A Comprehensive 'Star Wars Rebels' Watch Guide - Part III: Ezra Bridger
Image Source: Screen Crush
As mentioned in my previous comprehensive guide, we last saw Ahsoka on Corvus, demanding information from Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth as to Grand Admiral Thrawn’s whereabouts. Why should she care about Thrawn? He is out in the Unknown Regions, swimming with the purrgil, no longer a threat to the galaxy …
… but, wait - what then is going to be the premise of the upcoming Disney+ show Ahsoka? Why is she concerned with her old nemesis from Rebels? She could be living the good life with Rex, hunting Joopas, and reminiscing about the good ol’ days outsmarting the “Roger Roger” droids.
Of course, we know from the last episode of Rebels, “Family Reunion - and Goodbye,” that Ahsoka’s story is not over yet. We last see Ahsoka joining Sabine Wren in her search to find Ezra Bridger and “bring him home.” We can understand why Ahsoka would show up in The Mandolorian looking for Thrawn. Ezra connected with the purrgil and use them to purge Thrawn from Lothal. In “World Between Worlds,” Ahsoka promises Ezra that they would see each other again.
But who is Ezra? For those not familiar with Star Wars Rebels, but excited to see Ahsoka, I hope that this guide will help explain Ezra’s character in Rebels, from his younger days as a lone wolf on Lothal to a mature, sensitive Jedi.
RELATED:
Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2: “Spark of Rebellion”
Image Source: StarWars.com
In the series premiere, we are introduced to Ezra Bridger, a young teenager living on his own on Lothal, and how he meets the Specters, the crew of the Ghost who are fighting against the Empire in a Robin Hood-esque way. By the end of the second episode, it is revealed that Ezra’s prowess is more than just being street-savvy. He reveals himself as a Force-user and is invited by Kanan Jarrus to join them and train to become a Jedi.
Season 1, Episode 10: “Path of the Jedi”
Image Source: StarWars.com
Throughout the first season, Ezra is an enthusiastic apprentice, eager to hone his powers with the Force. The Ghost has gone on different missions away from Lothal, but now the crew is drawn back to his homeworld. Ezra leads Kanan to a Jedi temple, and together, the master and apprentice are able to open it. Within the temple, Ezra has a partial vision of Yoda, whose voice guides him through a portal to a kyber crystal that he is to use to create his lightsaber. We know from The Clone Wars that the young Padawans must pass their own trials in order to find the right kyber crystals. This shows Ezra’s growth as a Jedi to have gotten to this point.
Season 2, Episode 11: “Legacy”
Image Source: IMDb
This installment ties up where Season 1, Episode 13 “Call to Action” left off. Ezra finds out from the spy Trayvis that his parents had been alive in prison, but died during a prison uprising which was inspired by the prisoners hearing Ezra’s message of hope in the aforementioned episode. Ezra breaks down and cries. This outburst of emotions is not typical for him, showing his vulnerable, emotional side that he has kept bottled up in order to survive. Kanan comforts him with the Jedi teachings at the end of this episode.
Season 2, Episodes 21 & 22: “Twilight of the Apprentice”
Image Source: StarWars.com
I know I mention these episodes in my Ahsoka guide, but they bear mentioning here as well. This is where Ezra meets Maul and learns to channel his dark side powers. After Ezra is able to activate the Sith temple on Malachor, Maul is so impressed with his abilities that he betrays Kanan and Ahsoka, thinking if he gets rid of them, then Ezra will become his Sith apprentice. Though Maul’s plan ultimately fails, Ezra is introduced to the dark side of the Force. His struggle to harness the dark side of the Force without succumbing to its temptation would continue into the next season of Rebels.
Season 3, Episodes 1 & 2: “Steps into Shadow, Parts 1 & 2”
Image Source: Star Wars Rebels Wiki
This season opens with Ezra using his newly attuned dark side powers. He is wracked with feelings of guilt and sadness over what has transpired on Malachor. Through these two episodes, Ezra comes to terms about the events and how to harness his powers, both the dark and the light sides of the Force.
Season 3, Episode 11: “Visions and Voices”
Image Source: Star Wars Animated Wiki
Maul once again calls on Ezra, who accompanies him to Maul’s home planet of Dathomir to perform a ritual to find the knowledge of the Sith holocron. Somehow, Ezra still trusts Maul. As the events unfold, Ezra sees Maul’s true nature which is only centered on revenge and his willingness to destroy anyone in his path to it. After completing the ritual to unlock the Sith holocron, Ezra’s connection to Maul is severed, along with his readiness to tap into the dark side of the Force.
Season 4, Episode 10: “Jedi Night”
Image Source: StarWars.com
Back on Lothal, Hera has been captured. Ezra is in charge of the rescue mission, and everything goes well … too well. Most viewers of Star Wars Rebels agree that this is the most heartbreaking episode as Kanan prepares Ezra to take charge of this mission and also teaches Ezra the ultimate lesson in self-sacrifice.
Season 4, Episodes 15, 16 & 17: “Family Reunion - and Farewell”
Image Source: Star Wars Rebels Wiki
The Rebels have launched their offensive on Thrawn and his Imperial forces. Ezra uses his leadership skills and his connections to lead the assault and brings in the allies he has made over the years with the Ghost crew. Through the course of events, Ezra surrenders to Thrawn, who takes him to meet a holographic Emperor. The Emperor shows Ezra how he has reconstructed the Lothal Jedi temple, and gives Ezra a glimpse of his parents. He even tells Ezra that he can have his parents back and have the life he wants if he opens the portal we saw earlier in “World Between Worlds.” Ezra realizes that the Emperor wants the ability to move between time and space dimensions and is merely using Ezra for his own gain.
Previously, in “World Between Worlds,” Ahsoka helped Ezra come to terms with Kanan’s death, as there was nothing he could have done. This lesson is shown again in the series finale. Ezra turns down the Emperor’s offer, coming to terms with the death of his parents. In his fit of rage, the Emperor reveals his true self.
Image Source: Star Wars Rebels Wiki
Ezra returns to Thrawn, where his true plan is underway. Ezra has told Mart to set his radio to frequency 0, which is the same frequency the purrgils (from Season 2, Episode 5) communicate on. Ezra uses the Force and his natural abilities to connect with nature and animals to lead the purrgils to wrap around the Chimera and Thrawn. Even though Hera orders him off the Chimera, Ezra insists to her that he “has to see this through.” He stays with the purrgil as they blast him and Thrawn into hyperspace. Although the Specters are the closest to family Ezra will ever have, he has learned what he needs to do to save those he cares for from the evils of Thrawn and the Empire.
Throughout the series, Ezra has changed from an individual doing what he needs to do to scrape by and survive, looking out for himself, to a mature and thriving member of a family that he cares for deeply and is willing to put their needs first before his wants. He has prepared for this eventuality and created a farewell message to the Specters, telling Sabine that he is “counting on her.”
As the series ends, we see Sabine joining Ahsoka on the search for Ezra. This quest will definitely continue in the upcoming Ahsoka.
Image Source: Star Wars Rebels Wiki
READ NEXT:
