Trey_Trebuchet Reviews

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire: The Way Out (2024) Season 1, Episode 6

See THIS way out

[8/10 · 5 May 2024]

I wasn't expecting something more lore-heavy. I guess we have ourselves a light-side cave (or perhaps just a force-sensitive cave) that only lets you find the way out once you've found the light side again. I didn't tho n it was totally implausible either. Why not? The Force has always been strange, and the way it's been expanded upon time and time again just continues to fascinate me.

Anyway, I thought this was a pretty satisfactory ending. Barriss grew up feeling conflicted, hurt, lied to and betrayed. Of course she would become a healer of some sort. I do definitely agree that perhaps we should have gotten more screen time with Lyn and Barriss, but I still feel Barriss is the kind of person to bring someone back to the light side out of loyalty and honesty to her true self AND the light side of the force.

I am sad that she may have died. I'm not sure her survivor or dying from her injuries makes this episode any better or worse though. I also think it's cool seeong a couple of inquisitors realizing their false ways and coming back to the right side. I don't think that's been done before?

A good finale to an arc that was quite enjoyable.

And a great series of shorts as a whole. I'd love to see more. Who doesn't want a Tales of the Sith? Or a Tales of the Rebellion? Or a Tales of the Resistance?

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire: Realization (2024) Season 1, Episode 5

Realize THIS

[8/10 · 5 May 2024]

Honestly not quite what I was expecting. Barriss joining the Empire, as she wanted to before her imprisonment, and now wants a way out. She finds it after realizing how brutal and unforgiving the Empire really is.

I don't think it's bad writing or anything, I just wasn't expecting it to go down that route. This was a great episode. Super dark and emotionally stirring like the more mature Star Wars content I tend to really enjoy.

Also, I liked the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, but I always was confused and slightly annoyed that they had a random inquisitor in it without a name. Now we know through this series that it's Lyn. She's an entertaining character so far and a good addition to this particular episode.

Great follow-up to the last episode.

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire: Devoted (2024) Season 1, Episode 4

Devote THIS

[9/10 · 5 May 2024]

Yeah this was pretty great.

I had a feeling from the trailer that we'd be getting the introduction of the Inquisitor acquisition and this did not disappoint. I loved the direct tie-in from Revenge of the Sith, and there is some kind of sweet irony to Darth Vader training Barris, seeing how he bested her as Anakin Skywalker for following a path he never thought he'd be on as well.

I'm also glad we got more Barris Offee. She has always been one of those loose ends from the Clone Wars series that I wondered about flllpwong that series finale. I really enjoyed her in this episode and the rest of this arc as well.

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire: The Path of Hate (2024) Season 1, Episode 3

Hateful path

[8/10 · 5 May 2024]

As good of an ending as we probably could have gotten for this arc.

Was it one of the best in this franchise? Nah, but it added much needed depth to such a minor character who really was just sort of there for events (talking about the Ahsoka and Mandalorian shows). I can't say I didn't really enjoy this character here though. On the contrary, I actually liked her quite a bit. She was a "villain" that you sort of felt for and at least understood her motives.

But it's this episode that we see she's too far gone and so deep in to the Empire and her own hatred to turn back. I honestly feel like this makes her position and character on the live-action stuff much better. And her being in that stuff makes way more sense now.

A solid arc all around.

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire: The Path of Anger (2024) Season 1, Episode 2

Angry path

[8/10 · 5 May 2024]

Well I liked it.

This one was moreso something to fill in the gaps of Morgan's appearances in both The Mandalorian series and the Ahsoka series. I wasn't initially sure why Morgan Elsbeth was one of the main characters of this series, but I appreciate Dave and company filling in the gaps for literally just a supporting character in the other shows.

We learn how and why she becomes entangled with Thrawn and his crew (absolutely loved seeing him in Clone Wars animation-style), and we learn about her position on Clovis as well. I loved her fight with Ruhk too.

Another solid short from this series.

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire: The Path of Fear (2024) Season 1, Episode 1

Scary path

[8/10 · 5 May 2024]

A really solid pilot episode.

I really dug the Tales of the Jedi short series and was ecstatic when this was announced. Filoni and company managed to flesh out Elsbeth more in just this episode alone. You can't help but feel for her. She chooses a path of hatred and revenge, but you understand why.

Seeing the assault on Dathomir once again brought back fond memories of that Clone Wars episode. General Grievous isn't one of my favorite Star Wars characters, but he does have some effective screen time in the shows and movie, and he does here as well.

And holy moly. The animation in this episode (and the others) is seriously phenomenal. It's super clean, super detailed and still so fitting to the Star wars canon all of these years later.

This was a great short. It hit all of the right emotional beats and still felt in-line with this universe. I also really enjoyed learning even more about the residents of Dathomir.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: The Cavalry Has Arrived (2024) Season 3, Episode 15

See ya around, kid

[9/10 · 2 May 2024]

Very good finale.

I will say that it did feel pretty safe. The title characters all made it to the end. Hunter, Wrecker and Crosshair get to live the remainder of their lives peacefully, Omega chooses to fight the Empire on her own terms, and Hemlock and all of his allies died. Aside from Emerie, who also gets the ending one might have hoped for and expected.

All of this being said, I don't know that I'm mad about it being such a risk-less ending. The Bad Batch got to finally put the war behind them, free of worries. I do love to think they likely just ended up passing away peacefully and together. Seeing Hemlock get what he had coming for him was relatively satisfying. He was such a great villain.

The show did leave some things open, either for interpretation or for another animate series that'll likely be announced on May the 4th. I would like to know what became of the remaining clones, not just Rex, Wolfe and Gregor. Like, when will we see Commander Cody again?

Honestly, I wouldn't even mind if Disney just dropped a special or a short movie about Cody and Rex and the loose ends here.

But it was still a pretty satisfying finale. The action was actually quite exhilarating, it was super well directed, Kiner's music is as excellent as always, and the voice work really is quite great. It was actually intense and really fun to watch.

And this isn't a complaint so much as just a thought, but shouldn't Omega actually look a bit older at the end of this? Aside from her height, she didn't seem to actually age all that much.

This season was good overall. Probably could have been a few episodes shorter, but I enjoyed it all the way through unlike the previous season. Next stop, Tales of the Empire!

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Flash Strike (2024) Season 3, Episode 14

Here we go

[8/10 · 24 April 2024]

Gonna have to agree with some of the reviewers on here; the past few episodes have been quite good (I actually thought this one was great), but a lot of it does feel like set-up for a finale. There's one episode left in the series and still feel like there's a lot to address, like...

What is the identity of that Shadow-clone?

What's going to happen to Rex's crew?

Where's Wolfe?

How force-sensitive IS Omega?

Will we see the end of the clones? Is there an unnamed fourth season or another sequel series to this?

I'm sure we'll get answers to a lot of this in the finale, which will surely be a long finale. I highly doubt it'll only be 25-28 minutes long, even if they did address a lot of this.

As for this episode, it was a really good time. I loved the action in the beginning with the crash-landing, I loved Echo's sneaking around and eventual meet-up with Emerie, and I really did enjoy Rampart and his dialogue with the Batch. It was another really entertaining episode.

I don't know that this season needed to be 15 episodes long though. I wouldn't call any of this filler, but longer episodes would have benefited and had me more excited for whatever is to come.

That being said, this has so far been a good season, and I am still very much so looking forward to the series finale. I'm sure it'll still be hard-hitting, intense and emotional. Filoni pretty much always delivers with his series finales.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Into the Breach (2024) Season 3, Episode 13

Home stretch?

[8/10 · 18 April 2024]

Great episode, even better than last week's.

I find it interesting that Rampart has become so prominent all of a sudden. I get that they can't just let the guy go, but I wasn't expecting him to make it even this far in to the mission. It'll be interesting to see how that character is handled. I did love the humor and interactions between him and the Batch.

Also happy to see Echo joining them for this last mission. I mean of course he would. Omega loves that guy.

This episode has set up the finale really well and I'm surprised we aren't just getting BOTH of the final episodes next week. How intense and important will the next episode be? The final moments in this episode were legitimately really intense!

