywalker does to Count Dooku just before he becomes a Sith Lord, like holy shit, dude. This scene is so cool and I've watched it 10,000 times over the past 24 hours, but also why did he do that lol, is he just supposed to be particularly cruel?? Obsessed with tormenting Crosshair for some reason?? Also, these vibroswords are exactly how I've pictured Ahsoka's being in A Future for Us :D
• At this point I was like, uhhh, the messaging of Crosshair struggling with this psychomatic hand tremor since the first episode of the season and then the symptom literally being taken out of his........hands sure is a Choice, especially coupled with how they've treated Echo (or you know, not). When they showed him still with the symptoms later, I was very relieved, AND THEN HUNTER LITERALLY CURES CROSSHAIR THROUGH THE POWER OF THE LOVE AND FAITH AND TRUST HE HAS FOR HIM IS THERE ANYTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL IN THE WORLD???? But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Echo is the GOAT
• "You were helping us, Dr. Karr?" / "I am." I love this subtle line and how Emerie acknowledges that she wasn't sure of her loyalties before but is certain now. And I love that she says such a clone trooper thing, "You have my word," and then doing the clone shoulder pat, especially in direct contrast to the natborn kids hugging Omega just before.
• "Hey, kids. ...And other kids." is just so fucking 501st, I can't explain it. I'm just so ecstatic that they did Echo such justice in the end, giving a nod to everything about his character, even his dorkass cadet personality. And it wasn't just so he could die, thank god!!!
• Like Echo even got a DARTH VADER homage??? That's his mass-murdering general (affectionate). More on this here!
• Also is there anything more Big Dick Energy in the world than Echo eviscerating Rampart—who either the clones would recognize as a former vice admiral or at least see his captain rank plaque—with what may not be a theme this show really earned but is ABSOLUTELY a theme that Echo deserves and has shouldered for over two seasons...and then just straight up shoving him out of the way so that he can talk to his brothers???? And with his stormtrooper helmet—which is like Echo refusing to dirty his hands (including his new, long-awaited one) by touching Rampart oh my god??? Sexiest man alive.
• So the answer is no, there isn't. Fives is hollering from the afterlife. Half those clones immediately developed a crush on him in that moment. That one clone later placing a blaster in Echo's arms so gently confirmed this for me (remember the symbolism of Echo making the energy crossbow for Omega? He even gives her his borrowed blaster in this scene), but it's so sad that he died because of it, whyyy.
• Also I love the "Clones don't leave our brothers behind" riff on the "We don't leave our own behind" adage. It's very fitting that Hunter would put it that way because he only means his squad (+/-1), whereas Echo would see it as meaning his people.
• And I love how when Rampart first shoves Echo, the clone in front that Echo's been talking to prickles and makes brief eye contact with him, to be like, "Should we take him? I've got your back." I felt that girls (gender neutral) in the bathroom energy so hard.
• The clones helping each other out of their cells made me so emotional. And it's the same way that Hunter and Crosshair do later...
• Echo asking for volunteers, just like Rex did on Umbara..................
• I think this post is breaking and I'm still only two-thirds of the way through my rewatch, oops. And yesterday I stayed up until 8 a.m. after I put it on again after watching it for the first time... I'm so normal about this show. More tomorrow!
• Part 2!
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illuminatedquill · 17 days
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Story Summary: It has been 10 years since Lothal was liberated from the Empire. As the annual memorial ceremony marking this historic event approaches, close friends and associates of the legendary Rebellion hero, Commander Ezra Bridger, are interviewed for a documentary being made to celebrate his life and achievements. Captain Garazeb Orrelios, a close friend and comrade of Ezra Bridger, has volunteered his time for the first interview.
First of a Five-Part Interview Series
The dive I find Captain Garazeb Orrelios, call-sign Specter-Four, is far from the Galactic Core and serves a peculiar type of clientele: current and former Republic fighter pilots, smugglers, Mandalorians, and any who find themselves wandering beyond the usual travelled routes of the galaxy. Sitting on a non-descript barren planet floating in the middle of an otherwise empty sector of space, the establishment has gained a remarkable reputation of being a "neutral place" among the people who live out here beyond the prying eyes of the New Republic. Mandalorians, bounty hunters, and even some of the more reputable smugglers all habit here semi-regularly.
Noting the name of the establishment before stepping inside from the arid heat, I am greeted by the murmur of quiet, friendly talk. The space inside is half-filled, scattered with an eclectic array of different species wearing the colors of their chosen affiliations.
