It wasn’t all that long ago that we were bidding farewell to Star Wars Rebels and yet here we are now saying hi to Star Wars Resistance. With a new team at the helm and the implied promise of a fresher start, there’s a lot to like about Lucasfilm’s latest animated television show. Expectations (including our own) are high because, after all, it’s Star Wars but we’re certainly ready to embrace this latest batch of galactic heroes.a

But on to why you’re here: what did we think about the first episode?

Gut reaction: thumbs up or thumbs down?

Nanci: Thumbs up!

Bria: Thumbs up!

Manda: Thumbs up!

Chris: Thumbs up!

Kate: Thumbs up!

What did we like about the episode?

Nanci: I thought it was a solid introduction to the galactic conflict, as well as life on the Colossus. It provided much-needed context to the political situation with the Republic, Resistance,and First Order without being too confusing for a show aimed at kids. (Those T-85 x-wings and the New Republic Defense Fleet flight suits are beautiful.) Resistance also didn’t try to do too much, and the tight focus on Kaz allowed the audience to settle into the new time period and setting without being overwhelmed. The humor was age-appropriate but not groan-worthy. The stakes for this particular episode were centered on Kaz, but with a promise to introduce a wider conflict as the season goes on.

Bria: I like that they started small and that they put us right in the middle of the action. I love Kaz already (more on that later) and the supporting cast looks like they’re going to be great. I’m already a sucker for Torra’s “Yep I’m the best. Good luck on not dying!” attitude because of how it contrasts with her bright costumes and bubbly attitude. Honestly, there’s no one in the supporting cast I don’t love yet but Yaeger and Bucket in particular have my attention. (Thank goodness we won’t be without our cranky old droids.) As a set up episode, it worked really well. We got enough about the Colossus and the tenuous situation between the New Republic/Resistance/First Order for audiences to understand what’s going on but also not feel like an info dump. Also those x-wings. Those sweet, beautiful T-85 x-wings with pilots in nice, blue flightsuits instead of nauseatingly bright orange. 

Manda: Hammerhead Corvette! A+ X-wing combat! The nod to naval aviation in the shape of the Fireball’s wings! And I’m all for the fabulousness that’s the show of cooperation between the New Republic and the burgeoning Resistance. I could wax on for days about how brilliantly the political situation is laid out in this episode. I adore the choice to include and feature Poe and Leia as a way to connect this story to the saga as a whole. And those moments when Leia’s theme played brought actual tears to my eyes. It’s a strong opening that leaves me with just the right amount of questions (like: who is the secret source of the info Kaz is operating on??). The Colossus is a great setting– self-contained and yet hosting a population transient enough to keep things interesting. And as someone who has wanted more racing content since the concept was introduced, I am very much on board for this ride. Also: Tam has already worked her way onto my list of Star Wars characters to love forever.

Chris: We’re only a single episode in, and it already feels like this show has such a firmer identity than Rebels ever really had. It is aimed at being a fun, rollicking adventure aimed at children, with references/tie-ins to the canon but not expressly aimed at moving it forward. I love that sense of identity. The characters are fun and already interact well together – I’m super impressed by the immediate chemistry we’re seeing on the screen, as well, and how seamlessly this feels like a Star Wars product with its diverse world/species, space opera plotlines, and campy but enjoyable dialogue. Also, much like Manda said above, I am #TeamTam til I die.

Kate: Exciting flying? Check. Engaging characters? Check. Beautiful animation? Definite check! As others mentioned, I love how this first episode ties into the larger Star Wars universe while already establishing its own unique flavor. I especially love the focus on starship racing, an aspect of the current canon that we’ve really only gotten in literature so far. Tying the GFFA’s version of NASCAR to the beginnings of the Resistance opens up so many possibilities for storylines and character cameos. We’ve already had Leia and Poe; could we also get mentions of–or even appearances from–Han Solo and the elite Five Sabers competition? Some behind-the-scenes Hux mechanizations? The sky’s the limit with Resistance (pun intended!).

What didn’t work so well for us?

Nanci: Honestly, I can’t think of much. I do wish the female characters had more to do in the first episode. Team Fireball skews male 3-1, and many of the background characters with lines skew male as well. I hope that changes in the future. (The overall diversity is great, however.)

Bria: I’m mostly drawing a blank here. Nanci’s point about more female characters is a good one but at the same time, I know we’ve got more coming in the next episode with Freya. (I’m writing this before I watch the next two episodes that are already available.)

Manda: I was a little put off by both Kaz and Neeku- they’re a little too ebullient for my taste and Neeku’s penchant for taking things literally got on my nerves. But having watched it a second time with my little guy, I forgive it. Crotchety old mamas aren’t the target demographic for this show, and it worked for the kindergartener. The art style isn’t to my taste, but the animation is so well done that I still enjoyed the visuals. Like the others, I’m hoping for more from the women (TAM, I want more TAM!) and I want  to see more aliens (Hype Fazon, please) playing major roles.

Chris: *Enter complaints about being Disney shills here* I got nothing. I think there’s definitely room for characters to develop more, and I desperately want more of the Aces, but those aren’t complaints – that’s just me hoping for more from future episodes.

Kate: This isn’t so much a complaint as a wish: This show has so many characters, and I’m eager to meet them all! I think the creators were right to introduce us to Team Fireball first before truly delving into the Aces, but I’m still pumped to meet these elite pilots.

How do we think Kaz is going to be as our lead protagonist?

