Summary
- The Ahsoka series will feature the live-action debut of Hera Syndulla, the Twi'lek captain of the Ghost from Star Wars Rebels.
- Hera Syndulla, voiced by Vanessa Marshall, was a key leader in the Rebellion's cause and fell in love with Jedi survivor Kanan Jarrus.
- It is recommended to watch 10 key episodes from Star Wars Rebels to fully understand Hera's character and her relationship with Grand iral Thrawn before Ahsoka's release.
The Ahsoka played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
Voiced by Vanessa Marshall, Hera Syndulla was a leading character in Star Wars Rebels, serving as the Ghost's captain as well as leading the rebel cell known as the Spectres. Eventually becoming a key leader for the Rebellion's cause, Hera also fell in love with Jedi survivor Kanan Jarrus while leading rebel forces against Grand iral Thrawn himself, the Empire's greatest tactician who will also be returning in Ahsoka. Here are 10 essential Hera episodes to watch from Star Wars Rebels ahead of Ahsoka's release on August 23.
10 Spark of Rebellion (Parts 1 & 2)
An extended series premiere episode, "Spark of Rebellion" introduces not only Hera Syndulla but also Kanan, Mandalorian artist Sabine Wren, Lasat warrior Zeb, and Hera's loyal droid companion Chopper. Known as the Spectres, the premiere features one of the rebel cells' first conflicts with the Empire on the world of Lothal while also recruiting Ezra Bridger into their ranks, a young Force-sensitive who becomes Kanan's Padawan. That said, recruiting Ezra was very much encouraged by Hera, who saw his potential to help their cause.
9 Wings of the Master
"Wings of the Master" was a key episode in which the Spectres and Phoenix Squadron got their hands on a prototype B-Wing starfighter. A classic Rebellion fighter from the original trilogy, this episode establishes that Hera was the first rebel to ever fly one in battle against the Empire. The episode further proves her skills as a pilot beyond captaining the Ghost, as well.
8 Homecoming
"Homecoming" sees Hera and the Spectres ing forces with Twi'lek freedom fighters on Ryloth seeking to rid their home of the Empire. Reuniting with her father Cham Syndulla, who leads the freedom fighters, several details regarding Hera Syndulla's history are revealed, including the death of her mother shortly after the Clone Wars. Hera's father Cham was first seen in The Clone Wars animated series fighting the Separatists alongside Mace Windu and the Republic, confirming that war and the desire to resist oppression has always been a driving force in Hera's life.
7 Hera’s Heroes
A later episode of Rebels entitled "Hera's Heroes" saw the Spectres returning to Ryloth. Seeking to reclaim a priceless family heirloom, Hera's mission put her face to face with Grand iral Thrawn for the first time. Demonstrating his impressive intellect and appreciation for art, Thrawn used the heirloom to correctly deduce Hera's identity. Although Hera managed to escape and reunite with her crew, this episode serves as the beginning of Hera and Thrawn's true rivalry in Rebels, one that will continue in Ahsoka.
6 Zero Hour (Parts 1 & 2)
Aided by General Dodonna's forces and Phoenix Squadron, Hera led the charge creating strategies and commanding multiple rebel fighters as Thrawn and the Empire's Seventh Fleet engaged in an assault on the Rebellion's Chopper Base. Matching Thrawn's tactical prowess with her own, these key Rebellion factions were able to survive and live another day, rather than being decimated by the Grand iral and his Star Destroyers. While there were a variety of elements that led to the rebels' survival, such as Imperial officers refusing Thrawn's orders and the unexpected might of the Bendu, Hera's military brilliance was on full display, explaining her promotion to general following the original trilogy.
5 Kindred
Star Wars Rebels' final season featured a culminating arc of episodes where the Rebellion made a committed effort to liberate Lothal from the Empire. Near the beginning, one of the episodes saw Kanan and Hera beginning to finally express their feelings for each other. This included a long-awaited kiss between the two rebel heroes, though it was revealed in later episodes that their relationship had become more serious even earlier.
4 Rebel Assault
"Rebel Assault" continued the Liberation of Lothal, where Hera was forced to go on the run after Thrawn and the Empire shot her X-wing squadron down. Determined to save who she could, Hera ended up sacrificing herself to the Empire and was captured. It's a rare episode in which Hera was on her own without any of the other Spectres to offer their .
3 Jedi Night
Following Kanan's rescue of Hera in "Jedi Night", the Empire pursued the rebels as they tried to escape near the Imperial Fuel Depot on Lothal. However, the Empire's eagerness to kill the rebels saw them blowing up their own fuel pod. Immediately after Hera told Kanan she loved him for the first time, Kanan gave his life, keeping the explosion back with the Force so Hera could escape with Sabine and Ezra. It's a truly heartbreaking episode, serving as a defining moment for all the Spectres (but especially Hera).
2 DUME
"DUME" covers the aftermath of Kanan's death as Hera grieves the loss of the man she loved. Although she initially blames herself for his death while wishing she had shared her true feelings sooner, Hera found a means to move forward and honor Kanan's memory, adding a piece of his Jedi holocron to her family heirloom known as a kalikori. She then reed the Rebellion's efforts to free Lothal, determined to keep fighting like Kanan would have wanted her to.
1 Family Reunion and Farewell
The series finale of Star Wars Rebels sees the Ghost team victorious in the Liberation of Lothal. Ezra Bridger defeated Grand iral Thrawn, sending them both deep into the Unknown Regions using a pod of space whales known as purrgil. Additionally, the added epilogue takes place after the events of the original trilogy, featuring Hera as a general while still flying the Ghost alongside her son, Jacen, his father confirmed to have been Kanan himself.
Both Hera and Jacen Syndulla will play roles in Ahsoka, where they'll reunite with the titular Jedi outcast ands Sabine Wren to finally locate Ezra. They'll also be facing the galaxy's newest danger in Grand iral Thrawn, who will return to the known galaxy and become "heir to the Empire".
Episodes 1 and 2 of Ahsoka premiere Wednesday, August 23 on Disney+.