I spot Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios waiting for me by the bar. Next to him is his partner, Aleksandr Kallus, an Imperial defector who once worked for the infamous Imperial Security Bureau. They wave me over to begin the interview.
Captain Orrelios; Agent Kallus. A pleasure and privilege to meet you both.
[Kallus nods in acknowledgement and sips at his drink. I get the sense he is studying me closely.]
Ah, don't mind him. Just old habits from the war. You can just call me 'Zeb', by the way. All my friends do.
If you don't mind, then I'll do just that.
Sounds great. So, you're here to talk about that goober, eh? About time he got a documentary. Deserves one, just like that Skywalker fellow everyone's talking about.
Goober? You mean Commander Ezra Bridger?
Oh, we're using the official title for him are we? He'd have a good laugh about that. 'Goober' is a nickname me and Sabine used for him. Cause he was a goober - it just fits, you know? Oh, he hated it at first but grew into it over time. Especially since Sabine used it so much. Said it made him feel special, when I asked him about why he didn't seem so bothered by it anymore. She didn't have nicknames for anyone else on the crew. That was always used just for Ezra . . .
[Kallus nudges him with an elbow. The Lasat shakes himself and looks embarrassed.]
Uh, you're not here to listen to all that, though. Sorry. Getting lost in old memories. I figure you want to hear the more interesting stuff.
No, this is perfect actually. This is definitely what I would want to hear in a documentary about Ezra Bridger.
Well . . . if, you're sure. Go on, ask me some questions then. You want to know how we first met?
I'd appreciate if you just wanted to talk more about Ezra himself. What kind of person was he?
[Zeb takes a moment to think about this. Then he points up towards the ceiling, where a row of various stormtrooper helmets - all different designs - hang from strings like grim trophies. With a small smile, the Lasat reaches up and taps one of them, a scout trooper variant.]
He was a thief. When we first met him; a street-rat that hit up the occasional unlucky Imperial patrol for food and supplies. Plucky little kid, if you can imagine, stealing from these Imps and bucket-heads. They would have shot him dead if they caught him - or worse, considering what he turned out to be.
I'm sure you've seen Sabine's mural on Lothal. How strong and serious he looks. Ezra was that, sure, but he was so much more also. If he ever comes back, I'm sure his head will swell just seeing how good she made him look.
He had a collection of these helmets when we took him on the Ghost. Sabine painted a few of them, as a gift. They were always his favorite. Over the years, as he grew up and the war continued, the collection stopped growing. Our enemies were multiplying . . . the goober needed to focus. So, I started to collect them for his sake.
[I observe the collection of helmets and note that there must over a dozen different variants hanging from the ceiling. Almost every type of stormtrooper design is present from the Empire's reign. Some of these would go for an astonishing number of credits on the black market.]
It's quite the collection. I'm sure Ezra would love seeing these.
Yeah. Took a bit to get all of these. He was just a kid, you know? I don't have any other input for this documentary, but I really want you to emphasize that Ezra Bridger was just this pipsqueak when he first joined. None of us knew what would happen to him, or what he would do. Not even Kanan.
He was just a kid who needed a home. So, we gave him that. I didn't always do right by him - to be fair, he was kind of annoying at times like most humans his age - but I hope . . . I hope he knows that I wouldn't change a thing about any of it. He was our kid. We loved him.
[Kallus pats the Lasat's shoulder affectionately. Zeb clears his throat, looks away for a moment to compose himself.]
I know you'll probably want to focus on the more heroic aspects of him, but that's how I remember Ezra. He was a goober. He was a kid. He and Sabine shouldn't have been fighting this war; sacrificing so much for it. That's the job for us adults. We're supposed to be making this galaxy a better place for them. Not the other way around.
A thief turned rebel. It's not an uncommon story for those who served in the Rebellion. The Specters were an already diverse group of individuals -
Not individuals. We were a family. Not in the literal or traditional sense, though. Sure, Kanan and Hera took on a more parental/mentor role in the group and, to some extent, you could view Ezra and Sabine as their kids. But it was also more than that. We were more than that.
We bled, suffered, sacrificed, and cared for each other. We cried for each other. And, yeah, we annoyed the kriffing stuffing out of each other. It was . . . in some ways, it was more fulfilling than my time as an honor guard.
How did Ezra fit into your group?
