After a couple of underwhelming episodes that failed to capitalize on the strength of the season to date, and a long run of episodes featuring Sabine that never seemed to delve below her surface, we finally get an installment that manages to correct both oversights.  Not only that, but it seems to borrow a bit from elements of the “Legends” timeline.  It gives this mid-season lull a much-needed kick in the teeth.

 

 

One of the best aspects of the episode is how it manages to take the lingering conflicts under the surface of the “family” and expose them without much hesitation.  Sabine feels a bit betrayed by the request and that is just the beginning, as her training with the darksaber begins and she is forced to work with Fenn Rau.  Kanan tries to work more slowly with Sabine, much to Hera’s chagrin, but it makes sense; Sabine doesn’t have a connection to the Force, and she really does not want to be forced into a corner when it comes to the Mandalorians.

 

It brings various resentments to light, and some are surprising.  For all that Sabine doesn’t want to deal with her parents, Ezra is bitter that she actually has them.  By the time Sabine and Kanan come to actual blows, and Sabine unleashes her frustrations and anger, it’s pretty clear that this is not going to go away anytime soon.  In a matter of minutes, Sabine gets more character exploration and depth than we’ve seen in forever, and it makes her a lot more relatable as a result.

 

 

More importantly, it doesn't wrap up in a nice little bow, even as Kanan, Ezra, and Rau affirm their loyalty.  Sabine will still have to deal with the Vizsla clan on her own terms, regardless of who might be standing beside her.  Thankfully, we won’t have long to wait, as the very next episode centers on Sabine’s homecoming.