Either way, I'm glad they're finally getting somewhere. I feel like the finale is gonna be really sad and really explosive. I cannot wait.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Juggernaut (2024) Season 3, Episode 12

The Bad Batch: Juggernaut Drift

[8/10 · 13 April 2024]

Not as good as last week's episodes but still a solid episode that isn't a waste of time. Thank goodness. We've somehow still got three episodes left and I couldn't be more amped.

This one was just a lot of fun. I thought the chase in the Imperial Prison Transports was really well animated and directed, and just really exciting. And the whole goal was to find someone who could lead them to Omega. It is a little annoying that we still don't get any sort of hint or indication as to what that looks like, but I'm sure it'll make for an exciting next episode.

I also thought Rampart was killed for some reason. Seems very Imperial of them to just take out the trash after the Senate hearing last season. I have a feeling he won't make it out alive regardless of what his motives are.

Good not great.

Invincible: I Thought You Were Stronger (2024) Season 2, Episode 8

Freakin' Levy...

[10/10 · 6 April 2024]

I absolutely loved this character in the comics and was particularly looking forward to this episode. I'm glad it was this good, and served as an excellent finale.

I can't say I much agree with the criticism I'm hearing. Isn't as good a finale as Season 1's? No, but it's pretty close for me. It was every bit as disturbing, hard to watch, unflinching, brutal and still pretty emotionally devastating too. There's certainly so set-up here for what's to come, but it still felt very conclusive. People need to lighten up.

I love what the writers did with Mark this season. Things are really about to change for him going forward. THIS episode really feels like the turning point for his character as well as the safety of his loved ones.

Also adored Debbie this season. Again, feels like things are coming sort of full circle for her. She's even better here than she was in the comics.

Levy's short time was excellent and I LOVED Sterling K. Brown's performance. Literally perfect casting, and if you're a fan or the comics, your probably super anxious about what's coming...

The multiverse stuff was scary but also pretty freakin' entertaining. I personally loved the Spider-Man cameo and am glad that was expanded upon from the comics. Seeing all of the different Marks was truly horrifying.

Not Mark smacking Angstrom Levy with a Fortnite gun😂

I'm very content with this finale. It did justice to the comics but I'd even argue that it did it even better. This whole season did a lot of things better than the comics. At this rate, I could see them easily doing this through at least season 5, maybe season 6.

I hope we don't get any more mid-season breaks though. It's so unnecessary.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Point of No Return (2024) Season 3, Episode 11

No going back

[9/10 · 4 April 2024]

An episode that was bound to happen, but still a welcome one.

This was really well made. The siege was devastating to watch, but the pacing and action were simply exceptional at times, harkening back to the better episodes of this series and The Clone Wars as well. The Empire is ruthless, as is that strange shadow clone that doesn't seem to want to give up (is this Tech? Or Commander Cody?). Things just got worse and worse.

I think they left it off on a good cliffhanger too. I genuinely thought for a moment that maybe Omega tricked them, that she may have a second tracker that isn't the one she just gave over. But the Crosshair missed his shot (yet again) so I'm really not sure.

So, we've got four episodes left. SURELY we're past filler stuff right? Surely the next episode isn't just gonna be the folks on Pabu recovering and not actually progressing the story further past that. I don't know, maybe they'll regroup with Rex's crew and prepare for a final battle? Maybe that'll be a later episode. It just seems a little odd that there's only four episodes left and not two or three. Maybe I'm over-thinking this.

Still, this was a great episode.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Identity Crisis (2024) Season 3, Episode 10

Issa crisis

[8/10 · 4 April 2024]

Very good.

I suppose Emerie's arc in this season has been fairly predictable. Obviously she's a level-headed individual in the wrong place, and obviously she'll figure out how to make the right choice and get these children out, and more than likely assist our title characters at some point. It still made for a great episode though. I love it when these Star Wars shows get mature and aren't talking down to the audience either. And they also show off the series' best production in terms of editing and music.

Cad Bane stealing another child(!) is so heartbreaking! I always get so emotionally invested whenever there's some form of child endangerment. Bane is a cool character though.