Nanci: Kaz is super earnest and gets fooled often, which I could see becoming an issue as the season progresses if he doesn’t grow and change. Still, the scene of him outside at night, talking about his father’s expectations and vowing to win the race, gives me good feelings about his character arc. I also have a lot of bad feelings about his father being a senator, considering what we know happens to the senate a mere six months from the series premiere. I appreciate having a main character from a privileged background who grew up in peacetime. It’s a nice contrast to previous protagonists, such as Ahsoka and Ezra, and even Han and Rey.

Bria: Kaz. Oh Kaz you sweet precious boy. I’ll openly admit that I’m predisposed to love him more than most main characters because he’s Asian and because he’s voiced by the always charming Christopher Sean. He’s definitely got the slightly younger feel to him but honestly, I appreciate that he’s a 20 year old who actually feels like more 20 year olds I know. Star Wars tends to make teenagers grow up too fast, often because they have to but Kaz hasn’t had to. It’ll be interesting to see how he grows as a person throughout the season. I was also really intrigued by his relationship with his dad. Something about their conversation rang really true with me. 

Manda: My disdain for youthful exuberance aside, I love this character. I see shades of Leia in him and from that I very much look forward to his growth as a character. He’s a child of privilege, his father is a Senator, the plan for his life has been all laid out for him– sound familiar? And now here he is, embroiled in galactic conflict in hopes of saving the Republic and life as he knows it.  But he’s in over his head on all levels and has to learn to count on others and (possibly for the first time) solve problems without the aid of his father’s influence. I hope the way he idolizes Leia will serve to inform Kaz’s character arc as he grows into his new place in the grand scheme of things.

Chris: He’s… definitely excitable (and a bit annoying, to me) so far, but I’m hoping that we’ll see some concrete growth from him as the series goes on. One of my biggest issues with Rebels was that I didn’t like Ezra at first and I just never felt like he grew as a character at all – we’ll see if Kaz is any different. If he does grow and mature and expand as a character over the next few episodes/seasons, I think he has a chance to be a really special, memorable Star Wars character.

Kate: As a Chinese American, Kaz’s conversation with his father gave me so many Asian dad feelings. As the others said, I’m interested in seeing his character grow, but he’s also immediately recognizable to me as a character of Asian descent, voiced by an Asian, with problems readily relatable to an Asian audience. It really feels like Resistance didn’t fool around with representation here, and it’s just really refreshing.

The premiere featured Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron. Thoughts on his role? And are we worried the show might use him (and other film characters) too much?

Nanci: I think using Poe as an introduction to the spy plot line worked very well. I feel like he represents the type of character Kaz might grow into, and their chemistry was great. I have a feeling Poe is going to be too busy with the Resistance to spend much time on the Colossus. Having him checking in every so often will provide a nice background to the galactic conflict. (I’ve already watched the next two episodes so I don’t want to say more, lol.)

Bria: Judging by the first episode, I think they’re going to use their big names smartly. Heck, Leia was only a visual cameo in this episode and what a delightful cameo it was. However, I wouldn’t be opposed to cameos (if they can be made to work) from pilots like Snap and Jess or even *clears throat* certain people who might have to reason to stop by on the Corvus. Aside from that… what Nanci said. 

Manda: I liked it, and I think what we got with Poe in this episode was just enough. I think his was a great thread with which to connect Kaz’s story to already-familiar Star Wars goings-on. And thanks to his involvement in the show’s opening, we get the delightfully familiar presence of BB-8. As long as they’re handled thoughtfully, I won’t mind more cameos (As always, I want all the Leia content I could possibly get).

Chris: I’m not really concerned – I think in a premiere like this, you use the tools at your disposal to draw people in. (Also, to be frank, an animated show can’t afford Oscar Isaac for more than 1-2 episodes per season). We’ll see how it unfolds, but so far, I agree with Bria – work smarter, not harder in including the big names.

Kate: Brian already stated this on Twitter, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much effort Oscar Isaac clearly put into this voice role in a kids’ cartoon. His passion for the character is palpable, and it pays dividends for fans! I like that BB-8 seems like he’ll be the “starring” film character on this show–he’s fun, mostly unobtrusive, and at least thus far, well incorporated. Just based on that, I think other film characters will be included with specific intent.

Hopes and dreams for this season?

Nanci: I want to learn everything about Jarek Yeager’s backstory ASAP. How does he know Poe? Why do they go back so long? Does he know Kes and Shara???

Bria: Team Fireball is definitely going to be the scrappy underdogs to Team Aces’ aceness which is always fun. In particular, I’m looking forward to seeing the dynamics between Kaz-Yaegar and Kaz-Tam develop. I will also die a little if we get appearances from characters from other mediums. I really want to know more about all of the main characters we’ve met so far and I just really hope they do a good job of letting Kaz grow as a person as he figures out how to fit into this new life. Thank goodness BB-8 is there to keep an eye on him! 

Manda: Am I allowed to say Han Solo? Because I’d love a mention of Han Solo. There must be some connection between Han and all these racers, right? Was he the source of the intel saying there was a FO operative on the Colossus? And I’m with Nanci wanting to know every detail of Poe’s history with Yeager. I have a thousand questions– some about galactic politics, some about character backstory, and a few about the intersections of those things. I hope to get some answers, find new questions, and see more beautiful ship designs.

Chris: OMG Manda you are so right – I need some Han in this show. I also really hope we get a good balance between short, episodic plotlines and some larger underlying dynamics that take shape throughout the season, and hopefully some more appearances from the First Order and that fancy new red TIE pilot.

Kate: More Bucket, please!

Check back next and in the weeks that follow for our thoughts and reviews of all the Star Wars Resistance episodes to come.