Ahsoka feels like Star Wars Rebels season 5 in live action. Here’s everything you need to know about Star Wars Rebels to appreciate Ahsoka.
Ahsoka might be the title character of the new live action Star Wars series, but for Star Wars Rebels fans it is obvious this is a live action continuation. Not only does it directly address the consequences of the ending of Rebels season four, most of the main characters are a part of the show.
So do you need to have seen Star Wars Rebels in order to enjoy Ahsoka? No. They do a decent amount of exposition so they can catch new viewers up. However, those that have not watched Star Wars Rebels will not fully appreciate the emotional beats and understand why the journey they are going on is so important.
While checking out these must watch Star Wars Rebels episodes before watching Ahsoka is ideal, if you just do not have the time for that, which is understandable, here is everything you need to know that happened in Star Wars Rebels.
Star Wars Rebels: What You Need To Know For Ahsoka
The hardest thing to read about and understand is what these Rebels went through. The time they spent together and the love they have for each other. Here is a quick rundown of each of the crew members:
- Hera Syndulla: Codename Spectre 2. A female Twi’lek rebel leader. Owner of the Ghost. Pilot. Her father, Cham Syndulla, led a resistance to liberate their people. Fell in love with Kanan, who sacrificed himself for her. The two had a son together, Jacen.
- Kanan Jarrus: Born Caleb Dume. A Jedi Knight and the Rebel co-leader of the Ghost crew. Force user. Died sacrificing himself for Hera and the Ghost crew.
- Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios: Codename Spectre 4. A male Lasat. Served as a rebel alongside the crew of the Ghost after his race was almost entirely wiped out by the Empire.
- Sabine Wren: Codename Spectre 5. A young female human Mandalorian. Weapons expert. Artist.
- Ezra Bridger: Codename Spectre 6. A young Force-sensitive human street urchin living on the streets of the Imperial-controlled planet Lothal’s Capital City trying to survive by crime until he was taken in by Kanan Jarrus as his Jedi apprentice. Sacrificed himself in order to thwart Grand Admiral Thrawn.
- C1-10P “Chopper”: Astromech. Sassy. Seriously high kill count.
While Kanan will not be in Ahsoka, unless in flashbacks, it is important to know how strong his love for Hera was. He met his death during the rescue of Hera Syndulla, sacrificing himself to allow his fellow rebels to escape. He became a part of the Cosmic Force, manifesting as a huge loth-wolf named Dume, which appeared to Ezra several times.
Ezra was repeatedly tempted by the dark side, which seemed to be all part of Palpatine’s plan. He resisted, although it seemed touch and go for a while. Especially because he had the same fiery attitude as Anakin Skywalker. Instead, he ended up being the mastermind behind the saving of Lothal during the massive battle.
He tricked the Empire into enacting Protocol 13, an order that instructed all Imperial personnel to immediately evacuate a planet. He had a Force vision that warned him Thrawn would return, so he came up with a plan. One that included his potential death, but one he was determined to carry out for the greater good.
Ezra ordered the Ghost to fly into high orbit and transmit a signal, summoning a flock of purrgil, who he has always had a strong connection with, to attack Thrawn’s fleet. They locked their tentacles around the Imperial Star Destroyers before jumping into hyperspace, taking Ezra, Thrawn, and the seventh fleet with them.
Being exposed to hyperspace should kill anyone, so Thrawn and Ezra are assumed dead. However Ezra did know that it was coming and potentially was ready to use the Force to survive.
Ezra and Sabine easily had the deepest bond, so she took his sacrifice pretty hard. Previously he gave her his lightsaber for safe keeping, and she refuses to believe she will never be able to return it to him. He learned how to be part of a team from her, and she learned how to be a leader from him. Ezra sent a final message to his friends in which he specifically told Sabine that he was counting on her.
Sabine knew this to mean that he wanted her to protect his home planet, Lothal. He lived in the old radio tower, and she was welcome to move in there after his possible death. After the battle on Lothal, Zeb reunited with the Lasat on their hidden planet.
At the end of the Star Wars Rebels series, Ahsoka arrives on Lothal. Sabine asks for her help on a mission to bring Ezra back home. Ahsoka agrees, but they have no plan on how they will accomplish this.
Ahsoka will likely follow that journey to find Ezra. Star Wars Rebels fans will be hoping that he is alive, and we get to see a heartwarming reunion of him and his team.
NEXT: Must Watch Star Wars Rebels Episodes Before Watching Ahsoka
About Ahsoka
Former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.
Ahsoka premieres on Disney+ with two episodes the evening of August 22nd, and new episodes to be released every Tuesday night through October 3rd.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.