All right, hopefully I can write a Transmission today worthy of this majorly-epic episode! When I saw Secret Cargo the first time, I didn’t have a single inkling of the epicness about to shake down. I mean, it’s Rebels, I expected epicness because it’s always epic, but… whoa. The epicness was *makes explosion noise with mouth* So as you can imagine, I’m a little nervous tackling this one. So yes hopefully I can write something worth your read. Let’s go!
NOTE: Contains spoilers from Rogue One and Rebels episodes Warhead and Secret Cargo.
So I was quite delighted to see Hera and Zeb’s faces again! And the Ghost too! It feels like it’s been a really long time somehow. Along with Ezra and Chopper, they’re just hanging around in the middle of nowhere waiting to meet up with some fellow Rebs and looking utterly bored while they’re at it. I betcha watching the Imperial holonet doesn’t help much. I’m sure they’re listening out for good news in the midst of it, but ugh I’d lose my mind watching that all day (if I were a Rebel, anyway; as a fan it’s actually probably interesting). Think Ezra and Zeb make the time pass by poking at the news-Imps? “Pff look at that guy’s hair. How much you wanna bet it’s a toupee?” 😛 But you never know what interesting tidbits’ll make the air (or whatever holos stream via) if you watch it long enough… a certain Senator Mothma just made some waves giving the Emperor a well-deserved calling-out. I’ve always been a big fan of Mon Mothma and was excited to see her in this one, and first time we see her she’s dishin’ out the sass like an absolute boss! OK not really “sass” it’s more of masterfully-spoken honest-to-goodness needed-to-be-said truth. But either way levels of respect went wayyyy up for her, and they were already pretty high to start with. No doubt the crew’s impressed. Then OMG ONE OF THE NIGHTMARISH INFILTRATOR DROIDS SHOWED UP 😱 (Oh look I finally got some interesting emojis in here!) It’s not looking for the Ghost crew, but if it finds the Ghost crew, well… it’s not gonna be good. After a few tense moments of it looking their way, Ezra finally takes aim… but the infiltrator is too fast! Also yikes you guys I’d forgotten how frightening those infiltrators are. The voice alone is just shudder-inducing! Ezra’s eventually able to fire on it thankfully… just as Gold Squadron shows up. An explosive first impression, I’d say 🙂 Pff that was terrible I know, but terrible puns are fun! Yes it’s fascinating really meeting the Gold Squadron. Back when Rebels was first announced I’d assumed the series would surround mainly Rebel types like these guys: orderly, endearlingly-scrappy orangesuits we already knew and loved from the films. So after spending these last few years following a squad that’s more like family than anything else and doesn’t do uniform anything, seeing these two teams together was a bit of an interesting contrast. The Gold Squad dudes are all biz. Like seriously the first two bros don’t even smile and go by ranks and squad names instead of real names, so watching Hera give them a warm welcome is refreshing in comparison. They’re all “CAN’T GO ON OUR SHIP, STUFF’S CLASSIFIED” and Hera’s all “C’mon in and have some kaffe! And there’s a casserole in the oven!” 😀 A couple of the Golds aren’t too impressed with the Phoenixes’ methods, blaming them for all the heightened Imperial security lately. Zeb’s response “Well, we don’t mind doing things the hard way” is golden (pun not intended). I admire the Phoenixes’ moxie and desire to do the right thing even when it’s tough, but the Golds clearly like things a tad more organized. Like with Rogue One, it’s super interesting watching people with the same ultimate goal in mind not agreeing on how to get there. Just something inevitable I suppose when you’re all sentient beings with different opinions. Again, I’ve just been so used to the greatness of the Ghost fam it’s easy to forget not everyone thinks the same way or does the same things. But perhaps the grumpy Gold Squad has a right to be tense right now because they’re even more unpopular with the Empire than usual, thanks to the cargo they’re carrying. As if to prove their point, a Star Destroyer arrives on the scene just like that! Their blows to the Ghost leave the Golds temporarily minus a pilot, so Ezra volunteers. Ohhh yess when I first saw that first screencap of Ez piloting a Y-wing I ’bout exploded with a mixture of excitement and a fangirly-motherly pride. HE LOOKS SO GROWN UP IN THAT HELMET WHAAAT. I’d love to hear the stories of how Hera taught him to fly! It’s just all-around so so cool. Our young Bridger, a pilot! And not only is he pretty darn good at it, he looks like he really enjoys it :3 Unfortunately the sudden appearance of the Empire didn’t do the Golds’ ship too much good, so they’re coming aboard the Ghost, the Golds and their “cargo”, Senator Mothma! Hera reacts like she’s in the presence of royalty. But our royal-Rebel doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty and helping the Rebs make their escape, and she’s not about to miss her big meeting with all the Rebel cells. Again, so so much respect for this girl. Like on a respect scale of 1 to 7 she’s a 52 now.
Meanwhile, Thrawn’s quickly figured out where Hera’s likely to go, and he’s sent Pryce on their trail along with his new prototype. The Grand Admiral is literally so deviously cunning in this scene it’s scary. It’s also super awesome, but still pretty scary. Don’t know how he does it, except for the fact he’s, well, awesome 😀
So I’d like to imagine now that Hera and Mon are both kaffe connoisseurs. Seeing more of the galaxy’s choice hot beverage made me wonder again what it tastes like. I’m assuming it’s basically like our coffee but with different beans from different worlds. Must be a whole lotta variety! Haha I’m a little tired today so I guess I’ve got coffee on the brain. But yeah it’s really cool seeing these two supreme bossladies of the mini-Alliance in the same room just talking. Mon’s done her best for a long time to fight back through the senate, but now that she’s out here on the run, she knows it’s time to bring the fight on a grander scale, but it’s a fight Hera knows is worth it. But oh boy… yeah Thrawn was completely unquestionably right about the Rebs’ shortcut and ’bout as soon as the Ghost and company enter the nebula, so also does an Imperial fleet and their little friend, the prototype TIE defender. Ezra and Hera already know this thing’s bad news, and the Golds aren’t arguin’. The Archeon Nebula is gorgeous though. You know me I always love seeing cool space-y stuff like this out here! Unfortunately though the nebula shortcut’s now working against them, because it’s too dangerous to bring out the proton torpedoes and the defender’s got a wicked shield. But Hera’s found a way to make the nebula work for ’em again as she decides to bring the chase a little closer to some of these new stars. The other TIEs couldn’t take the heat, but as it was, the Ghost only did slightly better and came out of the nebula with more than a little paint scratched. It was impossible not to shed a couple tears looking at the ship’s charred hull. I mean, the Ghost‘s been through so much! And now, with two Star Destroyers looming overhead, could this be the end?? OmO Back in the nebula, though, it’s just Ezra and Gold Leader against the world. Technically Vult Skerris and his defender. Them TIE defenders are impressive for sure. They look a little dizzy to fly in but otherwise they’re tough stuff! For our Rebels’ sakes though I’m glad they apparently didn’t catch on later. But they hold their own pretty well in the end… especially when they decide to, per Hera’s genius suggestion, give the Imps a taste of what happens when you mix proton torpedos and nebula gas 😀 That was one beautiful explosion! From there, Mon Mothma’s able to make her meeting and absolutely wins the day with her stirring speech. And now… the mini-Alliance ain’t so mini anymore. “This is our Rebellion” 😊
AHH what an incredible, triumphant, epic ending! Can’t help but stand up and cheer! I’m sorry it took so long to write about it, but I’m glad I was able to say all I needed to say 🙂
Keep The Peace,
– Twilight
Padawanline 