Countdown to Ahsoka: Revisiting Star Wars: Rebels Season 4

Welcome back to our daily series of articles counting down the days for Ahsoka, in which we revisit the history of the character and her various animated appearances throughout the years, as well as shows like Star Wars: Rebels that may be important for the new series. Today it's the turn of the Rebels season 4, which not only serves as direct set-up for the events of the new live-action series, but also featured the return of Ahsoka Tano after her uncertain fate at the end of season 2. If you want to revisit with us previous articles in our 'Countdown to Ahsoka', you can do so here.



It’s incredible to think how the premiere of Ahsoka is under a week away. I remember when Kathleen Kennedy announced the series several years ago and the excitement surrounding it. The character’s popularity has only continued to grow in the years since. Of course, Ahsoka won’t be the only familiar character of critical importance in this series. In many ways, this series will serve as the sequel to Rebels, which fans have been clamoring for since the epilogue after season four. Season four was a jam-packed ultimate Star Wars experience, and to help refresh your memory or prepare you for the Ahsoka series itself, we will dive into it in all of its glory. Here we go.


<h2>Mandalore Arc</h2>


What better way to kick off the seasons than with a two-parter opening on Mandalore? It doesn’t get better than that. Sabine and the rest of Clan Wren and other Mandalore loyalists are attempting to win back their homeworld from the clutches of the Empire and traitorous clans. Her father, an important political figure, is being held captive. Kanan, Ezra, and Chopper are on Mandalore to help with the rescue effort in any way they can.



The group launches a successful attack against the Empire and frees Sabine’s father. Ezra still attempting to fly in a jet pack is pretty funny. Jedi training can only make one so comfortable before zooming around on one of those. Kanan does plenty of Kanan things during the battle, and Sabine pulls off some “colorful” maneuvers. The real meat of the episode comes in the end when a devastating Imperial weapon is used against Sabine’s mother, brother, and the rest of their forces at a nearby battle; it wipes out every warrior except for her brother Tristan, and her mother, Ursa. The weapon, designed by Sabine, targets Mandalorian armor. The pride of the fierce warriors is now their greatest weakness. A Mandalorian without their armor is no Mandalorian at all. They carry their family history and legacy with them into battle. Sabine creating a weapon this deadly to Mandalorians is seen by many as a traitorous act.







Ultimately, Sabine gains the trust of other Mandalorians, most notably Bo-Katan. The two team up to infiltrate and destroy the Mando-killing super weapon once and for all.



Sabine is the heart and soul of these episodes. Her utter devastation at first seeing that the weapon she created years ago is still in existence, and being used against her people, was palpable. Couple this with momentarily believing her brother and mother were lost in the battle, and it was a near-crippling emotional blow for her. The enormous guilt draped over her shoulders is a burden she shouldn’t have to bury, but one she carries alone. The weight of it would be enough to crush anyone. Sabine’s journey in this arc from a young woman weighed down by the regrets of her past and the anger of the present into the great leader any Mandalorian might follow makes this one of my favorite journeys so far.






<h2>In the Name of the Rebellion</h2>


The following two episodes take a different turn. They don’t tug on your heartstrings the way the previous two do. However, the Rogue One ramifications are front and center, and we’re treated to an Ezra and Sabine adventure.



So much of season four centers around Ezra and Sabine as a pair. The two were already close, but their bond becomes ironclad throughout this final season. The majority of their missions are done together, they are more open and honest with each other than they ever have been, and see each other clearer than ever before. Of course, this will be of paramount importance when Ahsoka tips off next week.



This double-header bings Saw Guerera back into the fold. Over time, Saw’s methods have become harsher and more erratic in an attempt to take down the Empire using any means necessary. His humanity is being stripped away bit by bit. At this moment, he has officially separated himself from the Alliance and launched his rebellion. His disagreements with Mon Mothma and the rest of the Alliance’s leadership become quite public during an intense bout of words with the former Senator on Yavin.







Hera and the Ghost crew are sent to an Imperial Communications outpost to install listening devices. These devices will help them infiltrate the station and be aware of the Empire’s communications. Ezra, Sabine, and Chopper are the landing party responsible for this infiltration. Like always, things don’t go according to the plan and none other than Saw and his followers show up and rescue the three of them before blowing up the station. Rather than return them to Hera in the aftermath of the explosion, Saw recruits them for a little mission of his own.



