'Star Wars: Resistance' Episode 8 Review: 'Rendevous Point' brings the series back on track as new character Venisa steals the show
Spoilers for Season 2, Episode 8 of ‘Star Wars: Resistance’
The past couple of episodes of ‘Star Wars: Resistance’ have been as directionless as the Colossus itself, with diversionary episodes devoted to fixing another of the seemingly endless things that could go wrong with the Colossus. This episode puts the series back on track, opening with a battle against the First Order, and the introduction of Venisa (Tasia Valenza), giving us an episode where the Resistance actually gets to do a little resisting.
The episode opens up right in the middle of the action, with a proper space battle as the Ace pilots try to hold off the First Order as the Colossus waits to rendezvous with an unspecified “her.” The pilots can’t hold off the First Order forever, and make a hyperspace jump to safety just in time to miss the arrival of the person they were meant to meet - X-Wing pilot Venisa Doza, Torra’s (Myrna Velasco) mother, who is promptly captured by the First Order.
Seeing the Aces fly in the battle against the First Order gives the show a sense of urgency it’s been missing for a while. The whole episode seems to have regained a sense of purpose, and the focus on the First Order is a large part of that. The series has ignored the war going on throughout the galaxy for too long, and acknowledging the stakes puts the show right back where it ought to be.
Building on that, new character Venisa brings fresh energy to the screen from the very first moment she appears on screen. She’s got confidence, a rakish smile in the face of danger, and resourcefulness that gets her out of several tight situations. Venisa’s a character who has had to make some tough choices, leaving her family behind to fight the First Order, but her dedication to the cause shines through. It’s enough to begin to sway even Tam (Suzie McGrath), who makes a welcome reappearance this episode.
The episode’s B-plot is short, but heartfelt. Captain Doza (Jason Hightower) and Torra only get to see Venisa once a year - on Torra’s birthday. Though neither Torra nor Captain Doza get to meet up with Venisa this episode, the family connection comes clear. It’s obvious where Torra gets her fighting spirit from, and this new layer of backstory adds heartwarming depth to the Doza family.
With entertaining action returning to the screen, daring getaways, engaging characters and heartwarming moments, this is the best ‘Star Wars: Resistance’ has been in a while. Venisa’s escape at the end of the episode hopefully means we’ll be seeing a lot more of her in the episodes to come, as she’s brought a breath of fresh air that the show sorely needed.
The next episode of ‘Star Wars: Resistance’ airs December 1 at 6 pm ET/PT on Disney XD and 10 pm ET/PT on the Disney Channel.