– Spoiler Review –
As the First Order’s pursuit of the Colossus heats up, both the Aces and Tam have to learn to adjust to life in wartime! Join us as we review the latest episode of Resistance, “Live Fire!”
After the events of the previous episode, where Kaz and some pirates manage to scavenge enough coaxium to make a hyperspace jump from D’Qar, the citizens of the Colossus find themselves making major adjustments to life in war time. One of the most significant adjustments made is to the Ace pilot team. First, they are given two new members: Jarek Yeager, who commands the Ace Squadron, training them to be combat pilots rather than racers, and Kazuda Xiono, former pilot in the New Republic Navy. Yeager’s new role as leader is a great change for him, as it allows him to move from the sidelines of each episode into the true center. His job, to train the Aces as fighter pilots, is met with initial hesitation, so he comes up with a fairly ingenious way to prove himself, and Kaz, as worthy additions to the Aces. He plans two training missions: in the first, he and Kaz fly against the Aces, where each team must use stun blasts to disable the other teams’ ships; in the second, he tries to initiate some team bonding by having the Aces fly as pairs to disable the other pairs.
This change of roles is good not only for Yeager, but also for Kaz. I liked Kaz, but as I noted in my review of the season premiere, his lack of growth in spying skills was really starting to wear me down. But now, the former New Republic Navy pilot is put in a ship, the place where he truly shines. While he had a few flights in the previous season, this new role suggests we’ll be seeing him do a lot more piloting. I think this will really help endear me more to his character. As I’ve said in the previous two episodes, these changes are making me really excited for the rest of the season.
Unfortunately, not everybody is as thrilled about these changes as we are. Ace pilot Hype Fazon, the self-proclaimed best racer on the Colossus, is hesitant to accept these changes. Even though we know that Kaz is a capable pilot, he’s had to hide that from the rest of the Aces. Instead, he put on a mask, fumbling his way through a mechanic career to hide his spying. This leads Hype to call him “Kaz-tastrophe” to his face and makes him reticent to trust Kaz. Hype, being a bit overconfident in his ability, blows the first training mission by flying more like a racer rather than a fighter pilot.
Thankfully, the rest of the Aces are on board. Torra Doza, especially, notes how important these changes are and how they can help save their lives. Pirates are one thing, she notes, but fighting against the First Order is a completely different ball game. Even the rest of the Aces note how the First Order completely outflew them and how lucky they were to survive. I also really appreciated hearing from the Aces more as a unit. While we’ve seen them around in each episode, they don’t seem to be totally developed characters yet. I’m thankful to see them in the spotlight, hopeful that they will be more developed as time goes on.
Now, of course, the second training mission goes well, which leads to a little team bonding. As the Ace pilots run their training mission on a seemingly empty and insignificant ice-moon, the inhabitants of the moon are not very pleased! A flying ice-manta ray, officially known as a jakoosk, threatens to eat the entire Squadron. They learn both how to work together and fight creatively in order to avoid danger. This brings the team together, and thankfully, they are starting to be prepared for the coming First Order.
Speaking of the First Order, new cadet pilot Tam Ryvora is also learning about life in war. She is undisciplined according to First Order standards, late to drills and never in uniform (i.e. wearing her helmet). The new First Order cadets are also sent on a training mission, where the TIE pilot who shoots down the most X-Wing drones becomes the Squadron leader. Oh, and unlike the Ace missions where they use stun shots, the First Order shoots to kill. One of the drones incapacitates Rucklin’s TIE Fighter, leaving him unable to man the controls. Tam diverts from the mission to save Rucklin from destruction. Unfortunately, this is exactly the opposite of what her commander, Lt. Galek, wanted.
By acting to save her fellow pilot, Tam learns First Order standards the hard way in losing the Squadron leadership position she earned. In these past few episodes, Tam is starting to feel more and more out of place in the First Order military. If Kylo Ren shows us what it’s like to be torn between the light and dark side of the Force, Tam shows what it’s like to be conflicted on a less cosmic scale. This tension will bear a lot of the emotional weight of the season, which makes me excited to see where Tam ends up.
I feel like the second season of this show hit the ground running, and for that, I am grateful. That being said, now that I like the show a lot, I am starting to feel the looming season finale, which will also act as the series finale. That being said, if these first three episodes are any indication how the series will run, we’re in for a real treat. (Remember: Bucket’s List contains lots of trivia and behind the scenes info on this episode as well!)
+Additional screen time for the Aces fills out the supporting cast well.
+A change in roles allows Kaz and Yeager to truly shine.
+Tam’s story in the First Order lends emotional weight to series.
You can follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisWerms, and of course, you can follow the Manor on Twitter @MynockManor!
STAR WARS RESISTANCE REVIEWS:
Season Two (by Chris) – Ep. 2.1: “Into the Unknown” | Ep. 2.1: “A Quick Salvage Run”
Season One (by Ryan) – Ep. 1.1/1.2: “The Recruit” | Ep. 1.3: “The Triple Dark” | Ep. 1.4 “Fuel for the Fire” | Ep. 1.5: “The High Tower” | Ep. 1.6: “The Children From Tehar” | Ep. 1.7: “Signal From Sector Six” | Ep. 1.8: “Synara’s Score” | Ep. 1.9: “The Platform Classic” | Ep. 1.10: “Secrets and Holograms” | Ep. 1.11: “Station Theta-Black” | Ep. 1.12: “Bibo” | Ep. 1.13 “Dangerous Business” | Ep. 1.14: “The Doza Dilemma” | Ep. 1.15: “The First Order Occupation” | Ep. 1.16: “The New Trooper” | Ep. 1.17: “The Core Problem” | Ep. 1.18: “The Disappeared” | Ep. 1.19: “Descent” | Ep. 1.20: “No Escape” – Part One | Ep. 1,21: “No Escape” – Part Two