Ahsoka Episode 1 “Master and Apprentice” Recap

Ahsoka Episode 1 “Master and Apprentice” recap. The series premiere does its best to catch up those that missed Star Wars Rebels.

Warning: Spoilers for Ahsoka Episode 1

Ahsoka Episode 1 “Master and Apprentice” Recap

Ahsoka Episode 1, titled Master and Apprentice, starts off with something fans have not seen yet in a Star Wars Disney+ Series — a crawl (with red lettering!). It details what has been happening with Ahsoka, Thrawn, and the aftermath of the fall of the Empire. It catches viewers up on where we are at, time wise, and is very exciting to see. 

The last paragraph of the crawl reveals that Ahsoka Tano has captured Morgan Elsbeth, who fans last saw in The Mandalorian, and questioned her until she found out there is a star map that Morgan believes will lead to Thrawn. Thrawn was assumed dead at the end of Star Wars Rebels season 4, but his death was not confirmed. Ezra sacrificed himself, along with Thrawn, so if one is alive, likely the other is as well. 

The first scene following the crawl introduces viewers to Shin Hati and Baylan Skoll. They claim to be Jedis in order to be allowed to board a New Republic ship, but make short work of the guards. It turns out this is the ship where Morgan Elsbeth is being kept, and they are there to break her out. Morgan thanks Baylan, and tells him that someone is after the map. One Ahsoka Tano… cue the title screen. 

After the title screen, we now see what Ahoska is up to. She is, in fact, on a hunt for the map. She appears to be at a rundown abandoned temple of sorts. After figuring out a puzzle, Indiana Jones style, a star map sphere is revealed. Of course things can’t be that easy. As she goes to leave, she is confronted by several battle droids and we are treated to our first epic lightsaber fight. After besting the majority of them, the others set themselves to self destruct. Luckily Huyang swoops in with their ship just in time to scoop her up off before a massive explosion.

Ahsoka episode 1 recap continued…

Ahsoka brings the map to Hera, but explains that they cannot open it. It is locked. Hera suggests that there is someone who would be willing to help, for Ezra, if Ahsoka would just ask her. Fans of Star Wars Rebels will immediately know she means Sabine Wren, who has a knack for these things. 

Sabine is currently living on Lothal. Viewers are shown the live action version of Capital City on Ezra’s home planet. Ryder Azadi is hosting a ceremony to honor the Rebels and what they did several years ago. The mural of the team is on display and Sabine is supposed to give a speech.

In true Sabine fashion, she dips out on it. We see that she is now living in the old communications tower that Ezra was living in. She feeds an adorable Loth-Cat that seems to be her pet, and plays a hologram message from Ezra, detailing that the two of them are family and if anyone will understand why he needed to do what he did, it was her. 

Ahsoka episode 1 recap continued…

When Ahsoka meets with Sabine, it is clear there is some tension there. Through context clues and dialogue, it becomes clear that Ahsoka was Sabine’s Master, but disappeared on her when things got tough. They haven’t seen each other in some years. 

Ahsoka asks Sabine for her help unlocking the star map. This is all done on Ahsoka’s ship, but Sabine asks to take the scan of the temple and the sphere to somewhere she can think clearly. Ahsoka refuses this request.

Huyang pulls Ahsoka aside to discuss what he learned from the footage of the lightsabers that Baylan and Shin were wielding during the breakout of Morgan. He claims to recognize Baylan’s hilt. They now know he was Jedi trained, and can only assume his apprentice was as well.

They realize they are master and apprentice, which is a little terrifying considering how dangerous they can be together. Huyang points out that Ahsoka might have a hard time taking them on alone, but she could always ask for help, meaning Sabine.

Ahsoka episode 1 recap continued…

When Ahsoka goes to check on Sabine, she is gone, having taken the scan and map with her. Not surprising as this is very much a Sabine move. Ahsoka calls Hera to complain about Sabine, but Hera continues to point out that this is not out of the norm of their friend. She likely just needed somewhere she could think in order to open the map, and Ahsoka should give her more credit. 

Ahsoka points out that Sabine is stubborn and bullheaded, but Hera reminds her that she is a Mandalorian so Ahsoka knew what she was getting into. There is more discussion about Ahsoka leaving Sabine before her training was complete. Ahsoka even compares it to her leaving Anakin before her training was complete during The Clone Wars.

It doesn’t take long for Sabine to figure the map out, and once she opens it, a path between two systems is revealed. This must be where Thrawn and Ezra are. Before she can further explore it, however, droids show up and attack her. They take the map, destroy her notes, and run off. She is able to take one out and follow the other — which puts her face to face with Shin Hati.

Sabine is able to radio Ahsoka for backup, but must engage in a lightsaber battle with Shin while she waits. Just as Ahsoka is approaching, Shin stabs her lightsaber through Sabine’s torso and escapes. The final shot of Ahsoka episode 1 shows Sabine on the ground, not moving.

NEXT: 7 Star Wars Celebration Major Reveals | 2023 Day One

About Ahsoka

Former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.

Ahsoka premieres on Disney+ with two episodes on August 22nd at 6pm PT / 9pm ET, with new episodes releasing every Tuesday night, through October 3rd.