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- "That message of rebellion you beamed out somehow made its way into the deepest dark of Imperial prisons. They were inspired by it, Ezra. They rallied others to rise up and break out. Dozens of us, rebels, sympathizers are free, thanks to them. But they didn't make it."
- ―Ryder Azadi tells Ezra Bridger what happened to his parents
In 4 BBY, imprisoned revolutionaries Ephraim and Mira Bridger organized a revolt in an Imperial prison. The Bridgers, who had been imprisoned years earlier for broadcasting anti-Imperial messages on Lothal, were inspired to organize the attempt after they heard their son, Ezra Bridger, transmit a message of rebellion across the galaxy. Dozens of prisoners escaped, including former Lothal Governor Ryder Azadi, but the Bridgers themselves were killed. After escaping, Azadi returned to Lothal to find Ezra, and he told the boy what happened to his parents.
Prelude
- "See what the Empire has done to your lives, your families and your freedom? It's only gonna get worse unless we stand up and fight back. It won't be easy. There will be loss and sacrifice. But we can't back down just because we're afraid. That's when we need to stand the tallest. That's what my parents taught me. That's what my new family helped me remember. Stand up together. Because that's when we're strongest: as one."
- ―Ezra Bridger transmits a message of rebellion
Ezra Bridger broadcasts a message of rebellion to Lothal, which was heard by his parents in prison
In 4 BBY,[3] and during their insurgency against the Galactic Empire on the Outer Rim planet of Lothal, the rebel crew of the starship Ghost hacked the planet's Imperial Communications Center to transmit a message of rebellion to the people of Lothal and nearby star systems. The message was read by Ezra Bridger, a young Padawan in the crew. During his message, he assured the people of Lothal that, despite what the Empire claimed, he and his crew were not criminals, but rebels who were fighting for the freedom of Lothal. He urged people to look at the oppression that the Empire had brought to their world and to stand up against them, despite the loss and sacrifice it would require.[4]
Though the message was only intended for the citizens of Lothal, the broadcast reached the ears of prisoners being held by the Galactic Empire.[2] Two of those prisoners were Ezra's parents, Ephraim and Mira Bridger, who had been imprisoned years earlier for broadcasting similar revolutionary messages on Lothal.[5] Though Ezra never identified himself in the message, his parents knew it was him and were inspired by what he said. They stood up for their fellow prisoners throughout their incarceration, but especially after they heard their son's words.[2]
The revolt
- "How did they know it was me? On the transmission?"
"Your voice, your words, son, telling Lothal to stand up. They knew right away." - ―Ezra Bridger and Ryder Azadi
Ezra's message inspired his parents to take action. They rallied dozens of other prisoners to attempt an escape from their prison. One of those prisoners was Ryder Azadi, the former governor of Lothal who supported the Bridger's broadcasts and was charged with treason as a result. During the revolt, dozens of prisoners were able to make their way to freedom, but the Bridgers were separated during the prison break and refused to leave until everyone else made it out. According to Azadi, by the time the other prisoners escaped, the Bridgers had been killed.[2]
Aftermath
- "The Jedi teach that life doesn't cease at death, but merely changes form in the Force. Your parents are alive inside you, Ezra. They will be. Always."
- ―Kanan Jarrus, Ezra's master
Ezra sees his parents through the Force
The prison break caused Ezra to see a vision of his parents and Azadi that led him to return to Lothal to try to find answers. Azadi also returned to Lothal, hoping to find the boy so he could tell him what happened to his parents. Ezra found him on Lothal and Azadi explained what happened, giving Ezra the answer about his parents' fate that he had hoped to find for so long. Though they were gone, Ezra saw his parents through the Force and they told him that they were proud of him and that he would need to stay strong.[2]
Behind the scenes
The escape from the Imperial prison was an event that was first referenced in "Legacy," an episode in the second season of the animated television series Star Wars Rebels. It resolved the question of the fate of Ephraim and Mira Bridger,[2] a storyline that began in the first season episode "Empire Day."[5]
Appearances
Star Wars Rebels — "Legacy" (First mentioned)- Star Wars Rebels — "A Princess on Lothal" (Mentioned only)
Sources
- Legacy Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Ryder Azadi in the Databank (backup link)
- Ephraim Bridger in the Databank (backup link) (First identified as revolt in an Imperial prison)
- Mira Bridger in the Databank (backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑
Martin Fisher (@tronprogram2) on Twitter: "@LelalMekha between The Future of the Force and Legacy." (backup link (tronprogram2/status/723596277909491712) not verified!)
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18
Star Wars Rebels — "Legacy"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The events of this article take place between "Empire Day," which marks the beginning of the fourth year before the Battle of Yavin; and "A Princess on Lothal," which is the first known episode to take place in the third year before the Battle of Yavin. As such, we can deduce that this event takes place in the fourth year before the Battle of Yavin. For more information, see Wookieepedia's Timeline of Star Wars Rebels Events.
- ↑ Star Wars Rebels — "Call to Action"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Star Wars Rebels — "Empire Day"