Star Wars Rebels: “The Call” Review

Last week’s episode was one of the best the show has offered up. Would this week continue to carry that momentum? In short, no. Certainly not one of the worst episodes, “the Call” was not great either. It was… interesting. The addition of a race of space whales was unique. More so was the inclusion of their unique ability and the importance it has on the Star Wars’ universe a long time ago, way before even the Old Republic era.

The episode revolves around Team Ghost searching for a distant Imperial Mining facility that generates fuel that all of Phoenix Squadron can use desperately. While on their way there, the are ran into by space whales known as the puurgil. Not only did they look like whales but when Ezra hears them, still not sure why Kanan couldn’t, they sound like the familiar cries of our ocean dwellers. We learn of their destructive tendencies from Hera who has lost many comrades to the puurgil. This presents one of the biggest issues I have with the portrayal of Hera. They have her so spiteful towards these animal. For being the obvious mother of the group, it felt somewhat out of character for her to behave so harshly towards these creatures. It would be one thing to view them as dangerous and to be wary, be her first reaction was to blast them. Harsh.

Once the group makes it to the mining facility, things change and not for the better.  We are introduced to the enemy and his mining thugs. They could have created a solid new enemy for the team but instead we get a thug that is running a mining operation for the Empire. He has no motivations except to protect the shipment from the puurgil. I would say he nearly beat Team Ghost, except it was merely that he had more firepower and the Rebels were very very low on fuel.

Ezra has some typical moments of heroism, being the only one to work with the puurgil [through a vulcan mind meld of sorts :P] and try to protect them. This leads to the expected victory and blowing up the mining base to prevent further use. The surprise came after this when the puurgil, having absorbed some of the gases go into hyperspace, confirming a legend Hera had heard but never believed.  

With some cool moments such as Ezra cutting down a Tie fighter and Kanan’s cool new Storm Trooper helm, this isn’t a bad episode. Yet after the emotional arc from Ezra and the Zeb’s most recent discovery of his homeworld, this episode truly felt what it was, filler. Hopefully next week will see the return of the Inquisitors and the mysterious Red Avenger.

What did you think of this week’s episode and the space whales?