'Star Wars Rebels' Season 4, Episode 13 'A World Between Worlds' Recap: Voices of the Past and Future [SPOILERS]

“Star Wars Rebels” Season 4 promised to present its connections with “Rogue One” but they’ve also surprised fans with “Force Awakens” connections. Inside the Jedi Temple, Ezra (Taylor Gray) experiences a revelation. The young Jedi arrives on a new plain of existence where familiar “Star Wars” characters echo through. Meanwhile, Sabine (Tiya Sircar) is captured and brought in front of Minister Hydan (Malcolm McDowell). The Ghost Crew has to find a way to save one of their own and the Jedi Temple.

Ahsoka Returns to ‘Star Wars Rebels’

Ezra falls through the doorway created by the Loth-wolf paintings. We hear the voice of Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz) quoting one of his lines from “Attack of the Clones.” Ezra moves along the pathway trying to figure out what has happened to him. As we walk through the suspended pathway along an infinite starscape, we hear a variety of familiar lines. Quotes and voices from different “Star Wars” characters. Each of the voices belongs to Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Anakin Skywalker. We also hear voices from the future such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Rey and even Kylo Ren.

Ezra meets a familiar looking convor perched above a portal with a triangular border. Ezra recognized him and associated it whenever Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) was near. Ezra’s confusion continued when the bird started to hoot, and the portal turns blood red, fading into the image of Ahsoka’s battle with Vader from the Season 2 finale. Desperate to save her, Ezra reaches into the portal and pulls his friend to safety. The scene fades as they both fall onto the path. But the two Jedi are safe and regain consciousness. Fans have been waiting for Ahsoka’s return and “Star Wars Rebels” did not disappoint.

Palpatine Traps Ezra and Ahsoka

Ahsoka and Ezra speculate about Kanan’s connection with the Loth wolves. Ahsoka tells Ezra the Jedi are now part of the Cosmic Force. Ezra starts to wonder if he was sent to this plane for a reason. Feeling lost and confused, he hears the voice of his former Jedi Master. Ezra rushes to follow the sound, but Ahsoka discourages him. Ezra wouldn’t listen, though. Since he saved Ahsoka, Ezra believes he can do the same with his former Jedi Master. Ezra followed Kanan’s voice to the scene of his death. Ahsoka tries to reason with Ezra, telling him she understands how he feels. She also wishes she could change the fate of her former Jedi Master, Anakin Skywalker, as well.

Ahsoka tells Ezra he has to learn how to let go. Reluctant, Ezra accepts Kenan’s fate allowing the flames to fill the portal and consume Kanan. Ezra asks Kenan how they can close the door to this world. She tells him how but she can’t join him once he returns to Lothal. Disappointed, they hear a haunting voice telling Ezra they can join him–Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). Lit only by a small blue flame in front of Palpatine, he was engulfed by darkness. Palpatine’s blue flames then surround the two Jedi. Palpatine tries to capture Ahsoka and Ezra, but the two were able to return to their original timelines. It looks like the fan favorite’s return is shortlived. Just as Ezra was about to be engulfed by the flames, he jumps through the portal.

The Ghost Crew Tries to Save Their Own

Back on Lothal, Hyden asks Sabine how she was able to open the portal when none of the Imperials couldn’t. She gives him a smart-crack answer, but Hyden brushes it off. He then reveals that Emperor Palpatine knows Ezra entered the portal and the young Jedi is not safe. Palpatine will find him, and Hyden offers Sabine his help. He informs the rebel that a portal is a plane between time and space in which Palpatine can control. Hyden tries to explain how Ezra was able to change the position of the Father and the daughter on the artwork but Sabine refuses to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Hera and Zeb put their plan into motion to signal Sabine. Hyden and Sabine continue their art exploration until a Stormtrooper interrupts them about a change in the portal. As if on cue, Sabine hears morse code knocking and the command center’s thrusters start to lift one side off the ground. Sabine manages to slide back outside and reunites with her team. Ezra also returns in time to rejoin his allies. He tells them they need to shut the portal, but as they rushed towards the painting, Stormtroopers surrounded them. Chopper saves the day by taking control of a massive Imperial grinder, chasing the Stormtroopers off.

Rushing, Ezra was able to close the portal but fell unconscious. Zeb takes Ezra onto his back, and the Jedi Temple begins to collapse. The Ghost Crew rushes into the Imperial Grinder and escapes before being crushed by the ruins. While unconscious, the young Jedi hears Kenan’s voice once again, bidding him goodbye. Ezra wakes up on the grinder and sees the ruins of the Jedi Temple. It’s clear what their objective is as he looks out onto the horizon gazing at the White Loth Wolf before walking away.
“Star Wars Rebels” continues next Monday, March 5th with “A Fool’s Hope” and the one-hour finale episode, “Family Reunion and Farewell,” starting 8:30 PM on Disney XD.