In Review: Star Wars Rebels – Steps Into Shadow

Synopsis: In ‘Steps Into Shadow’ Ezra, Sabine, Zeb, Chopper and Hera set out to rescue Hondo Ohnaka, while Kanan finds an ancient force creature know as The Bendu.

Review: Rebels returns to television and we’ll finally find out whether Ezra will be tempted into the shadow of the Dark side or continue as an apprentice of the light side.

This episode highlights Ezra using the dark side in order to successfully complete missions. Without Kanan’s guidance Ezra is lost and falling deeper into shadow. 

Kanan is also lost due to him wallowing in grief at the loss of Ahsoka Tano. His grief leads him to the mysterious Bendu who is a giant creature that can use the force, but describes itself as being neither dark or light, but the point in-between. This character is voiced brilliantly by Tom Baker of ‘Doctor Who’ fame.

The Bendu helps Kanan get in touch with his remaining senses so that he can see on a far deeper level than his eyes ever could. The lesson is interrupted when Kanan senses that his apprentice Ezra is in trouble.

Ezra having successfully completed several missions with no help from Kanan is promoted to Lieutenant Commander and is given a mission to steal some old Y-Wing Bombers.

This episode sees the introduction of Grand Admiral Thrawn who is playing the long game when it comes to trying to cut the heart out of the rebellion. Thrawn is so confident that he is prepared to let the rebels get away with the Y-Wings.

The story did much to continue from the threads that were left hanging from last season. We see a more matured Ezra in that he has now had his hair cut. Gotten a little taller and is taking on more of a leadership role, which ultimately proves to be a bit much even for him.

I liked the fact that Ezra had used the Sith Holocron to provide him guidance in the absence of Kanan, but have to wonder if we’ll see a return for Darth Maul who had started to tutor Ezra a little during the final two episodes of last season.

I find the fact that Ezra is so conflicted to be an interesting twist, which I hope is explored further.

Hopefully we also get to see Kanan have more visits with the Bendu who is now in possession of the Sith Holocron.