I find it interesting that this may have tied up a loose end from Clone Wars S2 when he was kidnapping force-sensitive children for Palpatine then as well. I always assumed that was because Palps just wanted to bring the children over to the dark side, but this implies that it could easily have been a part of Project Necromancer now. It's kind of clever if that's the case.

Either way, this was a great change of pace. I've enjoyed just about every episode of this season so far!

Invincible: I'm Not Going Anywhere (2024) Season 2, Episode 7

When will you be home?

[9/10 · 30 March 2024]

Great episode.

Really digging this season. Long time fan of the comics and they're so far done the comic run justice and even improved on much of it. I've so far liked all of the changes. As for Amber... she was one of the least interesting parts of the comics, and the show as well, but here it at least makes some sense why she's been in so much of the season so far. Anissa's intro is simply horrifying. I'm not at all ready to see her evil face again... But it was also a great way of giving us full context for the Viltrumite Empire.

I really like what they've done with Donald as well. They're expanded on his character in the best way possible. I really liked his scene on the rooftop as well. It was anxiety-inducing and so, so emotional.

And Rex's intro was a ton of fun. Again, what a great character.

But it's really Mark who gets the best arc here. I so far love what they've done with him, and this is arguably one of his best episodes in the show. The next episode will likely top that. I'm scared!

Everything is tying together very snugly in my opinion. I cannot wait for the finale, but I'm also sad because I know I'll have to wait while for Season 3.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: The Harbinger (2024) Season 3, Episode 9

Their ways

[8/10 · 28 March 2024]

Definitely an improvement over last week.

I see where some of the negative reviews are coming from, but I don't totally agree and I think people are once again being way too harsh. This wasn't bad at all, and it isn't quite filler either.

I think the most thought-provoking development here is Ventress's final conversation with the Bad Batch. If Omega is actually force sensitive, she would need proper training and would have to take that leap of faith, leaving behind her family. Could this actually happen this season? Would Omega actually leave them behind to become a force-wielder/Jedi? Will the Batch die? Go out with a bang and that being the final push for her to finally let go and embrace the force?

Anyway, I have no idea of she'll even become a Jedi. It's sort of cool to think about. It's giving Mandalorian and Grogu... But I don't know, I'm not bothered by that.

I enjoyed this episode either way though. I've not read any of Disney's Star Wars books (big Legends fan here) so I cannot speak for what is and isn't canon. A lot of it is jumbled at this point... All I know is did enjoy seeing Asajj Ventress again. It's interesting seeing a Ventress that is just more herself, more full-circle. She's still rough around the edges, but more collected than she's ever been too. I've always felt for her. She was arguably one of the best side characters in The Clone Wars.

Plus, she's rockin' that hair and that yellow lightsaber! And a force-wielding bounty hunter/scavenger is just such a neat idea.

She states something we've long feared; they cannot hide from the Empire forever, not even on Pabu. Seeing as next week we're getting a two-part episode, I'll bet stuff is about to get REALLY good again. We're in the final stretch.

Clone Wars fans will probably get more out of this episode than casual Bad Batch/Star Wars folk, but it's still entertaining and fascinating.

Real talk; who would actually train Omega? I gotta know!

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Bad Territory (2024) Season 3, Episode 8

Hmm...

[7/10 · 25 March 2024]

Okay so it isn't that bad but I have to admit the ending is frustrating.

You get this semi-interesting episode of The Bad Batch (and a very generic episode of Star Wars might I add), with a fairly cool character (Fennic Shand) and some genuinely exciting movements, like the river attack and the actual confrontation with the bounty hunter. The stuff with Omega and Crosshair was fine. I don't think it's as lame as people are saying it is. They're becoming good characters.

But then the episode just ends. Hunter and Wrecker don't get the information they're promised and it pretty much makes the episode feel like filler more than an episode that actually furthered the overarching stories about M-count or the actual Clones.

Production is as tight as usual and I did enjoy myself up until the end. It isn't one of the worst in the series, but come on... Even a cool reveal at the end would have made up for it a little bit. We should be past this in the final season of the series.

