Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2.
The Ahsoka series picks up right where Star Wars Rebels left off, and there are several crucial episodes in Rebels that help introduce and establish key characters in Ahsoka. Given how Dave Filoni wrote and worked on both series, it’s no wonder why Ahsoka is referencing and linking back to Rebels so much. Several members of the Ghost Crew have already made an appearance in the Ahsoka series, such as Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, and Ezra Bridger. But everything that led to these characters’ current situation is explored in Rebels seasons one through four.
Despite being released over five years apart, the end of Rebels season 4 and the end of Ahsoka episode 2 coincide with one another perfectly. The entirety of Sabine’s final moments in front of the Ghost Crew’s mural before leaving to join Ahsoka is an almost shot-for-shot remake from the animated show, which just goes to show how carefully Filoni has interlocked both series. In a way, they’re meant to be watched together. Both series center around the Ghost Crew and Ahsoka Tano. Rebels shows Ezra Bridger’s journey as a Jedi and his eventual exile with Thrawn, whereas Ahsoka shows Ahsoka’s journey to bring Ezra back.
10 Spark of Rebellion: Part 1 (Season 1, Episode 1)
As the debut episode of Rebels, “Spark of Rebellion: Part 1” introduces Erza Bridger to the galaxy, while also introducing Lothal, the same planet Sabine is on in Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2. While the tone of Rebels season 1 is much more light-hearted than the latter seasons, this episode shows Ezra’s first meeting with the Ghost Crew, whose members include Captain Hera Syndulla, former Jedi Kanan Jarrus, Mandalorian artist Sabine Wren, Zeb Orrelios, and Chopper. Ezra accidentally gets roped into a relief mission with them and subsequently discovers he has a connection to the Force.
9 Fire Across the Galaxy (Season 1, Episode 15)
Skipping ahead to the finale of season 1, “Fire Across the Galaxy” features the Ghost Crew working together as a cohesive team to take down the Grand Inquisitor (who also featured in Obi-Wan Kenobi). Ezra has come a long way in this episode as a Jedi and is able to help Kanan in his fight against the Grand Inquisitor. Sabine also showcases her artistic flair for explosions by painting a Trojan Horse TIE fighter that disables an entire Star Destroyer. But most importantly, the final moments of the episode show Ahsoka Tano’s first meeting with the Ghost Crew.
8 Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 1 (Season 2, Episodes 21)
The two-part finale to season 2 contains some of the most memorable moments the series has to offer. In the episode, Ezra, Kanan, and Ahsoka all travel to a Sith Temple on Malachor. Kanan and Ahsoka fend off several Inquisitors who are searching for the secret of the temple on Vader’s behalf. Meanwhile, Ezra encounters a wandering and lost Maul. Ezra and Maul’s meeting changed the course of Ezra’s journey, and the repercussions of Ezra’s decisions in this episode will likely come back to haunt him in Ahsoka.
7 Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 2 (Season 2, Episodes 22)
“Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 2” picks up where the first part left off as the group heads closer to the Sith Temple. Here, Maul betrays them and blinds Kanan. Just as Ezra discovers the true power of the Sith Temple, Darth Vader arrives. Ahsoka faces off against Vader for the first time since they last saw each other in The Clone Wars season 7. In Ahsoka, she likely has heard of how Anakin turned to the light side before he died. But in this episode, Ahsoka grapples with the dark figure her Master has become, which is something she’s still mulling over in the Ahsoka series.
6 Steps Into Shadow: Part 1 (Season 3, Episodes 1)
There’s around a six-month gap of time between season 2 and season 3, and a lot has changed in that time. Not only did Ezra get a haircut, but he has also been flirting with the dark side of the Force. In the episode, Kanan discovers that Ezra has been using a Sith Holocron he took from the temple on Malachor. Of course, he eventually gives up the Holocron and renounces the dark side. But the taste of power it gave him continues to entice him throughout the rest of Rebels and may have been a foreshadowing of what he will be like in Ahsoka.
5 Hera’s Heroes (Season 3, Episode 5)
“Hera’s Heroes” gives a lot of details on Hera’s past on Ryloth. Ezra and Hera attempt to sneak back into Hera’s old home to steal an important family heirloom of Hera’s, but are instead caught by Grand Admiral Thrawn himself. This episode is notable since it is the first time the Ghost Crew meets Thrawn in person. And while Thrawn ends up letting them escape, the group begins to realize how brilliant of an enemy Thrawn is. The episode also shows the beginning of Hera and Thrawn’s personal rivalry against one another; a rivalry that has carried into the Ahsoka series.
4 Trials of the Darksaber (Season 3, Episode 15)
“Trials of the Darksaber” is a much-see episode for enthusiasts of The Mandalorian, but it also shows some of Sabine Wren’s best character development. Previously, Sabine reclaimed the Darksaber from Maul, although she was hesitant to use it at first. Under Kanan’s guidance, Sabine trains to wield the Darksaber and learns more about how lightsabers work. She uses much of what she learned from him in her duel with Shin Hati in Ahsoka episode 1 but ultimately loses her battle due to being out of practice. Still, this episode helps show when Sabine first began to train with a lightsaber.
3 Jedi Night (Season 4, Episode 10)
Easily one of the saddest episodes of the series, “Jedi Night” holds special meaning for every member of the Ghost Crew. In one particular scene, Kanan Jarrus kneels and cuts off his ponytail. In Ahsoka episode 2, Sabine mimics this exact scene when she cuts her hair before leaving to join Ahsoka. Kanan’s sacrifice at the end of this episode profoundly changed each member of the Ghost crew, and his actions also inspired Ezra’s sacrifice at the end of Rebels.
2 A World Between Worlds (Season 4, Episode 13)
“A World Between Worlds” changed the franchise forever, as it introduced the idea of time traveling to Star Wars. While exploring the ruins of an ancient Jedi Temple on Lothal, Ezra finds a gateway to the World Between Worlds. While there, he is able to save Ahsoka from her duel against Vader back in Rebels season 2. Their reunion is one of the most important scenes for the Ahsoka series since Ahsoka promises to find Ezra once more after they both return to the timeline. This promise leads directly into Ahsoka’s quest to find Thrawn and Ezra.
1 Family Reunion – and Farewell (Season 4, Episode 15)
The final episode of Star Wars Rebels neatly ties up the Ghost Crew’s journey, only for Ahsoka to reopen it. In order to save Lothal, Ezra Bridger sacrifices himself by transporting himself and Thrawn far away. Some of Ezra’s final words to Sabine before leaving were that he was “counting on her,” though he failed to explain for what. Now, Sabine sets off with Ahsoka to find Ezra and bring him back in Ahsoka, which will finally answer the question of what happened to him at the end of Star Wars Rebels.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.
