Almost five years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hit theaters, the series is still working to regain the momentum that slowed after the controversial end to the Skywalker Saga.
With some underwhelming live-action shows and the cancellation of promising projects like the High Republic era series, this period of Star Wars storytelling has been looking for something to reignite fan interest. Surprisingly, that spark has been found in an unexpected place.
LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy follows the tradition of some of the most popular Star Wars LEGO stories, such as LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation, LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales, and LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special.
It brings fresh energy to favorite characters from all parts of the Star Wars universe, old and new, while humorously playing with some of the more lighthearted elements of the series. It manages to poke fun at Star Wars without disrespecting the original content.
The four-part miniseries gives life to absurd storylines like Darth Jar Jar Binks (played by Ahmed Best) and Greedo (Jake Green) competing for Princess Leia’s (Shelby Young) hand in marriage, which lightens the mood compared to the usual way the Skywalker Saga has been handled in recent times.
What is ‘LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy’ About?
Set in a distant part of the galaxy, Rebuild the Galaxy follows the adventures of Sig Greebling (voiced by Gaten Matarazzo) and his older brother Dev (voiced by Tony Revolori). They are a pair of ordinary nerf-herders whose lives are turned upside down when Sig discovers the “cornerstone,” a powerful object hidden inside a forgotten Jedi temple.
Even though Sig’s world becomes chaotic after this discovery, he finds some comfort in the fact that his friend and crush, Yesi Scala (voiced by Marsai Martin), is there to help him fight against the bad guys. Together, they work to save not only their galaxy but all the other versions of the Star Wars universe.
As with other LEGO Star Wars stories, Sig knows all about everything that has ever happened in the Star Wars canon. He’s aware of Rey bringing Ben Solo back from the dark side, Darth Vader’s true identity, and even the cutest little Jedi, Nubs.
Still from LEGO Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy (Credit: Disney+)
Before his own adventure begins, Sig uses these epic tales to escape his ordinary life, though this frustrates the people around him.
However, his deep knowledge of Star Wars proves helpful when he gets pulled into an alternate version of his world, where Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine are good guys in the Jedi Order, and Rey and Rose Tico (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran) are living it up as Sith villains.
Rebuild the Galaxy honors the key parts of Star Wars storytelling, with Sig learning from Jedi Bob (voiced by Bobby Moynihan), a classic LEGO Star Wars character, as he fights the dark side, which has already claimed his brother, now called Darth Devastator.
It’s impressive how LEGO Star Wars continues to tell stories that feel true to the essence of Star Wars, even while adding a humorous and playful twist. Fans don’t need a What If…? version of Star Wars; they just need more creative LEGO Star Wars stories.
‘Rebuild the Galaxy’ Brings Back Beloved Characters with a Twist
After the recent cancellation of The Acolyte, Star Wars fans have been reflecting on how some characters from the Sequel and Prequel eras were treated. Characters like Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) didn’t get the love they deserved.
Both actors return in Rebuild the Galaxy as Sith versions of their original characters, and it feels like a tribute to them. Ahmed Best had made a small but significant appearance in The Mandalorian, and Kelly Marie Tran had voiced Rose in previous LEGO Star Wars stories, but it’s fun to see their characters embracing the dark side in this new series.
Other beloved characters also get a twist. For example, Billy Dee Williams voices “The Landolorian,” a mix of Lando Calrissian and the Mandalorian. Mark Hamill returns to voice a laid-back version of Luke Skywalker, and Sam Witwer plays a good-natured Darth Maul.
Ross Marquand even voices a rebellious version of Han Solo. In addition, we see an evil Grogu and a more sinister version of the adorable Nubs. The series also nods to recent live-action Star Wars storylines, like dressing the captured rebels in Narkina 5 uniforms from Andor.
Still from LEGO Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy (Credit: Disney+)
On the surface, LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy seems like pure comedy wrapped in four twenty-five-minute episodes, but each episode carries the heart of classic Star Wars storytelling.
The stakes are high for Sig, who must overcome his weaknesses and accept his Force powers. Like the great stories that came before, this is about personal growth, friendship, and finding hope after the hardest moments. Don’t let the LEGO format fool you—some of the best stories come in surprising forms.
You can now stream all four episodes of LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy on Disney+.
When the original Frasier first aired in 1993, it had the potential to be just another spin-off. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) started on Cheers, sitting at a bar in Boston. But Frasier changed everything by moving to Seattle and becoming an ensemble show. The focus shifted from just Frasier Crane to include a variety of characters, making it a hit.
After eleven successful seasons and numerous awards, Frasier ended on NBC in 2004. Last year, the show returned on Paramount+. This time, it moved back to Boston and, except for Peri Gilpin’s Roz Doyle, did not bring back the old cast. This new approach did not work well. Fans missed Frasier’s brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce), his wife Daphne (Jane Leeves), and his father Martin (the late John Mahoney).
The reboot lacked the charm of the original and failed to live up to its legacy. Season 2 of Frasier continues to be disappointing. It is not the worst show on TV, but it falls short compared to the original, which was a top-tier show.
The original Frasier often highlighted the troubles in Frasier’s love life. Despite giving advice to listeners on his radio show, Frasier struggled to manage his own relationships, while Niles found lasting love with Daphne. This created a humorous dynamic and an interesting series finale where Frasier took a risk for love.
Season 1 of the reboot had potential, with Frasier returning to Boston and trying to connect with his son, Frederick (Jack Cutmore-Scott), a firefighter who had little in common with him. The season dealt with the loss of Martin, making it emotional and heartfelt. Unfortunately, Season 2 has not built on this.
Season 2 continues the trend of Frasier’s awkward dating experiences. He goes on dates with women who do not suit him, and one scene shows him pretending to receive an emergency call to escape a date. This kind of humor feels outdated and lacks originality. There is a new character, a bartender played by Patricia Heaton, which might bring some excitement, but it is unclear if it will lead to anything meaningful.
Still from the show (Prime Video)
The reboot tried to create a new supporting cast, including Dr. Crane’s work colleagues, like the aloof Alan (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and the high-strung Olivia (Toks Olagundoye). However, they do not match up to Niles and Daphne. A clone of Niles’ son, David (Anders Keith), offers some humor, but his role is minimal and often serves as a reminder of what is missing without Pierce. The show has tried to engage viewers with its new characters, but they do not hold the same interest.
Frasier shines when its characters are deeply involved, but that has not been consistent. Roz, played by Gilpin, returns as a recurring character, which is enjoyable, but she often feels like a sidekick in the subplot. The show struggles to evoke strong reactions from its audience and laugh tracks feel out of place and ineffective.
Although there are some funny moments like the episode with Frasier’s eccentric agent, Bebe (Harriet Sansom Harris), most of Season 2 feels flat and dull. If Frasier gets a third season, it needs a new format and should consider dropping the laugh track. The reboot has played it very safe, and if this is its best, it may be time for the show to end.
Despite some moments of humor, the Frasier reboot struggles to recapture the original’s brilliance. If the show continues, it will need to make significant changes to avoid being a mere shadow of its former self. If things don’t improve, the end might be on the horizon.
The reboot has not succeeded in revitalizing the beloved series in a meaningful way. While it aimed to bring back the nostalgia of the original Frasier, it has instead highlighted what made the original show exceptional. Fans of the classic series may find themselves longing for the dynamic cast and clever writing that defined its earlier years.