Heh, not easy at first. Hera was the only one who really made an effort at first. Kanan was still reluctant to take him on as a student, despite Ezra being gifted in the Force. Sabine - well, she's Sabine. Also didn't help that the goober had the galaxy's biggest crush on her during those early months.
Poor kid. Looking back on it now, I suppose I could have been nicer. He had to share a room with me, you know. I'm a huge snorer.
[He chuckles at this, sharing a look with Kallus. His partner just rolls his eyes and takes another sip of his drink.]
Yeah, it was rough for that first year. Everyone sort of eased into having him around as a permanent crew member after they had their own special moments with him.
Me and him - we stole a Tie Fighter one time, did you hear? That was a fun joyride. We were sent out to get meilooruns for Hera and . . . things sort of spiralled from there, heh.
When Hera and Kanan found out we were both sentenced to cleaning duties for a solid month. But that wasn't the event that really brought Ezra closer to the crew.
What was it then?
[Zeb takes a long sip of his drink, suddenly looking sad.]
Finding out about his parents. We didn't know . . . none of us know, until we caught up with Ryder - Governor Azadi Ryder, I should say - later on. They were still alive, incarcerated in a max-security Imperial prison somewhere.
After Ezra sent out his message to the sector, they must have heard him somehow. They rallied the other prisoners, started a riot. Ryder was stuck in there too; managed to escape because of their efforts.
Mira and Ephraim Bridger are listed as -
Still missing, I know. But they're dead. Ryder says he saw it happen, and we have no reason to disbelieve him. I know there was no record or recovery of their bodies. Believe me, we tried looking. Once the war ended, Hera and I tried to track down any lead to see if we could find anything - even just a scrap of their clothing for Ezra's memorial.
Nothing. They were lost, just like the countless others the Empire buried.
Just you and General Syndulla? What about Commander Wren?
She was . . . she was dealing with her own personal loss, at the time. We extended the invitation, but she never responded.
I thought the Specters were like a family? But records state that you all went your separate ways after the Battle of Lothal. You led your own squadron of pilots, while Hera Syndulla was promoted to the rank of General. Commander Wren -
Sabine was the only one to stay behind, yeah. We found a holo-recording, stashed away in his old comm-tower. Left there just for her. She changed after watching it. Hera and I never knew what he said to her.
Hera had Jacen not too long after that battle. I took Kallus back with me to La-Liresan, to help fortify their defenses, gather volunteers, and coordinate supplies with the Rebellion. And Sabine . . . well, she had her promise to Ezra to keep.
We lost Kanan and Ezra so quickly, one after the other. It just hurt too much for us to stick together after so much loss. We were all living reminders of what had been sacrificed. And staying on the Ghost - it felt too big, too empty without those two.
[The Lasat takes another big swig of his drink. Kallus glances at him, worried.]
I don't know how Sabine does it. Living there. She never went back home. She could have - but the crazy girl chose to stay. And she lost so much afterwards, too . . .
We all had our own things to focus on after the battle. The war had begun in earnest. The Rebellion had declared itself on a galactic stage after the Battle of Yavin. We were on the run, fighting for our lives, fighting to see another day.
Hera and I . . . we made the choice to move on. She had Jacen, alongside her duties as a Rebellion General. And I found new purpose with protecting my resurrected people on their new planet. We had to move on. Ezra would have wanted us to move on.
Do you remember the last conversation you had with him?
[Zeb seems to shrink within himself.]
I - I don't. I hate that I don't. I can't remember if we spoke before Kanan's death, or after. When Kanan died, everything else after that just turns to a blur.
You'll want to talk with Hera or Sabine, if you're looking for specific details about any of that before his . . . his disappearance.
Official New Republic record states that Ezra Bridger died during the Battle of Lothal. You believe otherwise?
[Kallus' gaze snaps to me, intense. I plow forward with my questions, trying not to show how unnerved I feel from the former ISB's agent scrutiny.]
I don't know. I want to believe, you know? But it's been so long. No one who has disappeared into the Unknown Regions has ever come back. Not even Thrawn came back. Wherever they went . . . there would have been a sign, I know it. Ezra's a smart kid, he would have figured out a way to send a signal or something.
Did he inform you of his plans before he left? Anything about where he planned to take Thrawn?
Ha! That was the whole point. Crazy goober. Part of me thinks he was making it up as he went along. But Ezra was a Jedi. A damn good one, too. Kanan would have been proud to see him at the end, leading the way for everyone.
