Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka episode 7.
Summary
- Ezra refuses to use a lightsaber while fighting in Ahsoka episode 7, showcasing a new form of combat that combines hand-to-hand fighting with Force pushes.
- Ezra hasn’t used a lightsaber in at least nine years, trusting that Sabine is more qualified to wield it.
- Ezra gave his lightsaber to Sabine during the Battle of Lothal and now considers it hers. It’s possible that he may be forced to pick it up again in the Ahsoka finale, but for now, he fights fine without it.
In Ahsoka episode 7, Ezra Bridger curiously refuses to take up a lightsaber while fighting off bandits, despite Sabine Wren’s insistence that he take a weapon. And while it’s possible that his new Noti allies may have influenced him with their pacifistic lifestyle, his refusal actually speaks to a deeper change of character. During his exile on Peridea, it’s likely Ezra has continued fighting Thrawn by taking out some of his Night Troopers. In other words, he’s learned how to fight without the need for a weapon.
Despite refusing to take his old lightsaber from Sabine, Ezra still manages to hold his own against Peridea bandits, Thrawn’s Night Troopers, and even Shin Hati. Without a lightsaber, Ezra has developed a new sort of form of combat by combining hand-to-hand fighting with well-timed Force pushes. He tells Sabine, “the Force is my ally. That’s all I need,” a line very reminiscent of Rogue One’s Chirrut Îmwe, who says “I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.” In any case, Ezra has several good reasons behind his newfound confidence in fighting lightsaberless.
Ezra Hasn’t Used A Lightsaber In At Least Nine Years
As strange as it sounds, in their current situation, Sabine is actually more qualified to use a lightsaber than Ezra, and he knows it. Ahsoka takes place after The Mandalorian season 3 in the Star Wars timeline, as Carson Teva mentions Moff Gideon’s insurrection on Mandalore during Hera Syndulla’s hearing. This means that at least nine years have passed since Ezra last wielded a lightsaber during the Star Wars Rebels season 4 finale. He’s out of practice, but he knows Sabine isn’t. He may also be taking a leap of faith and putting his trust in Ahsoka’s choice of Sabine as a Padawan, knowing that Sabine will come through.
Ezra Gave Sabine His Lightsaber, & He Considers It Hers
Another reason Ezra refuses to take his lightsaber back is because he originally gave it to her. During the Battle of Lothal, Ezra slipped away to confront Thrawn alone, leaving his lightsaber with Chopper to give to Sabine. In the years since the battle, Sabine has modified the saber to suit her own style, and according to Huyang, it’s become more of her own lightsaber than Ezra’s. She’s also owned it for far longer than he ever did, which is why Ezra believes it’s become her weapon now.
It’s still possible that Dave Filoni is setting up a big moment for the audience in Ahsoka’s finale where Ezra is forced to pick up his lightsaber again, similar to when Captain America finally wields Mjölnir in Avengers: Endgame. But until then, Ezra seems to make due fighting by the seat of his pants. Perhaps he’s developed an unwavering trust in the Force during his exile, seeing as he had nothing else in his arsenal to fight Thrawn with. In any case, it remains to be seen whether Ezra continues to refuse to use a lightsaber in the Ahsoka finale.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.