Image Credit: Image credit: Lucasfilm
'Star Wars Rebels' soars as Hera's flight skills are put to the test
Nov 11, 2015 | 10:42PM
Season 2 | Episode 7 | "Wings of the Master" | Aired Nov 11, 2015
Hera is front and center in this Wednesday's 'Star Wars Rebels'
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Before I even begin, I need to tell you that I watched this episode of Star Wars Rebels three times because I loved it that much. So if you're not okay with excessive fangirling and emotive gushery, you may want to skip this.
Plus, spoilers abound, so I suggest that you watch if you'd like to avoid them.
Okay, then. Let's do this.
Hera has always been a leader when it comes to the Ghost, but watching her lead Phoenix Squadron is new. The mission? Get food to people in need in Ibaar*. The problem? Imperial blockade.
Y'know, I'm starting to think Kallus has clones. He's everywhere!
Unfortunately, the mission to break through the blockade fails when the Empire destroys the transport carrying the supplies and Phoenix Leader is killed during the retreat. It's a loss Hera takes deeply to heart, and while she's determined to go back and break that blockade, Kanan volunteers her to go find Shipmaster Quarrie (I see what you did there, Star Wars Story Group) and retrieve his blockage-busting prototype (aka the B-Wing we saw in the season two trailer). It isn't just an order—she's the best pilot they have, so Hera's reluctance isn't about to convince him otherwise.
As Kanan and Ezra head back for fresh supplies to try the run again, Hera, Sabine, and Zeb fly to meet Shipmaster Quarrie—who just happens to be on a planet with an atmosphere that's known to disable a ship's ability to fly. That means no power on the landing. Basically, it's falling with style! My favorite part of this scene may be when Zeb goes all B.A. Baracus on everyone. It's genius.
There's a "because I was inverted" joke in here somewhere.
Good news: They land. Bad news: Quarrie is not just giving his ship away. She's his baby. She's not going to just any pilot. Luckily, the repairs of the Phantom led to this conversation. So much to unpack in so few words, but the real expression of just why Hera loves to fly made me tear up something fierce.
Quarrie is just as moved, and now we get to the part we've all been waiting for, but which I, sadly, don't have video of: Hera Syndulla in the cockpit as the very first test pilot of the B-Wing.
I don't think I've ever seen Hera so happy. As she tests the ship's capabilities, the maneuverability, the weapons system, I can't tell you how many feels I had. My heart was so happy for her, and she was so happy!
It made me think of a song by Jeffrey Osborne. It's like he was singing about Hera and the ship.
But it's not all happiness. The Ibaarians have hit their breaking point, and that means Kanan is flying point on the next blockade run in the Ghost AND carrying the supplies.
Could they be any more of a target? Out of time doesn't even begin to cover it. So it's a really good thing that Quarrie put a hyperdrive on the Phantom (now I need to go back and look, because I'm pretty sure it didn't have a hyperdrive before). That means they can get Hera and the B-Wing back to the fleet just in time to save Kanan and Ezra from getting blown up. Between Hera's flying and Sabine's weapon skills, they seriously kick some Imperial ass.
It's beautiful. Kallus is all smug when two ships come in as reinforcements—but then one of those ships blows one of his ships to smithereens. Now he's unhappy. But when Kanan gets the Ghost through the blockade and delivers the supplies, there's practically smoke coming out of his ears.
Once the Rebel fleet is back at the rendezvous, Commander Sato has one last bit of business to attend to. At Kanan's suggestion, he promotes Hera to Phoenix Leader. Then this happens.
Is there something in my eye? There has to be. It's dusty.
Congratulations, Captain Syndulla.
One oddball thought: The B-Wing's firing system reminded me of something. Made me feel … cold.
Second oddball thought: Considering that Hera got two characters voiced by Steve Blum killed in this episode, I'm considering starting spreadsheet on how many times she's been the cause of his death. 😉
See you next week for the next episode, and may the Force be with you.
*Special thanks to Pablo Hidalgo for answering my out-of-the-blue questions.
Star Wars Rebels airs Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney X D.