With fans at Star Wars Celebration getting to enjoy some exclusive footage and for attuned audiences finding out many reveals about the upcoming Ahsoka series, now is a great time to rewatch Star Wars: Rebels. The show is perhaps Star Wars' underappreciated masterpiece having some of the franchise's best stories in some of its best episodes - which Ranker users have ranked.
The Ranker list has a couple of surprises, both in its inclusions/exclusions and in the order. However, Rebels has so many incredible episodes it is hard to debate what the best ten are; even though many fans share the same number one.
"The Future Of The Force"
Season 2 Episode 10
Darth Sidious' kidnapping of Force-sensitive children has been touched on time and time again in canon, and fans are still waiting to see the full extent of what Project Harvester has turned into. This episode of Rebels gives a good glimpse, though.
It sees the Inquisitorius sent to capture Force-sensitive children, with Ezra and Kanan sent to investigate by Ahsoka, who ends up being a highlight of the episode by unveiling her epic white lightsabers and demolishing the two Inquisitors in battle. The whole story is solid, though, with Zeb, Kanan, and Ezra being great as they unveil the mystery of why the Inquisitors want these children. Given some of the episodes that miss out, it is a surprise to see this included on Ranker's list, but it is still a terrific one.
"Through Imperial Eyes"
Season 3 Episode 17
This is a fantastic episode full of twists and surprises as Ezra looks to help Kallus - who is Fulcrum at this point - get away from the Empire. Thrawn and Kallus shine in this espionage-focused episode.
Just when audiences are let in on how intelligent Kallus is - as he frames Lyste as Fulcrum, with Lyste, in turn, suspecting it to be Pryce thanks to Kallus' exploits - fans are let in on the intellectual brilliance of Thrawn who deduces Kallus as Fulcrum and decides to use him. There is a lot of tension in the episode as fans fear for Kallus and it is well put together by the writers.
"A Fool's Hope"
Season 4 Episode 14
To see Ranker's users deem episodes like "Shroud of Darkness," "Zero Hour", and "Trials of the Darksaber" outside of the top ten is hard, but there is no denying that "A Fool's Hope" is brilliant and a fitting penultimate episode of the series.
It focuses on the rebels trying to free Lothal, which is exciting from start to finish. The actual battle on Lothal may be the best large-scale fight in the show, with great tension, visuals, and even twists involving Pryce and Ryder. Every character shines, from Ezra's passionate pursuit of freedom for his planet to Hondo and his typical Hondo ways to the rest of the rebels on Lothal. It sets the stage wonderfully for the iconic finale.
"Twin Suns"
Season 3 Episode 19
In the wake of Obi-Wan Kenobi, every Star Wars fan, no matter their ill-formed opinions on animation, needs to seek out "Twin Suns", one of the very best Obi-Wan stories ever told as he faces off one last time with his greatest rival.
The duel between Obi-Wan and Maul at the end of this episode is one of the very best lightsaber battles ever, especially speaking thematically and narratively; it is poetry in motion. Their rivalry is one of, if not the best in all of Star Wars, being so consistently high in quality, never missing a beat, and this episode closes that out. On top of that duel and the raw brilliance of the pair facing off, the performances from Sam Witwer and Stephen Stanton are outstanding, and the writing is impeccable. Many have this episode much higher than seventh in their rankings.
"Twilight Of The Apprentice: Part 1"
Season 2 Episode 21
Long before The Mandalorian season 2, The Clone Wars season 7, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, it seemed as though Star Wars had already peaked in its ability to craft season finales with this epic two-part finale to Rebels' sophomore outing.
While fans will always associate "Twilight of the Apprentice" with its second part, part one is awesome. The setting of Malachor, the ominous journey through the darkness, the emotional goodbye between Ahsoka and Rex, the Inquisitorius, and, perhaps above all else, the return of Maul, are all outstanding. That final shot of Maul saying, "What fun." as everyone else stands poised to fight is exhilarating.
"Fire Across The Galaxy"
Season 1 Episode 15
Rebels' first season, similarly to most Star Wars shows thus far, is its weakest, but it comes to an epic conclusion with 'Fire Across the Galaxy,' which digs into the themes of the show and the character dynamics like that between Ezra and Kanan.
Kanan's journey through Rebels, through the Force, is one of the best character arcs in Star Wars, and this episode is a significant point in that as he lets go and puts his trust in the Force, saving him and Ezra and defeating the Grand Inquisitor - who has an epic death scene. Of course, that duel is not all that the episode is, Ahsoka returns, sending audiences feral, and the rest of the Ghost crew get to shine too in their rescue and reunion with Kanan.
"Wolves And A Door"
Season 4 Episode 12
Given that the episode this leads up to, "A World Between Worlds," is one of the series' most loved and unique episodes, rated second highest of the show's run on IMDb, it is a surprise to see 'Wolves & A Door' ranked above it by Ranker users. It is a fantastic prelude, though.
The episode sees Sabine and Ezra go to the Jedi Temple on Lothal to see that the Empire has taken it over. Full of the great Sabine/Ezra dynamic, bringing back the Ones of Mortis, and kicking off with the truly fascinating Lothwolves and their leader Dume, the episode is so fun to watch but also has some deep stuff to dig into as a part of one of the most ambitious Star Wars stories ever told.
"Family Reunion & Farewell"
Season 4 Episodes 15-16
Not until years later did Dave Filoni finish off The Clone Wars how he and his teams wanted, but he got to do so with Rebels and did not waste the opportunity, making 'Family Reunion and Farewell' a fitting send-off to this awesome series.
The family dynamic of the Ghost crew is on full display here, especially at the tail end of the story, as Ezra sacrifices himself to save his planet and many more planets in the Galaxy by taking Thrawn deep into space. This finale could not have been any better; not only did it beautifully wrap up Rebels, but it set up the sequel to it, which looks to be coming in Ahsoka. Fans cannot wait.
"Jedi Night"
Season 4 Episode 10
Perhaps two misconceptions about the animated art form are that, for one, it cannot be as powerful as live-action and, for two, in the case of Star Wars, it does not have as many stakes with central characters less likely to die. This episode dispels both of those ideas.
Seeing Kanan as a man on a mission looking to rescue Hera from the grasp of the Empire, he is as focused as ever, and in the end, he gives his life to save Hera and his family. It is one of the most perfectly crafted and emotional deaths in Star Wars, entirely fitting of his character journey in the show. Even before his death, the episode is great as the crew looks to rescue the mother of the group, and Thrawn further shows how great of a villain he is.
"Twilight Of The Apprentice: Part 2"
Season 2 Episode 22
It is no surprise to see Ranker putting this episode as number one, as that is where many Rebels fans have this episode. It picks up where part 1 leaves off, and it is one of the best viewing experiences in all of Star Wars.
The deaths of the last Inquisitors, Maul's betrayal, Kanan's blindness, and then, of course, perhaps the pinnacle of Star Wars animation, Darth Vader facing off with Anakin Skywalker's former apprentice Ahsoka Tano. The emotional impact is at an all-time high in the episode, and as far as Star Wars TV goes, it is flawless.