The group embarks on a stealth op aboard an imperial ship carrying a massive kyber crystal and several engineer prisoners. Of course, we know these engineers and the crystal will be used for the Death Star, but the Alliance is unaware of the sinister weapon at this time. Saw is so blinded by discovering what the Empire is hiding he would risk the lives of Ezra and Sabine, and sacrifice any of the innocent prisoners on the ship.







The episodes serve as both a lesson and a reminder to the two of them. If they use “any means necessary” tactics in this war, they will risk losing themselves in it. In other words, they will become what they swore to destroy. (If you know you know). I love how Ezra and Sabine work together so much of this season, and that Saw is always coming close to the truth about the Death Star, but ultimately won’t learn until it’s too late for him.


<h2>Back to Lothal</h2>


After opening the season with a pair of two-parters, the rest of the season begins to take shape. Unlike other seasons where our crew is bouncing around completing various missions on different planets, all roads lead back to Lothal in season four, where the rest of the episodes almost exclusively take place; seeing as it was where it all began, it’s naturally it’s where things shall end.



The Empire has upped its Tie Defender project. The Tie Defender’s capabilities far outstrip what a normal starfighter can do and give the Imperials a significant advantage. Rebel in hiding Ryder Azadi gets word to the Alliance on the industrial project taking place and asks for support to eliminate the factories and liberate the planet.



For Ezra, this mission is everything. Lothal is his home. He’s been eager to return and work to save his people for some time but has been forced to be patient. Thankfully, he won’t be returning alone. The entire Ghost family is coming with him. So much of Star Wars is about family and hope. This crew embodies that. The persisting hope they help keep throughout their chosen family is awe-inspiring. One can’t help but get some chills thinking about them willing to risk everything to help Ezra’s home planet.



With the help of the smuggler, Vizago, the crew makes it to the surface. Lothal is not the planet Ezra remembers. Stripped away of its natural resources and facing Imperial occupation, the planet reeks of pollution and depravity. The rebels on the surface are struggling to keep hope. It’s such a stark contrast to what we see at the beginning of the show.







To get the Alliance to move against the Empire on Lothal, they must get as much information on the Tie Defender as possible. During a reconnaissance mission, Ezra and Sabine go above and beyond what their orders dictated. The two of them steal the prototype defender right in front of Grand Admiral Thrawn. Of course, the Grand Admiral never misses out on an educational opportunity. So, naturally, he deploys fighters to attack the prototype so he can see the fighter in action. After getting enough data, the kill switch is turned on. I love how the wings fall off one at a time. It reminds me of my old toys that were just like that. You could take the wings off one by one.



After successfully crash-landing the ship, Ezra and Sabine must get the Navi-computer away for Hera to take back to the Alliance. Unfortunately, the entire Empire is out looking for them. Now enter the Loth wolves. This season introduces us to some of the most fascinating creatures in the Star Wars universe. The wolves rescue the two of them and safely return them to their rebel camp. The loth-wolves connection to the Force is incredible. They can tap into hyperspace on a planetary level to transport them where they need to go. I love it when Star Wars gets all mystical and trippy like this. Hopefully, we will see something similar in the Ahsoka series. I love when we see the entire group experience this when the Empire later discovers their hideout.






<h2>Kanan’s Sacrifice</h2>


The season begins to reach a fever pitch come episode 9. Hera leads an assault against the Empire on Lothal to take out the factories and give the Rebellion a much-needed victory. Thrawn has other ideas. Hera’s squadron is overwhelmed, and she comes crashing to the surface. What started as an offensive has become a fight to survive. Hera is easily one of my favorite characters. You feel the full force of who she is in the latter half of this season. Ultimately, she is tragically captured and taken to the heart of the city for interrogation. The Empire will stop at nothing to learn the location of the Rebel Base.



For the Ghost crew, this means a rescue mission must happen immediately. For Kanan, this means a chance to save his true love. I was always left wanting a bit more from this relationship. It’s not until the very end they finally express their deep love for each other. Kanan has been on a spiritual journey this season. He can’t quite put it into words, but he senses his purpose.







The plan to save Hera is brilliant. They ride off on makeshift Loth Bats, and Kanan climbs up the building to break in and save her. He even retrieves her Kalikori in the process. The brief ten minutes the two share are some of the best in the entire series. Unfortunately, it won’t last.



When Governor Pryce orders her troops to destroy the factories fueling the Tie Defender to ensure the deaths of the Ghost crew, the time comes for Kanan to give the ultimate sacrifice. The score is beautiful as he holds back the fire from the explosion with the Force. I love times when we are just allowed to sit and momentarily inhale the scene. It only lasts a few seconds, but those seconds have been an eternity. The looks on Hera, Ezra, and Sabine’s faces say it all. Kanan holds them back with the Force so they won’t join him in his fate. The most hauntingly-beautiful moment comes when the Force grants Kanan his sight back so he can look at Hera one last time. The crew gets away with their lives, but part of their collective soul was crushed that night. Chopper taking Sabine’s hand and Zeb embracing Ezra afterward are two tear-jerkers every time I watch it.



