Goodbye slingshot! Hello, Yoda!
The second half of Rebels‘ first season is underway, and it comes back in a big way. “Path of the Jedi” is a landmark episode of this series; it was written by The Clone Wars veteran Charles Murray (who penned the final Asoka arc of season five), and was directed by none other than Dave Filoni. What this episode makes obvious is that Star Wars Rebels is not a static show by any means. The events of all previous episodes compound upon one another, and create one cohesive narrative arc. Additionally, viewers should be aware that this show is moving at a fast pace. The time between episodes has often been discussed as being weeks apart. We’ve already seen Ezra have a birthday, and more time has past since then. All of this points to the fact that the show is chronicling the five years preceding A New Hope rather succinctly–there are few detours or filler here. Every episode is a glimpse into another event that is setting our characters on a certain trajectory, perhaps ultimately leading them to their final fate.
In other words, with the story rocketing through the timeline at this pace, I unfortunately don’t expect this show to last more than a handful of seasons, unless the pace eventually slows down.
On the bright side, every minute of this show is packed and layered with important detail and dialogue. An episode of Rebels shouldn’t just be watched–it should be unpacked. If you aren’t watching the fantastic “Rebels Recon” featurettes after every episode and browsing the information-laden galleries on StarWars.com, I implore you to do so. There’s so much information about each episode, and you’ll appreciate the detail and care that is going into this show.
Let’s get into the recap.
Some time has passed since the events of “Gathering Forces,” and Ezra’s training has continued. However, it is clear that Kanan is frustrated. Even after Ezra made “a dangerous connection through the Force,” he is still showing signs of a lack of discipline. He missed training to run off somewhere with Sabine (more on that later in the series, Filoni promises), and does not have the deepest commitment and the most serious mind that we all know a Jedi must possess. Kanan, himself never having achieved the rank of Jedi, has begun to doubt his ability to train Ezra. And so, with Hera’s wisdom and encouragement, Kanan resolves to test Ezra’s resolve with a trip to an ancient Jedi temple.
A few things stand out right from the get-go.
First is Hera’s clear understanding about what Kanan should do with the boy. It’s never been more obvious that she has been part of his training all along, though Kanan is the one administering the curriculum. Kanan and Hera are a team–off-screen more then on-, apparently, and she believes in Kanan even when he does not. Hera clearly believes in the Jedi order; what her connection is to the group remains to be seen.
Second, Kanan says that this test is Ezra’s “second chance,” which means that Ezra has clearly failed his first chance. When did this happen? Was it when he touched the dark side, or was it through repeated disrespect for his training? My guess is the latter, because I would think Kanan blames himself for Ezra’s dark-side encounter. (And, let’s be clear: unwittingly using the dark side and the dark path forever dominating his destiny are two radically different things; Ezra is untrained, not doomed.) In any event, Ezra has reached a turning point, and there is no going back from here.
Third, the title screen for this episode is different than the previous seven episodes. It fades in, with music more in line with the OT. It feels epic.
Once they’ve boarded the Phantom, Kanan explains a little more to Ezra about the test, and the Jedi. We get a detailed explanation of the Jedi outposts, or temples, scattered among the stars, and learn that there were around 10,000 Jedi at the time of Revenge of the Sith, but now, there are few.
Few.
A vague word for a vague idea. How many are known to Kanan at this time? Is he speaking of he and Ezra only? Does his hope for surviving Jedi foster a belief there are few? Does he feel it in the Force? These questions are some of the most important this series has offered, and needs to answer.
Kanan also explains further that things are different in this time. “All that remains now is the Force.” This is also a major concept in the current age of Star Wars–one I predict the sequel trilogy will be delving into as well. Indeed, Kanan is focusing not on the edicts and laws of the Jedi order, but the nature of the Force itself. The dogma, rigor and scholarship that was akin to religion among the Jedi has been swept away, and Ezra’s training is focusing on his connection to a very real but very mystical energy field. Much like in the Mortis and Yoda arcs of The Clone Wars, we are seeing the Force as an element of the Star Wars universe greater than any person, group, or physical structure. It begs us to question if Ezra’s training is even true Jedi training at all. It could be training in something bigger and larger than the old order could ever contain. Perhaps, much like Qui-Gonn, Obi-Wan, and Yoda have learned, the path of the Jedi is merely a means to understanding something much greater.
As Ezra uses the Force to feel where the temple is on Lothal, he makes mention that he can see a “bright star” inside of it. Remember it: it’s a curious piece of imagery we’ll come back to later.
The Phantom finally lets down in a remote, snowy region of Lothal. Kanan is not sure if the Empire have found this temple, yet does not seem overly worried. As he meditates outside, Ezra explores to find a way in. His only guidance is not to look, but to listen. This describes using the light side of the Force perfectly, as listening is by design a passive action; one must be calm, quiet and open to listen–all tenets of Luke’s training on Dagobah as well.
