The upcoming Ahsoka series is set to premiere in August and will see the return of multiple characters from Star Wars Rebels, including Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger. Ahsoka will be the first time that Ezra, along with Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla, will be seen in live-action, so fans unfamiliar with Star Wars animated projects may not be familiar with them. As the main character of Rebels, Ezra Bridger endured a powerful hero’s journey, and many events may clue audiences in to where his character will go in Ahsoka.
Eman Esfandi is confirmed to be bringing Ezra to life in Ahsoka, though the scope of the character’s involvement remains to be seen. The search for Ezra and Grand Admiral Thrawn serves as the basis of the plot, and it’s safe to assume the young Jedi has changed quite a bit since he was last seen in his youth. To get an idea of where he came from and where the character’s fate could lie, there are 14 Rebels episodes essential to understanding Ezra Bridger.
14 Spark of the Rebellion Part 1 and 2 (Season 1, Episodes 1 and 2)
The first two episodes of Rebels introduced each of the main characters, but audiences got to know Ezra Bridger best. In just two episodes, Ezra went from being a street orphan who stole for selfish purposes to someone willing to be a part of a family and look out for others. Sabine even calls the Ghost crew a kind of family, something that Ezra had been missing since his parents were taken as prisoners in his early childhood. These two episodes are essential viewing, not just to get familiar with Ezra, but with every member of the Ghost, as many of these themes will be important to their characters in Ahsoka.
13 Breaking Ranks (Season 1, Episode 6)
“Breaking Ranks” features Ezra on his first undercover assignment, where he impersonates an Imperial Cadet and is tasked with stealing coordinates for an Imperial shipment of kyber crystals. The episode is fun as, in typical Ezra fashion, things don’t go according to plan. However, audiences get to see Ezra make new friends in Zare Leonis and Jai Kell, the latter of whom returns in Rebels season 4. The end of the episode highlights that Ezra’s begun to fit in with the Ghost crew, with the character saying he had forgotten what it was like to be on his own.
12 Path of the Jedi (Season 1, Episode 10)
“Path of the Jedi” shows Ezra and Kanan going to the hidden Jedi Temple on Lothal, where both Master and Padawan must go through trials. Ezra’s lesson concludes with receiving his kyber crystal from Master Yoda, enabling him to construct his first lightsaber. After spending weeks putting together the hilt with parts found around the Ghost, he finally showed off the unique weapon, which operated as both a lightsaber and blaster. This episode was an important step in Ezra’s development as a Jedi and hinted at the challenges to come for the Padawan and his master.
11 Fire Across the Galaxy (Season 1, Episode 15)
The Rebels season 1 finale was jam-packed with major moments in Ezra Bridger’s life. “Fire Across the Galaxy” was the first time Ezra ever engaged in a real lightsaber duel; while he had used his lightsaber in a battle previously, he had never faced off against another Force-wielder like the Grand Inquisitor. This episode was also when Ezra was wounded by the Grand Inquisitor, leaving him with facial scars that would be seen for the rest of the series.
“Fire Across the Galaxy” also saw the death of the Grand Inquisitor, who chose to die after being defeated by Kanan Jarrus, rather than face the wrath of Darth Vader. Additionally, the Ghost crew’s escape was possible because of the introduction of the Phoenix cell’s rebel fleet. The crew’s astromech droid Chopper reached out to Hera’s contact, Fulcrum, who was revealed at the end of the episode to be the former Jedi Ahsoka Tano. Ahsoka and Ezra immediately forged a connection, in large part due to both of their masters being non-traditional Jedi. This friendship will be a guiding force when Tano seeks Ezra out in Ahsoka.
10 Legacy (Season 2, Episode 11)
“Legacy” finally gives Ezra closure on what happened to his parents. After having a vision, Kanan and Ezra return to Lothal and run into Ryder Azadi. Ryder is revealed to be the former Governor of Lothal, having been imprisoned for treason after supporting the Bridgers in their messages speaking out against the Empire. He tells Ezra that after his message from Rebels season 1, episode 14, his parents were inspired and led a prison escape, but died trying to get everyone out. It’s heartbreaking to see Ezra learn the news about his parents, but Ryder’s addition to the Rebels cast would later be crucial in the Liberation of Lothal.
9 The Call (Season 2, Episode 15)
Rebels season 2 introduced Star Wars’ version of space whales called purrgil. The episode “The Call” further demonstrated how Ezra had a natural bond with creatures, and his connection with the purrgil was eventually paid off in the series finale. Purrgil were recently seen in The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1 by Grogu while he and Din Djarin were traveling in hyperspace, perhaps a tease for what’s to come with Ezra.
8 Twilight of the Apprentice Parts 1 and 2 (Season 2, Episodes 21 and 22)
The two-episode finale of Rebels season 2 may be two of the most important episodes to watch leading up to the premiere of Ahsoka. The episodes follow Kanan, Ezra, and Ahsoka as they travel to the Sith world of Malachor, where they run into three Inquisitors and Darth Maul. The stranded Maul played on Ezra’s anger to acquire a Sith holocron and would later blind Kanan with his lightsaber; however, Kanan used a lightsaber trick to beat Maul.