To answer your question: no. Ezra didn't tell us anything about where he and the purrgils were heading off to. I don't think even he knows. Only the Force knows.
You never went looking for him?
[Zeb is silent, staring into his drink. Kallus watches his partner quietly. After a long moment, he stands up abruptly.]
I tried.
[Zeb turns and leaves through a back door leading into the kitchens. Kallus sees him go and then turns back to me.]
It's a sensitive subject for him, you have to understand. He wanted to look for Ezra.
Why didn't he? Ezra Bridger was his friend.
I forbade him. He was going to get himself killed. Zeb kept volunteering for missions farther and farther from the Galactic Core. Hera and I realized that he was scouting in the Outer Rim, looking for signs - any trace of Ezra Bridger or Grand Admiral Thrawn.
He got too reckless. People on his squadron almost died. After that, he was forced into retirement. Hera's intervention is the only reason he's not rotting away in a New Republic prison right now.
Zeb retired and settled out here? I don't understand. Why didn't he go back home?
[Kallus signs, takes another sip of his drink.]
He's still looking for Ezra, in his own way. Zeb had to get creative, you see. He had been stripped of his license to pilot. So, he found a plot of land on a planet no one was interested in and bought it with his pension. Pitched the idea of a bar for New Republic pilots flying patrol missions way out here as a place to rest and recharge; a chance to stretch their legs, after spending hours in a cramped cockpit.
Pilots who have been flying all over the Outer Rim. Who have probably seen and heard a few interesting things in the course of their duties.
Now you get it. He owns this bar, listens to all the folks who come in. Still looking for leads - anything he thinks could lead to Ezra.
He even named the bar in memory of him. I think he hopes that Ezra might wander through this sector in space someday, see the bar's name, and get curious. A fool's hope . . . but I dare not take it away from him.
But he can't follow up the leads himself, since he no longer can fly.
Correct. So, he sends the information to the one person who is still looking for Ezra Bridger.
Which is . . .
Sabine Wren.
[He pauses, thinking for a moment.]
Are you planning on interviewing her for this documentary?
Yes, of course. It wouldn't be complete without her. Why?
I advise caution. She was the most affected by Ezra Bridger's . . . absence. Time and further tragedies have not made her kind or open to company of any kind. Even from close friends.
[There's a yell from the kitchen. Zeb stumbles out, covered in soot.]
Kallus, the blasted caf maker is malfunctioning again! Help me out here, would you?
[Kallus sighs and rises from the bar. I take this as my cue to leave.]
Oh, by the way. I haven't heard anything regarding this documentary. It seems rather hush-hush for something like this. I've been asking around and no-one seems to know anything.
It's meant to be a surprise for the citizens of Lothal. The anniversary is coming up. My benefactor suggested it as a gift, to help commemorate Ezra Bridger's heroic sacrifice for the planet.
[He narrows his eyes at me.]
A surprise, hmmm? I'm sure. And who is this gracious benefactor supplying the funds for this project?
I'm sorry, I can't disclose that. They are a private person. I hope you understand.
[The former ISB agent stares me down. After a tense second, he relents.]
My apologies. Old habits die hard. If it's alright, could you send a copy to me and Zeb for review once all this is finished? It would be greatly appreciated.
I'll be sure to do that. Convey my sincere thanks to Zeb, if you can.
Of course. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to prevent my partner from burning this establishment down.
Leaving the way I come in, I turn around outside the old bar and take a quick picture, for my own record, of the name now that I know the origin behind it:
EZRA'S ROOST
END OF INTERVIEW 1
NEXT INTERVIEW: GENERAL HERA SYNDULLA
AFTER-REPORT
PRIVATE CONNECTION ESTABLISHED
The Benefactor: Were there any issues?
?????: None. Although the agent accompanying Orrelios seemed suspicious at times. I managed to prevent any further inquiries into my work, however.
The Benefactor: Kallus is intelligent and extremely competent at what he does. Do not underestimate him. It is likely he will continue investigating behind the scenes.
?????: Still unsure what it is you're looking for with these people. Seems like they don't have the information you're seeking. The Benefactor: That is for me to decide. Continue with your work.
?????: Of course. Logging out now.
CONNECTION TERMINATED
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brujaporfavor · 1 year
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Could he be Kallus??!?! I love him from The Expanse and the build/features are right. I feel like it could be a trick as he's described as being "Thrawn's right hand man" which could technically be true if we get a flashback.
