This week we close out the second season of Star Wars: Rebels, racing towards a season finale that will change everything. Things get underway, however, with the rather diverting and entertaining Copper-centric episode, The Forgotten Droid.

Written by Matt Michnovetz this episode first debuted on 16 March, 2016, and follows the droid, C1-10P or Chopper (voiced by one of the series creators Dave Filoni) as he attempts to steal a new leg for himself. When that fails, he finds himself aboard an Imperial ship and finds an unexpected friend and ally in an Imperial inventory droid, AP-5 (Stephen Stanton).

The episode also features an appearance by Gina Torres’ Ketsu Onyo, as the rebels find a potential new base in the Yost system. But as the Ghost crew finds themselves in the midst of a battle, AP-5 provides valuable intel to the Alliance that could give them a new base of operations.

But it costs AP-5 more than he thought to give that information, and Chopper proves how valuable (and likeable) he is to the rebellion.

Of course, a droid can always be brought back with the right technical know-how, and the pair create a bit of a familiar bickering relationship. I wonder if he’ll be around for awhile.

The Mystery of Chopper Base was written by Steven Melching and first aired on 23 March, 2016. The rebels have found a new planet to serve as their base, but the arid, desert world seems to have a number of menacing spider-like creatures, the Kyrkna, that may be a threat. Something Sabine (Tiya Sircar) and Rex (Dee Bradley Baker) confront firsthand.

Meanwhile, Ahsoka (Ashley Eckstein), Kanan (Freddie Prinze jr.) and Ezra (Taylor Gray) plan to figure out the true nature, and identity of their nemesis, the Sith lord, Darth Vader (James Earl Jones)and his Inquisitors.

Course, that doesn’t do much for the relationship between Kanan and Hera (Vanessa Marshall), not to mention other friendships among the crew.

But before they go their separate ways, they are going to have to work together to figure out how to stop the Kyrkna, and a way to keep the base safe, as they prepare for their continuing battle against the Empire.

The universe continues to grow, we learn more about the blossoming rebellion, the people who formed it, what they fought for, loved and celebrated, The Ghost crew have come a long way, but perhaps their biggest challenge is to come.

Twilight of the Apprentice Part I & II, originally airing as an hour long episode on 30 March, 2016, Twilight of the Apprentice was written by Simon Kinberg, Dave Filoni and Steven Melching.

As Ahsoka, Kanan and Ezra head to the Sith world of Malachor in an attempt to learn more about their enemy, they encounter an unexpected ally, and one that will no doubt mean trouble before things are over, Maul (Sam Witwer).

Things get more complicated as a race for a Sith holocron leads to confrontations with the Inquisitors, and a confrontation between master and apprentice as Vader squares off against Ahsoka.

Will Ezra’s willingness to trust Maul endanger our heroes? And will that tempt him to the Dark Side? And what will the cost be to Kanan when he confronts Maul?

This is a great episode, and the whole emotional impact of Ahsoka and Vader confronting one another – epic and oh so powerful! Not to mention the end of the episode, Kanan is blinded by Maul, who escapes, the rebels are reunited, but believe Ahsoka to be dead (we get a glimpse of someone moving deeper into the temple shadows, who may be the former Jedi) and Vader rises battered from the same destruction.

And we are left with a troubling moment before the credits when Ezra’s eyes flare red as he opens the Sith holocron…

Choices will be made, none of the characters will ever be the same, and it this season finale shows that it really is a fantastic addition to the Star Wars Universe.

Next week we star Star Wars: Rebels – Season 3, may the Force be with you…