“Twilight of the Apprentice” also saw Ahsoka Tano coming face-to-face with her former master, Darth Vader. After Vader destroys Ezra’s first lightsaber, Ahsoka would step in and save Ezra’s life. Ahsoka eventually lost the duel offscreen, implying she died at Vader’s blade; however, Ezra would later save Ahsoka in the World Between Worlds in Rebels season 4. The loss of Ahsoka was a deep blow for the building rebels and hit especially hard for Ezra, as he felt responsible for her presumed death. These episodes will undoubtedly be referenced in the Ahsoka series, so they are a must-watch before the show premieres.
7 Steps Into Shadow Parts 1 and 2 (Season 3, Episodes 1 and 2)
The two-episode premiere of Rebels season 3 showed all the changes that happened to the Ghost crew since Kanan and Ezra escaped Malachor. Without Kanan’s knowledge, Ezra was using the Sith holocron to learn new tricks, bringing him closer to the dark side. Continued use of the holocron led Ezra to embrace all his anger—at himself for what happened to Ahsoka, for trusting Maul, and for his role in Maul blinding Kanan. This brush Ezra had with the dark side may have planted the seed for his fate in Ahsoka, as a theory suggests Ezra could be the Inquisitor seen in promotional material. The episodes also introduce Grand Admiral Thrawn, the antagonist for the rest of the series and Ahsoka.
6 Holocrons of Fate (Season 3, Episode 3)
“Holocrons of Fate” showed the connection between Ezra and Maul grow when they combined the Jedi and Sith holocrons. While they both only see a partial image of what the holocrons were trying to show them, Ezra says that he sees “Twin Suns,” whereas Maul learns that his adversary Obi-Wan Kenobi still lives. This episode also sees the connection between Kanan and Ezra restored as they work together and forgive each other—Kanan for becoming a recluse after he was blinded and Ezra for using the Sith holocron.
5 Twin Suns (Season 3, Episode 20)
Another iconic Rebels episode finds Ezra disregarding orders and going to Tatooine to find Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Because of the extreme heat of the planet and a sand storm, both Chopper and Ezra are close to death when they are saved by Obi-Wan, who tells them to leave while he faces Maul alone. The episode shows Obi-Wan defeating Maul, but it also highlights that Ezra, for all of his impulsive mistakes, learns that his place is with the Ghost crew and the Rebellion, and that they cannot help Lothal without him.
4 Kindred (Season 4, Episode 7)
“Kindred” pushes along the plot of the shows final season, building to the eventual Liberation of Lothal. A key part of this is showing Ezra and his bond with Loth Wolves, and this is the first time they interact with and help Ezra. Bridger’s connection to Loth Cats and Loth Wolves have been incorporated into his story since Rebels season 1 and will likely continue in the Ahsoka series, as a Loth Cat was seen in the trailer. Loth Wolves utilize the World Between Worlds to travel, and they play a pivotal part in protecting their homeworld.
3 A World Between Worlds (Season 4, Episode 13)
This episode focuses on Ezra in the World Between Worlds, showing how he saved Ahsoka Tano from her death at the hands of Darth Vader in “Twilight of the Apprentice.” In possibly the biggest moment in Ezra’s journey, he accepts Ahsoka’s words to follow Kanan’s last lesson, watching his master die again but letting go of his attachment. When Ahsoka and Ezra escape Palpatine in the World Between Worlds, the latter tells his friend to find him, a promise she makes and will see through. The World Between Worlds will play a significant role in Ahsoka, making the episode crucial for understanding how elements of the plot will work.
2 A Fool’s Hope (Season 4, Episode 14)
The penultimate episode of Rebels highlights Ezra’s strengths as a leader, crafting a plan that seems far-fetched but is executed to perfection. Ezra and his allies successfully capture Imperial Governor Pryce to infilatrate the Lothal capital, aided by the Loth Wolves. In the opening moments of the episode, Hera explains that the upcoming battle on Lothal isn’t sanctioned by the Rebel Alliance, but is instead for Ezra. This shows how many different people are willing to unite to fight for Ezra, including the clones, Hondo Ohnaka, and former ISB Agent Alexsandr Kallus. Given the impact he had on so many, it’s no surprise Sabine and Ahsoka will continue their search for Ezra in Ahsoka.
1 Family Reunion- and Farewell (Season 4, Episode 15)
The series finale of Rebels is a gut-wrencher. While the rag-tag group of rebels defeat Grand Admiral Thrawn and liberate Lothal, it comes at a price. Ezra takes after his master and sacrifices himself in order to save his family and planet, acting selflessly as a true Jedi. Ezra’s story ends with him and Grand Admiral Thrawn being brought into the Unknown Regions by purrgil, and it’s not yet known where specifically they end up.
The epilogue, which is narrated by Sabine Wren, explains what happened to the Ghost crew after the Liberation of Lothal. The series concludes with the return of Ahsoka Tano, as she and Sabine set off to find Ezra. This scene has seemingly been recreated in live-action, with a few retcons to the ending made to better connect to the Ahsoka series. Ezra’s personal growth through Rebels will make his return in Ahsoka all the more poignant, bringing one of Star Wars’ most special characters back into the fold.