Resistance: Season 2: Episode 7: "The Relic Raiders"

Resistance: Season 2: Episode 7: "The Relic Raiders" written by Brandon Auman, directed by Brad Rau

     I never expected a Sith temple to surface as a main plot point in an episode of this show...or, really ever in this show. The way they used the temple in the episode was actually quite ingenious as it became an avenue for the introduction of a new character (Mika Grey--see image at very bottom) with a fascinating design and mysterious backstory, as well as a new type of stormtrooper--First Order Raiders (see image at very bottom) who hunt down relics for their leader (now would that be Supreme Leader Snoke or Kylo Ren?...assuming the new character we meet doesn't know Snoke is dead. I seriously wonder if these guys will play a role in TROS, how cool would that be?!?). Of course Kaz, being clumsy as ever, causes all sorts of wacky hijinks to go down as he fumbles his way through the temple after the two stowaways (Kel and Eila) who just won't listen. We even get to see the Sith symbol again in all its glory which of course made me super happy!!! And besides the temple, the design of the planet itself was gorgeous. There really wasn't anything in this episode not to like.
     So as for the story, Captain Doza assigns Torra, Kaz, Freya, and CB-23 to head down to a trading

outpost on Ashas Ree with a credit chip and list in hand to obtain much needed supplies for the Colossus. As the Aces are loading the ship though, Eila appears out of nowhere, followed quickly by Kel and they both beg to be brought along on the mission. Kaz, being Kaz, is easily persuaded into having them come along as long as they don't make themselves known to Torra and Freya. I have to say, the mission would have ended up entirely different if the two young children hadn't joined and it would've made for quite a boring episode. But lucky for us, they smiled their way into tagging along and a truly engaging story was born.
     Anyway, they land on what ends up being an absolutely beautiful verdant planet covered with acacia-looking trees that all overlap each other in a seemingly never-ending canopy. The outpost itself is abandoned with warnings on the walls that

proclaim, "Beware of evil!" lending a definite ominous tone to the abandonment. Kel and Eila, being children cooped up for too long, exit Kaz's shuttle behind his back and instantly latch onto a group of shimmery butterfly creatures that lead them to a mysterious temple--they notice the temple's similarity to the one back on their homeworld, but also its greater size. I wonder if we'll ever learn more about Tehar and why the First Order was after the two kids... Kaz eventually joins them and it isn't long before things turn sinister as they make their way deeper into the temple and its Sith origins are revealed!
     I feel like this episode contained so much new information to us but in a very easily digestible format. I also liked how Freya was one of the pilots used for the mission as she wouldn't seem like a typical choice to me from the perspective of the show developers--but it was nice to let some other characters get a bit of screen time. And lastly, I'm always down for some Sith temple action so this was right up my alley...I'm only left curious about one thing, but I don't want to give away the mystery behind the new character so I'll leave it floating in the ether. Regardless, these last two episodes have been SO good that I have high hopes for where this series is going to take us next!!