Review: Star Wars Rebels “Idiot’s Array”

I really don’t give a damn who you are. If you’re a fan of Star Wars, you will fanboy the fuck out at last night’s episode.

For those who were hoping to see the Lando you knew from The Empire Strikes Back, get out now, because this Lando Calrissian is a straight up scumbag. “Idiot’s Array” goes to show how much a man can change in about 10 years. What’s really cool was that Lando’s story in this episode was based on a story from the old Extended Universe, with his mining operations. This time, his operations bring him to Lothal.

Billy Dee Williams added a great amount of fun to Rebels. I have enjoyed Rebels immensely. Unfortunately, Rebels lacked the fun and lighthearted nature that Star Wars is known for. Williams plays the scoundrel way too well, and it’s almost like he was training for this moment all along. Even though the entire crew caught on to Lando’s ploy, his smoothness manages to get himself and his puffer pig back onto Lothal. This may seem weird to read in an article I wrote, but Lando brought a lot of hijinx. This was missing from the show. There’s always been comedic spots in the Star Wars universe, and this was the last missing piece.

I know I said this before, but I cannot get over how different this Lando was from Empire Lando. That Lando was entirely way too serious, probably because he was too busy trying to keep a city in the sky in the sky. Seeing the younger Lando, who was able to talk a person into doing whatever he needed them to do was a fantastic change of pace. With the amount of scumbag Lando showed, he can definitely give Han Solo a run for his money. I was just glad to see the game that Lando lost the Millenium Falcon in. I always wanted to see what sabacc was, and that opening scene did not disappoint.

I feel like I am beating a dead horse, but Lando’s guest appearance in “Idiot’s Array” was that something fun that was needed. With characters like Ezra and Sabine, you would think fun and silly hijinx would be in copious amounts. The way Lando played Zeb, Kanan, Hera, and Azmorigan was a way to behold. The only time that Lando’s voice even changed tone was when Hera punched him in the nuts. “Idiot’s Array” was Lando’s world, and the rest of the cast was just passing through. “Idiot’s Array” was easily the best episode of Rebels so far. Like I said with the episode with C3PO, the best episodes come from when characters from the movies come into the show. Well, except that stupid added 30 seconds of Vader in the premiere episode.

Watch “Idiot’s Array” here, now. you won’t regret it.