Ahsoka episode 1 “Master and Apprentice” ending explained

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Ahsoka Episode 1, “Master and Apprentice”

The premiere of Ahsoka has finally arrived! Episode 1, “Master and Apprentice,” and Episode 2, “Toil and Trouble,” are currently available to stream on Disney+!  While the series was filled with many moments, episode 1’s conclusion was crucial for the following episodes. Here’s everything that went down.

Master and Apprentice Turmoil

Episode 1 re-introduced the fan favorite Mandalorian, Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), in her live-action debut. Sabine’s behavior throughout the episode is quite rebellious and certainly resentful towards her former Master, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson). We first see Sabine on Lothal, ditching a speech she was supposed to give regarding Ezra’s sacrifice during the events of Star Wars Rebels. Shortly after, Ahsoka goes to Lothal to inform Sabine that she’s found a way to finally find Ezra (Eman Esfandi) via a map she had previously found.

Towards the end of the episode, It’s clear that Sabine doesn’t want this to be a group project. After Ahsoka denies her access to the map, Sabine decides to take matters into her own hands, disobeying her old master and taking the map for herself. When Ahsoka comes to find out, she has words with Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) via hologram. Ahsoka claims that Sabine is as stubborn as ever and is frustrated with how complicated Sabine can make things. As Hera and Ahsoka spoke, Ahsoka’s points were about to be further validated. While Sabine had successfully unlocked the map, It would soon be to all of their detriment.

Sabine’s Duel

While Sabine was once a padawan to Ahsoka Tano, those days are now far behind them both. Additionally, there aren’t exactly Jedi training academies around every corner in the post-empire era. Therefore, Sabine’s options for any kind of training are strictly limited to Ahsoka.

That said, it’s been quite some time since the former padawan has had any training. Regardless, this didn’t stop Sabine from igniting her lightsaber, signifying combat against the well-trained Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno). Shin is the apprentice of Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson), a former Jedi who survived Order 66 and now works as a mercenary. Hati and a droid crew were assigned to go to Lothal and find Sabine along with the map. Lucky for Hati, they found both targets in the same place.  After Sabine ignites her saber, Hati engages in a duel.

The duel does not last long and ends with what many may have thought to be a fatal blow to the stomach of Sabine. Her failure to keep the map and herself safe proved that the fierce Mandalorian bit off more than she could chew. Because of her actions, the map to Ezra was now in the hands of Morgan Elsbeth (Dianna Lee Inosanto).

What Now?

After the map slipped through Sabine’s fingers, Ahsoka, Hera, Sabine, and the New Republic have the deck stacked against them. Now that Elsebeth has the map, she can fulfill her goal of bringing back Grand Admiral Thrawn. As was mentioned earlier in this episode, the map is about far more than just Ezra. It’s also about Thrawn’s return as Heir to the Empire. Not only does the former Ghost Crew now have to save their friend, but they also stop what, at this point, seems like Thrawn’s Imminent return.