The following episode serves as a grieving episode. There isn’t significant plot development taking place, but that’s ok! It gives us time to mourn the loss of Kanan with the characters who loved him most. Rather than having our heroes jump right into the next conflict, Filoni gives the show time and space to breathe.






<h2>The World Between Worlds and the Return of Ahsoka
</h2>


I adore how Dave Filoni went about the World Between Worlds. It’s magnificently written. The awestruck wonder on Ezra’s face as he enters is the exact look on our faces. The whole excavation site was so intriguing. You’re left wondering what on Earth this could be. The Mortis gods being present in the artwork left me even more excited and nervous before Ezra entered. Something worth pointing out is how Sabine and Ezra once again work together to solve this mystery. Sabine took over deciphering the artwork while Ezra worked through the Force aspects. The two have become quite the duo. It’s unclear if their relationship moving forward in the Ahsoka show and beyond will be romantic, or more of a sibling relationship, but I am excited to see how it progresses.







The magic of the World Between Worlds is a spectacle I would love to see in live-action someday. The moment Ezra pulled Ahsoka to safety was such a fist-pump moment. We underestimate the impact Ahsoka had on him in their limited time together. She saved his life a few times and shared wisdom at critical junctions. I hope she is as insistent on finding Ezra as Sabine.



The scene with Palpatine attempting to gain access to the World Between Worlds was bone-chilling. I mean, seriously, have you ever stopped to think of the havoc this guy could wreak if he had access to all of space and time?






<h2>Farewell</h2>


The series ends dramatically. The entire gang gets back together. And yes, I mean the ENTIRE gang. I love how everyone from Captain Rex, Kallus, and Hondo shows up to help Ezra in his fight to free his homeworld once and for all. Hondo, notorious for his completely selfish behavior, is even quoted saying “For that boy, there is nothing I would not do.” Is it possible we could get a live-action Hondo in the Ahsoka show?! I certainly hope so. His connection with Ezra is one of my favorite dynamics from the entire series.







The mission goes as planned almost perfectly…. Until it doesn’t. Thrawn returns just in time to begin bombing the civilians of Lothal. Once again, it appears the Grand Admiral has outmaneuvered them. Thrawn demands Ezra to come alone onto his ship and surrender himself.



Despite the orders from Hera not to go, Ezra does what he must. Hera probably knew it was their best chance, but the thought of losing Ezra so close after losing Kanan might have been too much to bear. Sabine, however, understands and helps him get to Thrawn’s vessel. When aboard the ship, Ezra comes face to face with Palpatine.



Palpatine offers Ezra what he wants most in the world: his parents. Palpatine’s ability to manipulate and prey upon people’s innermost desires is part of why he is a perfect villain. He offers Ezra’s deepest desire to him on a silver platter, and in that instant, Ezra displays just how much he’d grown in these four seasons. Denying Palpatine access to the World Between Worlds probably saved the galaxy from complete calamity.







The final stages of Ezra’s plan come to light when he gets to the bridge of the Chimaera. The purrgil have come to save the day. Ezra’s connection with living creatures has been highlighted and expanded upon throughout the series. It comes to full fruition here -- it’s this connection that saves his friends and his planet. He sacrifices himself in the process as the ship is taken by the Purgill somewhere unknown. Lothal is free from the Imperials, but Ezra is now gone. Of course, we know the search for Ezra is about to ramp up.






<h2>The epilogue and setting up Ahsoka
</h2>


The famous Rebels epilogue has never been more relevant. Beyond the significance of Ahsoka and Sabine meeting to team up to find Ezra, it gives us some incredible context for what the entire series meant. Freeing Lothal was a tipping point in the galactic struggle against the Empire. It gave the galaxy an example to look to and a hope to hold onto. We learn that Hera was pregnant with young Jacen Syndulla. It’s a touching close-out to the series, and I can’t express how thrilled I am for the follow-up.



This series holds a special place in my heart. Perhaps I delved too much into this one season of a show, but there’s so much more to unpack I didn’t even mention. It’s such a beautiful story of chosen family and hopes to persist, all while also delving into some of the mystical sides of the Force. I can’t wait to be reintroduced to these characters next week!!!



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