We’re on to episode 3 of our Star Wars Resistance recap. As always, remember: the spoilers are strong with this one.
1. The Aces face a Kaz-tastrophe
The Aces aren’t too thrilled about their recent performance against the First Order (although I’d argue that surviving in the face of giant star destroyers is a pretty impressive feat), which leads Doza to the bright idea that perhaps the rag tag group of experienced pilots could benefit from some combat training. Enter newly-annointed squad leader Yeager and Kaz, who are tasked with imparting some of their formalized training wisdom onto the group. The Aces mostly take the shake up in stride, with the exception of Hype Fazon, who declares it a “Kaz-tastrophe!!” It’s very dramatic, but also…. ALSO… with the fate of so many lives in your hands, is it really that outlandish to question the skills of a dude who only two episodes ago handled anti-gravity like a toddler learning to walk for the first time? I’m with you on this, Hype, but then again maybe leaving your squadmates high and dry isn’t the best way to deal with things. Quitters never win, and all that.
2. Fight or flight response
When a training exercise against Yeager and Kaz doesn’t go well for the Aces, Hype deals with it very maturely by quitting the team and going off to drink/sulk in Aunt Z’s (#relatable). But after Torra stops by to talk him down, it becomes pretty apparent that Hype is driven less by his disdain for Kaz than by his very understandable fear of the First Order. Torra, to her credit, is pretty prescient about this; she’s able to get Hype thinking differently about the situation by revealing her own fear and then dressing it up in kid-friendly platitudes such as “we’re all stronger when we’re together.” As cliche as it might be, it’s true: the good guys, be they Resistance or Rebels, have always found their strength in each other. It’s what always sets them apart from the villains. Which leads me to my next point…
3. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Torra’s peptalk works, and Hype rejoins the team. Things go better for everyone on their second training run, that is until a giant ice monster that looks like a stingray decides to play fetch with their ships. Yeager manages to get himself caught by the monster and the Aces are forced to work together to free him. It’s a scene that’s meant to feel high stakes, but falls a little flat since it never feels like Yeager is in true danger, suspended nervously at the precipice of the monster’s mouth. But again, we have to remember this is a show marketed towards kids. It can’t be too scary, even in its on-the-nose lessons about working as a team.
4. …Unless you’re with the First Order.
The B-plot to this episode involves Tam, Rucklin, and the other First Order recruits on their own training adventure, courtesy of a Lieutenant Galek, who’s no-nonsense attitude is exactly what you’d expect in someone of her position. There are several things about this training exercise that differentiates it from the Aces’ training. Rather than act as a team, the pilots are encouraged to compete as individuals (but only in-so-far as it serves the good of the First Order)/ Each of the recruits is pitted against one another to destroy the most x-wing drones to become squad leader. They also are instructed to use live fire just as they would in a real battle. The training exercise feels dangerous, because, well, it is. There clearly isn’t a lot of concern for the recruits. It’s a stark contrast to the training scene with the Aces, who work together to save one of their own. While the Resistance celebrates individuals and their achievements, the First Order completely discourages them. Despite being the clear front runner for squad leader, Tam is instead punished for taking a quick detour to save Rucklin from crashing into the star destroyer when his tie fighter goes haywire after being hit with friendly fire. Galek reams her out for this, because according to the First Order, anyone who makes a mistake basically deserves to die. Sorry Rucklin!
Continued below5. Tam might be more than the First Order bargained for
There’s an interesting exchange between Galek and Commander Pyre during the training exercise where, after Tam narrowly saves Rucklin from imminent death, Pyre remarks that she’s turning out to be “quite the hero.” It’s Pyre’s tone that makes this interesting — is he amused? Intrigued? Simply just trying to embarrass Galek over her star pupil? All or none of the above?
The First Order has been manipulating Tam from the get-go, but her obedience is constantly being tested by her underlying goodness, a Resistance-bred trait that she — and the First Order — just can’t seem to squash. It’s obviously going to cause them bigger problems than they bargained for down the line, but I’m also wondering if they’ll change their tactics concerning her because of it. We’ll have to wait and see.