Again; these seasons don't need to be more than 10 episodes long.

Invincible: It's Not That Simple (2024) Season 2, Episode 6

I have some thoughts...

[9/10 · 22 March 2024]

Okay so I never really cared for Mark and Amber's relationship in the comics. It just wasn't all that interesting in the comics and it isn't the best part of the series either. I think they've certainly done a better job with it here, but I still don't love her character, so when a lot of this episode was about them, you can probably imagine how I felt. They have potential to at least close off that relationship better than in the comics.

Everything else slapped though! I loved the exchanges between Invincible and the Immortal, a character who is just as good here as he was in the comic run as well.

Rex is way better here though. He's way funnier and likable in this series. They've done a great job with his character, and his opening scene in this was just so entertaining and insane.

I also enjoyed all of Debbie's screen time yet again! She's by far one of the best parts of this season.

And I'm not typically one to cheer if a character ends up "not actually being dead even though if certainly like it", but the Shrinking Ray death was so horrifying that I'm glad they decided not to go that route.

Once again, great cliffhanger, great soundtrack, great animation, great voice work and character progression. If they go by the comics, I'm anxious and scared and excited for the last two episodes.

Invincible: This Must Come as a Shock (2024) Season 2, Episode 5

"Autobots..."

[9/10 · 21 March 2024]

I can't not hear Optimus Prime.

Anyway... *sigh* this was the moment in the comics when I realized no one is truly ever safe, and the anxiety just built from there. Looks like the show is going to follow suit. I'm glad. I think they've done an excellent job covering so much ground with just these two seasons. Nothing feels rushed or too glossed over. I am a happy comic book reader.

But man the lizard people attack freakin' scarred me for life when I read it. It's one of those issues I still think about every now and then. It's horrifying. And somehow the showrunners just made it even harder to digest somehow (pun not intended).

The last act was certainly very entertaining and uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing, but there are plenty of other great moments here too. I loved all of the motherly stuff. I loved Mark's conversation with his brother's mom, and I loved Mark and Debbie's moments too.

Rex and Eve also have a surprisingly touching moment (and a callback to the Atom-Eve special so hope you watched that). I really do like what they've done with Rex in this show. He's funnier and way more likable here than he was in Kirkman's comic run.

And I'm also relieved Allen the Alien is still alive and better than ever. I'm glad they've not abandoned that arc from the comics. People are in for a real treat with him!

Anyway, loved the episode. I really hope we don't get any more mid-season breaks though. I'll stick with this series because I'm obsessed with the comics and so far the show as well, but I'd imagine the hype is starting to die down for many who waited 2-3 years for another season and couldn't even get it all up front.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Extraction (2024) Season 3, Episode 7

The escape

[9/10 · 19 March 2024]

Really solid continuation.

Wolff's back, a real treat for those who watched Clone Wars and/or Rebels and know what eventually becomes of him. I for one love the final scene. I think it's really satisfying emotionally speaking, but it also implies some really good tension in future episodes. Imagine Hemlock finding out about all of this and trying to get that entire team killed. Imagine an episode about all of them escaping and Wolff being the into survivor (the lone wolf) and that brings him to... where he is in Rebels.

Anyway, the whole episode was fun. Crosshair gets some more development and the exchanges between him and the clones was really good. Also starting to see where Omega's arc is kind of going. She's what's keeping some of these clones together in a way. It'll be interesting to see what transpires going forward.

I find it interesting that the "shadow" didn't die. I have no idea what's going to become of him but I'm anxious and excited.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Infiltration (2024) Season 3, Episode 6

The Clone Who Knew Too Much

[9/10 · 19 March 2024]

It's just great!

This is the kind of content I want from The Bad Batch. This is the kind of storytelling I want from a series like this; Clone hiding out, building a secret society of survivors, fighting for their lives, and doing it in typical bad*** fashion.

The action in this episode was great. A lot of the cinematography and animation took me back to the golden age of The Clone Wars, and this is where I realize this series really IS more Clone Wars, is it not? The Clones are still at war against the Empire, just under totally different circumstances. I kind of love that.