Finally, the master and apprentice together unlock the gate to the temple, and venture in. After seeing the grisly remains of masters whose apprentices never returned from the test, Kanan bids farewell to Ezra, answering “nothing and everything” to Ezra’s question, “What am I looking for in here?” Just as in “Rise of the Old Masters,” Kanan doesn’t fully understand this message he parroted, either. It’s obvious they both have much to learn here.
Inside the temple, Ezra’s deepest insecurities and fears manifest before him. He follows Kanan, only to hear him fall off a cliff. He watches helplessly as the Inquisitor mercilessly kills Kanan, and knocks him off the cliff, only before coming after Ezra. Ezra eventually falls into darkness, arriving in his cabin on the Ghost. Finally, he overhears his crew mates talking about him callously. Zeb is happy he is gone, Hera only cares about how useful he is to the “cause,” and Sabine pities him. Then, he is helpless to stop the Inquisitor slay them as well. Ezra retreats, only to fall into darkness once more, to arrive back at the temple.
Ezra is disoriented and confused. He is fighting against these visions, trying to maintain his hold on reality. At the same time, he is trying to cope with all his insecurities being exposed before him: fears of abandonment, loss, and helplessness all plague him now that he has found a new family. And above all, the spectre of the Inquisitor looms over everything, hunting him down. Yet, despite all of this roiling inside him, he picks himself up with a resolve to survive.
Something seems to change at this point. Ezra identifies his fears failing Kanan and being alone again, but finds he is no longer afraid, and that he needs to follow his training. He allows himself to face the illusion of the Inquisitor head on, and, in a scene reminiscent of Obi-Wan’s death scene, allows it to cut him down. On a metaphorical level, he confronted his fear and allowed it to pass right through him. The illusions end, and Ezra hears a voice familiar to every viewer.
“Big fears have you faced, young one.”
“Yes”
“For what lies ahead, ready are you?”
“I am.”
“Come. See more clearly what you could not see before.”
“Who are you?”
“A guide.”
Frank Oz returns to Star Wars for the first time in a decade, and his portrayal of Yoda, even only as a disembodied voice, is nothing short of pitch perfect. There is a quality to Oz’s portrayal, a depth and ease, that leaves even the absolute best renditions of the character in the dust.
Yoda’s voice, in the form of luminous balls of light, appears to Ezra. It is clear that he has been studying these past 15-16 years to achieve what Qui-Gonn had achieved previously in The Clone Wars. This is the first time we have seen a living being perform such a feat, and it begs the question: can Obi-Wan also do the same thing? I would suspect so, considering he achieved the same…final…results.
Meanwhile, Kanan is getting worried that Ezra is taking too long. Unbelievably, Yoda can have two disembodied conversations! While Kanan is in disbelief, Yoda repeats a line Qui-Gonn told him: “Be not concerned with how. Know I am here BECAUSE you are here.” Yoda recognizes that Kanan was lost for a long time, and mentions something has changed. Apparently, Yoda can now see Force users when they follow the Jedi path, but they disappear to him should they stray. Also, when Yoda says he has watched Luke all his life (in The Empire Strikes Back), it makes a lot more sense.
Finally, through conversation Yoda leads both Ezra and Kanan to realize the objectives set before them and the challenges they will face. Yoda is clear that this is Kanan’s last chance at redemption, and Kanan vows that he will not let Ezra lose his way. Ezra comes to realize that he seeks to defend his friends and others, to follow after the example that has been set for him. He says this makes him feel alive, like he does at that very moment. Yoda seems to have found him worthy, for he bestows upon Ezra a Kyber crystal amid an illusory backdrop of stars. This crystal seems to be the star Ezra saw in his vision! It seems to have appeared out of nowhere, but I wonder if the crystal was what was powering the glowing glyphs that had previously appeared in the room. Finally, master and apprentice reunite, leaving the temple, and the past, behind them.
Weeks pass. Ezra finally presents his lightsaber, built from extra parts donated from every member of the crew, even Chopper. Like Ezra, it is nothing if not unique. However, I wonder if anyone on the crew knows if there is a blaster built in? It is an odd design choice, to be sure, and if it is a secretive one then there may be conflict ahead. Jedi shouldn’t need blasters, and padawans need to learn how to deflect blaster bolts. I wonder if this hidden blaster is just another expression of his lack of confidence.
-JT
Joseph Tavano is the owner and editor in chief of RetroZap. Born just months before Luke found out who his father was, he has been fortunate to have had Star Wars in his life as long as he can remember. Growing up just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, he can remember substituting sticks for lightsabers and BMX bikes for speeders. He loves comics, retro games, vintage sci-fi paperbacks, and maps. Though an accomplished drummer, he doesn’t crave adventure (as much) any more, and prefers his old haunts north of Boston, Massachusetts, where he resides with his family. Buy him a glass of whiskey and he’ll return it in kind.