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moodboards-aesthetics · 3 months
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Alexsandr Kallus & Zeb Orrelios aka Kalluzeb
Students Modern AU Where - Kallus is a high achiever student who is always top on his class. Even though he was always the best at what he did, he felt lonely because he's not good with people and he doesn't have a family. Zeb is a student who had just transferred to his class. Although Zeb was not very good at studies, he was very good at sports and human relations. Even though their first meeting was bad, they kept bumping into each other because they shared love for the same sports and activities. They both loved sports, mechanics, e-sports, motorbikes etc... As time passed, they got to know each other and Kallus was no longer alone, he found someone to spend his life with.
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gettiregretti · 8 months
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Prompt: a hesitant kiss
Kallus reached for Zeb’s face, and Zeb let him take it in his hands. His big, green eyes closed and he leaned naturally into Kallus’ touch, like this was normal, like it was welcome.
Kallus drank in every detail that he could. He mapped the gentle slope before the tip of each of Zeb’s ears. He tracked the place where the short fur of Zeb’s cheekbones became the longer, coarser fur of his beard. The lines of Zeb’s face read kindness, but Kallus had limited information to reach that conclusion from. It was something deeper in him that told him so.
“It’s okay,” Zeb reassured him. “Y’don’t have to remember. You can just start from today.”
Kallus hummed thoughtfully. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to remember at all. “The problem is that I almost remember. Something…it’s always right on the edge of my mind,” he admitted.
Looking at Zeb always made the glimmer of memory return - a tiny window into whatever life Kallus had lived before. The moment Kallus fixed his attention on it, however, it would flee from him. He’d waited patiently until now. But with Zeb here, warm under his hands, he chased it. He lured it close with the feel of Zeb’s fur under his palms, the scent of him in Kallus’ lungs.
It was instinct, mostly, that guided him towards Zeb’s cheek; something innate that Kallus allowed himself to be lead by. It compelled him to bring them cheek to cheek. For a moment, Kallus held back. He didn’t know, truly, who he was. He didn’t know with any certainty what he wanted.
But, as displaced as he was in this life he didn’t remember, there was always Zeb at his back.
He rubbed gently against Zeb’s cheek. Zeb gasped quietly at the contact, tensing and then relaxing under the touch. He didn’t move, as though he was trying not to scare Kallus off. But he did press into each careful swipe of Kallus’ cheek against his own.
On the edge of Kallus’ memory was warmth and a sense of home. It was like nostalgia over a song that he only knew a few words to.
Hesitantly, he turned his head. This time Zeb was watching him.
“Try it,” Zeb urged him in a low growl, like he’d read Kallus’ mind. Kallus’ eyes flickered to Zeb’s lips. “If you want to.”
Kallus wanted to. So badly.
With a careful caution, he crept forward and touched his lips to Zeb’s in a kiss as light as moonlight. If he remembered, fine. But if he didn’t then at least he got to make a new memory of the feeling of Zeb’s lips against his own.
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autumn-opossum · 1 month
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AAHHH EP 14 THOUGHTS
I’m actually shaking that was so stressful
Rampart’s scream is funny. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t die in the next episode though. He’s become the comic relief ex-baddy, except he literally admits he’s only loyal to himself, I feel like it’s gonna be a Hux situation where he does something impulsive and stupid to try and save himself and ends up dead. Definitely doesn’t seem like he’s gonna get a Kallus redemption arc at this point.
Curious about the part where he questioned whether or not Crosshair changed. Was that just to show that Rampart doubts him? Because it definitely seems like Crosshair has changed, I can’t imagine we’re actually meant to believe that he’d turn on the batch, right?
They showed the zillo beast again, it’s definitely gonna play a part in their escape. We might just get the Hemlock death everybody seems to want (to be fair that would be kind of satisfying... I still want him to live tho)
I love that Emerie was so quick to offer help. I mean we already saw that she cares about Omega and the other kids I was just worried she might hesitate a bit.
I don’t know how they’re gonna wrap everything up in one more episode. Especially with CX-2, if that really is Tech. It better be at least an hour long I swear. This episode felt like it went by so fast.
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antianakin · 13 days
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I just read your post regarding Governor Pryce being more worthy of the redemption arc than Agent Kallus. If you had it your way, how would this story go about?