Also, Kiner's score really is kind of out of this world. He's so good at what he does.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: The Return (2024) Season 3, Episode 5

The outpost...

[8/10 · 18 March 2024]

A pull in the right direction.

This one is more so just a reintegration for Crosshair to adjust to life with his "brothers" again. I was surprised to see them all on good terms so quick, but it also means we'll have the entire team back together again for future episodes, of which I am happy.

More than anything, I hope this actually fleshes out the Bad Batch more and not just Omega and Crosshair, both of whom I've grown to like, but yeah, please do something more deep with the title character please!

It was nice being back at the outpost for this specific arc. Very appropriate way to explain and show Crosshair's turn back to the right side. The actual action scenes weren't anything to write home about, but they weren't bad. I'm just glad to have my team back together and I'm actually looking forward to the rest of the series for the first time in awhile.

Good episode!

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: A Different Approach (2024) Season 3, Episode 4

Your way

[8/10 · 18 March 2024]

I can't help but feel like this is filler-y. Omega and Crosshair flee the Empire from Tantiss with a stolen ship, get stranded on a planet, and then steal another ship to flee the Empire and avoid going back to Tantiss.

This episode ends in the same exact place or maybe could have had has they not taken this detour.

But it also has some great character moments between Omega and Crosshair, so I don't quite feel comfortable calling it total filler. There's some decent relationship/team-building between them here, and. I can't help but feel like that fleshed them both out a bit at least. Filler or not, this episode isn't one that should be skipped.

Good not great.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Shadows of Tantiss (2024) Season 3, Episode 3

Unlimited power?

[9/10 · 15 March 2024]

Not just yet... perhaps one day...

Yeah this was great. I actually kind of like the relationship between Omega and Crosshair. He's Cole to the realization that he picked the wrong side and would rather punish himself. In contrast, Omega sees him as her "brother" and wants to save him. Imagine getting an episode in this season where she's the one that truly saves him. If done right, that could potentially be one of the best arcs in the whole series.

Their escape was a lot of fun to watch, and the glimpses back to her blood sample kept tension reasonably high until the very end!

Palpatine's presence was felt and it was awesome. I love Ian coming back to voice the character. No one does it as good as him.

Why the animal side character though? What's up with that? Is that part for the kids watching?

Either way, great episode. This season is so far off to a much more interesting start than S2.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Paths Unknown (2024) Season 3, Episode 2

Loyalties

[8/10 · 15 March 2024]

I thought this episode was actually pretty good.

Sad seeing Hunter and Wrecker being essentially the only two remaining Bad Batch members (for the time being anyway). I wasn't at all expecting young Clone cadets. That added a semi-interesting view of how slimy the Empire continues to be with a program and group of people they no longer wish to be responsible for.

I also wasn't expecting a Sarlac pit! Does this mean The Empire created those? Or am I overthinking this... It kind of seems like it, given where the episode takes place and the circumstances.

I had fu with this one. I wouldn't quite call it filler either, seeing as the main goal brings our team closer to finding Omega (and probably Crosshair), and I thought everything tied up in a safe but satisfying way.

Good episode.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The World Vs Scott Pilgrim (2023) Season 1, Episode 8

Sheer perfection

[9/10 · 14 March 2024]

Pretty close to it anyway.

I loved the original comic book run and thought the movie got the tone pretty spot-on for the most part. I had so much fun with that movie that I don't at all mind the changes too much. I had different reasons for loving both of them.

And now I love this format of Scott Pilgrim too for different reasons!

Such a good ending. While I always kind of loved the ending to the comics, this is also a really satisfying way to end things. I had a blast in the final confrontation, I laughed out loud at times, and REALLY dug the sound choices, and I'm very content with where everyone ends up. I know a second season isn't likely, but I wouldn't mind it I guess!

This was a great series. I think it took a few episodes to get going, and I still wish we somehow had more screen time with certain characters from the comics (Envy Adams to name one), but the characterization of everyone here is so good and believable that I don't really care too much.

Highly recommended if you like anything Scott Pilgrim-related.