New Star Wars animated show "Rebels" coming fall 2014

[Reverend]

Yeah it looks like all they're doing in these little shorts is relatively minor acts of sabotage against a small backwater garrison. The equivalent to WWII partisan forces blowing up a fuel dump, severing telegraph lines or dynamiting a stretch of railroad tracks.

Nothing decisive, but when combined with similar actions from teams all through the outer rim, enough to hamper the Empire's ability to patrol the more remote worlds and smuggling routes, allowing the Alliance to move more freely in setting up their hidden bases. Plus just showing the people that resistance is possible is important. Psychology is half the war when fighting an occupying force.

Small aside, but wouldn't it be cool if at some point we get to see the hidden base on Dantooine? We know there was one and that it operated long enough to leave a significant trace after they abandoned it *and* that the Empire never even knew it was there.

 

[davejames]

I'm still curious about what that "first victory" in the crawl actually entailed. Was it ever expanded upon in the EU, or in the original ANH novelization?

Given how incredibly pissed Vader seemed to be at the start of the movie, I have to think it maybe involved some kind of attack against him personally, or on a squadron he was leading (and yeah I realize I'm reading more into his tone of voice than Lucas probably intended, but it does seem to fit pretty well in retrospect).

 

[cooleddie74]

If it was ever explained in a book or graphic novel I'm unaware of it. It may have been, though, with all the EU material that was written and published over the last two decades and the desire to tie so many of the big screen loose ends together.

 

[Jedi_Master]

The Rebellion practiced the concept of "space denial" or in other words made it impossible for the Imperials to completely secure any sector of space outside of the Core Worlds. So the Empire was never able to free up enough forces to wipe out places like the Mon Cal shipyards, or to strike a death blow against the Rebellion. So while all the various little attacks may seem like glob-flies, they actually served a purpose.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

If it was ever explained in a book or graphic novel I'm unaware of it. It may have been, though, with all the EU material that was written and published over the last two decades and the desire to tie so many of the big screen loose ends together.

Star Wars: The NPR Dramatization by Brian Daley covers it.

In Episode Two of the radio play "Points of Origin", the Rebels attack a convoy that is transferring the plans from Tarkin to the Imperial vault. The Rebels learn about the convoy from Lord Tion, when he brags of it while courting Leia on Alderaan, after their encounter on Ralltiir.

Episode Three: "Black Knight, White Princess, and Pawns" covers how the Tantive IV under Leia's command—codename "Skyhook"—receives the plans by transmission in the Toprawa system. Leia's mission is to pick up Kenobi after getting the plans, but the Imperial cruiser Devastator follows her ship from Toprawa to Tatooine. Captain Antilles theorizes an Imperial spy had placed a homing beacon aboard the ship so the cruiser could follow through hyperspace. That leads strait into the events of the 1977 film.

In this version, Leia's father is named Prestor.

 

[Masiral]

In this version, Leia's father is named Prestor.

This has been retconned as his middle name - Bail Prestor Organa.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

In this version, Leia's father is named Prestor.

This has been retconned as his middle name - Bail Prestor Organa.

Cool. I didn't know that.

According to Wookieepedia that was done in the EU before The Phantom Menace was released.

A. C. Crispin named the character "Bail Prestor Organa" in her 1997 novel The Paradise Snare.

 

[davejames]

You would think after learning the Rebels had stolen the Death Star plans, Vader or Palpatine would have made extra sure to cover up any possible weak spots in the design.

Although I guess it could be argued they were so overconfident that they didn't think the Rebels would be able to do any real damage, or that they'd never be able to hit such a tiny target as the exhaust port...

 

[CorporalClegg]

I've always suspected that Vader sort of "let" the Rebels have the plans. I think he really hated Tarkin.

 

[cooleddie74]

And after Vader learned that his child was not only still alive but a leading member of the Rebel Alliance he probably let quite a few things slide or kept them hidden from high-ranking Imperial officers and the Emperor himself so that he could focus on Luke for his own personal reasons and purposes. Vader was a loyal enforcer and henchman for the Empire, but only to a point and when it suited his personal agenda.

 

[Reverend]

I've always suspected that Vader sort of "let" the Rebels have the plans. I think he really hated Tarkin.

Sith Lords hate everyone. It's kind of their thing.

Seriously though, I've always assumed the opposite. Note that this guy is seen ordering Vader around and even Leia describes him as "holding Vader's leash". Not the kind of thing a Sith Lord would tolerate unless he *really* respected him. Plus Tarkin actually calls Vader "my friend".

Plus as a bit of retroactive continuity, in TCW was saw that Anakin comes to look to Tarkin with the same kind of respect he's always had for Palpatine.

So in actuality, Tarkin is probably the *only* friend (or closest equivalent) Vader has left.

 

[DimesDan]

If it was ever explained in a book or graphic novel I'm unaware of it. It may have been, though, with all the EU material that was written and published over the last two decades and the desire to tie so many of the big screen loose ends together.

Star Wars: The NPR Dramatization by Brian Daley covers it.

In Episode Two of the radio play "Points of Origin", the Rebels attack a convoy that is transferring the plans from Tarkin to the Imperial vault. The Rebels learn about the convoy from Lord Tion, when he brags of it while courting Leia on Alderaan, after their encounter on Ralltiir.

Episode Three: "Black Knight, White Princess, and Pawns" covers how the Tantive IV under Leia's command—codename "Skyhook"—receives the plans by transmission in the Toprawa system. Leia's mission is to pick up Kenobi after getting the plans, but the Imperial cruiser Devastator follows her ship from Toprawa to Tatooine. Captain Antilles theorizes an Imperial spy had placed a homing beacon aboard the ship so the cruiser could follow through hyperspace. That leads strait into the events of the 1977 film.

Given the whole everything bar the films and Clone Wars and now Rebels isn't "canon," non of that "actually" happened.

Clean slate and all.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

If it was ever explained in a book or graphic novel I'm unaware of it. It may have been, though, with all the EU material that was written and published over the last two decades and the desire to tie so many of the big screen loose ends together.

Star Wars: The NPR Dramatization by Brian Daley covers it.

In Episode Two of the radio play "Points of Origin", the Rebels attack a convoy that is transferring the plans from Tarkin to the Imperial vault. The Rebels learn about the convoy from Lord Tion, when he brags of it while courting Leia on Alderaan, after their encounter on Ralltiir.

Episode Three: "Black Knight, White Princess, and Pawns" covers how the Tantive IV under Leia's command—codename "Skyhook"—receives the plans by transmission in the Toprawa system. Leia's mission is to pick up Kenobi after getting the plans, but the Imperial cruiser Devastator follows her ship from Toprawa to Tatooine. Captain Antilles theorizes an Imperial spy had placed a homing beacon aboard the ship so the cruiser could follow through hyperspace. That leads strait into the events of the 1977 film.

Given the whole everything bar the films and Clone Wars and now Rebels isn't "canon," non of that "actually" happened.

Clean slate and all.

Yeah, I got the memo on that. The implicit question was whether it was ever dealt with in the EU, asked and answered.

 

[DimesDan]

Star Wars: The NPR Dramatization by Brian Daley covers it.

In Episode Two of the radio play "Points of Origin", the Rebels attack a convoy that is transferring the plans from Tarkin to the Imperial vault. The Rebels learn about the convoy from Lord Tion, when he brags of it while courting Leia on Alderaan, after their encounter on Ralltiir.

Episode Three: "Black Knight, White Princess, and Pawns" covers how the Tantive IV under Leia's command—codename "Skyhook"—receives the plans by transmission in the Toprawa system. Leia's mission is to pick up Kenobi after getting the plans, but the Imperial cruiser Devastator follows her ship from Toprawa to Tatooine. Captain Antilles theorizes an Imperial spy had placed a homing beacon aboard the ship so the cruiser could follow through hyperspace. That leads strait into the events of the 1977 film.

Given the whole everything bar the films and Clone Wars and now Rebels isn't "canon," non of that "actually" happened.

Clean slate and all.

Yeah, I got the memo on that. The implicit question was whether it was ever dealt with in the EU, asked and answered.

Wow. you sure like to over react don't you.

 

[Mr Light]

I'm sure the forthcoming Tarkin novel will go into detail about the relationship between Vader and Tarkin. Should be great. Particularly since it's by the author of Darth Plageuis!

 

[J.T.B.]

Seriously though, I've always assumed the opposite. Note that this guy is seen ordering Vader around and even Leia describes him as "holding Vader's leash". Not the kind of thing a Sith Lord would tolerate unless he *really* respected him. Plus Tarkin actually calls Vader "my friend".

Plus as a bit of retroactive continuity, in TCW was saw that Anakin comes to look to Tarkin with the same kind of respect he's always had for Palpatine.

So in actuality, Tarkin is probably the *only* friend (or closest equivalent) Vader has left.

Agreed. In the original material, Vader seems to be not really an Imperial "insider," but regarded as a kind of eccentric, old-school almost-has-been whom Tarkin keeps around for his own reasons (probably for extra-legal "black ops" that the Senate wouldn't approve of). He stands by Tarkin's chair while the Death Star high command sit, and the general feels pretty free about back-talking him to his face.

 

[davejames]

That's true. Even a random admiral like Motti isn't afraid to ridicule Vader's "sorcerer's ways," or his "sad devotion to that ancient religion." Which you definitely can't imagine anyone saying to Vader in ESB or ROTJ.

Of course in the first movie you don't really get the sense the Sith are central to the Empire much at all, or even that the Emperor is one. Instead it really does feel like some ancient religion that only Vader really subscribes to or believes in, and that no one else in the Empire really takes seriously. Which would explain everyone's dismissive attitude towards him in ANH.

 

[Christopher]

Of course in the first movie you don't really get the sense the Sith are central to the Empire much at all, or even that the Emperor is one. Instead it really does feel like some ancient religion that only Vader really subscribes to or believes in, and that no one else in the Empire really takes seriously.

That's kind of an understatement, given that the name "Sith" was never even spoken in the original trilogy; the only time it appeared in connection with the first movie in any form was in the novelization, wherein Darth Vader was described as a "Dark Lord of the Sith" but no definition of the title was given. It wasn't until The Phantom Menace that "Sith" became more than a vague footnote in Star Wars lore.

 

[davejames]

Yeah, true. I probably should have said you don't get the sense the Dark Side is central to the Empire in that movie. Which is the term the OT prefers to use.

The Empire is obviously evil, of course, and does really bad things. But it doesn't necessarily feel in that first movie like something that's being controlled or influenced by some dark mystical power.

 

[Christopher]

It's pretty clear that after the first film, Darth Vader was retconned to be more important in response to the character's popularity. Before, he was just the henchman to the Grand Moff (whatever that is), but now he was the chosen apprentice of the Emperor himself, oh, and Luke's dad, by the way.