Who Is Ezra Bridger?

Star Wars

Sep 21

History is full of amazing characters. People who came from nothing and managed to accomplish something unforgettable, something that transcends their lifetime and makes a permanent mark in history. That is Ezra Bridger, a legendary Jedi knight, protagonist of Star Wars: Rebels.

However, to fully understand his upbringing we need to understand where he actually came from. Ezra was born the day the Empire rose to power on 19 BBY. He was born on planet Lothal where he lived with his parents, Ephrain and Mira Bridger.

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Ezra’s parents spoke against the newly instated Galactic Empire. Even though they were supported by the planet’s governor, they were still arrested for their crimes against the empire. As a result, Ezra was left an orphan at a very young age. He learned how to fend for himself, dedicating his time to stealing Empire equipment and technology in order to survive.

Bridger had some trouble adjusting to his new life. Away from everything he once knew, starting a new life and learning about things he previously had no clue of. His journey to become a Jedi knight was complicated, to say the least.

From the beginning, he was meant to train under Kanan Jarrus' wing. However, Jarrus was not precisely a master himself, as his master, Depa Billaba, perished during Order 66 and he never finished his formal training. The doubt within Jarrus pushed him to seek a new master for Ezra, Jedi Master Luminara Unduli, who was a prisoner within The Spire on planet Stygeon Prime. Nevertheless, their plans were frustrated as they learned Master Unduli was not a prisoner, she had been dead for years and was used as bait by the Grand Inquisitor to lure the Jedi to their demise.

This encounter with the Inquisitor really took a toll on Ezra, as he was tempted to turn to the Dark Side. This wouldn’t be the last time Bridger struggled between the two different paths of the Force, throughout his life he would be tempted and lured to the verge of completely turning.

For instance, during a mission to the planet Malachor Ezra met old Sith Lord Darth Maul. The Sith Lord manipulated the young boy and led him to believe they were on the same side. Maul guided Ezra through multiple challenges and taught him about the Dark Force and the feelings of anger and despair that could lead him to a path of power. Ezra, conflicted by his past and experience began using the dark side, he managed to open a Sith Holocron. Despite their brief alliance Ezra and Maul parted ways after the latter betrayed first and his Jedi companions, Kanan Jarrus and Ahsoka Tano.

He trained under different masters, even adopting different styles through the years, he learned about Form IV by watching a recording of former Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker; he adopted Jarrus’ fighting style, combining a blaster alongside his lightsaber; he employed a more brutal and aggressive style after training with the Sith holocron he recovered from his mission to Malachor.

Additionally, to his Jedi path, Ezra played a huge role in the Phoenix rebellion during the Galactic Empire era. Alongside his crewmates aboard the Ghost, Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus, Sabine Wren, Garazeb Orrelios, and Chopper, he participated in multiple raids and missions against the Empire, mainly focusing their efforts on planet Lothal and its surrounding systems.

One of the greatest missions they faced was also Ezra’s last. Following the events in Mustafar, the imperial grip tightened in Lothal. Governor Pryce called for the aid of Grand Admiral Thrawn to maintain Empire rule over the planet.

The Rebels group orchestrated a plan to free Lothal from Empire control once and for all. By capturing the Governor and taking control of the Empire Complex on the planet. They traveled to nearby systems to gather the strength of their allies and be prepared for the task ahead. Their plan was to take control of the Dome and launch it into space, unfortunately, Thrawn was made aware of the situation and blocked their path with his Imperial-class Star Destroyer, The Chimaera.

Thrawn ordered a bombardment on Capital City, destroying multiple buildings and killing numerous civilians. Horrified by the Grand Admiral’s actions Ezra decided to surrender himself in order to stop the attack. Aboard the Chimera Ezra and Thrawn debated over the recent history and how the Jedi were not deserving wielders of the Force. Meanwhile, Ezra’s comrades managed to restart the Dome’s shields and protect the city. At the same time, another group followed Ezra’s indications to summon a pod of purrgil to aid them in battle.

The gigantic hyperspace-capable creatures took down Thrawn’s fleet and then surrounded the Chimera. Commanded by Ezra, the creatures carried the Chimera and those aboard to an unknown section of the cosmos. By sacrificing himself, Ezra opened a window for the liberation of his home planet and his people, as well as allowing the rebellion to grow further and fight the oppressive Empire.

So, who is Ezra Bridger? For some people he was a thief, for others, he was a criminal, to the Spectres he was a friend, to the Jedi he was a new beacon of hope. But, as they say, one is more than the sum of its parts. Ezra Bridger was a hero in times of crisis, a human who knew true pain and grief but managed to stay in the path of light and help those who couldn’t help themselves. He is out there, and people know it; Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren started a quest to bring him home, proving the hope he spread across the galaxy lives on, even if he doesn’t.

In the new series Ahsoka, we follow the former apprentice of Anakin Skywalker. Maybe, just maybe, her connection with Ezra will guide her to bring him back for good.

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