Back in 2013, a new direction was announced for Star Wars animated programming. As someone who followed The Clone Wars since it first started in 2008, I was interested in what this new direction was. And the more that was seen of Star Wars Rebels, the more I was wanting to see. The characters, that first full trailer on Star Wars Day 2014, I was excited to see the group dynamic in action and the surprises that were sure to follow.

When Spark of Rebellion was first watched, released on 3/October-2014, I felt it was a good start. It introduced these characters. Who they were, what they stood for, and it allowed each of them time to show their place in this series. As the first season progressed, I enjoyed seeing the various episodes. The antics of the crew in their fight against the Empire. And the introduction of the Grand Inquisitor as a major foe.

Then came Empire Day. This episode provided a strong start to what would be one of the major threads of Ezra’s character growth. The disappearance of his family and the reason he has been on his own for so long. This was also the episode where it felt things were getting serious. One particular thing I remember is seeing discussions on how this episode felt a turning point for the series.

Certainly, when it came to the rest of season one, nearly every episode felt like they were building toward a grand finale. Which came in the form of the three final episodes. By the time Fire Across The Galaxy finished, I wanted to be seeing more. I was absolutely ready for the second season. And not just because of the reveal of Ahsoka being Fulcrum. This was the episode that changed the dynamic, not just of the crew, but the series.

This first season was just the Ghost crew, fighting the Empire how they could. But, with that final episode, the seeds of larger rebellion are seen. A seed which the Ghost crew become a part of. From this point on, Rebels grew to show a lot more of how the Rebel Alliance came together, but never leaving the point of view of the crew it started with. That brought forth a whole lot of exploration for these characters, and made the finale for the series hit so hard.

With 2015 being the year that The Force Awakens would release, it seemed that Disney were intent on making Star Wars Celebration a larger event. Which included livestreaming the most important panels from it. As such, the second season of Rebels had its first full trailer revealed during the Rebels panel that included the voice actors of the Ghost crew.

And what a trailer! Darth Vader absolutely dominating the fight. The Ghost crew fleeing from Lothal, which had been their home base for so long. Then, the voice. Rex. Seeing the great clone captain of The Clone Wars make a return was such a hype moment. Even more so than Vader. And can’t forget about Hondo, who also appeared in that trailer, even if briefly.

Across the second season, which was 22 episodes long rather than just 15, there was so much to love. After all, the trailer didn’t show everything. Ahsoka fighting with white lightsabers against the new Inquisitors. Kanan coming to terms with Order 66. Some of Sabine’s history. And the answers that Ezra had been searching for regarding his parents. Legacy felt such a powerful episode to pause the season on.

And when the season continued a month later, there were so many more powerful moments throughout the latter half of it. Of particular note were two episodes focused on Zeb. Legends of the Lasat and The Honorable Ones. Both served their purpose in relieving Zeb of the guilt of the failure to protect his home, and finally putting the past behind him alongside Agent Kallus – who lead that attack on his home.

The finale of season two I loved so much. How could I not when it featured Maul? A Maul who put pressure on Ezra, tempting him to the dark. Twilight of the Apprentice was such an atmospheric finale, focused on the Force users and the darkness that always lingers. And how could I forget about that confrontation between Vader and Ahsoka? Chills every time. The season was building toward it, and the finale absolutely delivered.

A panel at Star Wars Celebration 2016 again provided a look at a new season of Rebels, and that trailer had so much to love in it. More Maul, and the temptations of the dark for Ezra. Kanan coming to terms with being blinded, and trusting the Force. The Bendu providing an interesting new Force user who acts as a guide. Mandalorian action. Battle droids. More Hondo and Rex.

And then, the rumours were true. Confirmed as soon as the line “I need someone who sees a bigger picture” was spoken. Thrawn. Now, I’m not someone who grew up with the Heir to the Empire trilogy or Timothy Zahn’s older works. But I’ve been a fan of Thrawn just from reading Outbound Flight and that alone. So to see him appear in Rebels… I was simply delighted. What could be better?

Indeed, there was plenty to love in season three. And those times with Maul and Thrawn, Rex and Hondo, proved to be great. But the deeper history of the Ghost crew, their ever-changing dynamic and how they fit into the rebellion, was still the strongest reason to stick around. Though I have to say that I loved the closure that was brought with Twin Suns. The end of Maul’s story.

The finale of season three I might not consider the best, but it still provided plenty of great action. Some great moments of tension as the Atollon base that has provided respite for the rebels throughout the season gets destroyed by the fleet of Thrawn. The hesitancy of the rebel leadership to engage in a large-scale warfare. The hope again blossoming as the Mandalorians provide an escape route for those trapped on the surface.

All stories must come to an end, and with Star Wars Celebration 2017, it was confirmed season four would be the last. The trailer set that tone perfectly, with a narration by Hera in its first half easily summing up the Ghost crew and the war they had fought. The second then set the scene for this last season, with a battle on Mandalore and a major return to Lothal.

But even the trailer that followed near to the premiere episodes of the fourth season held back the most emotional parts of what was to come. Kanan’s death was such a powerful moment, made all the more so by the next episode allowing all the crew to be grieving in their own way in the next episode. It felt such a real moment, lasting the entirety of that episode, and one I truly hold as one of the greatest in all of Star Wars.

The episodes that follow see the Empire driven off Lothal, but not before more mystical Force exploration. The World Between Worlds was such an interesting place. A gateway into the timeline of the entire galaxy, and a true test of Ezra’s resolve in letting things go. Which is what allows himself to not be drawn into the Emperor’s tricks of returning to his family. And also perform the ultimate act that removes Thrawn from the fight against his new family.

The entire latter half of season four was a whirlwind of emotional punches, but nothing hit worse than that ending narration by Sabine. Showing what happened to the rest of the crew we’ve followed across these four seasons. Coming to understand Ezra’s final wish, and making the promise to bring him home. If there weren’t waterworks before that, they sure broke during it.

In the years since that series finale, I was always hoping a follow up to continue the story would happen. Of course, I always expected such a thing to happen as an animated series. So seeing Ahsoka in live action during The Mandalorian, then the announcement she would get her own series that would follow her efforts in tracking down Thrawn had me super excited. And Ahsoka felt every bit the Rebels follow up I was hoping for.

Star Wars Rebels was a lovely series to watch as it was airing, and it still is now. The strong writing, great characters, and excellent action, as well as the emotion that it wrings out from all of that, makes it great to rewatch. And for anyone who has yet to watch it, get on that. It is truly one of the greatest Star Wars animated projects that exists. Why not do so for its tenth anniversary? I’m sure going for a rewatch to celebrate.

Images Taken From:
Star Wars Rebels | S1.08 [Disney+]
Star Wars Rebels | S2.10 [Disney+]
Star Wars Rebels | S3.17 [Disney+]
Star Wars Rebels | S4.13 [Disney+]