Pryce was a complete unknown prior to season three, I don't think we even know she was a woman before she showed up a screen, which makes her a complete blank slate to work with as opposed to Kallus who had already been set up (more than once) as a pretty irredeemable and unforgivable villain. This means Pryce would need less time to set up as someone to be redeemed (or as someone who was perhaps always on their side working as a double agent and it just isn't revealed until the end of the season) than Kallus should've gotten. Kallus needed to have his entire backstory RETCONNED in order to make this work for him and that quite simply would not have been true for Pryce.
I also liked that Pryce ended up being a native to Lothal, I think the connections you could make there to what was happening to the planet and its people (perhaps even without Pryce realizing or she just didn't realize how bad it was because she had been gone on Coruscant for so long and her information is siphoned through Imperial aides and things like that before she can read it) would really help towards a redemption arc that feels relevant to Ezra and the story being told with him.
Have Pryce show up and she starts to see the suffering her people are going through, have her keep trying to justify it even though you can tell it makes her uncomfortable or even upset. Have her maybe try to fight back once and Thrawn or Tarkin or someone shoots her down so she turns around and justifies the oppression to the people, but she's actually HERE now, so she can hear the protests, she can see the consequences of these choices. She might argue she doesn't HAVE a choice because if she fights back then her neck is on the line. Maybe she feels like she HAS been fighting for Lothal and it's better to have someone on the inside working to make things better than for her to abandon her post for a rebellion only for someone worse to end up in her place. And it's a season-long arc for her to realize that being on the inside will NEVER be enough because the Empire will MAKE IT not enough. She either lets them do whatever they want or they kill her anyway. She isn't truly helping anyone from the inside the way she wants to believe she is.
Maybe she has a few run-ins with the Ghost crew who work to try to convince her of this even as she tries to capture them because all of the reports coming to her insist that these people are criminals and it's THEIR actions causing the Empire to make things worse for EVERYONE on Lothal. And of course she has to realize that the Ghost crew are fighting FOR Lothal, they always have, that they're sometimes the only ones working to help her people.
She starts off misguided but not irredeemable in this version, so one season to get her from an Imperial loyalist to a rebel is plenty of time to show that development. Give her a 5-6 episodes across the season where she's forced to see the truth via interactions with the Ghost crew or things Thrawn does to draw them out and reconnecting with her people and her home, and it would honestly be enough. You might even be able to get away with 3-4 episodes dedicated to this.
The alternative is to have Pryce be a double agent who's NEVER truly been loyal to the Empire but has been funneling information to the rebellion through some sort of false identity for YEARS in an attempt to help Lothal and take down the Empire. She's had to make some hard decisions regarding her home, but it was always in the effort to FREE Lothal by taking the risk of being an inside man. And the Ghost crew maybe uncover this at some point and Thrawn is a new problem keeping too close of an eye on her, so her cover gets blown by the end of the season and she has to go on the run and more officially join the rebellion. This is the vastly easier option because, while it requires a balance of making her convincingly loyal to the Empire without making her so evil that the revelation of her being a double agent is unbelievable, it also doesn't require going through the effort of redeeming Pryce at all (which should be a longer, more drawn out and complex process).
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seth-shitposts · 8 months
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*takes a deep breath*
Kallus views Hera as a younger sister and treats her as such.
Of course still upholds immense respect for her and has deep faith in her capabilities, but when she tries to do her "I'm adopting you as one of my children" moves,
Kallus performs an uno reverse by looking after her and aiding her here and there, continously checking in to make sure she's taking care of herself while she's busy taking care of others
and while doing this, he is very self aware of making sure he is also taking care of himself so she doesn't try and do it for him because she's always so focused on taking care of others already and Kanan tends to be the only other one to mutually make sure she's doing well.
Kallus is willing to do anything for Hera, sometimes to the point where even he doesn't know where his limits would be, if there are any.
Kallus is an attentive older brother type, the kind who uplifts you and remembers every little habit and makes sure you're not just physically doing well but also mentally/emotionally. And just as much as Kallus sees Hera as a younger sister, she sees him as an older brother (which brings about its own wave of emotions in her).
Kallus being the responsible type has eased Hera into an area of herself that she doesn't get to really explore. Hasn't had the chance to. Which is being the younger sister and testing boundaries.
And even though he worries when she acts rashly, he still supports her and makes sure that if she does slip, he or some else of the ghost crew will be there.
Also adding on to her exploring being her age thing/exploring not being the responsible one. Hera does that younger sibling thing where they drag the older siblings around and into chaos because "you need to loosen up, be dangerous sometimes. It's healthy to cause some chaos" and Kallus is both concerned and fond of the fact that Chopper is unquestionably her droid.
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