Review of Star Wars Rebels Season 4 "Heroes of Mandalore"

The crew of the Ghost returns today as Season 4 of Star Wars Rebels premieres on Disney XD. This season begins with the long awaited return to Mandalore, last seen in season 5 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars in 2013. Now under Imperial control, Sabine and her Rebel friends including Fenn Rau have joined forces with Sabine’s mother and the rest of clan Wren to stand up against the treacherous Clan Saxxon. Mandalorian fans are in for a treat in these first episodes with all of the high-flying and explosive combat. Beware for spoilers ahead, so read with caution!

The first episode sees our heroes on a mission to rescue Sabine’s father from an Imperial convoy on their way to his execution. The “train robbery” feel of this episode is very reminiscent of the Boba Fett-centric “Bounty” episode from Season 4 of The Clone Wars. We also finally get to see the weapon that Sabine created at the Imperial Academy and it is devastatingly deadly. The episode ends on an emotional cliffhanger leaving many of us that saw it at Star Wars Celebration Orlando in April confused and concerned about the well being of some supporting characters. Arguably the most notable part of this episode is the return of Bo Katan Kryze. We last saw Bo Katan bid farewell to Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mandalore after Maul murdered her sister Satine. Since then she has become a fan favorite Mandalorian for her iconic armor and helmet design, as well as her refusal to join maul after he defeated Mandalore Pre Vizla in single combat.

The second episode picks up shortly after Bo Katan refuses to take the darksaber from Sabine and unite the Mandalorian clans. Thankfully we find out almost immediately that Sabine’s mother and brother are not in fact dead, like the first episode had suggested. Imagine having to wait six months to find that out instead of six minutes! After it is revealed that the weapon Sabine created targets “beskar” Mandalorian armor specifically, the group hatches a plan to attack the Star Destroyer over Mandalore’s capital and destroy the weapon once and for all. Filoni and co. naming the weapon “The Duchess” is an amusing nod to fans that disliked Duchess Satine and her pacifist Mandalorians from The Clone Wars. Bo Katan is likely far less amused about her sister’s namesake than we are, however her leadership and combat abilities really shine in this arc as the stage is set for a showdown between the Empire and the united might of all the Mandalorian clans.

Star Wars Rebels continues to deliver some of the best fan content since Disney purchased the franchise back in 2012. Sound off in the comments below with your favorite part of the episodes.