Order 66 survivor Kanan Jarrus and the rest of the Rebel cell known as the Ghost crew, Ezra’s past still haunted him. Born on Empire Day, all Ezra had ever known was Emperor Palpatine’s dictatorial rule; his home planet of Lothal was overrun by Imperials and his parents were arrested for speaking out against the Empire’s tyranny.

As he learned to commune with the Force and wield a lightsaber, Ezra’s kindness and empathetic nature made him a great Padawan – but that didn’t mean he didn’t struggle with the dark side. Part of Ezra’s journey during Star Wars Rebels was overcoming the darkness’ temptation, from fighting against Maul’s sinister influence and learning how to grieve his parents. Though Ezra overcame the power of the dark side in Star Wars Rebels – with a little help from his Master – that doesn’t mean he’ll never be tempted by it again.

Is Ezra Bridger Destined To Be "Consumed" By The Dark Side? It's A Battle For All Jedi

In Star Wars Rebels season 2, episode 18, “Shroud of Darkness,” Ezra, Kanan, and Ahsoka Tano visit a Jedi Temple on Lothal. In the Temple, Kanan has a vision in which he comes face to face with a Jedi Temple Guard – otherwise known as Darth Vader’s Grand Inquisitor, who Kanan defeated in Rebels season 1. The Guard is clearly testing Kanan’s resolve, taunting him with horrid visions of the future. At one point, he pivots to Ezra’s fate, saying “The dark side. It pulls at him, it calls to him. Eventually, he will be consumed by it.”

In reply, Kanan says he’ll never let that happen, and vows to protect Ezra and guide him away from the lure of the dark. Of course, in the context of Star Wars Rebels, Kanan kept his promise – Ezra did overcome his dalliance with the dark side. He resisted Darth Maul and Palpatine’s offers of power, destroyed the only means to save Kanan’s life when he blocked the entrance to the World Between Worlds – a dimension that connects all space and time – and sacrificed a life with his new family to free Lothal from Imperial rule.

Ezra became a model Jedi, one who knew how to balance love and affection with responsibility and empathy. However, as Ahsoka season 1 proved, Ezra’s story is far from over. He’s spent years alone, isolated, hidden away from his loved ones, stranded on a planet with his worst enemy. How has that changed him, and how will coming back to Star Wars’ primary galaxy affect him going forward? A Jedi must always choose to serve the light, after all. Ezra may well have to make that choice once more – and it might not come so easily this time.

How Will Ezra Cope With His Guilt Now That He's Returned To The Galaxy?

Guilt is one of Ezra’s biggest triggers. He felt guilty about not being able to save his parents, guilty about not being able to save Kanan’s life when he was able to save Ahsoka’s in the World Between Worlds. Though he largely managed to work through his guilt, who’s to say it won’t come back in full force once he’s reunited with the rest of his Ghost crew family?

Guilt, fear, anger, all these emotions lead to the dark side, and there are plenty of people who would love to see Ezra fall to his desires and sadness.

What happens when the enormity of leaving Sabine Wren and Ahsoka behind on Peridea truly hits him? What happens when he meets Jacen Syndulla and feels guilty for not saving his father’s – Kanan’s – life all over again? How will he feel when he realizes that Grand iral Thrawn has returned and his years of sacrifice may mean nothing in the grand scheme of things with the Imperial Remnant on the rise?

There are so many things that Ezra could – yet shouldn’t – feel guilty about. After being away from everybody for so long, it’s possible he’ll have partially forgotten how to deal with such strong emotions. Guilt, fear, anger, all these feelings lead to the dark side, and there are plenty of people who would love to see Ezra fall to his desires and sadness.

There Are Certain Dark Forces That Would Love To See Ezra Fail

It won’t be long before Grand iral Thrawn realizes that Ezra made it back to Star Wars’ primary galaxy in Ahsoka season 2 – how far will the fearsome iral be willing to go for revenge? The Imperial Remnant is counting on the Chiss to lead them, and Thrawn, better than anyone, knows that Ezra could become a major stumbling block for whatever he and the Imperials have planned. Thrawn is a tactician; I have no doubt that he’ll try and twist Ezra’s return home against him somehow.

Any disciples of Palpatine’s may be eager to see Ezra Bridger fail, too. Next to Luke Skywalker, Ezra was one of the biggest thorns in the Emperor’s side. Not only did he destroy the only known entrance to the World Between Worlds, but he outright rejected Palpatine’s offer of a new life with his parents, destroying Thrawn’s fleet and kickstarting the downfall of the Empire’s leadership. As Star Wars has proven, Palpatine had a contingency plan for everything. I imagine destroying such a pivotal Jedi would have been on his mind, too.

Ezra’s destiny could go either way. Kanan is no longer there to lead and protect him, and there are many emotional triggers that could eat away at Ezra’s resolve. As the Grand Inquisitor said, “Eventually, he will be consumed” by the darkness. “Eventually” could still happen when Ezra Bridger returns in Ahsoka season 2.