'Star Wars Resistance' Review 1.5 'The High Tower'
By Bryan Young on November 1, 2018 in Reviews Star Wars Television
In the latest episode of Star Wars Resistance, the First Order arrives on the Colossus station and Kaz Xiono is given his first test as a spy. What are they there for? Who are they meeting with? What is their goal?
Kaz, being clueless, really doesn't have any idea and decides to get in over his head in order to find out.
This episode is the first time I've felt the danger Kaz has been in and it's the first time I've felt like the stakes on the show were commensurate with the state of the galaxy at this point in time. What I really love, though, is how that danger presents itself and how Kaz approaches it in such a child-like way.
Watching him blunder through spy situations is turning out to be far more entertaining than I thought it would be. Initially, I got the idea that BB-8 would be the real spy and Kaz would sort of be his cover, but Kaz is actually getting information. Though there were, definitely, moments in this episode where BB-8 could have gone off to do some spying of his own.
This episode also gave us the first real introduction to Donald Faison's character, Hype Fazon. Hype is a character that you're not quite sure about, at least I'm not. He's sort of a jerk, but he also helps the heroes. Does Tam have an accurate view of him? Or can he be trusted like Kaz seems to be so easy to do?
My biggest question, and one that makes me wonder if he's as much First Order spy as anyone is how he has access to the first class Aces lounge, but still decided to head to Aunt Z's and buy food down there. Second, he's made quite a show of the fact that he doesn't want to fly protection on shipments if it's the First Order coming in. Now, this feels like a red herring. Maybe it's not, but it very well could be.
I'm not sure, I just don't know if I trust this character yet.
Only time will tell.
The sequence I loved the most was Kaz's chase across the outside of the building as he went from platform to platform trying to escape blaster fire from the First Order. But watching it get intercut with the betting going on at Aunt Z's bar had all the feeling of a grim war film, despite its comedy. That Kaz survived at all was impressive and I'm fascinated to see how Doza deals with him once he finds out who he is.
It might also be a coincidence, but I notice that Doza's name is oddly similar to Lord Dolza. We know that Robotech was highly influential on Resistance creator Dave Filoni, and seeing a name that similar might not be a coincidence. On the other hand, it might. In Robotech, Dolza ended up destroying most of the Earth. Let's hope Doza doesn't do the same thing for the Colossus station.
For the funny action, great spy work, and the raised stakes of the arrival of the First Order, I'm going to say this has been the best episode of the show yet. I'm giving it 8 out of 10.
Season 1 Scorecard
The Recruit (Parts 1 and 2) (7 of 10)
The Triple Dark (7.5 of 10)
Fuel For the Fire (7.5 of 10)
The High Tower (8 of 10)
Season Average – 7.5 of 10
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