Star Wars Rebels‘ ending discretely set up Sabine Wren’s Jedi twist for Ahsoka five years ago. After the main events of the series, Sabine finds herself alone on Lothal, believing her duty was to protect the citizens from potential Imperial retaliation. While gazing at the thriving Capital City, a T-6 Jedi shuttle enters the atmosphere and Sabine departs her home. Although Ahsoka is retconning parts of the Rebels epilogue, the general beats remain the same: Ahsoka Tano arrives to enlist Sabine’s help in tracking down Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger.
The closing moments aren’t the most fascinating part of the epilogue, however. As a direct parallel to Ezra’s introduction in Rebels‘ pilot episode, Sabine is framed precisely as her friend was by the railing of the comm tower. This includes shots that replicate the beginning of the show, making for a recreation set in different parts of the Star Wars timeline. But what was once a nice nod to bookend the series has been given new meaning; Sabine Wren will learn to be a Jedi in Ahsoka, and Rebels was secretly setting it up all along.
Ezra’s Jedi Journey Began At The Start Of Rebels
At the start of Star Wars Rebels, Ezra Bridger was alone, ruminating as he watched over Lothal’s Capital City. The arrival of an Imperial Star Destroyer signified the dark era he lived in, and Ezra unknowingly left for the city to meet his destiny. It was there that Ezra first encountered the crew of the Ghost, and he would demonstrate his Force sensitivity to Jedi Kanan Jarrus. Following a successful mission to the spice mines of Kessel and unlocking a Jedi Holocron, Ezra agreed to join the Ghost and learn the ways of the Force under Kanan.
RELATED: 14 Essential Ezra Bridger Episodes To Watch Before Ahsoka Premieres
The opening shots of the series were the beginning of Ezra’s Jedi journey, which would then be chronicled through the four seasons of Rebels. He would grow significantly from the selfish street rat introduced in “Spark of Rebellion,” discovering a special ability to connect with creatures and pursuing his desire to free Lothal of Imperial tyranny. Ezra successfully did so in the Rebels series finale, following in his master’s footsteps by sacrificing himself to remove Thrawn’s fleet from orbit. He left a message behind for his friends, telling Sabine specifically that he was counting on her – but perhaps to open herself up to the Force, rather than just protect Lothal.
Sabine’s Jedi Path In Ahsoka Was Set Up In Rebels’ Epilogue
With the revelation that Sabine is Ahsoka Tano’s Jedi Padawan, the Rebels epilogue parallel takes on new meaning. Sabine was awaiting a new adventure like Ezra, but the shots also marked the start of her own Jedi path. While the New Republic reigns and Lothal is no longer oppressed, the threat of the Empire remains, as Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return is imminent. Hopping on a speeder bike to Capital City like Ezra is Sabine leaving behind her home to embrace her destiny as a Jedi.
The true trajectory for Sabine was dangled in front of the audiences’ nose for five years, but it didn’t become apparent marketing for Ahsoka. Ezra and Sabine are at different points in their lives when the respective sequences occur, but they’re both awaiting the chance to embrace something larger than themselves. When Ahsoka continues Sabine’s Jedi journey by bringing her to a point where she can accept her destiny, the full circle of Star Wars Rebels will be complete.
