Will it be a pirate’s life for Ezra?
Hondo, Hondo, Hondo!
This episode was much more lighthearted than the last episode of Rebels. No Inquisitors this time, just pure pirate fun. Ezra and Chopper meet up with Hondo Ohnaka on board Vizago’s ship while they are supposed to be on cleaning duty. Ezra, frustrated about his conversation with Rex and Kanan, decides to tag along with Hondo for a delivery (after Hondo says the ship is now his), but as Lando Calrissian! Already the episode starts off with a bit of humor. I like that Ezra decides to venture out on his own, maybe try a new path than one of either a soldier or a Jedi. I think it’s important for Ezra to grow into his personality and not let others influence him too much. He’s old enough to make up his own mind. (Although, Ezra seems to always want to “do good,” so really, the Jedi path seems like his logical choice in the long run).
As Ezra and Hondo arrive at their destination to deliver the power generator cargo, we get to meet the slimy crime lord Azmorigan once again. (Does he remind anyone else of the Vogons from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy?) This scene really delves into how scummy Azmorigan actually is; he tries to kill Ezra and Hondo…by sending them out the docking bay and into space. What a despicable move. Fortunately a blaster wielding Chopper saves them. We get one of Hondo’s best lines in the episode during this fight scene: as Hondo grabs the credits for the sale, he goes flying out towards space. “I’m rich! I’m dead!” Love it! Ezra saves him using the Force to pull him back inside. It seems Ezra’s Force powers are really developing in this season of Rebels; we have really been able to see him use the Force more, and I was actually pretty amazed he was able to concentrate enough to pull Hondo back towards the docking bay.
By this time Hondo has figured out Ezra is not Lando Calrissian, but has figured him for a Jedi. Being a former/current Jedi sympathizer, Hondo proposes Ezra join him and become…a Jedi pirate! Seriously, what a cool concept. Hopefully we get some actual Jedi pirates on down the line in Rebels. It’d be a great format for introducing a more gray area into the Jedi culture. Someone who is inherently good, but still has scoundrel-like qualities. Like Han Solo as a Jedi. Who hasn’t always wanted to see that?
While Ezra and Hondo escape Azmorigan, Ezra comes upon Vizago locked up in his own ship. Ezra, being dutiful as always, helps free Vizago and reclaim The Broken Horn. Again, we see Ezra remembering his debts, and being, well, just a good person. I don’t think Ezra has the personality to be anything other than a Jedi in the future. Unless something truly dark happens to him…and then maybe we’ll see a new Sith. But that’s pure wild speculation…
Towards the end of the episode, we see the generators actually get delivered to the crew of the Ghost by Hondo. Not such a bad pirate after all. Hondo is sure Ezra is a Jedi (he tells him so). It’s pretty obvious how one could draw this conclusion via all of the good acts Ezra did throughout the episode. Plus, Hondo used to be pretty close with Jedi (Kenobi in particular), so he’s probably a good judge of Jedi-character. We also get to see Ezra reflecting on his adventure, and that he used to be a lot like Hondo- alone and out for himself. Which is true, when we first met him he was a pickpocket on Lothal. Without Hera and Kanan’s guidance, Ezra may not be on the path he’s on now.
I also think it’s important that Ezra gets to meet Hondo in this episode. Hondo used to be a powerful pirate during the Clone Wars, but now he’s lost his ship and crew and is on his own. Perhaps Ezra can see what being on your own does to someone; that it’s a harder life when you don’t have friends to rely on. Ezra has always seemed to be on the fence with this issue – on whether he’s better off with the crew of the Ghost, or if he should have never joined up. He’s a bit rebellious, especially if anyone is pushing him towards one specific path (ahem, Rex and Kanan). Fortunately for us, we get to see Ezra’s progression along with the crew of the Ghost as the show moves on through Season Two.
The next episode of Rebels looks excellent, we get to see part of Hera’s past. We get to find out how she became such an excellent pilot, plus we get to see/hear Vanessa Marshall’s superb voice acting.
Until Wednesday then!
Courtney Martin is a graduate of Indiana University and works in publishing. She’s an avid Star Wars fan and wrote the recipe blog Courtney Cooks Star Wars on suvudu.com. When not enveloped a science fiction or fantasy novel, she is watching television with her husband and son, doing crossword puzzles, or playing with her Shih Tzu, Burt.