It’s Griff who speaks the line that sums up the theme of this week’s episode. When Freya makes the comment that she, “didn’t know Imperial Pilots were so concerned about one other,” he answers plainly:
“We weren’t; that’s why we lost.”
“Live Fire” was all about teamwork; it was about team building, trusting your own better nature and that of your colleagues, and learning that we’re all stronger together than any one of us could be all on our own.
With Yeager taking command of the Aces, and Kaz also taking a place among them, the racers of the Colossus are being given their chance to become a cohesive tactical unit. After the less-than-ideal outcome of their last outing against the First Order, Captain Doza wants this team of solo pilots to learn to function as a unit. Their first exercise: a training sortie on a nearby ice moon wherein Yeager and Kaz, the only two military-trained pilots in the squad, square off in a stun-weapons-only simulated combat scenario against the entire rest of the squad.
Ace means “one” and these racers are all accustomed to flying solo. Hype Faison in particular isn’t thrilled at the idea of flying combat drills, nor is he pleased at the upset in his happy, one-man applecart. “I don’t remember signing up for the Resistance,” he tells Yeager defiantly. But Yeager and Torra’s combined pleas are enough to get Hype into the cockpit for the exercise– well, that and Hype’s confidence that his skill will greatly exceed that of his fellows and that he will once again be acknowledged as the greatest flier on the platform.
Kaz and Yeager, flying as a team, easily rain defeat upon the rest of the Aces. Although Torra tries her best to rally a team into existence, Hype’s need to be an Ace and a superstar, proves to be all their undoing. And Hype is loudly blaming anyone but himself– never mind he was the primary reason for the team’s failure during the exercise. It’s only after a heartfelt appeal from Torra that Hype is willing to re-join the team for their next exercise– a paired, team-versus-team derby for bragging rights– and it’s a good thing, too because when squad leader Yeager gets caught in the jaws of a giant native predator, it takes the concerted effort of the entire team to see him make it out alive.
In the end, even Hype understands that the Aces are better together.
Meanwhile, the First Order’s newest fliers are also up to training exercises. Unlike the Aces’ stun-only combat simulation, the First Order trains with live fire; “there are no stun blasts in battle”. The danger is real, even when the enemy is imagined. The juxtaposition of Yeager’s training methods against those of Tam’s First Order commanders is an easy reminder that the First Order are the Bad Guys.
When I look at Resistance as a series unto itself, and consider that it’s likely some little ones’ first introduction to Star Wars, I think this very clear delineation between sides is super important. Each episode has shown with increasing clarity how vile and destructive the First Order is, which is a necessary ingredient to a full understanding of the goings on in a Galaxy Far, Far Away for kids too young (or too media sensitive) to experience the films.
Although it’s important for the show’s younger viewers to be reminded the First Order are the Bad Guys and the values they display are Not Good, in this week’s episode what mattered most to me was that Tam Ryvora got her first glimpse into the harsh and unforgiving world beneath the First Order’s shiny veneer. Not only was she disciplined for wanting to ask a question of her commanding officer, she was berated– and even denied an earned promotion– just for choosing to save the life of a fellow squad member. Up until now it’s all been first names and kind words and grooming (because Tierny is delightfully wicked and very, very good at her job), but now it’s all “DT-533” and talk of culling the weak from their ranks. For those of us who are itching for Tam to turn coat on her First Order superiors and go running right back into the arms of her salmagundi family aboard the Colossus (and Synara!), this is progress.
It’s very telling that Tam, in her heart of hearts, is a team player– that she’s willing to give up her shot at the enemy in order to help a squadmate out of trouble. This is a good reminder to us all that she doesn’t belong in that black uniform. And I like that she’s finally gotten a glimpse of that reality for herself. Circle back around to Griff’s assertion– that not caring for one another was why the Empire lost– and the theme of this episode ties itself into a perfect, shiny bow. Bravo to the writers on this one!
As always, the visuals were stunning, the creature designs were excellent, and the characters were a joy to spend half an hour with (even Rucklin). Oh! And this episode also coined the term, “Kaz-tastrophe” which I intend to put into regular usage.
If you need me, I’ll be over here with my fingers crossed for Tam’s dramatic defection.
Until next week!
